Philippine Stagers Foundation's KATIPS Is Now A Musical Film!

Now that cinemas are back, it is also a perfect time to revive Pinoy films for the big screen bring back the experience, emotions, and also the jobs that were greatly affected by the pandemic. Theater performances was also greatly affected with a halt with their operation in recent years. But as conditions has now been relaxed somehow, would it be great to have a comeback of cinema and theater?

I was surprised with news that the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) has now invested their talent and resources in making new media. They now created PhilStage Films that will create movies for the big screen starting with a cinematic adaptation of their play  “Katips: Mga Bagong Katipunero” which won the 2016  ALIW Awards for Best Musical Performance.

Now simply titled "KATIPS", they now brought the PSF energy and story to a new platform and possibly a more wider audience. KATIPS in summary is a story of friends and lovers  during the time of Martial Law. With the main characters like Panyong, Greg, Alet, Art, and Estong are activists protesting against "Apo", it also shown the powerful police and military that can commit atrocities as they please. We also have Lara who is an actress who went to Philippines to search for his activist father.

GOYO - Ang Batang Heneral Continues The Revolutionary Trilogy

After the underdog success of Heneral Luna, the "Artikulo Uno" trilogy continues with Gregorio Del Pilar now on the spotlight. GOYO Ang Batang Heneral is directed by Jerold Tarog, and Paulo Avelino plays the role again. 

With Heneral Luna comes a fiesty and strong film about the general's life, Goyo is more of the opposite with a more milder yet womanizing  personality which might come as a shock for those expecting a hot-headed  protagonist. 

The film also brings in the cast of Heneral Luna like Apolinario Mabini (Epy Quizon), Emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado), Manuel Quezon (Benjamin Alves, and Joven (Aaron Villaflor). Though I would also highly recommend watching the filler short "Angelito" which was part of "I'm Drunk, I Love You." but is also available for viewing in their facebook page. 

REEL DEAL: Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko REVIEW

This film with an interestingly catchy title is not just the regular queer themed movie as it has also made it to the Busan International Film Festival this October. Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko (Those Long Haired Nights) presents 3 stories of transgenders who live and work in the red light district and they each have a story to tell.

As long as their strands, the life of Tuesday (Daclan), Amanda (Falcon), and Barbie (Salumbides) are a mix of fun and tragic consequences. We might be familiar to them as they reveal themselves with the people they work and relate to. Sex and drugs is expected but there is also some scenes that surprise the viewers.

Though I was also expecting the actors playing transgenders to be "lady like" appeal, they did great in portraying their roles despite looking buff. Each has his/her own charm with their first impression, to the way they progress to their own stories. A mix of light and heavy moments makes its a journey to their lives though we wanted to see more, probably a short backstory.

REEL DEAL: Heneral Luna REVIEW

We has seen a lot of historical films of heroes and some were good but there are some who are too commercial and lost its touch, but Heneral Luna is something I consider a great work of art in film. We have already countless number of films about Bonifacio and Rizal, but do we mind to see the other heroes who played a major part in the road to independence? 

That is where we see Antonio Luna who is the general of the armed forces of the Philippines. The brother of the famed painter Juan Luna, and also one of the key personalities in the liberation from Spain (which is short-lived with the arrival of the Americans). He was portrayed with all sides, being the brave general of war but also a hot-headed leader which led many to despise him.

Heneral Luna went into a lot of disputes with his stand, he does not want to be under the Americans and wants to unify and strengthen the army of the republic. John Arcilla played the part effectively and with also an ensemble cast that brought conspiracy and betrayal in different ways. It is also a shout out to the present time with the mentality and situation looks familiar to the present state of the country.

Heneral Luna Nationwide School Tour Kicks Off

The Heneral Luna school tour kicks off from June to August in thirty schools nationwide.

Organized in cooperation with Dakila, the forum titled “Bayani Ba ‘To?” aims to inspire cultural healing and critical thinking, reawaken patriotism and rekindle a deeper appreciation for Filipino history and culture among today’s youth.

Directed by Jerrold Tarog, the historical action epic based on the life and works of General Antonio Luna features John Arcilla in the title role, with a powerhouse cast of seasoned actors including Mon Confiado (as Emilio Aguinaldo), Epy Quizon (as Apolinario Mabini), Leo Martinez (as Pedro Paterno), Nonie Buencamino (as Felipe Buencamino), Bing Pimentel (as Doña Laureana Luna), Mylene Dizon, and young actors Ketchup Eusebio, Arron Villaflor and Paulo Avelino.