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PRESS RELEASE: “Still”, the first filipino Viu Original Musical Series

PRESS RELEASE: “Still”, the first filipino Viu Original Musical Series

Tickets are now available for the upcoming Viu Original series, “Still,” featuring a star-studded lineup of Filipino actors.

Filipino creatives are still here, and they’re bursting at the seams. Top creatives in cinema, music, and theater are all fired up to keep creating despite all the frustrations brought about by seemingly endless restrictions. The need to make their voices heard and amplified triggered the creation of “Still”. 

“Still” is an 8-episode musical narrative series about a group of aspiring artists who get stuck in a music camp during the first couple of months of the pandemic. In this time of isolation, they unlock friendship and rediscover themselves and their dreams through powerful and poignant music. The show evokes the anxiety, loss, grief, and sadness that the past year and a half has brought, but it’s also a story of courage, strength, connection, and hope.

“Still” is an 8-episode musical series set at the onset of the pandemic lockdown, featuring a band of five misfits whose stories intertwine

There’s a creative powerhouse behind the upcoming Viu Original series that will get cinema, theater, and music fans buzzing with excitement. Pat Valera, two-time Palanca-award-winning playwright of “Dekada ‘70 (Musical)” and “Mula sa Buwan”, leads the team as the primary creator and showrunner, in collaboration with Giancarlo Abrahan (“Sila Sila,” “Paki,” and “Dagitab”) and seasoned film, TV, and theater actor Nicco Manalo. 

The series is directed by Treb Monteras, one of the most distinguished film and music video directors, especially known for the internationally acclaimed rap musical movie, “Respeto.” Multi-awarded film producer, documentarist, and festival director Monster Jimenez also helms the project as the producer.  

Responsible for the music and lyrics of the show’s songs is a formidable team of some of the country’s finest and rising talents–Nica Del Rosario, Matthew Chang, and Mike Shimamoto. Del Rosario is the composer behind the viral chart-topping hit song “Tala.” Chang is an actor and singer-songwriter who created and directed music for “Dekada ‘70 (Musical)”. Shimamoto, an up-and-coming actor and singer-songwriter, is the founder and head storyteller of “Haru”. He not only partakes in the creation of music but also plays one of the main characters in the series. 

Viu Philippines team with Still’s cast and creators

With the exemplary team behind the screen, “Still” will also feature a star-studded cast, with the likes of Julie Anne San Jose and Christian Bautista headlining the series. Julie Anne, dubbed as Asia’s Pop Diva, is a multi-awarded and well-loved singer, songwriter, recording artist, actress, and television personality. Christian is undoubtedly a Filipino household name with his success in music and television. He’s made waves not only in the Philippines but in countries in Southeast Asia as well.

Left Photo: Julie Anne San Jose as Laura; Right Photo: Christian Bautista as Nikolas and Bituin Escalante as Annette

Local theater superstars Bituin Escalante and Gab Pangilinan are also starring in the series. Bituin is a celebrated singer, host, and Philippine theater icon. Fresh-faced Gab Pangilinan is considered a Philippine theater princess, praised for her unforgettable performances in “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, “Side Show”, and “Mula sa Buwan”. 

Gab Pangilinan as Sab and Mike Shimamoto as Iggy

Also in the cast are rising multitalented stars Gabby Padilla (FAMAS Best Actress Nominee for “Billie and Emma”, “Kalel, 15”), Lance Reblando (“Ang Huling El Bimbo”, “Wanted: Male Boarders”, Disney’s “The Lion King”), and Abe Autea (“Dekada ‘70 (Musical)”, “Nana Rosa”). They’re joined by other theater standouts MC Dela Cruz, Chaye Mogg, Roco Sanchez, Ian Hermogenes, and Shaira Opsimar.

Mike Shimamoto, Gab Pangilinan, Julie Anne San Jose, Christian Bautista, Bituin Escalante, Lance Reblando, and Abe Autea headline the cast of Still

Theater standouts Gabby Padilla, Shaira Opsimar, Ian Hermogenes, Chaye Mogg, Matthew Chang, MC Dela Cruz, and Rocco Sanchez as part of Still’s cast

“Still” will have a limited-time release on Ticket2Me before its scheduled showing on Viu. The Exclusive PreViu tickets will not only allow buyers to watch the episodes earlier but also enjoy a 6-month Premium subscription to Viu Philippines and a digital “Still” chord book containing the songs from the Viu Original series. 

The Exclusive PreViu tickets are now on sale at https://bit.ly/ViuStillSeries.

Creators and cast of Still in the lock-in shoot

Photo Credits: All images in this Press Release are owned by Viu Philippines and This Side Up.

About Viu

Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service, is available in 16 markets across Asia, the Middle East and South Africa with 45 million monthly active users (MAU) as of December 2020. 

 The Viu service is available to consumers through a dual model with an ad-supported free tier and a premium subscription tier. Viu offers fresh premium TV series, movies and lifestyle programming in local and regional languages and subtitles in different genres from top content providers, as well as premium original productions under the brand “Viu Original”. 

 Viu also offers users streaming and download features, and localized user interfaces across a myriad of connected devices. Viu can provide the best viewing experience regardless of device or network conditions. 

The service can be accessed via Viu app (available for free on App Store and Google Play) on connected devices, e.g. smartphones and tablets, select smart TVs, as well as on the web by logging into www.viu.com.

In addition, Viu International Limited, through its subsidiary Moov (Hong Kong) Limited, also operates MOOV, a popular digital music streaming and live music concerts service in Hong Kong.

About PCCW Limited

 PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a global company headquartered in Hong Kong which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.

The Company holds a majority stake in the HKT Trust and HKT Limited, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator of fixed-line, broadband, mobile communication and media entertainment services. HKT delivers end-to-end integrated solutions employing emerging technologies to assist enterprises in transforming their businesses. HKT has also built a digital ecosystem integrating its loyalty program, e-commerce, travel, insurance, FinTech and HealthTech services to deepen its relationship with customers.

PCCW owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong engaged in the provision of OTT video service locally and in other places in the region.

 Through HK Television Entertainment Company Limited, PCCW also operates a domestic free TV service in Hong Kong.

 Also wholly-owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading IT and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia. In addition, PCCW holds a stake in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited and other overseas investments.

To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mai Garay, Viu Philippines: Email mai.garay@pccw.com