Mina-Anud - A Drug Movie Unlike The Others

There has been a lot of drug-inspired movies since Duterte was elected as President, and most of them are gritty, dark, and bloody which wants to depict the complicated and deadly world of drugs, cartels, and the market.

Mina-Anud comes at the time that people seems to be fed up of the same theme yet they want to present the situation in a whole new light. The movie brought an unusual pairing of fisherfolks, surfers, and cocaine. Though there was recent real life news of this happening on coastal provinces, the film wants to expand it into a story that will make it a movie worth watching for.

Starring Dennis Trillo, Jerald Napoles, and Matteo Guidicelli, the film was initially shown as a closing film at the recent Cinemalaya Film Festival. It is now showing in theaters nationwide via Regal Entertainment. 

The plot of having surfers and fishermen getting involved in the drug trade has both a comedic and serious approach with their characters. It makes use of black comedy to portray satirical situations and the relationship of family and friends which invokes the Filipino feeling and complexity.

Sunshine, Raymond and Enzo Makes Bold Cinemalaya Statement With "Malamaya"

As one of the competing films for the 2019 Cinemalaya, the film Malamaya (The Color of Ash) wants to make a statement with the directors, story and their cast. Making her debut with the film festival is Sunshine Cruz and Enzo Pineda and also joined by Raymond Bagatsing. Directing this are two impressive women  Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez. 

Danica is a producer and video editor while Leilani, a soap opera writer and journalist. The film is first time in making their full-length film. They point out that Malamaya is a Tagalog term for the color of ash or gray, which is quite a contrast to the colorful world of art showed by the three main characters.

Gamers Rejoice! Asia Pacific Predator League Is Coming This 2019

Gaming has indeed evolved into a new form of competition and sport that started as a hobby by many. Now a big market in the world, it is undeniably a very large market where virtual players stand out and emerge victorious. Gaming brand Predator knows this and  is getting ready for their own international tournament, Asia Pacific Predator League 2019.

Recently launched last October at One Esplanade in Pasay City. This milestone event coincides with the reveal of celebrity gamer-slash-cosplay sensation Alodia Gosiengfiao as the newest Predator Gaming Ambassador. 

ML (2018) - Martial Law Sins Alive And Ready To Torture

Part of this year's Cinemalaya, ML written and directed by Benedict Mique Jr. brings a timely reminder of the dark days of Martial Law in the new era. With many of the millennials have not experienced the period, thoughts are divided if they see it as good or bad. 

Tony Labrusca plays Carlo who is has a views Martial Law was not as bad. However, he pursues to look for someone who lived though those days and eventually went to the home of Colonel De La Cruz. He is mistaken for a rebel and was captured and detained in his basement. 

His friends Pat and Jace were also looking for him and was also led to the Colonel's house and was also captured. There the various types of torture was conducted to have them speak up. The gruesome and morbid ways of torture were based on real life experiences of Martial Law victims according to Benedict.

Ai Ai de las Alas won the Best Actress Award in the recently concluded Cinemalaya 2018.

She bested other Best Actress nominees, that include Celeste Legaspi, Iza Calzado, Glaiza de Castro and Perla Bautista.

Ai Ai won for her sterling portrayal of a partially blind wheel-chair bound woman who runs a syndicate victimizing children and then use these children as pawn for illegal activities in the movie School Service. Her director in the movie Louie Ignacio accepted the award in her behalf. 

Ai Ai was having dinner with husband Gerald Sibayan when eldest son Sancho broke the news to her. She cried on learning that she won Best Actress. 

Aiai Delas Alas Now On Her 4th Year As Hobe Noodles Endorser

Aiai Delas Alas has recently renewed her contract as the endorser of Hobe Noodles.  Her partnership with the brand grew a lot and proved her worth as sales grew for Hobe and expanded their flavors and variants. CEO of Hobe Noodles Bobby Co is definitely happy with their partnership with Aiai.

Within the 4 years, they have expanded into many marketing platforms like billboards, posters, and recently a Television commercial which is a first in the brand. From her being a hands-on mom, now newly married to Gerald Sibayan, she also reprises her role as a housewife along with many projects she is working today.

Cinemalaya Film Festical's 12th Year At Ayala Malls Cinemas

The country’s annual Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival celebrates its 12th year with a resonant theme “Break the Surface” featuring an impressive roster of films for full length and short feature categories that are currently showing at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

For the first time, Ayala Malls Cinemas brings the festival outside Metro Manila at Ayala Center Cebu that will run on August 9 -14.  Marking its first opening at Ayala Center Cebu, Cinemalaya will have its opening night on August 9 featuring “Dagsin” and “Lando at Bugoy.”

Now on its sixth year partnership with Cinemalaya Foundation, Ayala Malls Cinemas has again championed the works of the country’s talented filmmakers showcasing the festival’s entries in seven of their branches (runs from August 6 – 14 in Metro Manila and August 9-14 in Cebu) – Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 1, Fairview Terraces, U.P. Town Center, Solenad and Ayala Center Cebu.

Cheers To The Winners of Cinemalaya X!

Concluding the most anticipated film festival in the country, Cinemalaya Film Festival Independent Film Festival 2014 (Cinemalaya X) is now on its 10th year and recently they announced the winners of awards for various categories. Though I have not seen the movies this year, I would like to congratulate the winners and also the cast and crew who worked hard to make quality films that are recognized abroad.

REEL DEAL Cinemalaya Specials: The Janitor

Chick flicks everywhere for local cinema, I guess people would eventually crave for a different genre for Pinoy movies. Next to love stories, action is a favorite of Pinoy movie goers, but they are rarely seen on mainstream cinema, and finding a good one is more rarer. The Cinemalaya Film Festival will happen on August, and one of the entries for the Director's Showcase is Mike Tuivera's THE JANITOR.

Starring Dennis Trillo, The Janitor may be an odd choice for a title of a action film but pose a different and deeper understanding about its meaning. Is he a crusader to clean up the mess of crime? Is he a punisher  who has an alter ego of a maintenance guy out to seek vengeance?

We talked to Dennis Trillo and Mike Tuviera about the movie and they shared their excitement for the upcoming movie in August. Fresh from "My Husband's Lover" Dennis Trillo became more buffed for the role as it requires a lot of real action and combat. Direk Mike shares that they also made the action scenes they always wanted to do and doing it right. 

REEL DEAL: 1st Ko Si Third Trailer Released

With the countdown to cinemalaya comes close, we can now see more information about the featured films like Real Florido's "1st Ko Si Third" starring Nova Villa, Dante Rivero and Freddie Webb.

Bringing the love story of young love at old age proves that first love never dies. Cory, who after all these years gets a letter from his first love and asks her to be with her  to cherish lost moments of love and laughter. We now take a peek at the trailer of the movie which in some way or another would also make you relate to our personal first love experiences.

Also starring in the movie are Coleen Borgonia, Denise Barbacena, Ken Chan, Nova Villa, Lara Morena, RJ Agustin, and Ruby Ruiz.

1st Ko si 3rd is written and directed by Real Florido  and will be showing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ayala Cinemas on August 1 to 10, 2014.

Cinemalaya 2014: 1st Ko Si Third SPOTLIGHT

Cinemalaya is days away and with the growing number of patron to this film festival, lets take a look at one of the entries staring Nova Villa with "First Ko Si Third"

First, Second, Third

Nova Villa "takes a chance with the one that got away"

When you retire and fate gives you a chance to pursue your first love, would you?

Follow Cory, who is in her 60's, as she takes a leap to reignite an old flame in a story that would give an interestingly different look at love in 1st Ko si 3rd, an official entry to the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival.

The movie is about that "what if" of the heart and giving it a second chance. The lead character, Cory, is played by veteran comedienne Ms. Nova Villa who once again is partnering with her on-screen duo, Mr. Freddie Webb. The latter is playing Cory's love interest, Third.

ART IS A BANG: Cinemalaya 2014 Director Showcase and New Breed Categories Revealed!

Here are the Finalists for Cinemalaya 2014 - Year 10 -- DIRECTORS SHOWCASE Category, based on the posts and tweets of award-winning scriptwriter-director Joey Javier Reyes, one of the screening committee of our favorite indie filmfest in the country: 

1. JOEL LAMANGAN -- "Hustisya"

2. JOSELITO ALTAREJOS -- "Kasal"

3. CARLOS SIGIUON-REYNA -- "Hari ng Tondo"

4. MICHAEL TUVIERA -- "The Janitor"

5. LOUIE IGNACIO -- "Asintado"

Ayala Mall Cinemas Hosts CINEMALAYA 2013 Entries

Promoting and championing Filipino talents, Ayala Malls Cinemas hosts for the 3rd time entries that will compete in Cinemalaya Festival on its 9th year themed “Cinemalaya Cinesthesia.”

Ayala Malls Cinemas’ first collaboration with Cinemalaya back in July 2011 opened its Greenbelt3 screens to the entries, paving easy access for the festival’s followers within the metro. Ayala Malls Cinemas solidified its support to the festival by adding Trinoma screens as an additional venue on its 2nd year of partnership with Cinemalaya in 2012.

Indie film “Boses” strikes a chord wherever it is shown

Almost 100,000 and still growing in viewership!

The viewership is growing for a small independent film that has been making the rounds of screenings here in the Philippines and abroad since 2008.

The film is “Boses” and it is the story of a boy made mute due to unbearable circumstances, and the friendship he forges when he learns to play the violin under a reclusive mentor who is also dealing with personal issues. Starring seasoned thespians Cherry Pie Picache, Ricky Davao, and Meryll Soriano, and first-time actors Coke Bolipata and Julian Duque, “Boses” has been shown in at least nine countries around the world, and over 50 schools and communities in Metro Manila and Philippine provinces, since its big debut at the 4th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. “Boses” makes its way to SM Cinemas on July 31.

REEL DEAL: Ang Nawawala Goes to Slamdance Film Festival

CINEMALAYA 2012 AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER “ANG NAWAWALA” HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE 2013 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Director Marie Jamora's opus Ang Nawawala closed 2012 on a pretty high note after winning Best Original Musical Score for composers Mikey Amistoso, Diego Mapa, and Jazz Nicolas; and Audience Choice (New Breed) award at the Cinemalaya Film Festival and enjoying an extended theatrical run after the festival.

The film also managed to start the new year as strongly as they ended the previous one. At the beginning of 2013, Rappler.com held their Social Media Awards 2012 on Facebook, having the masses vote for their favorite TV shows, films, musicians, and celebrities. Ang Nawawala was on a list along with The Avengers, Argo, The Dark Knight Rises, and Twilight. Based on the number of votes, Ang Nawawala won “Best Film of 2012.” The film was also named one of the 12 “Must-See Pictures of the Year” by Clickthecity.com and one of the “Top 20 Pinoy Films of 2012” by Twitch writer, Oggs Cruz on another popular site and TV network, ABS-CBN.com. Our leading lady, Annicka Dolonius, has also been named one of the 10 “Best Screen Actresses of 2012” by the number one business daily newspaper in the Philippines, The Business Mirror.

REEL DEAL: Ang Nawawala SPOTLIGHT

CINEMALAYA 2012 AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER “ANG NAWAWALA” BEGINS COMMERCIAL RUN SEPTEMBER 12

Director Marie Jamora’s Ang Nawawala enjoyed a successful run during this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival, with positive word of mouth created by fans, receiving favorable reviews, and almost every screening selling out as a result. At the close of the festival the film took home two prizes: Best Original Musical Score for composers Mikey Amistoso, Diego Mapa, and Jazz Nicolas; and Audience Choice (New Breed), an award determined by votes from the Cinemalaya audience. No mean feat, considering this was the best-attended Cinemalaya yet, with a 12% increase in viewership over last year. Over the span of the festival the hashtag #AngNawawala was found to be trending on Twitter twice.

REEL DEAL: Bwakaw REVIEW

Cinemalaya films are penetrating into the mainstream cinema because of the reception it got from its viewers. The first one was "Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank", and now comes "Bwakaw" starring Eddie Garcia. The Film is one of the Directors Showcase 2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition 

Bwakaw is a drama-comedy about growing old, and everyone's fear of growing old alone. Rene is a gay man who came out of the closet at age 70. Ailing in his twilight years, he thinks it is now too late for love, even companionship, and that all there is to look forward to is Death. He has made a will, bequeathing his few possessions to his even fewer friends. Everything is packed and labeled, ready for distribution. He has even paid for a coffin, taking advantage of a funeral home's Summer Sale. Nowadays the only companion Rene has is Bwakaw, a stray dog that hangs around his house and follows him wherever he goes. As Rene waits for the day of his death, he gets the surprise of his life when it is Bwakaw who suddenly falls ill and is diagnosed with cancer.