MAX original limited series DMZ debuts March 17 only on HBO GO

Based on Brian Wood’s acclaimed DC graphic novel of the same name, brand new four-part Max Original limited series DMZ premieres with all episodes the same day as the U.S on Thursday, March 17 only on HBO GO. This adrenalised drama is executive produced by Emmy® nominee Roberto Patino, Emmy® winner/Oscar® nominee Ava DuVernay, and Paul Garnes, and stars Rosario Dawson as a woman who navigates a demilitarized zone in a harrowing quest.

Leaping off the pages of the popular DC graphic novel into the visual landscape of a dangerous and distorted Manhattan, DMZfollows intrepid medic Alma Ortega (Rosario Dawson) on her tireless, eight-year search for her missing son in a near-future America embroiled in a bitter civil war. With no other options, Alma negotiates her way into the only place she hasn’t been able to look: Manhattan – now a lawless demilitarised zone overrun by rival factions vying for power as a race for control plays out between ruthless community leaders Parco Delgado (Benjamin Bratt) and Wilson Lin (Hoon Lee). While Alma’s harrowing quest thrusts her into the middle of this dangerous no man’s land, she unexpectedly emerges as a vital source of something needed most in the DMZ, which is hope.

Other cast members include Freddy Miyares, Jordan Preston Carter and Venus Ariel. The series also stars guest cast Rutina Wesley, Nora Dunn, Jade Wu, Rey Gallegos, Mamie Gummer, Agam Darshi, Juani Feliz and Henry G. Sanders.

DMZ was created for television by Patino, based on the comic book series published by DC written by Wood and illustrated by Riccardo Burchielli. Patino also serves as showrunner and wrote the first episode, which was directed by DuVernay. Acclaimed filmmaker Ernest Dickerson directs and executive produces three episodes. Emmy® winner Carly Wray is co-executive producer. Filipino DC fans can stream or download DMZ from March 17 only on HBO GO.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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Inspiring tales of adventure and adversity this March on HBO GO

HBO GO celebrates the life of world-renowned chef Julia Child in Julia and demonstrates how the most difficult and diverse situations can be turned around in Kamikaze. Meanwhile, the infamous Dominic Toretto and fearless warrior Snake Eyes must face demons from their past in F9: The Fast Saga and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. For a change of pace, get a dose of humour with Our Flag Means Death.

Kamikaze
Premieres Thursday, March 3 on HBO GO

In this MAX Original Series, based on the novel Muleum by Erlend Loe, a young woman’s privileged life is torn apart when her family dies in a plane crash. Suddenly left alone in a large mansion with material possessions that most people only dream about, she embarks on a wild and turbulent adventure, traveling from her native Denmark to the far corners of the world, seeking a reason to go on. Stars Marie Reuther.

Our Flag Means Death
Premieres Thursday, March 3 on HBO GO

Loosely based on the adventures of Stede Bonnet, this comedy series follows the life of a pampered aristocrat who leaves his family and riches for a life out on the high seas. Stede has no idea what he’s doing as pirate captain, and his crew knows it. In addition to a potential mutiny, he also has to face the most famous pirate of all –Blackbeard. Stars Rhys Darby and Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi.

Julia
Premieres same day as the U.S. on Thursday, March 31 on HBO GO

World-renowned chef Julia Child’s extraordinary life across the key moments of American history, from the emergence of public television and feminism, to the nature of celebrity and her long-running television series, “The French Chef,” which pioneered the now popular genre of cooking shows. Witness her singular can-do spirit across this 8-part MAX Original Series. Stars Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce.

F9: The Fast Saga
Premieres Friday, March 18 on HBO GO

Just as life seems perfect for Dominic Toretto, with a young son and Letty restored to him, his family and crew of misfits are faced with yet another threat to their peace and safety – none other than Jakob, Dom and Mia’s estranged brother. Stars Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Charlize Theron.

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
Premieres Saturday, March 26 on HBO GO

As a young loner, Snake Eyes is welcomed into an ancient clan, the Arashikage, in return for saving their heir apparent. As he is taught the ways of the ninja, secrets from his past are revealed. In the process, his honour and allegiance will be tested and he faces losing the trust of those closest to him. Stars Henry Golding, Ursula Corbero, Andrew Koji, and Haruka Abe.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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HBO GO’s new thriller The Girl Before premieres February 10

From creator, author and executive producer JP Delaney (The Perfect Wife, Playing Nice), the new original limited series The Girl Before debuts same time as the U.S with all four episodes on Thursday, February 10 exclusively on HBO GO.

The Girl Before tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). There’s just one catch: the occupants must abide by his list of exacting rules. Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery about her predecessor, Emma (Jessica Plummer), she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities. As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before.

the girl before
the girl before 3

The four-part psychological thriller stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki, The Morning Show) who also debuts as associate producer, Golden Globe®, BAFTA, and Emmy®-nominated actor David Oyelowo (Selma, Les Misérables), Jessica Plummer (EastEnders, How To Talk To Girls At Parties), and Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody, X-Men: Apocalypse).

Adapted by Delaney from his own global best-selling novel of the same title which sold more than a million copies since publication in 2016, The Girl Before is written and executive produced by Delaney with Marissa Lestrade (White Stork, Deep State 2) as co-writer of episodes. It is directed by Emmy-nominated Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve, Servant, Blue My Mind), who also executive produces.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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HBO drama series The Gilded Age premieres January 25 exclusively on HBO and HBO GO

From creator Julian Fellowes, (“Downton Abbey”) HBO’s The Gilded Age debuts same time as the U.S. on Tuesday, January 25 at 10am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 10pm on HBO. Written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield and directed by Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the nine-episode drama series stars an ensemble cast of Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Simon Jones, Harry Richardson, Thomas Cocquerel, Jack Gilpin, with Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.

The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, of great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems, and of huge fortunes made and lost. Against the backdrop of this transformation, HBO’s The Gilded Age begins in 1882 with young Marian Brook (Jacobson) moving from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after the death of her father to live with her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Baranski) and Ada Brook (Nixon). Accompanied by Peggy Scott (Benton), an aspiring writer seeking a fresh start, Marian inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money set, and her stupendously rich neighbours, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George (Spector) and Bertha Russell (Coon). Exposed to a world on the brink of the modern age, will Marian follow the established rules of society, or forge her own path?

The series also stars Ben Ahlers, Michael Cerveris, Kelley Curran, Claybourne Elder, Linda Emond, Katie Finneran, Amy Forsyth, Michel Gill, Ward Horton, Bill Irwin, Sullivan Jones, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Kristine Nielsen, Kelli O’Hara, Patrick Page, Taylor Richardson, Douglas Sills, John Douglas Thompson, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Erin Wilhelmi.

Created, written and executive produced by Julian Fellowes, the series is also executive produced by Gareth Neame and David Crockett. Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield are directors and executive producers while Sonja Warfield is a writer and co-executive producer. The Gilded Age is a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

HBO Asia horror anthology series FOLKLORE returns for a second season

Six Asian directors take fear to another level in the new season

HBO Asia Original horror anthology series Folklore, which features deeply rooted superstitions and myths across Asia,ramps up the fear factor with the return of a second season. The new six-episode season premieres November 14 at 10pm exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. A new episode will debut every Sunday at the same time.

Folklore Season 2 continues to dive into Asia’s myriad of traditions and beliefs. Set in six different Asian territories – Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, the series examines the human condition when exposed to supernatural phenomena in a mind-bending race against oneself with each story providing a different take and perspective. Each episode is directed by a local director from that territory.

Directors for this season include Shih-Han Liao from Taiwan, Seiko Matsuda from Japan, Sittisiri Mongkolsiri from Thailand, Erik Matti from the Philippines, Billy Christian from Indonesia and Nicole Midori Woodford from Singapore. Singapore’s award-winning filmmaker Eric Khoo returns as the showrunner.

Highlighting female directors from the region, Japanese pop superstar Seiko Matsuda makes her directorial debut, drawing from personal experience to present an original concept featuring a haunted Japanese idol, while Singaporean director Nicole Midori Woodford’s episode speaks to dealing with family trauma.

Folklore Season 2 also features an ensemble cast from all over Asia. The stellar line-up includes Vivian Sung Yun-Hwa (“Our Times”, “Lost Romance”), Wu Kang-Ren (HBO Asia Original series “The World Between Us”, “A Touch of Green”), Win Morisaki (“Ready Player One”, “Honki No Shirushi” (The Real Thing)), Jennis Oprasert (“Where We Belong”), Dolly de Leon (“Verdict”, “Midnight in a Perfect World”), Lydia Kando (“Boneka dari Indiana” (Doll from Indiana), “Kejarlah Jodoh Kau Kutangkap”) and Mindee Ong (“881”, “The Transcend”) in leading roles in the respective episodes. Produced with the support of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Folklore is HBO Asia’s very first horror anthology original series. Various episodes of Folklore Season 1 were screened at numerous major international film festivals including Toronto International Film Festival (Toronto, Canada), SITGES International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain), Fantastic Fest (Texas, USA), Scream Fest (Singapore), Five Flavours Asian Film Festival (Warsaw, Poland), Asian World Film Fest (California, USA), Geneva International Film Festival (Geneva Switzerland), Trieste Science+Fiction Festival (Trieste, Italy), Philadelphia Asian Film Festival (Philadelphia, USA), San Diego Asian Film Festival (San Diego, USA), CinemAsia International Festival (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Festival Series Mania (Lille, France), Tokyo International Film Festival (Tokyo, Japan), and Ehime International Film Festival (Ehime, Japan).

Episode Guide for Folklore Season 2

The Rope, premieres Sunday, November 14 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO

Directed by: Shih-Han Liao (Taiwan) | Cast: Vivian Sung (Sung Yun-Hwa), Wu Kang-Ren

folklore s2 1

A newly-wed woman is walking home alone after a joyous wedding ceremony when she gets caught in a purification ritual performed for suicide victims. The ritual officers warn her that she will need to follow the ritual, or she will be cursed. However, she runs away despite their warning. Her life is turned upside down with strange phenomena and disturbing hauntings. Fearing that she has been cursed, she seeks aid from the Master of the purification ritual who confirms her worst fears. However, there’s more to the situation than meets the eye and she needs to get to the bottom of the mystery before it destroys her completely.

The Day the Wind Blew, premieres Sunday, November 21 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO 

Directed by: Seiko Matsuda (Japan) | Cast: Win Morisaki, Haori Takahashi

folklore s2 2

Mika is a schoolgirl who meets the man of her dreams – Ken, her favourite singer. As she takes her seat at Ken’s concert, nothing could be more perfect. Not only is she witness to a performance that is everything she’s expected and more, it seems he’s actually taken an interest in her. But something seems amiss. Ever since the day of the concert, a cold wind has stalked the woman’s path as her dream encounter is marred by a bone-chilling presence. What appears to be the beginning of a fairy tale love can only be described as a fable destined for a hellish end.

Broker Of Death, premieres Sunday, November 28 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO

Directed by: Sittisiri Mongkolsiri (Thailand) Cast: Natee Ngamnaewprom (Ton), Jennis Oprasert

folklore s2 3

Manop is a 45-year-old single father who owns an amulet shop. It doesn’t pay him well, especially when he has to pay for his daughter’s exorbitant medical bills. In fact, his main source of income comes from being a “Broker of Death” – someone who trades in corpses. One day, he is told to pick up a dead body. The corpse is to be a part of the ritual so that a wealthy politician can have more power. Manop has to choose between two frightening options – ghost haunting or poverty.

7 Days Of Hell, premieres Sunday, December 5 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO

Directed by: Erik Matti (Philippines) | Cast: Dolly de Leon, Roshson Barman

folklore s2 4

A righteous policewoman and mother races against time to save her son when he falls dangerously ill from an unknown cause. When her son is given only a few weeks to live, she discovers that his illness is of supernatural origin and that a powerful sorcerer has cursed him. The only way for her son to survive is for him to apologise and make amends to the sorcerer. As the clock ticks, she is sent on a desperate quest to save her son.

Grandma’s Kiss, premieres Sunday, December 12 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO

Directed by: Billy Christian (Indonesia) | Cast: Lydia Kandou, Ken Zuraida

folklore s2 5

Marni is a new resident at a nursing home, having been left there by her daughter. She feels abandoned and longs for her old life. She suspects that her roommate Ningsih might be a supernatural being – a Palasik – haunting the home and able to make any wish come true if caught. Will Marni use the Palasik to get what she desires – her old life back?

The Excursion, premieres Sunday, December 19 at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO

Directed by: Nicole Midori Woodford (Singapore) | Cast: Mindee Ong, Ethan Ng, Darren Lim

folklore s2 6

A troubled mother is depressed and suffering from insomnia. Her husband is never at home and her son talks to an imaginary friend Under immense stress, she starts to see a ghostly, somehow familiar figure in her house. Her son’s erratic behaviour becomes dangerous and life-threatening. Can she save her son and her family before it’s too late?

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

HBO releases new trailers of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and other titles to premiere exclusively on HBO GO

Four new trailers from upcoming series – House Of The Dragon, And Just Like That…, Peacemaker and Succession Season 3, were released by HBO today. All these series will be available exclusively on HBO GO when they premiere.

House Of The Dragon

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, which is set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen. The teaser featured the first official footage from the highly anticipated series, which contained several previously announced cast members in addition to the following newly revealed cast:

  • Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon – Younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy
  • John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon – Son of Corlys Velaryon and  Rhaenys Targaryen
  • Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron – Daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.
  • Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon – Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen

Catch up on all eight seasons of Game Of Thrones and watch the behind the scenes documentary Game Of Thrones: The Last Watch which chronicles the series on HBO GO before House Of The Dragon premieres.

And Just Like That…

Premiering this December on HBO GO, And Just Like That…, the new chapter of the groundbreaking HBO series “Sex and the City” from executive producer Michael Patrick King, follows “Carrie” (Sarah Jessica Parker), “Miranda” (Cynthia Nixon) and “Charlotte” (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. The series is currently filming in New York and includes previously announced cast members Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, and Evan Handler. Binge watch the entire six seasons of Sex And The City series as well as Sex And The City: The Movie on HBO GO before And Just Like That… premieres.

Peacemaker

Peacemaker will explore the origins of the character that John Cena first portrayed in James Gunn’s 2021 film, The Suicide Squad – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. Watch John Cena as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad on HBO GO.

Succession Season 3

The Emmy® award-wining HBO about wealth, power and family in the ruthless world of the uber-rich returns for a third season same time as the U.S on Monday, October 18 at 9am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 10pm on HBO. New episodes will premiere every Monday at the same time. Stream or download the first two seasons on HBO GO.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Image and details provided by Warner Media in a recent press release.

New HBO Original Series “On the Job” in competition at Venice Film Festival

The six-part crime thriller is a Philippines HBO Asia Original premiering first on HBO GO

WarnerMedia is giving Filipinos another reason to celebrate as it announced today the premiere of ON THE JOB (#OTJonHBOGO), a new HBO Asia Original series continuing the saga of Erik Matti’s 2013 film carrying the same name.

The engrossing six-part hour-long crime thriller series will premiere globally and exclusively on HBO GO in September. Inspired by true events, select episodes from the series will play in Competition at the prestigious 78th Venice Film Festival as On The Job: The Missing 8 in September. It is the only film from Asia out of the 21 international films in Competition at this year’s Venezia 78.

The series centres around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, except that the crime syndicates are run by politicians. The series also puts a spotlight on the real-world predicament concerning fake news and how easily truth can be manufactured and disseminated to the public in today’s age of information.

Conceived and directed by Erik Matti, the series in English and Filipino is filmed in the Philippines and stars Joel Torre, John Arcilla, Piolo Pascual, Dennis Trillo, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Dante Rivero, Christopher De Leon and Lotlot De Leon.

While the first two episodes of the series were shown as a film as part of the Director’s Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation, the episodes on HBO GO are remastered and include never-before-seen and exclusive content.

Produced by Reality MM Studios and Globe Studios, ON THE JOB is written by Michiko Yamamoto and Erik Matti and executive produced by Ronald “Dondon” Monteverde, Erik Matti, Joe Caliro and Quark Henares.

Watch Erik Matti’s other HBO Asia Original production, FOOD LORE: ISLAND OF DREAMS on HBO GO. Fans of crime dramas will enjoy other HBO Asia Originals on HBO GO such as TRINITY OF SHADOWS, THE HEAD, THE WORLD BETWEEN US and MISS SHERLOCK. Erik Matti is also directing an episode of the HBO Asia Original series Folklore Season 2 which will premiere later this year.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

Image and details provided by Warner Media in a recent press release.

What’s on HBO GO this January

Here are some great shows for your New Year streaming playlist! HBO GO opens the year with the hottest premieres from movie blockbusters to fresh installments of award-winning series that you can watch on-demand wherever you are and whenever you want. Check them out:

Tora-San, Wish You Were Here
Premieres Friday, 1 January at 10pm

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

Fifty years after Kiyoshi Atsumi’s wandering salesman first appeared on the big screen, the beloved long-running Tora-san film series comes to a close in this 50th and final instalment, exploring the lives of the ones he left behind. Hidetaka Yoshioka reprises his role as Tora-san’s nephew, Mitsuo.

1917
Premieres Saturday, 2 January

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake, are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers – Blake’s own brother among them. Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes, this World War I epic stars Oscar winner Colin Firth, Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, Golden Globe winner Richard Madden and Golden Globe nominee Andrew Scott.

The Rook
Premieres Monday, 4 January
New episode premieres every subsequent Monday

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

This series tells the story of Myfanwy Thomas, a woman who wakes up in the rain beside London’s Millennium Bridge with no memory of who she is and no explanation for the circle of dead bodies splayed out around her. When she discovers that she’s a high ranking official in Britain’s last secret service for people with paranormal abilities, she’ll have to navigate the dangerous and complex world of the agency to uncover who wiped her memory – and why. Stars Emma Greenwell, Golden Globe nominee Joely Richardson and Olivia Munn.

Tiger
Premieres Monday, 11 January at 10am
Part two premieres at the same time the following Monday.

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

An HBO two-part documentary offering a revealing look at the rise, fall, and epic comeback of global icon Tiger Woods. The series paints an intimate picture of the prodigy whose dedication and obsession with the game of golf not only took his fame and success to new heights, but also down a dark, spiraling road that eventually led to a legendary sports comeback, culminated by his victory at the 2019 Masters.

C.B. Strike: Lethal White
Premieres Thursday, 21 January at 10am
New episode premieres every Thursday

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger return in the brand-new second season of C.B. Strike, based on the best-selling crime novels written by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Euphoria: F*ck Anyone Who’s Not A Seablob
Premieres Monday, 25 January at 10am

Jan 2021 on HBO GO

In the second of two special episodes of the Emmy® winning HBO drama series Euphoria, we follow Jules (played by Hunter Schafer) over the Christmas holiday as she reflects on the year. Schafer also serves as co-executive producer on this episode, which she co-wrote with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

SKY treats subscribers to exclusive Game of Thrones events

SKY subscribers who are die-hard Game of Thrones fans were recently given one-of-a-kind experiences: an ice skating spectacle inspired by HBO’s phenomenal hit TV series and an exclusive live screening of the final season premiere in one of the trendiest establishments in Poblacion, Makati.

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

On April 12 and 13, they witnessed Fire or Ice: A Musical Spectacle at SM Megamall’s Skating Rink.

There, they were treated to the outstanding performances by the country’s top figure skaters Joel Minas and Sofia Guidote.  Minas, who has bagged over 30 gold medals in various local and international skating competitions, masterfully brought King in the North Jon Snow to life on the ice. Guidote, on the other hand, in her role as Mother of Dragons Danaerys Targaryen, displayed the grace and athleticism that helped her bag the gold medal for the third year in a row at the Philippine National Competition.  Together, they gave absolutely stunning performances.

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

This remarkable event was made possible by SKY’s partnership with SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc.

On April 15, selected SKY subscribers were invited to an exclusive live viewing party at the Johnnie Walker House in Poblacion.  SKY partnered with Diageo, the company behind the Johnnie Walker brand, in hosting the event.  Guests were treated to a sumptuous breakfast with food items that whimsically reference Game of Thrones characters and locations.  Ten bottles of White Walker, Johnnie Walker’s limited edition Scotch whiskey inspired by the show’s most chillingly enigmatic of characters, were also raffled off to lucky winners.

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

Of course, the real highlight of the event was the live screening of the Season 8’s premiere episode in full high definition on HBO HD (SKYcable ch 168), all the better for attendees to see (and obsess over) every detail as they happen onscreen.

During both events, attendees were asked to choose their side: vote for their choice on who will sit on the Iron Throne and rule over the seven kingdoms by the series’ end.

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

They were also serenaded by 4G String Quartet who performed their own haunting renditions of the show’s theme songs and musical scoring.

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

GOTs8 Premiere, Johnnie Walker House

Cosplayers from Westeros Cosplay PH also graced the events, bringing the show’s lead characters to life, and gamely posed with the show’s fans for selfies and photo opps.

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

With these two events, it is certainly a great time for a GOT fan to be a SKY subscriber!

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Fire or Ice, SM Skating Rink

Game of Thrones fans can look forward to more immersions into Westeros with the upcoming SKY Alive event at the SM Mall of Asia on April 27 and 28.  Here, they can participate in games and contests, interact with their favorite Game of Thrones characters through the attending cosplayers, be entertained by more performances by 4G String Quartet, and experience what it’s like to sit on the Iron Throne!

New episodes of the eighth and final season of GAME OF THRONES will air in Asia same time as the U.S. every Monday at 9am, with a same day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD in Metro Manila).

Based on the popular book series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by George R.R. Martin, this hit Emmy®-winning fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent kingdom. Members of the ensemble cast for the seventh season included Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams. Season seven credits: executive producers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Bryan Cogman, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin.

HBO GO is HBO’s online streaming service that gives subscribers a chance to watch and enjoy the world’s best movies, HBO Originals and more through the website or the mobile app. Subscription to the app also gives SKY subscribers free access to cable channels – HBO Hits, HBO Family, and HBO Signature.  To register your SKY account and subscribe to HBO GO, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Video Credits: SKYcable on Youtube

All other images are mine.

Check out my other recent posts on Game of Thrones:

 

6 Takeaways from Journey Into Night, Westworld Season 2’s Explosive Premiere Episode

We’re back in Westworld, thanks to an exclusive advance screening held by HBO and SKY.

Held at the Narra Rooms in the posh Shangri-la at the Fort Hotel last April 19 (four days before its TV premiere on April 23, Monday), the event was attended by selected SKY subscribers as well as members of the press and social media influencers.

By the time this post is published, the episode should have aired on HBO. For those who haven’t watched it yet, be aware that there will be spoilers below!

So far, my thoughts on the episode titled “Journey Into Night” are:

  1. The inmates have taken over the asylum. When we left Westworld during last season’s finale, it was on the brink of chaos. Now we see the aftermath: bodies of both hosts and their human guests are littered everywhere, clear evidence of violent delights that have violent ends.
  2. They are out for blood. Former Sweetwater sweetheart Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) has fully embraced her inner Wyatt. Together with her posse which includes earnest cowboy Teddy Flood (James Marsden) and femme fatale Angela (Tallulah Riley, now promoted to series regular) are hunting down the human guests who were present during Robert Ford’s (Anthony Hopkins) presentation of his new narrative (which has the same title as this episode – Journey Into Night), and subsequent death at Dolores’ hands (yes, he’s really dead as evidenced the maggotty rotting corpse in the beach scene which takes place a few weeks after the shooting). Having broken free of the restriction from killing humans, the hosts are rounding up all the other human survivors and shooting them down or lynching them.
  3. A mother’s love knows no bounds. Former brothel madam Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton) is continuing her search for her daughter in her past narrative, despite knowing that “it is not real,” enlisting the willing assistance of notorious bullet-ridden outlaw Hector Escaton (Rodrigo Santoro) and the reluctant one from narrative designer Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman).
  4. Worlds are colliding. Last season, we discovered that Shogun World exists. Now, thanks to a robotic carcass of a giant robot Bengal tiger which the SWAT peeps say wandered too far from home, we can surmise that there’s probably a Jungle World as well.
  5. The Man in Black (Ed Harris) still has something to keep him busy. Last season, he was told by Ford that the maze (the object of his obsession which turned out to be the hosts’ journey to consciousness) was not for him. In this episode, he was told by Ford’s young robot clone that he is now in the game.
  6. Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) is acting all shady again. We know that this good-hearted head of behavior can be used as a weapon. Seeing him in a series of timejumps, from waking up to security personnel rounding up hosts for the slaughter to his run for survival with Delos director Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson), we know he will prove be central to more violent ends from violent delights.

Westworld Season 2 premiered on HBO (SKYcable ch 168 HD | 54 SD) on April 23, Monday at 9am with a primetime encore telecast at 10am. A new episode airs every Monday at 9am.

New Westworld episodes will also be available for streaming within the same day on HBO Go, HBO’s online streaming service exclusively available to SKY subscribers.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers.  I consider this privilege one of the biggest perks of my job: being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people.