Random Thoughts on the 1st of September

It’s September. Virgos are about to turn a year older this month. I grew up with  two Virgos: My Mama Brenda and Lolo Peping. I also have some good friends and relatives who are celebrating their birthday this month. Want to know one common denominator about Virgos? They are good in handling money. Also, Taurus and Virgo are compatible as friends or lovers. #nowyouknow

Sto Nino Shrine (Romualdez Museum) in Tacloban City

It’s my mom’s birthday today and it’s not just an ordinary one – It’s her 50th Birthday. She finally reached the ‘Golden’ age. I turned 25 this year too. I really feel bad that I can’t be physically present with her now. I could’ve prepared something nice for her. She deserves a grandeur birthday celebration because she’s been working hard since she gave birth to her unica hija. She never really had a ‘vacation’. Being a mother is a full-time job especially if you have a Special Child with you. Sometimes, I feel guilty that I keep on traveling and moving while she’s stuck at work. I’m happy that she’s supportive of my ambition and she never stopped me from pursuing it. You cannot avoid the fact that she gets worried at times (all mothers are like that). I can’t wait to go back to the UK and spend more time with her and my Carlo. I miss my Carlo. I miss my baby big boy brother.

Continue reading

Guni-Guni The Movie: Guilt, Fear and Too Much Information

August is a healthy month from the Filipino films. If last week I wrote about the feel-good Star Cinema film The Reunion, I am about to write about Regal Films’ Guni-Guni, which premiered in cinemas nationwide last Wednesday.

‘Horror Princess’ Lovi Poe in ‘Guni-Guni’

Days before its movie premiere, the people behind Guni-Guni experienced a lot of ‘real-life horrors’ particularly with the poster brouhaha and the so-called ‘rift’ between Mother Lily and Lovi Poe about a certain scene with Benjamin Alvez. I am not sure if this is part of their marketing strategy, but those are not really the reason why I want to watch this movie. Of course, Lovi Poe is the main reason. She is my current favorite actress and she never fails to impress me with her projects. Second, I would like to witness how Tara Illenberger (indie filmmaker/editor) will do as a mainstream director.

Continue reading

Ang Katiwala ni Aloy Adlawan: Isang Paggunita sa Ama ng Wikang Pambansa

Ang pelikulang Ang Katiwala’ (The Caretaker) ni Aloy Adlawan ang isa sa mga pelikulang kalahok sa 8th Cinemalaya Film Festival na ginanap noong nakaraang buwan sa Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Greenbelt at Trinoma. Hindi ako nakakuha ng Festival Pass ngayong taon, pero hindi ito naging hudyat para hindi ko mapanood ang ilan sa mga pelikulang kalahok.

Napanood ko ang pelikulang ‘Ang Katiwala’ sa Greenbelt 3, ala-una y medya ng hapon. Pagkatapos kong bumili ng inumin sa paborito kong milk tea store ay dumiretso ako sa sinehan. Akala ko nga huli na ako. Buti na lang opening credits pa lang ang pinapalabas noong ako’y pumasok at umupo sa inireserba kong espasyo.

An ordinary man haunted by an extraordinary legacy

An ordinary man haunted by an extraordinary legacy

Isang araw bago ako nanood ay may kontrobersya na lumabas tungkol sa reaksyon ni Bianca King sa rebyu ng isang film critic sa pelikula ng kanyang jowa. Teka, wala namang kinalaman yung isyu na yun sa aking desisyon na manood pero aaminin ko na isa akong tagahanga ni Dennis Trillo. Isa kasi siya sa kukurampot na leading men sa telebisyon na karapat-dapat na tawaging aktor. Pwede siyang maging mayaman, dukha, ama, anak, teenager, bading, superhero, loverboy, kabit, martyr, kagalang-galang o kahit ano pa man. Hindi siya yung puro pa-kyut lang, pero cute naman talaga siya.

Ang pelikulang ito ay mula sa panulat at direksyon ni Aloy Adlawan. Isa siya sa mga creative consultants ng Kapuso network na kayang gumawa ng pelikula sa mainstream at indie. Kung napanood niyo ang mga pelikulang Quija at The Road, siya ang sumulat nun. Bilib ako sa mga sinulat niyang indie films tulad ng Room Boy at Signos.

Ayon sa isang panayam, ang artikulo tungkol sa dating bahay ni Manuel Luis Quezon ang naging inspirasyon niya para sa kanyang bagong obra. Ito na rin ang magsisilbing ‘tribute’ niya sa tinaguriang ‘Ama ng Wikang Pambansa‘, na tila hindi na kilala ng makabagong henerasyon.

Continue reading