Director Irene Villamor Of 'Meet Me In St. Gallen' Admits She Was Inspired By The 'Before Sunrise/Before Sunset Movies'

 

DIRECTOR IRENE VILLAMOR is one the young female Filipino directors we have today. The most senior among them is Laurice Guillen, followed by Olivia Lamasan and Rory Quintos, then Joyce Bernal, Cathy Molina, Mae Alviar, Ellen Marfil, Veronica Velasco, Antoinette Jadaone and now, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo of the currently showing "Mr. and Mrs. Cruz".

Other indie directors who have made their first movies are Hannah Espia, Marie Jamora, Sari Dalena, Samantha Lee, Connie Macatuno, Pam Miras, Ivy Baldoza, Maribel Legarda, Ida del Mundo. Gina Alajar has directed soaps but has yet to direct a full length film.

Going back to Direk Irene Villamor, she debuted with "Relaks, Lang It's Pag-ibig", an indie film, then followed it up with a mainstream flick with Viva, "Camp Sawi", a hit. And now, she has just finished a new movie, "Meet Me in St. Gallen", that's partly filmed in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Why did she choose St. Gallen to be the setting of her movie's final act?



"They have a quaint Christmas village and it's a charming old town in Northeastern Switzerland na bagay sa story," she says. "We shot there on the second week of last December in the middle of winter kaya sobrang lamig. The story is told in three chapters. The first two, set here in Manila. Yung una, nagkakilala sila sa isang cafe. Next is five years later and yung last chapter, set in St. Gallen, is two years later."

The movie shows the two main characters doing a lof of talking and it's reminiscent of Richard Linklater's "Before Sunrise/Sunset" movies. How different is "St. Gallen" from these movies that have cult following?

"Those great films are my inspiration. I love them all. Ang ikinaiba ng movie ko is this is my own take. As a filmmaker, you want to make your own interpretation and this is mine. May idea ako noon na series of conversations which I wrote down at umabot ng 15 pages. Nasa laptop ko lang siya and it wasn't until Bela Padilla read it and pushed me to pitch it sa Spring Films, na siya namang nagdala nito sa Viva and now, movie na siya. It's about two people, Carlo Aquino as Jesse and Bela Padilla as Celeste, who meet by chance at nagkaroon agad ng unexpected connection. First meeting nila, parehong masama ang takbo ng buhay nila. Then time passed and they're in a better place. They've changed over time and when they see each other again for the third time, they ask themselves: what will we do now from here?"

Now, let's see if "Meet Me in St. Gallen" will be as big a hit at the tills as the past offering of Spring Films, "Kita-Kita". Our personal apprehension is that we already have a surfeit of these two-character "hugot" films lately, like "12", "All About You", "Mr. and Mrs. Cruz". We just hope hindi pa nagsasawa o nauumay ang moviegoers natin with this kind of movie.
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Robin And Rommel Padilla As Very Effective Endorses Of Bravo Food Supplement That Helps Enhance Their Masculinity

ROBIN PADILLA seems like on a winning streak. His movie with Sharon Cuneta, "Unexpectedly Yours", is a blockbuster and his two current shows, "Pilipinas Got Talent" and "Sana Dalawa ang Puso", are both rating well. Now, he has just renewed his contract for a masculinity enhancement product, Bravo Food Supplement, along with his Kuya Rommel.

They were launched as Bravo ambassadors last year at Black Mamba and their re-launch was also held in the same venue last Tuesday. How effective are Robin and Rommel as Bravo endorsers? "Very effective," says Bravo product manager Gil Caoile. "After one year in the market, we're now one of the leading brands compared to others na ten years na sa market. Robin and Rommel are real Bravo men!"

Is Robin really using the product? How active is his sex life? "Kung puede, twice a day," says Robin. "Nagba-budget pa ko niyan, ha. Dati, puede ko kahit all night long. E, ngayon kasi, 48 na ako."

Does he and wife Mariel intend to come up with another baby soon? "Naku, wag muna. Noong buntis siya sa baby naming si Isabella, diyeta ako kay Mariel, e. Ngayon lang ako nakakabawi uli tapos susundan agad, so huwag muna. Si Mariel ang magdedesisyon kung kelan niya gusto uli."

How about Rommel? "Naku, mas active pa sa'kin ang sex life niyan," says Robin.

"Kung kaya ng daily, gagawin ko," says Rommel. "But now na 53 na ako, every other day na lang."

Is Bravo really effective for them? "Sobrang effective," says Robin. "Noong una, ginawa kong daily ang pag-inom, grabe ang epekto sa'kin. Pati baras, niroromansa ko na. Dapat kasi, once every three days lang ang inom. Ganun siya ka-effective kaya mas economical din kasi 90 pesos lang siya, good for three days ang epekto. Yung iba, P150 ang presyo, araw-araw mo pang iinumin. Ito, it raises your testosterone levels kaya itinitindig nito ang ating pagkalalaki para paligayahin ang ating mga mahal. Dahil dito, mapapasigaw sila ng Bravo! At mas magi-improve rin ang relationship nyo bilang mag-asawa. Ang maganda rito, all natural herbs. Nothing synthetic."
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Beloved Kapuso Maryo J. Delos Reyes Passes Away At 65

GMA Network deeply mourns the passing of one of the country's beloved entertainment pillars, television and movie director Maryo J. Delos Reyes. The award-winning Kapuso director died Saturday (Jan. 27) after succumbing to a heart attack in Dipolog City.

In his fulfilling 65 years of life, he created a body of work — including films, dramas and comedies, adaptations and remakes — that changed the landscape of the Philippine movie and television industry. The ace filmmaker directed ground-breaking and blockbuster movies such as "High School Circa '65", "Schoolgirls", "Annie Batungbakal", "Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan", "Saan Darating ang Umaga", "Sinungaling Mong Puso", "Bongga Ka 'Day,", "Totoo Ba Ang Tsismis", "Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit", "Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig", "Tagos ng Dugo", "Pepe en Pilar", "My Other Woman", "Kapag Napagod Ang Puso", "Diosa" and "Bamboo Flowers." He also directed the iconic youth-oriented film "Bagets" in 1984 and the Nora Aunor-starrer "Naglalayag" in 2004.
One of his best works is the inspirational film "Magnifico" in 2003, which won the Crystal Bear in the 2004 Berlin Film Festival Children's Category and Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix for Best Feature Film in the same festival. It also garnered major recognitions in the FAMAS, Gawad Urian, Golden Screen Awards and FAP Awards in the Philippines.

For the small screen, he has helmed numerous soap operas in GMA 7 including "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Pari Ko'y", "Niño", "Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig", "Pahiram Ng Sandali", "Little Star", "Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak", "Biritera", "Munting Heredera", "Magdusa Ka", "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?", among others.

The noted filmmaker was a former seminarian who began his movie career in the 1970s. He studied Communication at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and has won accolades here and abroad.

Apart from being a brilliant director, he has been a mentor to various actors in the industry and a catalyst in shaping their careers. He was a consultant for GMA Artist Center and was deeply involved in its Talent Development program. Rest well in our LORD's bosom, Director Maryo J. de los Reyes. We will all miss you as you're one of the the friendliest directors in town, with excellent PR. Let's all pray for the repose of his soul. And our condolences to the loved ones he left behind.



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Jason Abalos Enjoying His Supporting Role In His First Regular Show With GMA-7, 'The One That Got Away'

JASON ABALOS is doing lead roles at ABS-CBN, but he's now playing a supporting role in his first project with GMA-7, "The One that Got Away". Didn't he mind? "Not at all," he says. "Okay lang sa'kin maging support kasi kalilipat ko pa lang and I welcome the chance to work with all my co-stars here. Happy naman ako sa role ko as Gael Makalintal, the brother ni Lovi Poe na isang doctor pero single dad na may anak. Eventually, I will be close to Rhian Ramos. Enjoy ako working with all of them. Ito naman ang goal ko sa paglipat, to get the chance to work with other stars and other people on the set."

He's amazed at the energy of Lovi, Rhian, Max Collins and Dennis Trillo. "Very friendly sila kahit ngayon ko lang sila mga nakatrabaho. At parang hindi nauubusan ng energy kahit mahaba ang oras ng taping. Si Lovi, hindi sumusuko sa puyat. I appreciate naman yung pagiging palabati ni Rhian. Pareho kaming mahilig sa car racing kaya nagkakasundo kami sa kuwentuhan."


His girlfriend, Vicki Rushton, has joined the Bb. Pilipinas pageant. "I'm giving her my full support. Dream niya kasi na maging beauty queen noon pa. I will be there with her every step of the way and I will pray na manalo siya sa coronation ng night."
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OPM Icon & Living Legend Jose Mari Chan Gives Awards To Artists And Musicians Who Worked With Him In His 'Going Home To Christmas' Double Platinum Album

JOSE MARI CHAN is a true icon and living legend in the local music industry. As a singer-songwriter, his hit list is incomparable, from his first single "Afterglow" in 1967 and "Deep in My Heart" in 1969, to subsequent hits like "Can We Just Stop & Talk Awhile" and "Beautiful Girl", to his Double Diamond Record Award-winning album, "Christmas in Our Hearts", to his second Christmas album in 2012, "Going Home to Christmas".

Joemari hosted lunch to give awards to the singers, arrangers and artists who worked with him in his "Going Home to Christmas" album that has achieved Double Platinum status and has 22 uplifting Yuletide ditties. He laments that, with the coming of the digital age, OPM (Original Pilipino Music) seems moribund, with some recording companies having shut down. People no longer buy CDS's as it's now so easy to copy and download songs through the internet.



The awarding was held at Caruso Restaurant in Makati and the recipients include Father Johnny C. Go, SJ; Joel Trinidad; Homer Flores and daughter Hannah; Moy Ortiz and The CompanY; Psalmo 47; Jun Latonio; Mary The Queen Children's Choir; Ria Villena-Osorio; Kitchy Molina; Jude Roldan; Yaron Gershovsky; Robert Delgado; Alan Smallwood; Loren Steele; Junie Devecaiz: and Joe Mari's musician sons Jose Antonio, Michael Philip Ciprian and Francisco Rafael, and granddaughter Ramona Isabel. Those who failed to make it include Jimmy Santiago, Gerard Salonga, Freddie Santos, Ogie Alcasid, Pinky Valdes, Shiela Valderrama, Noelle Cassandra, Teenee Chan, Louie Ocampo, Trina Belamide, Noel Mendez, Marvin Querido, Rudy Lozano, Khalil Refuerzo and Liza Chan Parpan.

"The success of an album is the work of not just any well-known artist, no matter how established he is, but the collective effort of other artists, the musicians, composers and arrangers," says Joemari. "That's why I am giving these Double Platinum awards in recognition of all those who help me in making 'Going Home To Christmas'."

In the album, Joemari sings not only with his children (Joe, Michael, Franco and Liza) in the song "Christmas Moments", but also with his and wife Mary Ann Ansaldo's 10-year-old granddaughter Ramona Isabel Buñag Chan. As you can see, music is really in the genes and running in the blood of the entire family. It's no surprise then that Joemari's fans are wondering as to when he will have a concert that will include all the members of their very talented family. That's really something worth looking forward to, isn't it?


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A New Soap Will Replace 'The Beautiful Lolas' As Pre-Programming Of 'Eat Bulaga'. Will It Be Big Enough To Compete With The Robin Padilla Soap?

THE BEAUTIFUL LOLAS talk show as the pre-program of "Eat Bulaga" is bowing out soon. It seems talk shows have gone out of fashion. The show is produced by TAPE, which also produces "Eat Bulaga" and the shows before it like "Trops" and Ryza Mae Dizon's talk show.

The new show to replace "Beautiful Lolas" will now be produced by GMA Network itself. We're told it's titled "Close to You" and will star Camille Prats, character actor Neal Ryan Sese, and newbies Ayra Mariano and Bruno Gabriel.

They will be up against ABS-CBN's 'Sana Dalawa ang Puso' that starts airing this Monday, starring Robin Padilla, Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. What do you think are the chances of Camille and company versus that of Robin and company?
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Celebs react to Mocha Uson "Mayon Volcano in Naga" issue

The Greatest Showman Movie Review: Showstopping Musical Numbers And Catchy Songs Make This A Must Watch Direct-For-The-Screen Musical

 

 IF YOU ENJOY watching musicals, no doubt you'll be entertained by "The Greatest Showman", based on the life of PT (Phineas Taylor) Barnum, who put up one of the most popular circuses ever and later on became a politician in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he died in 1891. His circus folded up only in May of last year after 146 years of continuous operation.

They took a lot of liberties in telling the story of the well known 19th century showman to make it more watchable for today's generation of viewers, so don't swallow everything you see on screen hook, line and sinker. But still, it's very watchable, what with its many showstopping numbers that are all well choreographed and executed for the big screen.

There are also lots of catchy tunes (by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who did the songs in 'La La Land' and the Broadway hit 'Dear Evan Hansen') done in a contemporary style so as not to alienate millennials. And of course, the biggest asset is Hugh Jackman in the title role. His charisma oozes on screen and he handles the highly energized musical sequences with much panache, really knowing how to hold and merit our attention when he's on screen.

Barnum comes from the working class, the son of a tailor who falls in love with a girl from a rich family. He eventually marries her (Michelle Williams) and they have two daughters. In an effort to improve their station in life, he buys a museum in New York City, but only a few people are interested so he puts up a show with human oddities, like the bearded lady (Keala Seattle), the midget known as Gen. Tom Thumb (Sam Humphrey), the Siamese twins Chang and Eng, and other "freaks".

The show quickly becomes a huge hit and he eventually gets to recruit a young partner Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron, playing a fictional character), who manages to arrange for them to perform in front of England's Queen Victoria. He also gets to convince famous singer Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson), known as the Swedish Nightingale, to do a concert tour in the U.S.

Barnum suffers a setback when his circus is burned down by some irate detractors but the movie is not just about his rise and fall but also about his rising once again from the ashes. Made directly for the big screen (in contrast to films adapted from a stage musical or a cartoon movie), "The Greatest Showman" is not as thoroughly engaging as "La La Land" (another musical written directly for the big screen), but it's still a good crowdpleaser with its uplifting musical sequences.

The songs really soar and the actors are all very competent singers and dancers. It's nice to see Zac Efron singing once again after the TV flicks that made him, "High School Musical". The romance between him and the American-African trapeze artist with pink hair (Zendaya) is fairly endearing and their duet number in the love song "Rewrite the Stars" is one of the film's best highlights, done while they're dangling up in the air inside an empty circus tent.

And once again, we go back to Hugh Jackman. With this and his interpretation of Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables", he finally shows that his powerful baritone is enough of an attraction and there's really more to him than just being part of the X-Men as Wolverine. After all, he really started as a song-and-dance man on stage winning the Tony Award for "The Boy from Oz".

There are really many good songs, starting with 'The Greatest Show', which opens the movie as it takes us on a tour of what the circus has in store for us, urging us to "just surrender as you feel the feeling taking over."

The next song, "A Million Dreams", showing a young Barnum and his girlfriend dreaming about their own destiny. By the end of the song, the boy turns to Hugh and the girl to Michelle Williams. The bearded lady's song, "This Is Me", could very well be the new anthem of outcasts who become helpless victims of prejudice. It is now nominated as best song in the Oscars.

Rebecca Ferguson also slays as Jenny Lind singing the power ballad 'Never Enough'. She's said to be just lip syching, but her performance carries it well.

The film is directed with much verve and color by Michael Graccy, who manages to inject a valid message about the importance of tolerance in accepting diversity among as humans, which is something that the current U.S. president seems to be allergic to.
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