Max launched in the Philippines on Tuesday, November 19, and the streaming service pulled out all the stops to celebrate its arrival.
GMA News Online was among the media outlets selected to go to the grand event held at the Bonifacio High Street, and here are five magical things that happened:
1. Everyone was in a Hogwarts mood
Fans, members of the press, and content creators alike donned their Hogwarts-inspired looks for the event.
Some wore their takes on the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s uniforms with accent colors to specify their chosen houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Meanwhile, others went all-out and cosplayed as their favorite characters in cloaks and similar costumes.
2. Fantastical Christmas trees
The strip of Bonifacio High Street has some new holiday decorations, but they’re not your typical Christmas trees.
The new trees were inspired by top content on Max, such as “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” and the “Harry Potter” films.
“The Last of Us” tree featured smoke and was located in what was dubbed a “dangerous, biological contamination area.”
The Heart Tree from “House of the Dragon” was also recreated and carved with a face of an old god.
Finally, the “Harry Potter” tree was decorated with the film’s floating candles which are located around Hogwarts.
3. The ‘Harry Potter’ universe, but in BGC
Following the event at the mall, guests were treated to a recreated “Harry Potter” experience at the Shangri-la The Fort.
The hotel’s grand ballroom was transformed into Platform 9 ¾, the Dursley home with the flying Hogwarts acceptance letters, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
4. Candy and potions
Fans were able to head into the Wizarding World and live out a few hours like the Boy Who Lived.
They got lots of candy from a trolley like the students traveling to Hogwarts, created perfumes with their chosen scents like in Potions class, and had a filling family dinner at the four long tables of the Great Hall.
5. You must be a Weasley
They solemnly swear to be up to no good.
James and Oliver Phelps, best known for playing Fred and George Weasley in the “Harry Potter” films, were the special guests at Max’s grand launch.
The twins pushed the button to light up the Potter-themed Christmas tree, and sat in front of the press for a quick program where they talked about the competition show they host on Max, “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” where contestants make sweet creations inspired by the films.
GMA News Online caught up with James and Oliver, who thanked Filipinos for giving them a warm welcome during their first time in the country.
The actors also said that they appreciate still being known as Fred and George long after the films ended. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
