Add Abra governor Maria Jocelyn Bernos to your list of accomplished leaders and someone to look forward to in the country’s national political scene.

La Sallian Joy, which is how she prefers to be called, comes from a distinguished family of public servants. Before the age of 20, she became president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, thereafter representing Abra in the country’s 15th and 16th Congress.
Fellow Abrenos elected widow Joy governor in May 2016. Her husband Marc Ysrael Bernos, deceased, served as mayor of La Paz where she and her daughter Mary Sandrine and sons Joaquin and Miguel now reside.
Among the accomplishments of Joy are the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) that gave cash incentives to some 4,000 indigent students. This in addition to distributing free school bags and supplies to school children.
She also had a medical assistance program for various hospitals, as well as distributing medical apparatus to accredited Barangay Health Workers in each Abra barangay. She also gave cash incentives to these health workers, as well as free over-the-counter medicines.
As for infrastructure, Joy has constructed a school building, multi-covered courts, gyms, access roads, national roads, bridges and water sanitation facilities. At barely 40 years or age, she’s truly a joy to Abra.
 
THE ABRA THAT JOY LOVES. Abra boasts of numerous majestic waterfalls that numerous tourists trek their way through, enjoying the sight and serenity. Developments are being done to make the travel to these falls comfortable and easier.
Abra offers adventurers, nature lovers and culture aficionados a wealth of memorable tourist destinations. There are seven caves, seven cold and hot spring resorts, centuries-old earthquake baroque Spanish churches and five spectacular waterfalls.
In addition to a burgeoning loom-weaving industry based on the colorful Abel Abra whose shawls are now favored by celebrities including Sen. Loren Legarda, Abra has a well-established bamboo-centered industry that should soon reach world markets.
Located in a fertile valley in the north, Abra is rich in forests and plantations. The bamboo industry in particular has more than doubled the number of people it employs - from 1,041 in 2013 to close to 2,500 in 2015 —and the employment figures keep on increasing.
The industry has given Abra’s indigenous tribes plenty of work opportunities, too. Indefatigable Joy is making sure that Abra is competitive enough to face the challenges it faces regionally or nationally and all the support has been handed down to ensure its sustainability.
It is not just in the traditional sector of arts and handicrafts that Abra’s entrepreneurs are actively involved — they also manufacture strong, flattened and engineered bamboos that are now used in many buildings in the region and as far as Cebu. Bamboo is the 21st century’s architectural material of choice, and Abra shows the way forward.
As for the loom-weaving industry, it has also become an employment engine, with sales and investments on the up and up. Like bamboo, Abra stands pliant with the lead of Gov. Joy Bernos.
 
RENEWAL COMES TO 2017 MMFF. As mandated by the law that created the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), members of the Executive Committee are considered resigned after their annual tenure and they are automatically changed.
The decrease in last year’s gross earnings was caused by the separation of mainstream and indie films. If The Super Parental Guardians, Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers and Mano Po 8: Tsinoy were screened at the 2016 MMFF, they could have collectively exceeded the earnings of the 2015 MMFF. But because of the bias exercised against them by the 2015 MMFF Execom, the inevitable decline of gross income took place.
Metro Manila Development Authority head Tim Orbos, who signaled the launching of the 2017 MMFF, announced that the 2017 Execom is made up of Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares; Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto; Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano, Police Director Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region; Rachel Arenas, Movie And Television Review And Classification Board chairman, and Liza Diño, Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman.
The rest are stakeholders: Wilson Tieng, Movie Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines president; Jun Romana of Bureau of Broadcast Services; Jesse Ejercito of the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association, Marichu Maceda, chairperson of the Mowelfund; actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo; Victor Villegas, a film distributor; Edgar Tejerero, president of the SM Lifestyle Inc.; and lawyer Rolando Duenas, assistant general manager of the Ayala Cinemas.
There is a clear diminishing of independent filmmakers widely believed as the cause of the mediocre performance of last year’s edition.
It has yet to be determined, however, if the festival is retaining the finished film submission requirement that was adopted last year. This must be carefully studied as it had its own disadvantages. While it has the clear advantage of viewing finished entries, it also caused a lot of film productions that eventually turned unprofitable.
This is not good business practice as film production is an economic undertaking. It is uncertain that even its top grossers — Die Beautiful, Seklusyon and Vince and Kath and James — turned in profits.
But Sen. Tito Sotto’s proposed law to create a film festival for indie films timed during school vacation must be pursued.
 
PREPPING 2017 MMFF. IndieGo Pictures’ Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids is being entered in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. Since only the film’s principal photography has been accomplished after three months, the post-production work may even take longer to ensure a high technical quality.
The length of time needed to get the film actually ready for screening must be the reason few details were shared with the media during the huddle, particularly on the details of the storyline. Everyone must have been instructed just to be nice and sweet and chatty and proud about the film without giving out specifics.
But, oh, boy, everything must be top secret in that oh-so-isolated, oh-so-far away set in Morong, Bataan that took all of nine hours to cover. Well, that media huddle may just be meant to be a teaser for the grand things Blood Hunters will be screened, hopefully, nine months still and without assurance it will be accepted.

If IndieGo Pictures’ Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids succeeds in the international box-office, or initially at least in Asia, the Philippines may have a chance to make it big as a source of crowd-drawing action films mainly starring Pinoy actors and actresses with a flair for martial arts.
The upcoming film is an expansion of an award-winning short film, which goes with the simple title Blood Hunter. It won Best Short Film at the 2016 Cinemax HBO Action Film Competition and at the 2016 Urban Action Showcase & Expo. The film was written, produced and directed by Filipino filmmaker and martial arts action star Vincent Soberano. He also megs IndieGo’s upcoming full-length Blood Hunters, as well as co-stars.
 
MEET VINCENT SOBERANO. Born and raised in Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, Soberano (no blood ties with Liza) moved to California, USA in his late teens. The filmmaker is passionate about promoting Filipino martial arts through movies to an international audience.
“Foreign companies have used Filipino martial arts in blockbuster action films like John Wick, Jason Bourne, Frankenstein, but no one knows it’s Filipino martial arts because it is pulled off by Hollywood stars. It’s about time Filipino actors with extensive martial arts training topbill much-admired action films,” asserts Soberano.
A Muay Thai world champion, Soberano studied film and television in San Diego, California, where he first started working for Stu Segall Productions in 1991. He founded the San Diego Asian American Repertory Theater to help promote Asian American actors in Southern California.
He later moved to Los Angeles and worked in a variety of film projects for several years until he pursued a career in IT for more than 15 years. In 2006, he moved to Beijing, China to pursue his passion in filmmaking and martial arts. He opened a series of Mixed Martial Arts studios in Beijing and also founded an independent film production company.
His recent acting work includes The Ultimate Fighter (China), Jackie Chan’s Police Story 2013 and the Alfa Angel Project. His documentary film On The Brink: Uncharted Waters (2016) was aired on National Geographic Channel worldwide. And then he megged Blood Hunters, which garnered eight nominations and a Best Short Film award in international festivals.
Blood Hunters’ full-length version has just ended its full three months of principal photography in the lush forests of Morong, Bataan, specifically Sabang, which used to be the sprawling refugee center for freedom-seeking Vietnamese in the mid-1980s. They were tagged as “the boat people.” With the project’s termination, the estate has since become part of the Bataan Techno Park.
 
THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTING. The full-length film tells the story of a team of mercenaries looking for native vampires (our very own covey of  aswang) so they can drain their blood for a bio-transforming company that wants to discover what is in their DNAs that allow them to transform and re-generate, if not rejuvenate for a certain number of years.
The team is a band of superbly trained martial artists composed of Filipinos and foreigners of varying races. But the tribe of aswang and other supernatural Filipinos they will encounter has evolved into fighting machines themselves and are well-equipped with indigenous and high-tech weaponry that make them incredibly powerful. It will not be a walk in the park to drain the blood of a single Pinoy supernatural being.
 “You will see our mythical creatures such as  aswang  and  kapre,  diwata  and duwende, multo and tikbalang like you have never seen them before. You will also intently watch fights and stunts you have never seen before,” Soberano practically vows.
He fiercely believes that action films with distinct cultural components, when well-conceived and well-produced, will be well-loved by moviegoers in many parts of the world. He envisions Blood Hunters to become the grand Filipino action film that will showcase Philippine martial arts.
He points out that box-office hits like Blade, Matrix, Frankenstein, Warcraft, Assassins Creed, Man with the Iron Fist and a slew of other hard-hitting blockbusters had cultural elements.
Soberano intones that Blood Hunters is set to join that list and make a mark in the international stage.
 
THE RETURN OF MONSOUR. The movie will also serve as Monsour del Rosario’s grand comeback. The action star-turned-politician is a childhood friend of Soberano and both started martial arts training in their Bacolod hometown. Del Rosario eventually emerged as taekwondo champion and was sent to the Olympics once to represent the country in non-competitive exhibition games in taekwondo.
Bosom buddy Soberano says del Rosario had always longed to go back to acting and doing fights and stunts in front of the camera. “When I was the one who became busy doing films, I kept telling him that I would help him do a grand comeback. Well, it took some years for me to make good on the promise, but it is here now,” Soberano confides.
The full-length Blood Hunters also marks the first time they are appearing together. “We practically have the same goals as actor-martial artists: To inspire the young to get into martial arts and put discipline and direction in their lives. We also dream of making Filipino martial artists get recognized internationally and get well-paid for it — at par with those of Hollywood and Asian action film superstars,” Soberano says.
Sarah Chang is the film’s major female martial arts star. She started training in Wushu at age 7 in her hometown of Virginia, USA under the tutelage of Jet Li’s former teammate, eventually becoming  a five-time USA National Wushu Team member.
Since then, however, Chang focused more on being an actress with martial arts skills, and not the other way around. Her latest works include The Crossing Hero, Moon River, Live N Scheme, The Monkey King and Wolf Warrior 2. She studied acting at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing and action stunts at the Jackie Chan Stunt Team training center in Tianjin. Her first foray into the film industry was an action choreography gig in Taiwan.
Barcelo is the film’s other female lead. Her character in Blood Hunters has a love interest portrayed by Ian Ignacio, an upcoming action star who grew up in San Francisco, USA, around the martial arts community. In the late ‘90s, del Rosario mentored him to start training in Taekwondo. He eventually started winning gold medals in competitions, including at the prestigious Carlos Palanca Taekwondo, becoming a member of the Philippine Team.

“Yes, it is my first acting award,” Raymond Francisco admitted about his Best Actor trophy for Bhoy Intsik as helmed by Joel Lamangan at the recently concluded Sinag Maynila 2017 film festival. This was opposite my top-of-mind awareness that he had reaped numerous awards in the stretch of his 20-year acting career.
Fracisco is noted for his sterling performances in the stage play M. Butterfly, the TV show Angels in America, the features Markova and Sibak (Midnight Dancers), the drama series Princess and I, the features She’s The One and Bwaya. All were critically raved.
Perhaps that had something to do with formerly being known as RS Francisco, but the transition is professional. Raymond is the gay actor known for his full female role of Song Liling in M. Butterly, who was advised to adapt the name of RS as it dissimulates his biological gender to make the audience believe his role. 
Like a chameleon, which changes its color based on the need of the environment, he once again changed it to Raymond as it increases his chance of success in penetrating the global cinema market. Bhoy Intsik joined international film festivals before being screened in the national cinemas circuit.
Raymond has this thing for bending himself. His method is more than technique. I complimented him about his perfect “beauty queen” nose as we wrapped up the interview, and he owned up, “It is real; the chin is not.” But do not ask him about his age yet you get the answer, “I will tell you when I am 100 years old.”
This reminds of his character name with the gang name of “Bhoy Intsik” which should have been “Girl Intsik” as he is male who decided to take the female gender. True to character, Bhoy Instik mouths in the feature written by Ronald Carballo: “Nilagyan ko ng ‘h’ ang Boy para mas malandi.”
As Bhoy Intsik wraps up with a Christmas theme, it is easy to associate it as made-for-the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. But Raymond disassociated, “We planned to enter it in film festivals abroad. The Christmas scenes were because Bhoy Intsik’s birthday is December 24 and because of its underlying theme of selfless sharing.”
No spoiler here. “Sinag Maynila 2017 contacted us to submit our film for consideration and got accepted,” Raymond revealed.

TRUE STORIES OF TODAY. Small-time felons in this drugs-infested times, it results to Extra-Judicial Killings.
Bhoy Intsik, 48, is a tough gay and all-around hoodlum who is a principled soul, even straighter than the most honorable man in Sementeryo, a cemetery in Cavite turned into a living pit by the poor. He married a female (Shyr Valdez) who put up with his sex preference, but not his accidental killing of their only child. He turns into a modern Robinhood who steals from the rich and shares the loot with the less fortunate.
Marlon (Ronwaldo Martin), 18, is a good-looking young man with no permanent address. Like Bhoy, he’s a hustler, an illiterate but street-smart when it comes to how much money he has made from his trade. Marlon at 8 was abandoned by his mother, so he grew up in a lair of drug users, pushers, suppliers and dealers.
Bhoy and Marlon’s first encounter is accidental. They pass by a shabu den when Ninja Cops attack. They are booked for drug-use along with the genuine small-time addicts.
More encounters ensue, mostly situations wherein they compete over target money or valuable items, developing their bitter disdain for each other.
When Marlon loses the rundown bus where he shacks in, he pleads for a temporary shelter from Bhoy, a natural softie who accepts him.
Their true character appears upon living together. Bhoy initially detests Marlon’s untidy ways, but soon finds out the rough diamond in Marlon’s persona who learns fast from Bhoy’s endless lecturing on cleanliness.
Bhoy later softens up to his changed wild boy, starting to call him “son.” Same goes to Marlon who finally finds a family in Bhoy Intsik.
But Marlon’s former stint with drugs haunts him. His shabu supplier (Mon Confiado) wants him to pay up. Bhoy intercedes for Marlon and makes an ultimate parental sacrifice. Tentatively, Marlon is off the hook.
Bhoy is forgiven by ex-wife. Marlon is accepted by the protective adoptive parent/preacher (Tony Mabesa) of pregnant girlfriend Hanna (Elora Españo). But Fate plays a final bitter joke on Marlon, as if a felon like him cannot be happy ever after.
Others in the cast are Jeric Raval, Jim Pebanco with Mile Lloren, Alvin Fortuna, Ahwel Paz, Liz Alindogan and Dennis Coronel.

LEFT- AND RIGHT-BRAINER. And we’ve only touched on one aspect of Raymond’s accomplishment as actor. He’s a certified massive creative and scientific thinker.
At the University of the Philippines, the took up BA Mass Communications, formally training with Dulaang UP and taking part in New Voice Theater, Trumpets and Repertory Philippines’ productions. For his stunning annual performances at UP Samaskom’s epic “Live AIDS Show,” he astounded stage audiences and does so until now.
In 2009, he stopped acting in theater because to work in television commercials as assistant director. He became a favorite choice among huge celebrities and big brands like Globe, Smart, Chowking, McDonald’s, Jollibee and others.
With acting running through his veins and in-depth experience, he returned to acting in ABS-CBN drama series and full-length features.
Raymond is also a successful entrepreneur as president of Frontrow International that sells food supplement brands including the Luxxe New 8 Berry Extract anti-oxidants, skin-whitening products. He is also producing the James Reid and Nadine Lustre concert in Dubai on May 5, 2017.
Even before executive producing Francis Pasion’s Bwaya(2014), the unscreened Sherad Sanchez’s Salvage and Bhoy Intsik (2016), he co-produced Joselito Altarejos’ Kasal (2014) and Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s Lorna (2014).
Bhoy Intsik finally gave Raymond the long-awaited and much-deserved recognition. Besides winning Best Actor, it also won the Sinag Box Office Award for being the festival highest-grossing film.
Shedding tears out happiness, Raymond said in his acceptance speech, “I dedicate this trophy to my superb director, Joel Lamangan, to all the hardworking staff of Bhoy Intsik, my staff in Frontrow Entertainment, as well as my tribute to the LGBT community.”

“My life is destined,” Tweetie de Leon, Maria Lourdes de Leon-Gonzales in real life and the niece of great filmmaker Mike de Leon, who turned 50 on March 2, describes her charmed life. A bunch of entertainment journalists sang her a “Happy Birthday” during her launch as the new brand ambassador of Organique Acai Premium Blend. The concentrated health supplement processed and bottled in California is fast becoming popular in the Philippines.
She considers the fabled LVN Compound in Tuazon Street, Quezon City, as her playground and playing a role in an airport scene in Uncle Mike’s masterpiece, Kakabakaba Ka Ba? as her baptism of fire in the show business she was born into. She was supposed to do the role of Faye in the iconic sitcom Okey Ka, Fairy Ko for two months, but fell in love with it that it lasted for six creative years.
But when she decided to leave the biz in 1995 and marry Gonzales a year later, she never looked back and played full-time mother until she agreed to be a brand ambassador of Organique Acai Berry Premium Blend. For this, she had to shoot a television commercial, face the entertainment media and huddle with Ruffa Gutierrez and Anne Curtis in the afternoon of the launch at Watsons SM Megamall where it is sold.
“Everytime I am in a bind such as heavy traffic, I find myself reciting ‘Hail Mary.’ Lo and behold, the knot will unloose, and I’d navigate with relative ease,” Tweetie reveals a life secret.
This must be why she is championing Organique, the brand whose vision and mission parallel her own mid-life advocacies. She is proud that the company fulfills the needs and promises of her personal beliefs and lifestyle.
Tweetie has been a health buff all her life. A fashion model from a very early age, who became the first Filipina Ford Supermodel, she went on to become an actress and an entrepreneur who could have been our fifth Miss Universe had she considered herself fit to be a candidate regardless of beauty queen vital statistics standard. She did have to play with the figures at go-sees.
Now a mother of four children, she also owns and manages TDLG, a boutique that designs and manufactures handcrafted jewelry, mostly made from kamagong (mahogany). Her pieces of jewelry are attracting buyers around the country and overseas, too, including the likes of famous fashion designer Paul Smith. She takes pleasure in personally designing and hand-crafting her jewelry pieces to ensure that each one is unique and follows her high quality standards.
Tweetie is also a sportswoman. A volleyball player during her school days, she is into scuba diving, mountain hiking and kickboxing. Today, she’s mostly into squash.
Such an active and busy lifestyle is only for the very fit and truly healthy. And a healthy lifestyle is precisely what Organique Acai Premium Blend is providing its rapidly growing base of loyal users who attest to its potency as a health and wellness product.
 
World’s No. 1 superfood
Organique Acai Premium Blend — as well as Organique’s other products — are made from the juice of acai berries, antioxidant-rich fruits native to the rainforests of Brazil that have been heralded for centuries as healing, immune-stimulating and energy-boosting “superfoods.” The premium blend is also packed with vitamins and minerals. For instance, it contains a high concentration of vitamin C and ellagic acid, an immune-system-boosting combination that has been shown to suppress the growth of cancer.
In Organique Acai Premium Blend the acai berry juice is enhanced by other natural juice extracts such as organic evaporated cane juice, apple juice concentrate, acerola juice and green tea extract to create a smooth, healthy and delicious all-natural drink that contains no harmful additives, preservatives or GMOs. It is definitely more effective than other brands and forms as it is pure.
“To have been chosen as a brand ambassador for Organique must mean we have the same mission of advocating better health,” Tweetie said. “And I really believe in and am fully committed to this common advocacy.”
But perhaps what really makes Tweetie the ideal spokesperson and brand ambassador for Organique was her first-hand experience with the premium blend. Although she has always led an active lifestyle and have always eaten balanced and well-portioned meals, she discovered two years ago that she had acid reflux.
“What I had was a very extreme case of acid reflux,” she recalled. “I consulted several doctors and tried everything, but it just wouldn’t go away.”
Meeting Cathy
For a time, she was dependent on over-the-counter medication for first aid and maintenance. Then, she met Cathy Salimbangon, who she encountered fleetingly a couple of years back. Cathy is the executive vice president of Organique, which she co-founded with her husband Elton seven years ago, and behind the company’s rapid growth in the Philippines.
This second meeting with Cathy changed Tweetie’s life. This was when she was introduced to Organique Acai Premium Blend and learned about its many health benefits.
“Since my first drink of Organique, I have been able to manage my hyperacidity without the help of strong medicines, save for a few severe cases of an attack,” Tweetie enthused. “It’s so effective that I even bring a bottle with me during trips.”
Now a regular user of the premium blend, Tweetie discovered, much to her delight, other health benefits the supplement provides. It even has beauty benefits, she noted, beaming. 
“I take a straight shot of Organique Acai Premium Blend right out of bed every morning and another one in the early evening,” she said. “The practice helps manage my high acidity levels by providing an alkaline environment for my system.”
And this is a practice that Tweetie intends to continue and influence the public to adopt.
“I truly feel healthy with this new habit. I sense the difference in my physical and mental well-being. I am more spritely, active, alert and productive,” she said. “Daily cravings have been reduced to a minimum and, therefore, I feel clean inside. I feel good — great in fact — and that is really beautiful.”
Organique Acai Berry is available in the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and recently, also in the US. In the country, it is available at Mercury, Watsons and other leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

“Although the Film Development Council of the Philippines supports regional cinema and much has to be done, it is definitely there. I heard about the FDCP entering into an agreement with a big mall chain to use all their Cinema Numbers 1 for local independent films. If this pushes through, it will be a breakthrough,” Elvert Banares wraps in the Lead column entitled “Going global and grassroots” dated March 8, 2017.
This projected last month the screening of independently produced films in eight SM Cinema branches across the country through a program called Cine Lokal for the next three years starting this April.
SM branches in Megamall, North Edsa, Fairview, Southmall, Mall of Asia, as well as in Bacoor, Cebu and Iloilo were chosen as the location of the eight dedicated cinemas that will screen FDCP-curated films throughout the duration of the three-year partnership.

GARY V PRESENTS... ENCORES AT THEATER AT SOLAIRE. Gary Valenciano opens the second quarter of the year with the highly anticipated encore serving of his critically acclaimed Gary V Presents… concert franchise series on May 12, 13, 19, and 20 at Theater at Solaire.
The encore performances of Gary V Presents… are in line with Gary’s 34th anniversary in the industry, which is happening this 2017. Gary V Presents… first had a two-night run in November 2015 at Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila and its immense commercial success spawned a one-night repeat at Resorts World, a special run in Dipolog City, and a two-night show at Kia Theater in Cubao.
Gary V Presents… is conceptualized by Gary with son Paolo Valenciano as a means to showcase a diverse sampling of artists whose styles represent different musical genres. The series aims to provide these artists a creative and mainstream platform to showcase their individual talents and as Gary puts it: Just have fun and enjoy each other’s talent on stage.
The 2017 encore run of Gary V Presents… will once again assemble its amazing cast, which include Allan Silonga, Bullet Dumas, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Janice Javier, Jimmy Marquez, Katrina Velarde, Kiana Valenciano, Lara Maigue, Mitoy Yonting, Timmy Pavino and RJ de la Fuente.
This run will have an added feature — the Zamora Brothers: Jason and Joshua of the Manoeuvres. This encore run is co-directed by Paolo Valenciano with his father who is set to do many solo songs and production numbers that will blow the audiences away.
Gary received standing ovations for this concert and stunned the public with his amazing dancing skills and vocal gymnastics which have continue to prove that he indeed is a living miracle despite 39 years of having Type 1 diabetes.
The artists, who Gary himself handpicked, are known for their exceptional artistry and the respective musical genres they each represent. It was heartwarming to see audiences cheer for Bullet Dumas whose unique musicality endeared him to the crowd and his co-performers. Most of them were catapulted to mainstream recognition after they became part of different talent competitions on national TV.
Gary chose them to be part of the concert on the basis of their individual achievements as solo artists as they are rapidly conquering the fields of recording, live shows and local bar circuits, theater and television.
The concert’s repertoire includes Gary’s chart topping hits, as well as songs that have been identified with him for past 34 years. With Mon Faustino as musical director, each of the songs will be re-arranged to highlight each of the guest artist’s respective genres in their spot numbers as well as in their production numbers with Gary. Since this is the finale, fans could look forward to an additional bunch of surprises that will surely ignite severe excitement that only Mr. Pure Energy could deliver.   
It should be noted that Gary V Presents… is the opening salvo of Gary’s year-long 34th anniversary celebration. Soon after the season finale of Gary V Presents…, Gary will gear up for his very first North American concert tour this 2017 as he is set to perform in M Resort, Las Vegas on May 27, in Pechanga Resort And Casino on June 3 with special guest Kiana Valenciano, and in Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 10 with special guests Sam Concepcion and Kiana.
The season finale of Gary V Presents… is for the benefit of the diabetes and scholarship programs of Shining Light Foundation. For tickets call TicketWorld (891-9999) or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook and follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter, and follow @garyvalenciano on Instagram.

SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFE. March closes with an exciting line-up of artists at Hard Rock Café (HRC). Come and see the shows and party all the night long with the music of Arpie & The Multivitamins (Monday), Silk (Tuesday), First Five (Wednesday), Red Picasso (Thursday), and Part 3 (Friday). Music lovers and certified hard rockers can enjoy HRC’s world-class cuisine and look forward to five solid evenings of beautiful music as these top Filipino bands dish out live a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers, homegrown favorites, standard classics and party anthems. All shows start at 9:30 p.m.

“She just wanted to be called ‘Tiya Nene,’” says daughter Nini Quezon Avancena about our original First Lady, Aurora Quezon, the charismatic wife of the late President Manuel Quezon. Though regularly addressed now with the “Doña” prefix to her name, Doña Aurora was not known by such a highborn title in her lifetime.
Sitting with casual calm on a mound of decayed matter in the 72” x 46” oil on canvas Tiya Nene (2017) by Sherwin Paul Gonzales, the lady is rendered as a selfless and fearless volunteer who would be victim of her own kind of heroism.  
Gonzales is her fourth-generation nephew.
Homage-infused, the painting is part of the traveling exhibit entitled “Aurora: Ang Dakilang Babae,” which opened at the Miriam College Museum on March 8, 2017 in celebration of National Women’s Month.
Then it transferred to San Beda Alabang Museum. Inaugurated at the Baler Museum on February 17, 2017, the exhibit was part of Tiya Nene’s 129th birth anniversary celebration and the 38th founding anniversary of the Province of Tayabas renamed after her.
Wearing a flowing, white terno smeared with blood, an open Red Cross bag offering healing in front of her as bamboo stakes silently flash an accidental cross against a foreboding sky, Tiya Nene, her kindly face in remorse, dresses the wounds of a Huk, a peasant Communist guerilla turned anti-government rebel.
“The Huks colloquially called her as ‘Tiya Nene’ as they found a mother figure to the oppressed and marginalized. But ironically, she was killed by their kind,” explains Gonzales.
HER STORY IN WAR AND PEACE. Aurora Aragon was born in Baler, Tayabas Province (now Quezon Province), on February 19, 1888 to Pedro Aragon and Zeneida Molina.
During the Philippine Revolution, her father was imprisoned in Fort Santiago by the Spanish for being suspected as a member of the Katipunan. The young Aurora and her father, mother and sisters were also imprisoned by the colonial authorities in the Spanish garrison during the famous Siege of Baler.
After the Revolution, Aurora decided to move to Manila in 1911 to pursue her higher studies in the Philippine Normal College but had to stop her studies due to poor health.
In December 1918, she married her first cousin, Manuel Luis Quezon (Aurora’s mother, Zeneida Molina and Manuel Quezon’s mother, Ma. Dolores Molina, were sisters), in Hong Kong. They had four children: Maria Aurora (born in 1919, died in 1949); Maria Zeneida (born in 1921, still living); Luisa Corazon Paz (born and died in 1924); and Manuel Jr. (born in 1926, died in 1998). She focused on socio-civic activities.
As the first presidential couple to reside in Malacañang, First Lady Aurora spent as little time as possible there, preferring to stay in a “nipa house” in Malacañang Park or in her farm, Kaleidan, in Arayat, Pampanga.
Tiya Nene self-made the position of First Lady as one of usefulness and service 80 years ago, showing her strengths, courage, resilience and individuality. These impacted successors with varying ambition and morality. Involving herself with women’s organizations, she engaged in the effective campaign to give Filipino women the right to vote.
When the First Family escaped to the US during the breakout if World War II and the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines to evade the inaders in 1942, she nursed her tuberculosis-ridden husband, who passed away in New York in 1944. Turning civilian, Tiya Nene moved to California to await repatriation, volunteering as Red Cross nurse with her daughters.
There was no stopping Tiya Nene. Upon return, she single-handedly founded the emergency help organization’s national counterpart, the Philippine National Red Cross, as first chairwoman and primary fundraiser. The Philippine Red Cross became the separate entity of International Red Cross.
Tiya Nene’s other affiliations were: Honorary Chairman of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines and the Associacion de Damas Filipinas.
The Philippine Congress provided her a princely sum of P1,000 monthly pension, which she refused to accept and suggested to allocate it to the needy. She knew that there were so many war widows and orphans suffering at that time. She never treating the government as source of personal funds.  
Tiya Nene had strong intuition that explained her advance understanding of the future. Mrs. Avancena recalled, “My mother had ESP (extrasensory perception). She always knew if a family member was sick even when faraway.”
“Kahit na anong ganda at buti ng ginawa mo sa kapwa, kasamaan ang ibabalik sa ‘yo,” reflects the feeling heart of Tiya Nene in the lyrics of “Sawing Gantingpala,” which she penned and was put to music by Juan Silos Jr.
On April 28, 1949 along the treacherous Bongabong, Nueva Ecija Highway en route to Baler to inaugurate the Quezon Memorial Hospital, 200 Huk elements jolted her entourage that included Felipe Buencamino III, Maria Aurora Quezon and Ponciano Bernardo (mayor of Quezon City) and others, mercilessly ambushing them, robbing them of prized possessions predicted in “Sawing Gantipala.”
Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City was named in her honor in 1951, and in the same year, President Qurino created the Aurora sub-province, comprising Baler and surrounding areas in Quezon Province. In 1979, Aurora became a separate province. In 2003, her remains were reinterred by the Philippine government in the Quezon Memorial Shrine near her husband’s tomb.

HER LIFE AS ART. Her pro-people deeds now largely put in our collective back-of-mind inspired Gonzales, acknowledged as Baler’s global visual artist, to mount Tiya Nene’s tribute exhibit. He even guest-exhibited his 48” x 36” oil on canvas Baler Tareptipism (2014) to tell his own grand struggle to be a visual artist.
Gonzales’ The Jester (2014) went under the hammer in the recent Leon Gallery Asian Cultural Council Philippines 2017 Auction and sold for seven times its minimum bid price.
Merging Gonzales’ personal story with Baler’s history, no less recalling Tiya Nene’s avid love for Baler, an extraordinary trait of its natives, the large work was included in the 2013 group show “Figurative Realms” at Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York.
Incorporating a powerful baroque epic based on the legend of the two golden bulls with President Quezon depicted as an adventurer and a hunter, a bus travels on a long and winding checkered path that symbolizes the hardships that natives go through to navigate from Nueva Ecija to Baler stretch where Tiya Nene met her violent death.
Art replays the dramatic elaboration of the laudable life of Tiya Nene, Filipino Icon of Woman.

We have had all kinds of extraordinary singers in our midst.
Nonoy Zuñiga is a singing doctor. Kuh Ledesma is a singing nurse. Dot Ramos Balasbas-Gancayco is a singing lawyer. Jose Mari Chan is a singing sugar magnate. George Yang is the singing McDonalds big boss. Rose Fostanes is a singing Overseas Filipino Worker at a popular chain of restaurants. And Miss World Philippines Catriona Gray is a singing beauty queen.
Willie Garte was blind, just as visually-challenged Jose Feliciano, Stevie Wonder and Norma Lapuz sang their way to stardom. The same goes for LA (Leonard Antonio) Santos, who has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). If you recall, LA was once featured by Korina Sanchez in her Kapamilya show Rated K. He was born with ADHD and was cured when he was 12.
This April, let’s relive the golden age of Original Pilipino Music with the most iconic men and women of the ‘70s! Join Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, Imelda Papin, Claire de la Fuente and Eva Eugenio — The Kings and Queens of OPM — on April 29, Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila.
Witness the reunion of these musical greats singing their most popular hits! Who doesn’t know classics like “May Bukas Pa,” “Nakapagtataka,” “My Love Will See You Through?” How about the jukebox favorites, “Tukso,” “Sayang” and “Isang Linggong Pag-ibig?” These are some of the songs that defined the Golden Era of Pinoy Music and, indeed, are deemed timeless!
“The Kings and Queens of OPM” promise to make this concert fun for all ages because, this time, they will design a playlist for the family.
Rico Puno says, “We will be naughty as usual, but expect the songs we’ve sung over the years to be performed there. Our venues are always full because of you. We were given a free hand in doing our numbers so we might not be as tolerable. We might have disclaimers in concert monitors before the show.”
Hajji Alejandro says, “It’s my first grandson’s baptism today, but I’m thankful the press is here when Star Media asks for your support. If you had fun in our past concerts, we will have more this time because our contemporaries and jukebox queens are here. We are still talking about our spot numbers, but we will have duets and trios, which people haven’t seen yet. This will let you see our camaraderie. Even if Rico J is early today, we still call him The Late because he always is!” he laughs. “We also have Marco Sison with us, and he’s just braving the traffic right now, he must have been too busy with his cockfighting.”
It was Allyna, Hajji’s domestic partner, who suggested the inclusion of the Queens in the repertoire.
Imelda Papin expressed, “In this concert, we will have fun. We might wear two-piece bikinis, and our director is great, so you will see a spectacular show!” Papin greeted me upon her arrival, which sure made me feel warm. I doubt if she knew me. I also noticed how she spoke most diplomatically among the Royals.
Claire de la Fuente adds, “Expect riot, duets, hit songs and go back to OPM era plus latest hits when the show happens.”
 
PERSON WITH DISABILITY-FRIENDLY. LA Santos will be joining them on the show. A young, up-and-coming artist, who wants to “entertain” you and make you happy during the concert, LA has a very good story that has something to do with the music of these ladies and gentlemen. He relates, “This is my first time to work with them, and this, for me, is a different level. I am now with Star Magic and Star Music. I had ADHD and it was difficult, but out of my mother’s love, my autism was gone when I was 14. Music has helped me right from the start and I have focus and I’ve seen how OPM got me out of it. Being in this place is really surreal for me — it’s a dream!”
ADHD is a medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on some tasks and subjects.
What is (ADHD)? It affects children and teens and can continue into adulthood. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder of children. Children with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable control their impulses. Or they may have trouble paying attention. These behaviors interfere with school and home life.
The condition is more common in boys than in girls. It’s usually discovered during the early school years when a child begins to have problems paying attention.
Adults with ADHD may have trouble managing time, being organized, setting goals and holding down a job. They may also have problems with relationships, self-esteem and addiction.
Symptoms are grouped into three categories: Inattention. A child with ADHD: Is easily distracted; Doesn’t follow directions or finish tasks; Doesn’t appear to be listening; Doesn’t pay attention and makes careless mistakes; Forgets about daily activities; Has problems organizing daily tasks; Doesn’t like to do things that require sitting still; Often loses things; Tends to daydream.
Hyperactivity. A child with ADHD: Often squirms, fidgets or bounces when sitting; Doesn’t stay seated; Has trouble playing quietly; Is always moving, such as running or climbing on things (In teens and adults, this is more commonly described as restlessness.); Talks excessively; Is always “on the go” as if “driven by a motor.”
Impulsivity. A child with ADHD: Has trouble waiting for his or her turn; Blurts out answers; Interrupts others.
Symptoms of ADHD may change as a person gets older. They include: Chronic lateness and forgetfulness; anxiety; low self-esteem; problems at work; trouble controlling anger; impulsiveness; substance abuse or addiction; unorganized; procrastination; easily frustrated; chronic boredom; trouble concentrating when reading; mood swings; depression; relationship problems.
When I requested for a song sample, LA readily gave in, singing to his best ability that impressed not only me, but all of us. He didn’t show any signs of ADHD; he was as normal and as cool and as responsive and as jolly as were Kings Rico, Marco and Hajji, and Queens Imelda, Eva and Claire. The entertainment journalists didn’t detect anything “unusual” in and about LA. It was Philippine Star’s entertainment editor Ricky Lo, who first showed an interest in learning more about LA. Yes, the boy has licked autism. He is the guest performer on the concert directed by Freddie Santos.

Tickets available at all Ticketworld outlets (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999) or at the Resorts World Manila Box Office (SVIP P6,000; VIP P5,000; Gold P4,000; Silver P3,000: Bronze P2,000).

D’ Originals, a new series about women empowerment especially based on real stories of infidelity that aim to help wives become wiser in love, introduces the comedy-drama genre in the  GMA Afternoon Prime block series. This is a fresh strategy in what used to be straight drama block from Monday to Friday, and it starts on Monday, April 17, 2017.
Helmed by award-winning director Adolf Alix Jr. and written by Conan Altatis, Jaclyn Jose as Josie, Kim Domingo as Sofia and  LJ Reyes as Marge play the “original wives” with strange love stories. They act opposite Jestoni Alarcon as Lando, Mark Herras as Caloy and Archie Alemania  as Art. Katrina Halili as Yvette, Meg Imperial as Alice and Lovely Abella as Cristina are the mistresses.

THE ORIGINAL COUPLES. With her knack, versatility and in-depth understanding of her audience, Jaclyn became the first Southeast Asian to win Best Actress at the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival for portraying the title role in Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa.
Jaclyn also starred in the GMA Network shows A1 Ko Sa ‘Yo and Alyas Robin Hood, which also starred Andrea Torres, Dingdong Dantes and Miss World 2013 Megan Young. She returns to the small screen playing an almost stereotypical housewife named Josie Magpayo in the D’ Originals. 
And when she entered the media huddle for D’ Originals, this diva status was immediately discernible. Wearing red chiffon and her beautiful eyes hidden by aviator shades, she was last to enter and sat in the middle of the long table. As the conference progressed, plated food was delivered to her, which she continued to nibble as the rest of the cast occupied themselves with the ongoing conference.
Kim Domingo as Sofia is a Zumba instructor and the girlfriend of Art. Watch for the things she does to catch her husband doing it with other women. She has to be professional and know how to execute the scenes because there are times when it gets physical.
LJ Reyes as Marge, on the other hand, tries to hold her family together and, while busy with that, she has problems with her own family. She will also have issues with her friends and their relationships.
She enjoys meddling with their lives and always get involved in situations that are very difficult for a woman. There’s seduction, there’s life that happens, but you always have to do the right thing.
Jestoni Alarcon as Lando is the most senior of the handsome guys. He plays a man who owns a security agency and whose primary love no doubt is Josie (Jaclyn Jose), but the itch attacks him after 25 years into the relationship. Jestoni has no extramarital affairs in real life being the ideal man that he is.
Mark Herras as Caloy got back to the Philippines from his job as a singer from a different country. He didn’t have a job or savings and left at home a lot of times so that’s why he had a relationship too. Life is crazy. He has a partner who doesn’t meddle so they don’t have problems. He just needs to find the single ladies. In real life, he is now a one-woman man planning to tie the knot with his girlfriend in the next couple of years as he tries to improve his finances.
Art, who is an artist, plays around with two women because they can’t help it. He is shocked that there are men that do this. He needs a one-day sensual workshop with Marge and Sofia. He says he used to be an ex-womanizer, but has reformed since he turned Christian.
Alice is the sexy star who’s had a past with Art trying to rekindle their romance as she tries not to get caught by the original one. There are a lot of reasons why there are women who go to lengths to be the other woman, but they have their reasons.
Katrina Halili as Yvette is the other woman who’s going to make Lando’s life a living hell. And she frequently engages Josie in a word war like the scene where she labels her as a “balyena” (“Isang balyenang daig pa ang inagawan ng oxygen sa dagat kaya nagwawala at nagkikikisay!”) and Josie gets back by calling her “anaconda” (“Maganda, lush, green —  kulay ahas!”)
Josie evens out, “Oo balyena ako. Sinisiguro ko sa iyo, hahampasin ka ng buntot ko… sa mukha mo!”
Josie and Lando’s son is Mikoy Morales who’s exploring his sexuality and is also having problems. He’s got a relationship with Elyson de Dios’s character Darenn (of which he says is a straight guy but does go into relationships with gay men).
They represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, but it will be discussed more on the relationship of Mikoy coming out to his parents, how judgmental people are and the difficulties of maintaining their relationship.
He adds, “Our relationship is a little on the cute side, being a little too young as well (16-year-old boy); even if we don’t have physical contact, it is our affinity with our family that matters.”
Claui is Tim’s youngest sister whilst Arnie Ross plays Precious who will also make matters worse as she partners with Yvette.
 
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT. Adolf describes it: “The cast is different, we have a lot. The story is well-researched and we interviewed real wives and other women who went into these relationships. You know, there are incidents like these seen in social media.
“You find it funny, but if you think about it, these are real people. When someone watches TV and they emphasize with the characters, they would really watch it. It’s still a soap and based in emotions, and we make sure there are real situations.
“If it’s the rivalry between the other woman and the original one, it would end early, but there are family issues, domestic problems. We still need to discuss that other than just putting them on the spot.
“We have families and we can identify with the woman characters, limited time and budget. But this series needs the emotions and characters and we move on to the next. I hope people understand the characters and what left them to do it.
“There are rehearsals, we talk about that how to execute. I enjoy making this a lot because I know how to handle them, being I’ve done soaps with them in the past,” he sums up.
This series on contemporary relationship teaches that bad things happen to people involved with a lot of women. It is definitely something important for Philippine television that all genders must watch and follow as it will give new insights into the issue. When perceived in the correct perspective, it will be more than a comedy.  

“I will have a lighter crown custom-made,” Joyce Penas Pilarsky remarked as her solution to wearing the heavy fifth crown she received as Mrs. Global Ecotourism 2017 for a parade.
Recently arrived from Davao City, the ever-youthful Pilarsky was also honored as Asia’s Top Fashion and Jewelry Designer and Outstanding Lady Entrepreneur. The dinner-awards show took place at the 30th Global Excellence and Global Achiever 2017 Awards at the Pinnacle Hotel.
As Reyna Emperatriz of the Santacruzan of the 60th anniversary celebration of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Pilarsky will have to walk through Philamlife Homes in Quezon City, and she described the crown as “top heavy.” The practical lady that she is, Pilarsky found a solution that would make the long walk easier.
Pilarsky is the statuesque and people-oriented Jocelyn Javellana Penas, who studied Education and majored in English at the St. Paul’s College Manila in 1976. Her batchmates are Mass Communication graduates Rosario “Charo” Santos and Jean Saburit.
Except in Practice Teaching at St. Paul’s Pasig with a student who became actress Cherie Gil, Jocelyn never got to be a professional teacher as the local fashion world claimed her as model before Philippine Airlines and then Saudia Airlines took her as flight stewardess.

HARD WORK DAYS. Living reality? It is more impression than intimacy. Her status is wrongly perceived as “a bed of roses,” and Pilarsky corrects this gross misimpression:
“My younger years were not easy as people know it. I faced so many challenges and trials when Dad passed on at 52. I am where I am now because I worked hard. It was not given to me. When everybody had a good time, I worked and studied from morning until night. I took care of everybody especially my family. I am a very loving and caring person; I give a lot of love and passion in all that I do.”
Joyce later married German national Gunter Pilarsky. By then, she had been able to improve her finances and accumulate properties through sheer hard work. She even turned visual artist and sold her oil paintings to multinational passengers to augment her regular earnings.
Pilarsky, like every woman, loves to feel beautiful. With her impeccable taste for clothes and accessories, she does not go out unless she is well-dressed. But before she was a Best Dressed Awardee, she was first a woman for others who supported orphanages, built schools for street children, donated libraries for ethnic minorities and many other unpublicized charitable undertakings.
Still, it took her more than two decades before taking the circuitous path to be a virtual teacher. In fact, she could not exercise her profession as a teacher because she had to work for her family’s sake. She is the only star teacher with a total of five beauty pageant crowns to her name. She won Mrs. Philippines Germany 2000, Mrs. Philippines for Mrs. Asia International 2014, Mrs. Asia International Global 2014, and now as Mrs. Ecotourism International 2017. And that’s not counting the no-crown victory at the Miss MBA Ateneo Graduate School for Business 1982.
Now she is a Renaissance Woman of sorts as a philanthropist, couture designer, wellness guru, book author, beauty queen with five crowns, Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa, Doctor of Alternative Medicine, Best Dressed awardee and, surprise of surprises, full-length feature actress! She even consented to adapt the screen name of Star Javellana.

VENTURING INTO FILMMAKING. Why did she change her brand after working so hard to earn the global fame as Joyce Penas Pilarsky? Dreaming of Hollywood, Pilarsky knows she must penetrate the glamour field somehow in her ambition. She found an entry point as Star Javellana.
A feng shui specialist had advised her that her current name would not be auspicious so she decided to adapt what she wanted to be — a star plus the maiden name of her beloved mother from Iloilo.
The role in director Anthony Hernandez’s new advocacy film, New Generation Heroes, came by sheer right timing. She lost no effort to grab the role that finally made her teacher, which is set to screen on September 26.
Javellana plays widowed model public school Science teacher in Tarlac, the mother of a cerebral palsy sufferer and a teenager with gay orientation. Besides her desire to be a film actress, Joyce took a series of acting workshops to prepare for the challenging role.
Her closing scene shows her dysfunctional family on a trip, navigating the picturesque, limestone-walled river of Minalungao National Park in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, on a long bamboo raft with a thatched roof. This is a happy family despite their underprivileged situation.
The drama feature tackles the lives of three other teachers and dramatizes the highs and lows of mentorship, making it life’s most generous profession.
Aiko Melendez plays a teacher in South Korea that required immersion in different universities there and actual photography. Javellana plays a cameo role in the sequence.
Jao Mapa, on the other hand, plays a teacher who pushes a kariton full of donated books and teaches children how to read, write and count. Shades of CNN Hero Efren Penaflorida.
And the venerable Anita Linda, who dedicated her life to mentoring, is granted a lifetime achievement award upon her retirement.
Produced by Tiger Films with Ryan Tibay as co-writer and Alvin Viola as cinematographer, the film is directed by Hernandez. He is also the helmer of A Passion of Journey with Mateo Guidicelli, No Read No Write with Precious Lara Quigaman, Buhay Nanay D’Filipino Chapter with Bianca Manalo, and Tell Me Your Dreams with Aiko Melendez.
Javellana recalls her initial foray into filmmaking as a “wonderful experience.” “I like Anthony’s patience, understanding and consideration. He’s very supportive, showing it by not shouting. That makes him easy to work with,” she shares.
Pilarsky/Javellana finally realized her dream to be an actress. Next destination: Hollywood!

“Congratulations to Kris Aquino for bagging a role in a movie which will be produced by a renowned Hollywood studio, the details of which she will announce soon, after she signs her contract in Los Angeles,” posted lawyer Joji Alonso on her Facebook timeline on April 16, 2017.
Lawyer Joji thanked Kris for entrusting Quantum Post, her post-production company, with her audition reel. “We are so happy for you!”
Kris flew to Los Angeles on Sunday night, April 16, to sign a contract. She is said to have “passed five levels of intense scrutiny and was offered a role.” Tony & Grammy award-winning Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino tapped her through friends on March 23.
Kris confirmed this on her Instagram account by posting a Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 12: 9 that related to her journey towards having the role for said big project. “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
“I signed a non-disclosure agreement so until they reveal my participation I can’t share any details about the movie and my role. But today, Easter Sunday — I wanted you to know my story… I pray it gives you encouragement and hope,” Kris said.
Lawyer Joji also congratulated the Quantum Post team: Carlo Francisco Manatad, Timmy Torres and Nardre Torres “for finishing the task and doing a great job, despite the very limited time. So so proud of you!”
 
ELVERT BANARES HORROR FILM NOMINATED FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM. “Kung Tuyhon Ka, Indi Gid Magbugtaw” (If You Feel Sleepy, Never Wake Up), the new short horror film (2017) by Elvert Bañares is nominated for Best International Short Film at the Move Me Productions Belgium Online Short Film Festival based in Antwerp, Belgium. It is the first film from the Philippines that was nominated in said festival.
The film is written, designed, shot, edited and directed by Bañares and produced by Dr. Robert Galindez, Kurt Sajor and Bañares himself. This is the second film collaboration between E Unlimited and Robertine Productions of the St. Robert’s International Academy after “Impas” (Settlement), which went to 13 film festivals here and abroad. The horror short is in Hiligaynon and was shot in Iloilo with an all-Ilonggo cast and crew.
“Kung Tuyhon Ka” introduces newcomer Aliza Ron Labistre and Ilonggo theater actress Elsie Flores-Gancia supported by young talents (all first-timers) Riena Christal Shin, Shanen Anica Feranco, Ariel Gabriel Lachica, Jun Carlos Gumacal, Nicole Meer, Trixie Mae Yee, Jannah Kisten Villacorte, Paul Alken Quilla with Steve Michael Tagat.
Part of the dynamic team are Erecson Villar (Production manager); John Julian Muniz (shoot coordinator); Irish Alisen (production coordinator); Dondon Gamez (camera assists); Reyjim Fernandez (boom mic and sound assists); Michaelle Fresnillo (makeup); Christian Evren Lozanes and Eric Barbosa Jr. (BTS still photographers).
The film is yet to have its World Premiere this year.EXPANDING CUSTOMERS’DIGITAL EXPERIENCE. Smart Communications, along with its parent company PLDT and Cignal, recently announced a partnership with Fox Networks Group Asia which will enable its subscribers to stream movies and TV programs from the catalogue of global entertainment leader Fox.
Smart subscribers can download the Fox + app from the App Store and Google Play and enjoy a 30-day free trial. They will have access to the earliest non-cinematic release of Hollywood blockbusters like Deadpool and The Revenant — in high definition from any device, at any time.
Subscribers can also binge-watch their favorite TV series like Homeland and  The Making of the Mob of New York. They will be able to see the latest episodes same day as US airing and back catalogues. Moreover, they can watch live sports events like the National Basketball Association on the Fox + app.
“As we improve our network, we also continue to grow the library of popular video content that our subscribers can access. We are also cooking up special packages that will make video streaming more enjoyable for them,” said PLDT and Smart chief revenue officer Eric Alberto.
“All these efforts — network improvement, content partnerships, and the provision of value-packed service offers — have the goal of giving our customers a superior digital experience,” Alberto added.
Smart has been expanding its content portfolio via partnerships with the likes of iflix, Cignal and ABS-CBN’s iWantTV.
“Filipinos now have a growing appetite for relevant content that they can access anytime, anywhere. As they increase their consumption of digital content, we are making sure that our network is strong enough to support not just their current requirements, but their future needs as well,” Alberto said.
This, he said, is why Smart has invested heavily in the accelerated deployment of its LTE (Long Term Evolution) sites. LTE delivers superior experience for users, particularly for mobile data.
It can also be quickly upgraded to LTE-Advanced, which can provide even faster speeds and greater capacity to subscribers who are using LTE SIMs on LTE-capable handsets.
Smart has committed to the National Telecommunications Commission to make LTE progressively available to 95 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities by the end of 2018.
For 2017, Smart targets to roll out 2,165 sites with LTE in low spectrum bands and 3,568 sites in high spectrum bands. Low frequency bands provide better indoor coverage, while high-frequency bands increase the capacity of cell sites to handle heavier call, SMS, and mobile data traffic.
Alberto encouraged Filipinos to use an LTE device to better enjoy their upgraded digital experience with Smart. “If you want to watch high-definition movies on the Fox + app and experience seamless streaming, LTE is the way to go,” he said.
To speed up the adoption of LTE handsets, Smart has struck exclusive bundling deals with popular device makers including Vivo, Oppo, O+ USA, MyPhone, and Starmobile. Smart offers LTE devices across different price points.
With the partnership of Smart Communications, along with its parent company PLDT and Cignal and Fox Networks Group Asia, entertainment possibilities have never been as wide.

QUANTUM POST GOES TO CANNES! Quantum Post head Carlo Francisco Manatad made it to the Semaine de la Critique (Cannes Critics Week) with his short film Judilerks de la Cruz, Employee of the Month, starring Angeli Bayani, Ross Pesigan, Grace Ria and Ogie Tiglao, in competition! Out of 1,700 short films, 10 were selected to compete with Judilerks described as “forceful and touchingly inventive.”

LATER TIME SLOT FOR ‘THE BETTER HALF.’ Jeffrey Jeturian’s blockbuster series, The Better Half, a Shaina Magdayao, Carlo Aquino, Denise Laurel and JC de Vera starrer, will take the time slot of The Greatest Love.

‘MKK’ GOES VIRAL. “May husay din sina Khahil Ramos, Nyoy Volante and Meryl Soriano na gumanap sa Noven Belleza story, At filmic talaga coverage pag si Nuel Naval ang director,” comments Maalaala Mo Kaya creative director Mel Mendoza-del Rosario about its outstanding production.

MIGS BUSTOS ON FREE TV. “I contribute stories for news programs, but also with ANC. Since we’re all under ABS-CBN company and umbrella, it’s all integrated naman po. So I do both,” comments hot ANC anchor Migs Bustos about reporting for TV Patrol and DZMM Teleradyo.

FREESTYLE IS STILL HERE. With such unforgettable hits as “Before I Let You Go,” “So Slow,” “This Time” and “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang,” Freestyle remains very much active after more than two decades in the local music scene. Despite the change of frontliners, Freestyle has stood the test of time. The band is now under 1Entertainment Inc., with Celeste Pacana as manager. Present line-up of members include Joshua Desiderio and Mike Luis on vocals and keyboards, Rommel de la Cruz on bass guitar and Ava Santos, female vocalist. Drummer Gerd Banzon and lead guitarist/back-up vocals Tat Suzara are the only two original members remaining today.
They have admirably survived the change of frontliners through the years. “They did it with great optimism,” says Celeste. “They always believed that change is always for the good, too.”
In 2015, Freestyle released an independent album, Mga Kwentong Kinanta, featuring newest member, Ava. The album is trying to create a distinct and unique sound for the new members.
For instance, Ava can hold her own with the original hits of Freestyle, but she also developed her own interpretation of some OPM songs to make it her own. Joshua, for his part, came out with the hit, “Half Crazy” and Mike interpreted other songs like “Changes” and his infectious and entertaining Michael Jackson songs.
With the ever-changing trends in the local music scene, Freestyle has admirably coped with being a popular band. The band believes they must be aware and conscious of the present circumstances and embrace the new trends. It’s a struggle though, but the band knows they need to roll with the punches and get with the program.
Basically, Freestyle knows how to “keep working hard, despite the new responsibilities and even the distractions.” More originals are in the works and churning them out as quickly as they can online and hoping for the best all the time.
At present, Freestyle regularly performs at 19 East, 12 Monkeys, Eton Centris Walk, Historia Boutique Bar and Restaurant and Chaos at City of Dreams. On May 3, the band will regale guests in the town fiesta in Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga. On May 20, they will be featured at the Azul Bar at Aquatico in Laiya, Batangas and on May 27, they will be one of the performers in a fundraising concert at University of Santo Tomas.

‘BABY BOSS’ FLIES. Blackbird singing in the dead of night / Take these broken wings and learn to fly / All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
“Blackbird” by The Beatles opens the blockbuster animated film, The Baby Boss, as part of the plot at various points throughout. Paul McCartney wrote it as a metaphor for all Black women in the US. experiencing civil rights persecution. A new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator — a wildly imaginative seven-year-old named Tim.

APRIL’S FINALE WEEK AT HRC. Hard Rock Café (HRC) culminates the month of April with an exciting line-up of special shows by some of the country’s most exciting and talented musical acts. Hard rockers can look forward to a solid week of non-stop hits and homegrown favorites as they party with the music of Silk (April 25), go on the ultimate musical throwback with Kudos Love 80s (April 26), jam with Red Picasso (April 27), power their nights with Part 3 (April 28 and 30), and groove to the unstoppable beat of Leni.
HRC has been one of the top industry leaders for almost 25 years and the venue has been consistent in providing its loyal patrons quality entertainment featuring the best OPM artists and international acts as well as its most scrumptious signature dishes coupled with the world-class service it offers to every “hard rocker.” All shows start at 9 p.m.

WHEN YOU DESERVE TO WIN, YOU WILL WIN! Wearing a version of her now well-loved red gown in a Grecian cut, Joyce Pilarsky was Candidate 10 of Toastmaster International District 75 Annual Convention Next Top Model, held last April 29, 2017. Come decision time, the audience applauded for her and shouted “Number 10,” declaring her winner out of 16 candidates as she stood out and looked like a champion. The six-panel jury concurred!

MUST-READ FOR APRIL. It is excellent that major American publishing house Penguin has published The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic by Nick Joaquin, who was lovingly called “Dahling Nick” by the culturati set. It is the Filipino author’s 100th birth anniversary in 2017. Also, the publishing house’s editorial director is Filipino-American Elda Rotor. 
Penguin Classics is an imprint published by Penguin Books, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House. They are published in varying editions throughout the world. Having published Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and Jose Garcia Villa’s Doveglion, the titles are not included in its 100 Essential Penguin Classics.
Joaquin is considered one of the country’s finest writers. “His work meditates on the questions and challenges of the Filipino individual’s new freedom after centuries of colonialism, exploring folklore, centuries-old Catholic rites, the Spanish colonial past, magical realism, and baroque splendor and excess,” said Penguin on its website.
With foreword by novelist Gina Apostol and an introduction by historian Vicente Rafael, the Penguin Classics edition is exclusively available at National Book Store and will be published in paperback form and as an e-book.
The book was welcomed positively by US public radio network NPR, reviewed by “Persona” series writer Genevieve Valentine. She praises Joaquin as a “ruthless observer of human frailty” whose writing is “beautifully dense.” BBC warmly met the book, with writer Jane Ciabattari including it in its list of “Ten Books to Read in April.”

ELIMINATION ROUND STARTS. I Can Do That, ABS-CBN’s competition show that upped viewers’ adrenaline rushes every weeknights, has entered elimination rounds. The last contest competiting will determine The Greatest Entertainer who will win the grand prize of a whopping P1 million!
 
‘GARY V PRESENTS...’ ENCORES AT THEATRE AT SOLAIRE. “Gary V Presents…” could very be last Valentine’s highest-grossing show, but since it was staged in a five-star hotel sold on a per 10-person table basis, the comparison could not be on an apple-to-apple basis. This made it exempt from the overall rankings. The rest of the Valentine shows were held in big concert halls that told tickets per seat basis.
Gary opens the second quarter of the year with the highly anticipated encore serving of his critically acclaimed “Gary V Presents…” concert franchise series on May 12, 13, 19 and 20 at Theatre at Solaire.
The encore performances of “Gary V Presents…” are in line with Gary’s 34th anniversary in the industry, which is happening this 2017. “Gary V Presents…” first had a two-night run in November 2015 at Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila and its immense commercial success spawned a one-night repeat at Resorts World, a special run in Dipolog City, and a two-night show at Kia Theater in Cubao.
“Gary V Presents…” is conceptualized by Gary with son Paolo Valenciano as a means to showcase a diverse sampling of artists whose styles represent different musical genres. The series aims to provide these artists a creative and mainstream platform to showcase their individual talents and as Gary puts it: just have fun and enjoy each other’s talent on stage.
The 2017 encore run of “Gary V Presents…” will once again assemble its amazing cast which include Allan Silonga, Bullet Dumas, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Janice Javier, Jimmy Marquez, Katrina Velarde, Kiana Valenciano, Lara Maigue, Mitoy Yonting, Timmy Pavino, and RJ de la Fuente. This run will have an added feature — the Zamora Brothers: Jason and Joshua of the Manoeuvres.
This encore run is co-directed by Paolo Valenciano with his father who is set to do many solo songs and production numbers that will blow the audiences away. Gary received standing ovations for this concert and stunned the public with his amazing dancing skills and vocal gymnastics which have continue to prove that he indeed is a living miracle despite 39 years of having Type 1 diabetes.
The artists, that Gary himself handpicked, are all known for their exceptional artistry and the respective musical genres they each represent. It was heartwarming to see audiences cheer for Bullet Dumas whose unique musicality endeared him to the crowd and his co-performers.
Most of them were catapulted to mainstream recognition after they became part of different talent competitions on national TV. Gary chose them to be part of the concert on the basis of their individual achievements as solo artists as they are rapidly conquering the fields of recording, live shows and local bar circuits, theater, and television.
“We are calling this run of ‘Gary V Presents…’ an encore or a season finale because the series will feature a different set of artists when it returns in the future,” says Gary. “I would like to continue my advocacy to provide artists with a bigger platform to showcase their music to a wider audience and I’ll be on the look out for a new set of artists. But of course, the original cast of Gary V Presents… will always have a special place in my heart.”
ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak loved the production and congratulated the Genesis team after the event. Other celebrities who came were Kuh Ledesma, Regine Vlesquez, Ogie Alcasid, Rey-An Fuentes, Arnell Ignacio, Jonathan Manalo, Rox Santos, Roxy Liquigan and Gabriel Valenciano among many others.
The concert’s repertoire includes Gary’s chart topping hits as well as songs that have been identified with him for past 34 years. With Mon Faustino as musical director, each of the songs will be re-arranged to highlight each of the guest artist’s respective genres in their spot numbers as well as in their production numbers with Gary. Since this is the finale, fans could look forward to an additional bunch of surprises that will surely ignite severe excitement that only Mr. Pure Energy could deliver.    
It should be noted that “Gary V Presents…” is the opening salvo of Gary’s year-long 34th anniversary celebration. Soon after the season finale of “Gary V Presents…,” Gary will gear up for his very first North American concert tour this 2017 as he is set to perform in M Resort, Las Vegas on May 27, in Pechanga Resort And Casino on June 3 with special guest Kiana Valenciano, and in Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 10 with special guests Sam Concepcion and Kiana Valenciano.
The season finale of “Gary V Presents…” is for the benefit of the diabetes and scholarship programs of Shining Light Foundation. For tickets call TikcetWorld (891-9999) or check visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook and follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter, and follow @garyvalenciano on Instgram.

PHILIPPINE CINEMA ‘ALIVE AND WELL.’ Joji Alonso of Quantum Films and Quantum Post is the only producer I know who promotes films of competitor film production companies by posting the posters of their film releases on her Facebook timeline.
This is not surprising as she was the producer to run for financial assistance when she was still active in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. That is why she is considered a pillar of the national indie film industry.
She opens her post with: “Three of the directors whose careers I have witnessed grow immeasurably are screening their films one week apart. It is simply amazing how far they have gone.”
She enumerates: 1. Luck at First Sight by Dan Villegas opens on Wednesday, May 3 with Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla produced by Viva Films.
2. The controversial X-rated version complete and uncut Bliss, which stars Iza Calzado and directed by the Jerrold Tarog after his successful Heneral Luna film, opens on May 10 as producd by TBA.
3. And Dear Other Self as helmed by Roni Velasco and stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Joseph Marco and Xian Lim opens on May 17 as produced by Star Cinema.
Special mention is the latest project of a director she has always admired and respected, Joey Reyes, whose film Our Mighty Yaya also opens on May 10 as produced by Regal Films.
She closes: “Philippine cinema is simply alive and well. Let us all support these upcoming films! Remember the dates — May 3, May 10 and May 17 — in theatres nationwide!”
 
‘REI KAWAKUBO/COMMES DES GARCONS: ART OF THE IN-BETWEEN.’ Strangely beautiful unwearables. Amorphic creations that make the wearers look fashionably pregnant at the wrong places. No armholes that you wonder how on earth will the model function. Dreams? Wake me up!
The Costume Institute examines the works of future-looking Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo in “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” in an exhibition at  The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York to answer if her fashion creations are costume or cosplay.
So Kawabuko is a costume designer of something you put on to make yourself look like something or someone, especially an actor dressing as a character. She is not an outfit designer who just makes a set of clothing that (hopefully) go well together.
She is not cosplay designer. Although a contraction of the words “costume” and “play,” cosplay is a performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character, usually animated in origin.
Although Kawabuko is from Japan and cosplay originated in Japan and both involve costumes, she is not a cosplay designer as she does not design clothes worn to a club which are just an outfit, since you are not attempting to portray someone or something else.
 Costume is more of style, while cosplay is a lifestyle than anything else. The biggest difference between costume and cosplay is the intent. When you’re wearing a costume, you’re not trying to be anyone but yourself.
Cosplay is not only about the clothes you’re wearing, but the character you’re portraying. When in a cosplay state of mind, you embody the character. For some it’s a great way to escape everyday life.
But if you are going to meditate about it, Kawabuko’s fashion is avant-garde cosplay, the in-between style she is pushing, as such she is playing with costume.

POST ON IDENTITY FROM NEL GOMEZ. Nel Gomez plays abstract expressionist Alfonso Ossorio in Floy Quintos’ new two-act play Angry Christ running in the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City Dulaang UP until May 14, 2017:
“So, as any actor should, I claim full responsibility for the choices I make on stage, for the roles I take, and the productions I join. I have adapted the mentality that ALL roles are beautiful. Their stories all deserve to be told in the best way possible, whether best executed by me or someone else. So with that mind set, I, in my short ten year career, have had the honor of playing a pretty diverse set of people, including gay people. Yes, I have played gay roles on film and on stage. I, in real life, am a straight man. But there have been people who tend to doubt that. Whether they can’t fathom the concept of a straight man kissing another man on stage, or people misconstrue my love, kindness, and openness towards my gay friends, who, are some of the most beautiful people in the world, just like the gay characters I play. I am damn well PROUD to portray gay characters. Or ANY character for that matter. I DON’T MAKE DISTINCTIONS BASED ON SEXUALITY. I’m above that already. I’m beyond elementary thinking. I know this is sounding defensive, or I shouldn’t be caring what other people think, but when the chismis starts affecting some of my loved ones, that’s when I put my foot down. I will not stoop down to your bigoted mind set, but once and for all, I am a straight man. And I’m very in love with a girl named Sarah Facuri.
“Ok... on that note please watch #UPPTAngryChrist in UP, written by Floy Quintos, and directed by Dexter Santos. PM for sched. Yes, I play a gay man. His name is Alfonso Ossorio, and he is beautiful also.”

BEWARE OF PARAÑAQUE CITY’S ‘THE LOFT GALLERY.’ The Loft Gallery sponsored the highfalutin “national art competition” that declared Bernardo Maac as grand champion, but bounced the cheque for P50,000 as grand prize, as claimed by the artist in an affidavit.
Invited to be a judge of this contest, I flatly refused as I seriously doubted the organizers’ credibility to conduct such a competition and I did not want to be part of it. I was proven correct.
The Quirky Curator posted on the Facebook page of Art Circle Gallery in January 5, 2017: “Today, I felt torn between sadness and a sense of overwhelming pride for ‘Bernardo Maac.’
“I cannot comment about the final verdict of the committee because it is something I have no control. (It is their competition after all.) I would like to believe that their decision was made with fair competition in mind.
“It is in this moment we realize that art is not all about what we gain, but also moments that we lost: that an artist’s honor is more valuable than any prize.
“I am truly happy that your outstanding artistry was recognized yet incredibly sad that your credibility as an artist was questioned. From someone who was lucky enough to meet you and view your artworks, I give you my most heartfelt congratulations!
“I pray that you continue to be an inspiration to your audience, especially to future artist!”

As much as the characters of Kaizen Studio’s Way of the Cross carries the emotional weight of the story forward, the WORLD that they live in dictate their actions, and the locations in this film play a major role in shaping the story.
From Filipino-American actor-producer-director-writer Anthony “T-boy” Diaz V’s action thriller Break released last year comes the mystery feature Way of the Cross, a new, controversial film shot in the Philippines for international and national release this year. Diaz gives up the director job and shares it with Gorio Vicuna to focus as actor to let you have goosebumps.
When Erik Matti’s Seklusyon that has scenes desecrating the Virgin Mary screened in the flop 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival and turned out to be one of its three top grossers, the Catholic Church decided to let it go. It knew that controversy and the negative publicity mileage were what the filmmakers were baiting, but it did not bite!
There are no such scenes in Way of the Cross. The film title is a vague reference to the Catholic Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, also known as Way of Sorrows or Via Crucis. As such, it alludes to the series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers.
Although “way of the cross” is a phrase strongly associated with the Catholic faith, it has no desecration scene and has a cross knife design strongly linked with Satanism. So “Way of the Cross” is the feature that Alvin Lorenz Anson talked about during the media launch of Break last year.
This was discernible, I thought, in the design of the media launch held at the Beats Bar and Grill on Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City. The foreign-looking cast and crew dressed in the color of death looked otherworldly.
The host, publicist Alwyn Ignacio, was a “lady in white” in a gown with an uneven hemline. Even the press kit with the “Memory Book April 2017,” a glossy magazine-cum/autograph book that highlights the cast and crew and shoot photos came with Kisses chocolate candies in a black bag with a strip of red ribbon. Shades of blood sucking!
This is why I come to expect Alwyn’s press conferences. They are well-organized and complete with production design!
It made me cringe to realize that from where I came from, the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish at Philamlife Homes where I am volunteer for its 60th anniversary celebration, I moved to the media launch of Way of the Cross. And when I asked to leave almost as soon as I arrived to return to where I came from, I was asked by Ignacio’s kind partner, “Please write about it ha?” as if clueless that I give her invites full publicity.
And the driver who brought me there deserted me without information. God is kind that the bar had a kind and tattooed bouncer who assisted this person with disability to hail a cab. He even brought me a chair to sit on and placed it on the side street that made me an attention-grabbing king of the road.
And then I learned Way of the Cross came with a post-shoot accident! Script supervisor and Way of the Cross family member Mj Balagtas was involved in a head-on collision along with two of the feature’s actors on final shoot day. She survived it and was brought to a specialist in Manila for better treatment.
Terror!

RARE BREED. The brawny Diaz is the rare breed of filmmaker for his craft that makes him an exceptional multitasker. Just to maintain his slim, muscled body by pumping iron regularly is major work by itself. Most actors are only that, but Diaz is the complete filmmaker. In Way of the Cross, he continued to grind away for the maximum big screen appeal.
On screen and in photos, Diaz strikes as a kind of millennial James Dean, but a rebel with a cause, and with a more relatable Liam Neeson-ish vibe. He is the new kind of screen hero who has a good head to match the well-toned physique. And somehow you sense that there is a tenderness beneath the swagger and the action star gait.
Before 20, Diaz had completed dozens of short films. The independent filmmaking spirit has been evident early on with Diaz multitasking, taking on screen writing, directing, producing, acting and editing duties. At 20, he graduated with high honors at the University of Las Vegas Film School, making him the youngest graduate in the history of the program.
Diaz has received acclaim for the early short films he made like “Delusion” and “Forgotten Heroes.” In 2012, he put up a film production company called Kaizen Studios in Las Vegas, USA. The following year, he established a satellite of Kaizen Studios in Shibuya, Japan.
He is now in pre-production for his next film to be shot in Japan.

NO SPOILER. Set against a faith-driven small town in the Philippines (Pakil, Laguna), Way of the Cross follows Rogelio “Rogue” Marquez (Anthony Diaz V), a Las Vegas-based Filipino-American FBI agent whose estranged father living in the Philippines is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
Rogue travels to his home country to visit his terminally ill father and half-sister in Manila. A string of murders occur during Holy Week celebrations in the nearby town of San Antonio that sends waves of terror among the local town people, and stuns the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its top agent.
Rogue’s curiosity and FBI instincts lure him into a dark cat-and/mouse world of religious abstracts as he attempts to uncover the motivation behind the murders in hopes to solve the mystery.
Completing the cast are Rafael Rosell, Daiana Menezes, Roxanne Barcelo, Giovanni Respall, Miguel Vasquez, Yussef Esteves, Oz Rivera, Danielle Chopin, Dax Martin, Paolo Gamboa, Nicole Malonzo, Sean Guyamin and Jordan Castillo Jr.
Way of the Cross is an international indie film line-produced by Elaine Carriedo Lozano of Eye In The Sky Pictures, Zenza Global, Gward Inc., Anthony Diaz and Alvin Anson with Peejay Vicuna as supervising producer, Antonio Diaz and Lani Dizon as executive producers, written by Antonio Diaz and Gorio Vicuna and directed by Anthony Diaz abd Gorio Vicuna.
With faith, sometimes you have to see to believe.

To walk in a dramatic self-designed gown with a long canvas train rendered in textile and acrylic paint, then embellished with beads upon beads and appliques upon appliques of flora and finished by crown glitter, Mrs. Universe South Asia 2017 Joyce Peñas Pilarsky as escorted by Cian Fider is Queen Helena of the Santacruzan of the 60th anniversary of Santa Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Homes, Quezon City on May 28, starting 6 p.m.
With all its splendid glory and pageantry and withstanding the 36 traditional characters and Biblical personifications in eye-catching costumes and carrying symbols that contribute to the religious ambiance, the main queen is still the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her image consistently occupies the final spot while a choir chants “Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary)” throughout the colorful procession.
Queen Helena and Queen Emperatriz, second and third to last of the long row before Virgin Mary, are the same biblical personalities who have distinct characters. Queen Emperatriz is another representation of St. Helena, alluding to the imperial Roman title of Agusta, which her son Constantine bestowed upon her. Queen Helena is the actual personification of St. Helena, who carries a crucifix in her arms, escorted by the young Constantine dressed in princely raiment.

STA. RITA @ 60. Sta. Rita de Cascia, Patroness of Impossible Causes, abused wives and heartbroken women, was an Italian widow. Rita married at an early age that lasted for 18 years, during which she is remembered for her Christian values as a model wife and mother who converted her husband from abusive behavior. Upon his murder, she dissuaded her sons from revenge.
With many rejections, she subsequently got accepted by an Augustinian community of religious sisters, where she practiced mortification of the flesh and for the efficacy of her prayers. Various miracles were attributed to her intercession, and was often portrayed with a bleeding wound on her forehead, usually carrying sweet-smelling red roses that remove the malodor coming from her stigmata.
Originally a community chapel built for the homeowners of the Philamlife Village, the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish Church was inaugurated and blessed by Rufino Cardinal J. Santos on June 2, 1957. Philamlife Homes is Quezon City’s first middle-class gated subdivision planned by Harvard graduate Angel Napkil. All sub-parishes under the Sta. Rita Parish were converted into parishes and the Parish started to serve all the spiritual needs of parishioners and Catholics who opt to receive them from there.
Sta. Rita Parish Church evolved into a fully airconditioned church that assures the solemnity and comfort of services. Located in a sprawling, maintained surrounding, it has amenities such as a covered atrium, a three-story fully equipped social hall complete with elevator, winding staircases and administration offices. Children can play and photos can be shot in the surrounding park.
To give importance to this well-loved annual celebration to commemorate the feast day of Sta. Rita celebrated on May 22, the Organizing Committee under Rev. Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, Parish Priest and Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao,  decided to hold a grand celebration entitled “Sta. Rita @60” and subtitled “Maturing as a Communion of Communities” beginning May 14 to May 28, 2017.
It opens with the screening of Regis Films and Entertainment Inc.’s Tatlong Bibe, a star-studded advocacy film promoting the power of prayer at the Philam Homes Clubhouse on May 6. Fr. Bong Bongayan gives the post-screening talk.
An agape featuring a three-suite fashion-dance revue with a Filipiniana theme and sit-down dinner is scheduled on May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Sta. Rita Social Hall. Featuring Pilarsky’s couture collection with the members of the Sta. Rita Parish Youth Ministry as performers and models, former GMA Network artist Stephanie Henares is guest model. Choreography is by former Bayanihan member Romeo Abarro and Christine Hibe.
The Flores de Mayo held daily at 6 p.m., this is highlighted by the innovative Santacruzan featuring senior citizens as sagalas. This marks the closing of the Jubilee Door.
Other weekend spiritual and fun-oriented community activities are also scheduled. Coordination by Lina Tuazon, Pilarsky, Edith Fider and Edgar O. Cruz are volunteers.
 
SMART LAUNCHES GILAS SEABA AND MOTHER’S DAY VIDEOS. Smart Communications recently launched a viral video that encourages the use of data and smartphones to create more bonding times with mothers instead of treating technology as a barrier.
This internet-dependent era has always seen millennials glued to their smartphones for entertainment, social network and work needs. #TimeForMomHabit pushes for creative ways to use the power of technology into a tool to interact more with the most important women of our lives.
In a viral video uploaded by Smart, a mother reaches out to her millennial daughter via text messages all throughout the day but the daughter only gets the opportunity to look at the messages when she gets home from work. In a pivotal and touching scene, she makes sure she spends quality time with the mother via video call.
Moving forward, the daughter makes it a point to stick to #TimeForMomHabit. She is shown including her mom via video call whenever she can. This way, she doesn’t sacrifice much of her routine because her mother is already part of it.
After all, “it only takes a few minutes a day” to get into the #TimeForMomHabit.
Smart subscribers can rely on video calls made via subscribing to Gigasurf50. Just send GIGA50 to 9999 for the following package: one gigabyte of data; additional 300MB for iflix, YouTube, Spinnr, Dailymotion and Dubsmash; and unlimited texts to all networks valid for three days.
#BeThereLikeNeverBefore for your mother this Mother’s Day, share your #TimeForMomHabit posts. To watch the video, go to Smart’s Facebook page.
Support Gilas like never before with Smart360. For one whole week, Filipinos will be glued to every game to be played by the Philippine selection tasked to rule the 12th Southeast Asian Basketball Championship (SEABA) on May 12 to 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in order to qualify for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, which to us can only mean one thing: A clear shot at basketball glory. SEABA is our only return ticket to FIBA Asia, which will lead the Philippines back on the Olympic basketball map.
Filipinos all over the Philippines can support our Gilas heroes like never before when they watch the non-stop action with Smart360 via http://360.smart.com.ph/, which will live stream all of Gilas Pilipinas’ six games beginning on May 12. The nationals will continue to battle it out against SEABA’s on May 13 and 14 before having a one-daybreak on May 15 only to play again from May 16 to 18.
To maximize your viewing through Smart360, load up with Gigasurf 50 by keying in GIGA50 and sending it to 9999. Gigasurf 50 comes with 1GB of data plus 300MB for iflix, YouTube, Spinnr, Vimeo, Dailymotion and Dubsmash. It also comes with unlimited texts to all networks, valid for three days.
 

Commissioned by Sen. Loren Legarda and Tatler Magazine, ace multimedia artist Elvert Bañares attended the 2017 Venice Art Biennale to document the Philippine Pavilion titled “The Spectre of Comparison.”
Led by curator Joselina Cruz, the exhibit features Filipino artists Lani Maestro and Manuel Ocampo representing the nation in the prestigious global art exhibition.
“The Spectre of Comparison” will hold its vernissage on May 11, 2017 at the Artiglierie of the Arsenale in Venice, and will open to the public from May 13 to November 26, 2017.
A multitasker, Elvert made the rounds of the pavilions and registered his loves:
France. Utilizing its space to accommodate the soundscapes of the instruments created and letting actual musicians play them, artist Xavier Veilhan echoes processes of collaboration and invites visitors to take part in personal, physical and aural spaces.
Germany. It’s a quick entry point into what seem to be a random event wherein the visitor assumes the role of an actual spectator. If this were not situated inside a pavilion, you would think you were in a social experiment. Anne Imhof utilizes drama (technically, a performance) with installations and sculpture to examine current issues faced by individuals today. Do we want to see things from afar or are we engaging ourselves in issues that directly affect others?
Mexico. The real and the abstract evoke moods of curiosity, mystery and tension in very cryptic pieces in this installation by Carlos Amorales. Coupled with a musical score and an animated film, the feeling of alienation is heightened. Watch what happens to the migrant family in the animated film and try interpreting the flier afterwards. It’s a rich experience presented in minimal forms that remains with you even after you leave the space.
Tunisia. There is an immigration counter and there are long lines from citizens all over the world in Tunisia’s Pavilion where visitors go through an actual stamping of a passport. Here, you are given a passport and Visa to be a citizen of the world. Once you place your fingerprint (a word which Tunisians practiced in a café where I had lunch days before the Biennale opened), you have access everywhere ― a strong critique of the migrant issues.
It’s one of those concepts with a message that gets easily transmitted to everyone. While many see it as a fun exercise (me included), it gets you involved in one of the most serious discourses in this year’s Biennale. So now he is a citizen of the world. So declares Tunisia. So declares a concept aware of its encompassing spaces.

WHAT’S EATING THE MEGA-STAR? The viral photo of the husband of Sharon Cuneta, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, holding hands with Sen. Risa Hontiveros after visiting Sen. Leila de Lima in detention, turned out to be manipulated. It is suspected to be the reason for the Megastar’s decision to fly to the US by herself and stay there alone for over a week now.
Whatever the reason she left, it is none of our business. Besides taking care of her family, she has been occupied coaching on The Voice Teens, and working on a comeback album. She also hinted about wanting to buy a new property in the US. When Sen. Francis ran for the Senate, she sold her existing real property there.
The Megastar finally explained on Facebook: “In the past few weeks I’ve had two people die on me. A favorite auntie is sick. The start of filming for my movie with Star Cinema has been moved to September. I owe so much money (on very good investments, not stupid stuff) and I have NO ONE IN THE WORLD TO HELP ME.
“So I left Manila. Being somewhere else lets you see things from a whole different perspective. Can’t be effective as a mother, wife, sister, aunt, co-worker, friend, etc., etc., etc., if YOU yourself are lost and need to breathe.
“Siguro naman may karapatan din ako na malungkot at mapagod?
“I am human being. I want to rest my mind, body, heart and soul. I am tired of being all things to all people, and I realize no one has really done or been the same for me. I think there are only few of us who are like that.
“I should be retired and living off the fruits of my labor now, but instead, I work like a horse when what I should do is working only on what I wish to and only when I want to. No one will save me from my concerns, mostly created by other people who, unlike me and some I work with now, call everything wrong ‘just business.’
“No more Daddy. Only God. And my health and energy and will to work. My family, Friends and fans. These are all and I know for now they are more than enough. I am tired though I love what I do so much.
“I have changed inside me. I feel it very much. I still cannot put my finger on it, but I know one thing is that I am no longer taking any b_______t from anyone. I am tired of having to often ‘act’ in real life too when I should be acting only in front of the cameras. It is scary to realize that you have gotten so used to acting like your life is perfect the minute you have an audience, and knowing that you’d rather be on the floor crying. Maybe that’s’ why my laugh over the years has only gotten bigger. I have become and expert at compartmentalizing my feelings that I can focus instantly on topic and let whatever my problem is take a backseat for the moment. That can be a good thing, but again, that scares me.
“I am tired. More inside that outside.
“But I am eternally grateful to God for His unbelie­vable blessings and am trying my best to be a good steward of them.”
As a professional, she has the right to seek her own action. She has explained taking a short break from work as she had been through “way too much pain and fatigue in the past few weeks,” signs of menopause. Now 51, she is reaching the end of her menopausal stage and it will be soon over.

‘ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK’ RETURNS TO THE US. This Quantum Films feature directed by Marlon Rivera and written as Cris Martinez was the Philippines’ official entry to the 2012 Oscar Foreign Language Film competition. It will soon screen at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. About a three-person indie filmmaking team — all middle-class, English-speaking, young and ambitious — their grand plan is to make it big in the film world.
Philippine films have been well-received at glamorous international film festivals, and they have just the right story to satisfy the appetite of the global film elites: A desperate mother of seven kids in a Metro Manila slum who has no choice, but to pimp out one of her kids — initially a girl, but later switched to a boy for sure-win dramatic effect.
On top of exploiting the “poverty porn” formula, the filmmakers experiment with every possible stylistic cliché, from heart-wrenching docudrama to campy musical, to maximize the emotional response. This witty comedy, a box-office success, proves that Filipino filmmakers are not afraid to poke fun at themselves and their colleagues.

THE LEADS. Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. will soon roll out a big, beautiful and breathtaking event for the BPO industry!... G Diaries, a new travel series hosted by environment hero Gina Lopez, will take you on an exciting trip to discover our country’s hidden tourist gems, intertwined with inspiring stories about caring for our environment. It premieres this May 28, Sunday, before ASAP on ABS-CBN!... The team of Jodilerks de la Cruz, Employee of the Month led by Angeli Bayani, Carlo Francisco Manatad, Mikko Quizon Llan Pesigan left for Cannes last May 16 to fulfill Joji Alonso’s grand aim to be Cannes-bound!... In his forthcoming concert in Manila, Justin Bieber is demanding two hotels to billet his 180 cast and crew!... Megastar Sharon Cuneta returned on Wednesday to start shooting her Cinemalaya film entitled Ang Pamilyang ‘di Lumuluha today!... Cannes Best Director Brillante Ma Mendoza will direct Derek Ramsey for the upcoming TV5 series entitled Amo!
#LOVETHROWBACK2 THE REPEAT. During this year’s Valentine celebration period, there were three kinds of shows love-struck partygoers could choose from based on ticket price: one mass-priced, four mid-priced and one high-priced.
Directed by Calvin Neria, the pioneering success of “#LoveThrowback2’s” hugot format placed it as the highest grosser in the mid-scale price range that even before the concert was over, a repeat was announced for May 27, 8:30 p.m. in the same high-end venue at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall.
Another two of the six shows had repeats, which gives it a 50 percentage that proves OPM is very much alive. Out of six concerts in abovestated period, there was only one foreign act, ‘80s alternative-rock band, Goo Goo Dolls. Given a great concept and excellent timing, OPM can stand on its own.
It also shows that you can never go wrong with timeless songs that has become the soundtrack of most Filipino’s love story. “#LoveThrowback2 The Repeat” stars OPM royalties Ariel Rivera, Christian Bautista, Joey G., Jinky Vidal, Nina and Hajji Alejandro.
As before, the concert promises a powerhouse line-up that represents different genres in the music and concert scene. Who wouldn’t want to listen to “Sana Kahit Minsan” by Ariel, “The Way You Look At Me” by Christian, “Forevermore” by Joey, “So Slow” by Jinky, “Someday” by Nina and “May Minamahal” by Hajji, and more of their hit songs?
The great thing about this is that instead of competing with each other, the “#LoveThrowback2” artists are inspired by each other, as they admitted during the recent media launch of The Repeat at Luxent Hotel Quezon City. The younger performers take the mature singers as templates to learn from, and the latter looks to the former to stay fresh by drawing energy from them.
The show also draws a mix of audiences from the so-called millennials to the young at heart. As Ariel Riversa notes, everyone shares the same emotions and reactions when they hear their favorite songs performed by the featured performers. They also laugh and nod their heads when they read the “hugot” lines after each song, a part of the show which is not to be missed as well.
Neria first used the “hugot” device in Jennylyn Mercado’s 2014 Valentine concert with Antoniette Jadaone as writer, followed up by the original “#LoveThrowback” in 2016, Rico Puno, Marco Sison, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla, Chad Borja, Roselle Nava and Nina also at the PICC.
The insistent public demand for a repeat of #LoveThrowback2 also shows that this kind of concert is not only meant to be watched on Valentine’s Day. It can be seen all over again at any time as it talks about a universal feeling that everyone at some point in their lives has lost, accepted and/or given another chance.
“#LoveThrowback2 The Repeat” is a production of Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc., the entertainment company founded by wife and husband team of Yuri and Beth Mercado. Beth used to work with Viva Entertainment until they decided to organize Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. that brought Jack Jones, Boy George and Culture Club, Bootleg Beatles and Hello Kitty, among others, to the country.
Tickets are available at SM Tickets, Ticket net and Ticketworld outlets. Follow RoyaleChimesConcerts on Facebook and Instagram and RoyaleChimes on Twitter for more info and updates.

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF DALI’S ILLUSTRATION OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND. A visionary editor at Random House commissioned surrealist Salvador Dalí (May 11, 1904 to January 23, 1989) in 1969 to illustrate the Lewis Carroll classic for a small, exclusive edition of their book-of-the-month series. Dalí created 12 heliogravures — a frontispiece, which he signed in every copy from the edition, and one illustration for each chapter of the book.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the beloved book, Princeton University Press brought back to life the Dalí-illustrated Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (public library) — a crowning achievement among the greatest illustrations of the Carroll masterpiece from the century and a half since its inception, featuring new introductions by Mark Burstein, president of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America, and mathematician Thomas Banchoff, who knew and collaborated with Dalí.
Dalí himself applied a number of surrealist techniques to his interpretation of the story. To represent Alice — the sole character who appears in every chapter — he reused an image of a girl skipping rope that he had first painted more than 30 years earlier. He placed this strange, static, mid-motion figure, almost an icon, in each of the 12 illustration — a choice that was part automatism, part cut-up technique, as if echoing Carroll’s incantation from the first page: “The rest next time — ” “It is next time!”

TWO ASIAN AWARDS FOR TOFARM FILM. Zig Dulay’s Paglipay, grand prize winner of the first Tofarm Film Festival, won in two festivals in Bali, Indonesia. It received the Platinum World Award for International Feature Film at the World Film Awards. It also brought home the International Award of Excellence at the International Film Festival for Environment, Health, Culture.

NYOY VOLANTE AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Nyoy Volante is set to perform live at Hard Rock Café (HRC) on May 20 (Saturday, 9 p.m.). Hard rockers can come and see the show as Nyoy dishes out his greatest hits as culled from his impressive catalogue of multi-platinum full-length studio albums. Fans and music buffs can look forward to an evening to beautiful music as Nyoy performs his show stopping original songs such as “Nasaan Ka Na,” “You’re My You,” “Pikit,” “Someday” and “You’re Not Mine.”
Also sample today’s hottest chart-toppers paired with party anthems and homegrown favorites. This intimate show is part of HRC’s on-going live series for 2017, which is a series of live performances featuring the country’s best artists. Other featured artists this May at HRC are Part 3 (Sundays and Fridays), Kudos Love 80s (Mondays and Wednesdays), Silk (Tuesdays), Red Picasso (Thursdays) and Arpie and The Multivitamins (May 27 and 29). All shows start at 9 p.m.

NOW BACK. Leon Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon happily announced that their extremely popular Facebook page is back!

The country’s premiere auction house lost control over the recent posts due to a cyber-attack on said page. After trying its best to remedy the situation, Leon Gallery regained control. It promised to come up with a much more secure page in the future.
Ponce de Leon apologizes for any inconvenience this situation may have caused. He also thanks all for the understanding and support.

COMPLETE. Joji Alonso of Quantum Post welcomed the arrival of Team Jodilerks dela Cruz, Employee of the Month at the 70th Festival de Cannes with a paella dinner. The only Filipino selection in the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, the short film will have its World Premiere at Semaine de la Critique (International Critics Week). It is about the titular character (as played by Angeli Bayani), a gas station attendant and her last day the station, which is soon to be closed down.
The team includes Alonso, co-producer Ling Tiong (Singapore), director of photography Lim Teck Siang (Singapore) and director Carlo Francisco Manatad.
The festival’s parallel sidebar aims to spotlight first and second films of emerging filmmakers and has had in its roster films by Wong Kar Wai (As Tears Go By, 1989), Guillermo del Toro, (Cronos, 1993) and Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, 2011).

‘WOW’ IS THE WORD. That is what all exclaim when they view the gown that Mrs. Universe South Asia 2017 Joyce Penas Pilarsky will wear as Queen Helena of the Santacruzan of the 60th anniversary of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Homes, Quezon City on May 28, 2017 starting 6 p.m.!
Self-designed, the gown is worn with a white terno with a gold vest attached to an intricate gold shoulder piece with sunrays design, both made from rattan, with pearls that serve as crown and halo. The seven-meter canvas train is done with a spectacular waterfall design running to a lotus pond rendered in textile and acrylic paint and embellished with beads upon beads and appliques upon appliques of flora.
Besides her fresh advocacy of saving children from human trafficking, Pilarsky has always pursued love of the environment as advocacy. This is the reason flora and fauna are central motifs of her couture and accessory designs.
No wonder Pilarsky is a multi-awarded global designer. Her Spring/Summer 2017 Collections are inspired by elegance and beauty of the royalty, being glamorous, fabulous and sexy. She was awarded Second Prize in the Apparel Category Competition for the Royalty Collections Project of International Design Awards (IDA).
Last October 17, 2015, Pilarsky was proclaimed Grand Champion at Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition tagged as “Design Warz” by Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition.
IDA is an annual competition that recognizes, honors and promotes legendary design visionaries and uncovers emerging talents in Architecture, Interior, Product, Graphic and Fashion Design on global level. The coveted IDA Trophy will be awarded to all Designer of the Year title winners at the official biennial IDA Ceremony in Los Angeles.
Honorary juries examined over 1000 entries submitted by architects and designers of interiors, fashion, products and graphics from 52 countries throughout the world. After final decisions had been made, the jury rewarded the best professional and emerging designers for their achievements in terms of design, creativity, usability and innovation. Judging was a rigorous process, with winners receiving publication of their work in the International Design Awards Book of Designs.
Pilarsky luckily received rave reviews from different shows she joined and she was featured in several magazines in the Philippines, USA, United Kingdom, France and Germany. Being named as the Queen of Philippine Eco-Couture, she is also proud as a model of her own creations which are very unique, one-of-a-kind fashion accessories inspired by the beauty of nature because it makes a heart smile with happiness.
She aims also to promote Filipino fabrics and other Filipino indigenous materials from different regions in the Philippines (like pineapple, abaca, pearls, natural stones and other Filipino materials) at the same time will provide more jobs for creative women. She believes that every woman deserves to feel beautiful and stunning; wearing her creations makes a woman more confident, fabulous and a headturner.

THE ‘TRIO CON BRIO’ OF HAJJI, RICO AND K. In Three in One, expect world-class entertainment when the original Kilabot ng Kolehiyala Hajji Alejandro, the ultimate Macho Guapito Rico J. Puno and the comely chanteuse K Brosas bond on stage to deliver the best of original Filipino music, laugh-out-loud moments and more as they collectively share the spotlight. This triumvirate of seasoned performers is without a doubt, a concert casting coup! Let them entertain and show you how to have a good time in Three In One.
A concert like no other slated on June 3, 2017 (Saturday), 8 p.m., it happens at The Theatre at Solaire Hotel and Casino.
Hear their greatest hits. Hajji’s include “Nakapagtataka,” “Panakip Butas,” “Tag Ulan, Tag Araw,” “May Minamahal” and “Ang Lahat Ng Ito’y Para Sa Iyo.” Rico’s include “Kapalaran,” “May Bukas Pa,” “Lupa,” “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi,”  “Ang Tao’y Marupok” and “Macho Guapito.”
For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

POSPORO(S) LIGHT YOUR FIRE. Posporo(s) 2017, a concert series-musical collaboration between Filipino and Spanish bands and musicians, returns with a new exciting set of paired artists from a range of genres and disparate musical styles performing together on a single stage coming from a successful run last year.
This series of concerts, which will run up to November, connects Filipino musicians with Spanish artists whose music represent both countries’ identity, exposing each other to their  musical textures, nature and a sense of their own musical landscape so that these artistic encounters bridge, if not blur, the divides of style, art form, geography and disciplines.
This project is made possible by the Embassy of Spain and Instituto Cervantes de Manila with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

With the moryonan just around the corner, the stoic Tasyo (Arnold Cruz Reyes) finishes making another Morion mask out of soft dapdap wood, wraps it in an old newspaper that shows the photo of President Ferdinand Marcos declaring Martial Law, calls teenage son Mario (Jao Daniel Elamparo) and asks him to deliver it to a barrio wholesale buyer.
This is the opening scene of Panata, a made-for-television movie for May 2017 as helmed by TV5 content provider and Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza for Brillante Mendoza Presents, which broadcasts tonight at 10:30 p.m.
Panata is a Tagalog word for a “vow” or “oath,” usually religious in nature. The pledge here is that of local farmers and fishermen particularly in the island of Marinduque participating in the colorful festival held during the Holy Week.
Wearing costumes and wood or papier mache masks replicating the garb of Roman soldiers and Syrian mercenaries to re-enact the Passion of Christ around town streets, participants depict the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who is blind in one eye. He was the one who pierced the side of the crucified Christ, where the blood that spurted forth touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity, which earned the ire of fellow centurions. The re-enactment searches for Longinus for seven days and reaches its climax when he is caught on Easter Sunday and beheaded.
Brillante Mendoza Presents: Panata reflects TV5’s strong commitment to be the TV network to provide differentiated entertainment broadcasted every month such as Tsinoy on February 4, Everlasting on February 25, Pagtatapos on March 22, and its freshest edition Panata on May 27. To follow are Anak on June 24, Kadaugan on July 29 and Habilin on August 26.
TV5 CEO Chot Reyes was absent during its advance screening at the Director’s Club of SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall as he was coaching the Gilas Pilipinas at the 2017 SEABA Championship. So he was represented by Mendoza and Marketing head Cholo Magtoto along with the indie cast and crew.
Among the invited viewers were Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes, who extended assistance throughout the four-day shoot. Accompanied by daughters Gina Reyes and Dr. Violette Reyes, they graced the special screening that directly shows the Visayan province’s natural beauty, colorful culture and the tenacity of its people.

THE NARRATIVE. Based on the script of Kat Marasigan, Panata is the found story of Mario (Kristofer King in the adult role), a moryon mask maker’s son, who performs the moyonan Lenten rites for his father’s return amidst an impending rebellion during Martial Law.
Father Fernando (Lou Veloso), the parish priest who warned Tasyo and wife Azon (Sue Prado) who are New People’s Army sympathizers, of  their impending arrests. The military uses editions of the festival to catch and kill rebels, treating them as substitute Longinus.
Mario and his best friend, Toto (Felix Roco in the adult role and Vince Rillon in adult role), are witnesses to the brutal and unjust arrest of Mario’s father during the early years of Martial Law.
The desperate longing leads Mario and his mother to devote and surrender themselves to a higher power and perform various Catholic rites and rituals for the desperado patriarch’s return. Years of prayer and devotion have passed, still no father is found.
Mario, who is now married to Ising (Jill Palencia Ibuyan in the adult role and Crystal January Bravo in the adult role), takes his father’s roles as breadwinner, mask maker and rebel sympathizer.
Later on, Mario is reunited with his childhood friend, Toto, now a student activist enlightened by higher ideologies in his studies. They visit a funeral home based on the buzz Tasyo’s cadaver was deposited there, only to find out it’s a lie.
Exposed by the chaos brought about by the decline of Marcos’ regime, Toto brings Mario news of the rebel group’s impending victory against the dictator and invites him to participate in a clandestine gathering in the mountains. He gets shot in the head, which causes his right eye to turn blind like Longinus.
Preparing for another Moriones festival, Mario tells his wife with dire sureness, “Huli na ito (This is the last).” The Moriones coincides with the death of their life tormentor, Marcos. But he is back in the streets in the next panata.

COMMENTS. Panata weaves an intense and immense neorealist interpretation of life and death that pictures harsh historical realities in the Philippines created by religion, politics and culture.
King’s unconvincing eye makeup gives the naturalness of his acting a high degree of conviction. Sue gives an undemanding lesson in understated acting that makes her performance the film’s centerpiece. Given the epic treatment, their performances undeniably lead to the inevitable conclusion of life’s existential nature.
The allegory turns out how the common people’s slow-changing lives intersect with their sufferings such as poverty, fight for justice and how the government as represented by soldiers are their never-changing tormentors as if acting their own private moryonan.
Mendoza is instinctively at his best here in imbuing the narrative with multi-level meanings that squeeze valid truths in every scene through the nuances of script, cinematography, production design, music, editing and their unobtrusive stir, sometimes mocking itself with misuse in high decibel still.
He makes possible a new kind of differentiated television with ease such as what the network shoots for, showing feasibility in the time of melodrama and pseudo-entertainment.
This asserts his role as master filmmaker without trying, such as the effect of Masahista on me. But that’s too far back. How about Serbis instead? What a feeling! For the longest time, I had severely avoided making a personal assessment of Mendoza’s ability as filmmaker.
With Panata, I am forced to do just that although I shamelessly gave him a standing ovation in an almost empty cineplex upon viewing Thy Womb. After sitting through Panata, I stood up to shake Mendoza’s hand for the superb enlightenment and entertainment, marks of an all-important feature.
I have to make an admission. Brillante is now in my shortlist of mogul Filipino filmmakers,

At the maturity phase in their career, The Beatles — particularly Paul McCartney — considered the Beach Boys a threat to their popularity and stature.

As its chief songwriter, who was also the group’s bassist like McCartney with the Beatles, Brian Wilson served as a formidable competitor for McCartney. Brian became evidently jealous of the Beatles’ accomplishment with Revolver. Imitating the Beatles’ marijuana habit, which brought him to a higher level of consciousness, Wilson reclaimed lost glory by coming up with the seminal album Pet Sounds, a richly textured work blending the group’s choir-voice sound and Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound,” a lavish combination of sound elements.
For McCartney, the Pet Sounds influence came in the form of the idea that he could make bass a major sound. He told editor Tom Mulhern: “The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, a big influential album for me. If you’re in C, and you put it on something that’s not the root note — it creates a little tension. It’s great. It just holds the track, and so by the time you go to C, it’s like ‘Oh, thank God, he went to C!’ And you can create tension with it. I didn’t know that’s what I was doing; it just sounded nice. And that started to get me much more interested in bass. It was no longer a matter of just being this low note in the back of it.”
Every track of Pet Sounds is a masterwork for the Beach Boys, the whole album rich and diverse. Wilson sings solo in “Don’t Talk” and “Caroline No,” but the harmonies of “You Still Believe In Me,” “Sloop John B,” and “God Only Knows” are brilliant as group work. There are amazingly imaginative touches everywhere, from highly complex orchestral arrangements to astoundingly simple a capella harmony. If Pet Sounds were to be assigned an importance in rock history, it would be as the first “concept album” with its introspective lyrics, unified tone, and high-quality recording.
In fact, even McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison considered Pet Sounds as having elevated rock’s standards. It became a reference point for the Beatles, most especially McCartney, in creating their next album.
By taking Chuck Berry’s partiality for contemporary youth culture and adding a distinctive, West Coast twist, blending in vocal harmonies from ‘50s pop, rock, and rhythm ‘n’ blues groups and singing songs about sun and surfing, Wilson almost single-handedly created an image of Southern California as a modern utopia. As the Beach Boys evolved, Wilson began to play the role of Spector while the band toured. He stayed home, wrote new songs and recorded backing tracks in the studio.
Spector influenced the Beatles by powering up the Beach Boys. He conceived the 45-rpm record as an art form and executed it in a Wagnerian scale, combining classical and popular music traditions with a flair for drama. He operated on the belief that the producer is the most important person in record production and central to this authority is strict technical and artistic control. His innovative methods created an encompassing revolution in the entire record industry, which certainly boosted the careers of the Beatles and the Beach Boys.
By this period, the Beatles were heavily into experimentation. As echo is a major component of Spector’s recording technique, the Beatles adopted it as a prime component of sound distortion. The Beatles relied on the echo to give a fuller sound to a song element. This is an undesirable sound element but the Beatles, through Spector’s initiation, explored it as an integral sound characteristic.
From beginning to end, the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band album the release date of which, June 1, 1967, its 50th year we are revisiting tomorrow, June 1, 2017, is a complete departure, both in concept and content, from rock.
From the way record producer George Martin arranged the track list, the album suggested a theme with the inter-connection of song topic and treatment. It starts with “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and ends with a reprise in abbreviated form of the same song. In between, the gamut of the working class condition is tackled in varying moods and methods. As for the predicament that humans find themselves in, the meaninglessness of life, the album suggests a solution through “A Day in the Life,” the finale song’s souring climax: getting turned on.
Critic Kenneth Tynan noted the album’s historical perspective by writing that its release is a decisive moment in the history of western civilization.” Professor Langton Winner of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concurred with Tynan. He wrote: “The closest Western Civilization has come to unity since the Congress of Vienna in 1815, was the week the Sergeant Pepper’s album was released. For a brief while, the irreparably fragmented consciousness of the West was unified at least in the minds of the young.”
Newsweek wrote: “Sgt. Pepper’s is such an organic work...a rollicking, probing language-and-sound vaudeville which grafts skin from all of the three brows — high, middle and low — into a pulsating collage about mid-century manners and madness.”
Richard Poirier and Geoffrey Stokes raved this album that by “listening to the Sgt. Pepper’s album one thinks not of simply of the history of popular music but the history of this century.”
NME’s David Quantick wrote: “It’s not the greatest album ever made, as some people would have you believe. It’s not even the best Beatle album. But it is the first example of recording technology being used as an instrument and it does contain enough traces of the old McCartney lyricism that it appeared to bringing us up against the future even as it tied us nostalgically to the past.”
But the most prophetic assessment of the Sgt. Pepper’s album came from Richard Goldstein in The New York Times. He wrote that the album is “dazzling but ultimately fraudulent” and has the “power to destroy rock ‘n’ roll.”
With the Sgt. Pepper’s album, the group achieved a musical synthesis that far exceeded the subject matter and musical content of pop. By incorporating relevant or interesting ideas, they accomplished in several years what classical music took centuries and jazz music several decades to achieve. Stereo Review critic Eric Zalman called them “the first poets of the technological age,” crediting their influences in art and life as “irreversible.”
Regardless of the mixed and contradictory assessment about this album, the Grammy Awards gave it the Album of the Year, the first rock album to win it, and Best Contemporary Album in the 1968 awarding ceremonies.
But even in this maturity period, the Beatles remained White Negroes. They might not be nicking obscure rock ‘n’ roll songs but classical music and the developed styles of their peers by them were still imitation. They just became more sophisticated plagiarists or plagiarists extraordinaire as McCartney put it.
The clear winner of the Beatles vs. Beach Boys music battle: the White Negro Beatles.

Note: Culled from the columnist’s book, The Beatles: Extraordinary Plagiarists, as released by Amazon.com in New York.