A scene from ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’

MANILA, Philippines -- SM Cinema has become the largest cinema exhibitor in the country, operating 226 cinemas in 39 malls nationwide. With upcoming branches in SM Masinag, SM San Fernando and SM Consolacion, Cebu, SM continues to expand by putting up two more IMAX Theaters – one at SM Southmall and another at SM Clark.

SM Cinema pioneered digital theater in the Philippines when it opened its doors to the public on Nov. 14, 2007 at The Block SM City North EDSA with Beowulf 3D as its first movie shown. Since then, SM Digital theater opened up opportunities for 3D cinema and featured some of the biggest 3D movies like “UP,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “Avatar,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Shrek Forever After,” “Despicable Me,” “Megamind.”

SM Digital Theater shows its flexibility by also showing 2D Hollywood movies like “Transformers 2,” “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince,” “G. I. Joe,” “Wolfman” and “Inception.” The noticeable difference is the unparalleled clarity of movies compared to movies shown in regular 35 mm film.

SM Digital Theater took a giant leap ahead of the digital pack when it became the first cinema to bring in the cutting-edge motion effect seat simulators in December 2009. And SM Digital Theater has also introduced the first interactive cinema.

K-pop group 2AM in Manila

Multi-awarded K-pop group 2AM is currently in Manila for a concert set at Eastwood Mall Open Park, April 30, 5 p.m. Prior to the main show, a couple of meet-and-greet happens at the Newport Plaza at Resorts World Manila today, April 28 and Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill on April 30.

Members Jo Kwon, Seulong, Changmin, and Jinwoon are promoting their latest album “Saint O’ Clock,” with MCA Music’s local pop duo Krissy & Ericka as their front-act. The special edition album contains two bonus tracks and a DVD of 2AM videos. Those attending the meet-and-greet get to have their CDs signed.

2AM’s media partners include The Manila Bulletin, MYX, Barangay LS, Garage mag, OrangemagazineTV.com, Kpop Live, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Maxima Machineries & Hyundai Truck and Bus, JYP Entertainment Korea, Big Hit Entertainment Korea, and 2 One Day Philippines.

Free Bieber tickets  from Smart

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is giving its subscribers the complete Justin Bieber experience with an array of exclusive Bieber promos and gimmicks.

Smart subscribers may join any one of two promos for a chance to win two Gold tickets, for free, to see the international teen pop sensation up close in his “My World Tour” happening on May 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

To join, Smart subscribers must first register in order to qualify, by simply texting REG <name/address> to 2948.

The first promo entails sending an MMS. To join, Smart subscribers must have their picture taken with any of the life-like Justin Bieber standees placed within Smart Wireless Centers in major Metro Manila malls. To find the list of areas the Justin standees may be found, text BIEBER PIC to 2948.

To earn a raffle entry for a chance to win tickets, they must send their picture along with their message to Justin. On the MMS composer, type BIEBER <name>/<message>, attach the photo and send to 2948.

The second promo allows Bieber fans to “follow” their idol – already the most followed personality on Twitter – on the micro-blogging site, through an exclusive mobile site. For only P10 per day, they can get 24-hour unlimited access to Justin Bieber’s Twitter feed by simply going to http://wap.mymegamobile.com/bieber. 

Promos run until May 2.

Dance to inspire

The Philippine Institute for the Deaf (PID) in cooperation with Tahanang Walang Hagdanan present a dance concert “Dance.comPassion – Dance 2 Inspire” today, April 28, 7 p.m. at the Meralco Fitness Hall, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City.

The concert features performances by talented dancers of the Philippine Institute for Deaf and the wheelchair Latin dancers of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan. The show will also feature the first deaf Ballerina, Denisse Limcuando, a recent graduate of PID, who is now a scholar of Ballet Manila under the tutelage of BM’s artistic director Liza Macuja.

Artistic Director of the show is renowned Latin dancesport champion Genice Bong Marquez while project chairman is Anna Marie Periquet.

“Dance 2 Inspire” is brought to you by Meralco, Enchanted Kingdom, Kamera World, Dance Vision and BMG (Bong Marquez Group).

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 28, go to Vic Sotto, Chito Roño, Gene Palomo, Ms. Liela S. Salgado, Tess Lopez, Chato Maneru, Rosemarie Sonora, Mrs. Prudy Vijungco, Sarah Kay M. Guila, Eva F. Merlin, Dennis Belen of Hawaii, and Marvin M. Sampilo of Queens Village, New York… Happy wedding anniversary to Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta; Richard and Lucy Gomez and Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos…