JACK JONES TO HOLD A DINNER SHOW AT NOVOTEL HOTEL! The 
legendary Jack Jones, the singer of such ‘60s iconic songs as “Impossible Dream,” “Lorelei,” “The Shadow of Your Smile” and “Wives and Lovers,” arrives in Metro Manila on Dec. 27 for the Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart, his pre-New Year concert with Jose Mari Chan, Gerphil Flores and Kidayawan Consortium of Voices for the benefit of Kaagapay sa Tagalistas Foundation Inc. The show takes place on Dec. 29 at the Kia Theater. As requested by Jorge Araneta, who is a close friend of Jack’s, the Dec. 30 night has been moved to the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Hotel Manila at the Araneta Center. Tickets are available at the Ticketnet box office (911-5555). For more details, call 0918-4972121 or 0906-4180786 and look for Murphy.
NICO ANTONIO FILM FESTIVAL! There’s some kind of a Nico Antonio film festival going on at the indie film and main sections of the 2015 MMFF. Nico is enjoying a peak in his acting career with his feature as Tolyts in ABS-CBN’s rating buster, On the Wings of Love. This gave his entertainment career a big boost that his film career is also enjoying a peak. His Tandem action thriller with JM de Guzman is up for screening at the New Wave 2015. Nico is also in Quantum Films’ official entries, Walang Forever and Buy Now, Die Later, also screening in the main section.
MY BEBE LOVE: #KILIG PA MORE. Vaguely clueless about its format and just familiar with the names of its lead stars, My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More turned out to be a pleasant surprise at its grand launch at Circle Events Place: This is fresh! It’s not your standard Vic Sotto starrer for the Metro Manila Film Festival with a lot of new things to offer!
That is why it is not surprising that media and fans agree on one thing — they are forecasting that My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More will rule gross receipts this year. It’s a prediction that’s not without basis: aside from Vic and Ai-Ai de las Alas’ well-known ticket counter grab, the uber hot love team of Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, also known by their catchy tandem moniker, Aldub, is a sure draw.
As a Vic starrer, I half-expected a phalanx of cast members to attend the media conference including child stars and the film director. This was unfulfilled as there were only five — repeat, five — stars present, namely, Vic, Ai-Ai, Alden, Maine and Valeen Montenegro.
In fact, the film heavily capitalizes on the Aldub phenomenon — with the same stars doing characters strongly recalling their colorful personas in Eat Bulaga’s kalyeserye. If it is not, why are Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Paolo Ballesteros and ‘commenter” Joey de Leon in it? Even Ai-Ai plays a character in the noontime kalyeserye.
Vic revealed that Alden was already cast in his 2015 MMFF entry when it was planned in early 2015. But Maine was added when Albub erupted into a phenomenon and, of course, there’s no missing the rare opportunity to cash in on a craze. Even the British Broadcasting Company News recognized this by finding it worthy of a news feature.
My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More is actually the first movie of the Aldub stars, which is a well-thought-of strategy as television viewers are clamoring for a film version. Why not cater to them this Christmas by giving them something extremely familiar?
In fact, the questions during the media launch’s open forum weighed heavily of the reality of Alden and Maine’s romantic circumstances. That’s understandable as the invited journalists were probably catering to readers’ wants. But it sure prevented a more substantial talk about the film’s artistic and commercial merits.
My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More is the classic Romeo and Juliet story rehashed with a twist. Vito (Vic) finds himself at odds and in a bitter professional rivalry with Cora (Ai-Ai). The two are both in the business of mounting special events and productions and have both made a successful name in the same profession.
The rivalry turns complicated when Anna (Maine), daughter of Vito, gets romantically linked with Cora’s nephew Dondi (Alden). The bitter rivals will then strike a truce to prevent the romance from blooming further.
But Vito and Cora will find themselves in the same tangle as their wards. So where will all this lead? What are the solutions and resolutions open to them to bring closure and new beginnings to these young, exciting lovers? Catch the excitement, the love, the fun and romance when My Bebe Love: Kilig Pa More!, well, premieres on Christmas Day.
An unhappy buzz here for the kids. We’ve seen the last of the kiddie films in the 2014 MMFF. In its stead, the producers, namely, OctoArts Films, M-Zet Television Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment, GMA Films plus Meda Production, opted to sub with a romantic comedy — without child stars — although last season’s child wonder, Ryzza Mae Dizon, is billed in a “special appearance.”
That’s very understandable as films mainly made for children fail to bring in spectacular ticket sales beyond the first two days of the annual festival. The “adult” entries have consistently shown to have “long legs,” or the ability to bring in viewers after Christmas.
NAMESAKE RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘WORLDS AWAY.’ Continuing on with the excellent response of “Borders and Fences” release in Asia, the new single is sure to be a hit across the board. Both the “Worlds Away” single and video are absolutely spot on. The song uplifts the listener from the onset, keeping you on the edge of your seat with anticipation.
Wait till you see the music video. Guaranteed to be controversial, filmed with the Namesake band members, a group of beautiful military commandos and no other than The Supreme Leader of guess where?
The release of “Worlds Away” single began in Asia on Dec. 11 with the video to come out over the following days. Asia, you’ll be able to see Namesake Live in concert in select cities in February and March 2016, plus with opportunities to see them on television and live streaming as well. “Worlds Away” and their other single. “Borders and Fences,” are being released by Imagen Records/Warner ADA.
The band’s development is headed by CEO of Imagen Records Bob Winegard and 2016 Grammy nominee Morgan Rose. Namesake is being managed by Rene Walter, CEO of Sanre Entertainment. For more information on Namesake, follow them on Facebook and Instagram: Namesakerock.
HARD ROCK CAFÉ CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY. Hard Rock Café (HRC) opened its doors in Manila in 1995, providing the metro with an alternative entertainment venue and a consistent sampling of the best American and continental food in the world. For its grand anniversary celebration, HRC assembled a talented line-up of artists performing at the venue weekly, headed by Main Cast (Mondays), Inner Voices (Tuesdays), Arpie & The Multivitamins (Wednesdays), Red Picasso (Thursdays), Part 3 (Fridays and Sundays), and Streetbeat (Saturdays). Hard rockers can also come and see the special shows on Christmas Eve and Christmas day with a powerful and energy-packed performance by Part 3, Red Picasso on Dec. 30, and K.O. Jones on New Year’s Eve.
“We are so grateful for the continuous patronage of our loyal hard rockers,” says HRC entertainment manager Mean Marcial. “It has been a fabulous 20-year ride and we are looking forward to the next 20 years. We are gearing up with more exciting shows in 2016 featuring the country’s best and most talented artists.” Shows start at 9 p.m.