Category: What’s New

International premium video-on-demand service TBA Play is bringing two critically acclaimed films “Lingua Franca” (2020) and “Boundary” (2011) to cinephiles overseas starting June 18.

Lingua Franca

Get into the Pride Month Spirit by watching “Lingua Franca”—starring as well as written and directed by Isabel Sandoval, who won Best Actress for her role in the film at the 18th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival. “Lingua Franca” also won the Jury Award which is the top prize for Best Narrative Feature at the 2020 Bentonville Film Festival, an American festival that highlights stories told by minority voices in entertainment, such as the LGBTQ+ community, women, and people with disabilities.

Filipino moviegoers have surely missed going to the cinemas. While that experience is irreplaceable, TBA Studios offers an alternative option that will surely bring fond memories to local cinephiles as it launches Cinema ’76 Café on June 11.

Cinema ’76 Café is an al fresco dining spot located on the third floor of the Anonas LRT City Center in Quezon City.  Envisioned to be a haven for film and coffee lovers alike, the open-air neighborhood coffee shop has a unique movie-themed inspired décor.  Some visual references include posters from TBA Studios’ well-loved films and a very comfortable ‘bench seating’ reminiscent of Cinema ’76 Film Society’s signature couch seats.

Aside from delicious hot and iced coffee beverages, the café offers a wide array of drinks—bottled Coffee Matcha, Salted Caramel Latte, and Popcorn Frappe are just some of the ones guaranteed to be instant favorites. For pastries and desserts, Cinema ‘76 Café recommends its delectable Mango Cake. This tasty treat is said to be a playful nod to the iconic mango scene from TBA Studios’ 2018 blockbuster “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”

Film aficionados outside the Philippines will no longer be left behind as they get the chance to see “Dito at Doon” (“Here and There”) via the international premium video-on-demand service.

Filipinos and cinephiles abroad can sit back and enjoy the must-watch movie of the year “Dito at Doon” (“Here and There”) through TBA Play starting on May 1.

The most talked-about movie in the Philippines right now, “Dito at Doon” (“Here and There”) has been receiving rave reviews from critics and public alike since its domestic online release on March 31, with the film being called a “touching and timely romantic tale” with “stellar performances from its lead cast Janine Gutierrez and JC Santos”.

“Tellingly, ‘Dito at Doon’ (‘Here and There’) is both a time capsule and a tribute to the Filipinos who continue to survive the pandemic.  It is a story that needs to be told and be seen by Filipinos wherever they are in the world,” said Eduardo A. Rocha, TBA Studios, CEO and Executive Producer.

“With TBA Play, Filipinos living abroad will no longer feel left behind in seeing our world-class films like ‘Dito at Doon’ (‘Here and There’) that not only entertain but also reveal the Filipino experience,” he added.

TBA Play is a premium video-on-demand service catering to millions of Filipinos abroad yearning to connect with their friends and families back home.  Through this platform, viewers can now catch the best and the latest Pinoy movies anytime, anywhere with no ad interruptions.  TBA Play houses a catalog of award-winning and well-loved films featuring some of the brightest stars in the Philippine entertainment scene.

TBA Play is currently available in over 60 countries, including USA, Canada, and select territories in Middle East, and North Africa. TBA Play is also partnered with international distribution and sales company, TVCO to bring TBA Play contents to key markets in Europe.

TBA Studios also shares that the public can expect more exciting news in the coming months as TBA Play continues to beef up its programming line up and add new countries to its list.

Set during the first months of the pandemic, “Dito at Doon” (“Here and There”) revolves around political science graduate Len (Janine Gutierrez) and her online/offline frenemy Caloy (JC Santos). With polarizing views and challenges of not being physically together, will their relationship survive?

Directed by JP Habac of  “I’m Drunk I Love You” and “Gaya sa Pelikula” fame, “Dito at Doon” also features theater actors Victor Anastacio and Yesh Burce, with the special participation of Janine’s mom, veteran actress Lotlot de Leon. 

“Dito at Doon” (“Here and There”) is exclusive on TBA Play for a limited time only in USA, Canada, and select territories in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa starting May 1.  Viewers can watch their film of choice starting at USD7.99 / EUR7.99 while ‘Dito at Doon’ will have an early bird rate of USD8.99 / EUR8.99 until April 30. For a full list of countries and updates on availability in other regions, tba.ph and follow https://www.facebook.com/tbaplaymovies.