‘Transformers’ edge out ‘Spider-Verse’ to claim first place at box office

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

IT was Miles Morales and the the Transformers at the box office this weekend and the bots came out on top.

Mavy, Kyline banner

‘lUv iS: love at FirSt re ad’

FoLLoWINg the success of LUV IS: Caught In His Arms comes the second collaboration project betwen gMA Network (www.gmanetwork.com) and Wattpad

WEBTooN Studios, titled LUV IS: Love at First Read.

Beginning June 12, Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara are set to solidify their title as Love Team Superstars as they play the lead roles of Kudos and Angelica/Abby in the series.

LUV IS: Love at First Read is based on the hit Wattpad webnovel of the same name by author “Chixnita.” The story has over 23 million views on Wattpad.

The series follows the story of Kudos, a secret romantic searching for the perfect girl. He finds a diary and believes that the owner of it, Abby, is the one for him. However, he also meets Angelica, a jaded girl who distrusts men and has no interest in love.

Will Kudos be able to heal Angelica’s trust issues with men? How will Kudos face his feelings for both Abby and Angelica?

Joining the ensemble cast are Therese Malvar, Mariel Pamintuan, Pam Prinster, Bruce Roeland, Josh Ford, Larkin Castor, Marco Masa, and Vito and Kiel gueco. Adding excitement to the feel-good series are seasoned artists Jackie Lou Blanco, Jestoni Alarcon and Maricar de Mesa.

LUV IS: Love at First Read is produced by the awardwinning GMA Entertainment Group headed by senior vice President Lilybeth g. Rasonable, in partnership with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios comprising president Aron Levitz.

Under the helm of Mark Sicat dela Cruz together with associate director Carlo Cannu, LUV IS: Love at First Read airs Monday to Friday beginning June 12 at 5:40 pm on gMA.

Global Pinoys can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, entry in the series, took the No. 1 spot in its first weekend in North American theaters with $60.5 million according to studio estimates on Sunday.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse however, with an estimated $55.4 million in its second weekend.

Paramount Pictures released 3,678 locations starting with Thursday previews.

Set in 1994, it’s technically a sequel to the 1980s-set Bumblebee and a prequel to the other films. With a new cast led by Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback and a new director in Steven Caple Jr., it’s also an attempt to reset and breathe fresh life into the $4.8 billion franchise.

Rise of the Beasts also earned $110 million from 68 international markets, giving it a $170.5 million global debut.

Critics didn’t love the movie, but that’s also par for the course for this franchise. Overall, Rotten Tomatoes aggregated a less-than-fresh 52 percent rating. “The problem with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is the same problem faced by all of the installments— balancing the humanity with the metal,” wrote AP’s Mark Kennedy in his review.

In fact, the only movie that did get a fresh rating was Bumblebee, which also made the least money of all of them. Audiences (62 percent male) were more positive, giving Rise of the Beasts an “A-” CinemaScore.

According to PostTrak surveys, general audiences gave it 4.5 stars out of 5.

While a $60.5 million opening might not seem like enough to support a $200 million production budget, Rise of the Beasts is a movie that will make most of its money abroad.

Since 2011’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon, international ticket sales have accounted for at least 70 percent of the global box office total. Two of the seven movies, Dark of the Moon and Age of Extinction from 2014, made over $1 billion each.

“To have a No. 1 debut is impressive given the formidable competition from Spider-Man: Across the

Daddies we love to follow

COME this weekend, most families will celebrate Father’s Day. Although it’s not too big a deal like Mother’s Day, Filipinos have started to embrace the importance of this special day more and more in recent years.

Boom Labrusca is having the best time of his life as a father to his and Desiree del Valle’s son, Alexander Sebastian, who is turning 2 this October.

“Our baby boy Bash is our focus, our priority, our true source of joy and happiness,” Labrusca enthused, adding, “Being there every day and watching him grow to be a happy kid is just priceless.”

Labrusca shared that they are hands-on parents, and that’s the reason why Desiree has turned down a lot of offers for her to go back to acting. “I’m the one who is open to acting jobs but I am also very particular about where the shoot will be. Lockedin and faraway locations are difficult at this time because that means I’ll be away from my family for a period of time,” he told us.

Labrusca became a first-time dad 27 years ago, also to a son, who later on pursued a career in entertainment. Tony Labrusca has been making a name on his own as a singer-actor for sometime now, after joining a reality talent show a few years back.

“Destiny happens in God’s perfect time. Being parents to a toddler can be quite challenging but it is always a happy kind of challenge. Our faith is our anchor, and we believe that God provides for all our needs,” Labrusca added.

Liza Diño’s unica hija Amara now refers to Ice Seguerra as Dad. Amara, now 15, came to Ice’s life when she was barely 4 years old. Seguerra admitted that she was initially scared and was full of selfdoubt. “It was Amara who constantly assured me that everything was good, and her love took away any doubt, fear and unnecessary worry inside me that allowed me to let my guard down and let things progress the way they should. I am grateful to have her as a daughter.”

Father’s Day last year, Amara posted that she is so

Spider-Verse, which had a much stronger opening than anyone anticipated and in its second weekend is a really powerful player,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.

Sony’s Spider-Verse sequel fell about 54 percent. In just two weeks, it’s already surpassed the total domestic box office of the first film with $225.4 million in ticket sales and become the highest grossing Sony Pictures Animation release. With terrific reviews in its arsenal, Spider-Verse is likely destined for a longer life at the box office, too.

Third place went to Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which earned $23 million in its third weekend, where it’s playing in 4,320 locations in the US and Canada. The live-action movie has made $414.2 million globally to date.

Two other Walt Disney Co. releases rounded out the top five, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in fourth with $7 million in its sixth weekend and The Boogeyman, in weekend two, in fifth place with $6.9 million.

While many of the films in the top 10 are known happy that Ice is inspired and active again with the things he loves doing. “I hope that you continue to reach for the great things you have always wished for and showcase the many skills you [have been] gifted with. I love you very much. Thanks for being the best dad for me, and for always ‘chilling’ with me!” brands or IP, one original property, A24’s Past Lives, is making waves in the specialty space. Playing on just 26 screens in its second weekend, Celine Song’s romance made $520,772 for a stunning $20,030 per screen average. It expands nationwide on June 23. The summer movie season should continue to pick up heat with major new films coming nearly every week. Next weekend family audiences get Pixar’s Elemental, while the superhero crowd can catch up with The Flash.

Cebu’s pride and Pinoy Big Brother 2012 grand winner Slater Young decided to leave show business and is now a successful engineer, running a construction business in the Visayas. He is happily married to Kryz Uy and the couple now has two boys—Scottie and Tobi. “I believe that every major thing in life is a decision. Love is a decision. Who you marry is a decision. The career path you want to take is a decision. Happiness is a decision,” he intoned.

Young turned his back on show business because he felt he doesn’t possess the depth and skills needed to actually be able to do well in front of the cameras.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.

1. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, $60.5 million

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, $55.4 million

3. The Little Mermaid, $22.3 million.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, $7 million

5. The Boogeyman, $6.9 million

6. Fast X, $5.2 million

7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, $2.1 million

8. About My Father, $845,000

9. The Machine, $575,000

10. Past Lives, $520,772. n

“It’s like it’s not who I am, not my culture, it’s so different from who I am and who I want to be.”

What gives him immense happiness these days is family, especially his role of being a dad to his two sons. “Seeing them grow up, being with them when they first walk or talk or grow their teeth, all these are precious and are etched in my heart. One’s perspective in life changes and automatically shifts once a guy becomes a dad. You strive to become a better person not only for yourself but for your family, your kids and their future.”

While writing this piece, we just received news that Diego Loyzaga has also become a father. Loyzaga posted a photo showing him carrying a newborn baby with the caption “The best birthday gift ever.” to all these daddies we love to follow.

Loyzaga, son of actors Cesar Montano and Teresa Loyzaga, turned 28 a few weeks ago.