In Nomine Matris (In The Name of The Mother): On Flamenco and Struggles of Women

Leave a reply

“Dance is like a song. You have to mean every word and let it flow.” – Enrique Lagdameo, In Nomine Matris

More than two years ago, I received an invitation from Ida Tiongson to watch a Flamenco show in Makati. I haven’t seen a live Flamenco presentation before that’s why I immediately said yes. Let’s just say that I went home with big appreciation to those who are passionate in doing what they love to do. Let’s admit it: Only a few can dance Flamenco today and the chance to watch a show is quite rare nowadays.

In The Name of the Mother: Ava and Mara expressing their emotions through Flamenco

When I heard that Will Fredo is scheduled to make a film about Flamenco dancers, I find his vision to be ‘too ambitious’. Making a full-length movie takes too much effort and hardwork, but with a good support system and talented people, a dream project is doable.

Continue reading →

Sosy Problems – Understanding the Super Duper Upper Class

2 Replies

Last night, Hannah and I met up to watch ‘Sosy Problems‘, GMA Films’ official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. It stars my favorite Kapuso stars namely Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos under the direction of Andoy Ranay.

 

Don’t Panic, It’s Organic!

Honestly, I am not expecting Sosy Problems to be in the Top 3 of the top-grossing films for this year’s MMFF. It is fun to see it on the line-up because I love chick flicks, although I can say that some of the Filipino films released in the previous years with the same genre failed big time. Let’s just say that the casting for this movie is perfect because the four lead stars are known for being ‘sosyal’ in real-life. No need to exert much effort. Some mainstream film companies tend to adjust the script for the sake of the artist the producer wants to cast.

The cinema lobby is filled with ‘upper class teenagers’ when I lined up for tickets. Target Market. Check.

 

First of all, let me complain about the trailer. The first trailer uploaded online doesn’t give justice to the film. I don’t see the point of using Gwen Stefani’s ‘Luxurious’ The song is louder than the audio. Boop Boop. Not right. They could’ve used one of Solenn’s songs instead.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcmhEQsJ6cI&w=420&h=315]

Sosy Problems shows kaartehan, but with a heart. I’ll try to present it in the best way I can through the lead characters:

Continue reading →

MMFF New Wave 2012: Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom from Chains)

Leave a reply

It is already a ritual for Filipino moviegoers to go to the nearest cinema to catch a movie included at the Metro Manila Film Festival. The line-up is comprised of mainstream films from different genres. Most of these films want to attract the younger audience. It is also a perfect opportunity to bond with the family.

Two years ago, the Metro Manila Film Festival Committee launched the ‘New Wave’ section, wherein five independent films get the chance to showcase their works a week before Christmas Day. Last year, the movie Pintakasi won the Best Indie Film Award.

Matteo Guidicelli in Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom from Chains)

For this year, MMFF New Wave presents five independent films from different genres. I was able to catch two yesterday: In Nomine Matris (In The Name of the Mother) by Will Fredo and Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom From Chains) by Michael Angelo Dagnalan. I went to Glorietta 4 after our Family lunch reunion just to watch these two films. How I wish they allot more screenings in other cinemas like what they do for the mainstream line-up.

First, let me share my thoughts on Michael Angelo Dagnalan’s Paglaya sa Tanikala (Freedom From Chains).

Continue reading →

Downloading Memories and Letting Go

3 Replies

It all started with Friendster. I remember I was in first year high school when my cousin Gabriel asked me to sign up for a Friendster account so I can give him a ‘testimonial’. At our young age, we were already addicted to the internet. I spent hours browsing forums and Yahoo Groups to exchange views with some friends, who are either fans of the Spice Girls, Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera.

It all started with Friendster. Don’t forget to post a testimonial, k?

Our classmates signed up personal accounts on Friendster as time goes by. We used it to post testimonials (a.k.a. pampalakas ng self-confidence) and exchange pictures. It was also through this site that I met some cool people, who eventually became my friends outside the cyberworld. It was the first website to give us the opportunity to get in touch with our friends and relatives. I loved the simplicity of Friendster’s first layout. For me, the testimonial part is their biggest asset. I guess they were threatened with MySpace since that social network site kept on upgrading its features. You can post all glittery things on each other’s wall, embed music and videos, create groups and many, many more. I seriously got disappointed when Friendster decided to let go of the ‘clean and simple’. They even deleted the ‘Testimonial’ feature and converted it to ‘Comments’. I dunno, but Testimonial sounds more appealing to me!

Continue reading →

Random Thoughts on Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race

Leave a reply

GAME OVER! The first winner of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race was revealed yesterday. Chad Michaels, the first runner-up in Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 4 won the crown giving Raven, Shannel and Jujubee ‘The Chop‘.

The Queens of Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race

 

I can say that I am a ‘new fan’ of Rupaul’s Drag Race. My interest on the show started when Manila Luzon released ‘Hot Couture’. The show gave her the exposure she deserves and although she ended up as runner-up to fellow Heather and Gaysian Raja, you cannot deny the fact that her fanbase is huge and she got what it takes to last long in the biz.

“See, this is how you do drag!” Manila Luzon as Cruella de Vil

Sahara Davenport, Manila Luzon’s boyfriend/girlfriend for six years passed away last October and I can imagine how tough that month is for her. Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race was shot months ago, but the contestants are expected to promote the show around the US. Thanks to Manila’s strong family support, she was able to surpass the challenges coming her way.

I was intrigued upon watching the ‘Meet the Cast’ clips for the All Stars season. The returning beauties are all fierce and have different personalities. Some of them were loved (and hated) on the season they were in, and this serves as their ‘second chance’ to prove that they have what it takes to be America’s Next Drag Superstar.

Some of the fans of the show were surprised with the twist: The queens will compete in teams of two! America’s Next Drag Superstar needs to have Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. This time, Synergy is added.

Continue reading →

Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race: For the Love of RuJubee

2 Replies

I am currently watching the 5th episode of Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race. I know that my favorite queen Manila Luzon together with her teammate Latrice Royale got The Chop during the third episode, but I’ve also grown an admiration to the other queens specifically with Raven and Jujubee.

Jujubee and Raven at the 5th episode of Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race

Also known as RuJubee, this tandem were runner-ups on the second season of the show. Raven is one fierce drag queen who known for being dark, outspoken and sensual. Jujubee is a good representation of Asians who treats everything lightly and utters the juiciest statements. I haven’t seen all the episodes of Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 2, but the two earned a lot of fans. Eventually, the two became professors at Rupaul’s Drag U (Season 1 to 3). I saw their episode with Manila Luzon, where they assigned to do a drag makeover to the special girls in their lives. I love how they throw lines against each other. They don’t sound annoying. The audience found it cute!

Continue reading →

THE CHOP – The Best Revenge from Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon!

Leave a reply

Givin’ everything you got
Tryna’ make it to the top
Never ever gonna stop
Even if you get The Chop!

– Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon, The Chop

Last Tuesday morning, I woke up early to track the live tweets of fellow Rupaul’s All Stars Drag Race viewers. There were some information leaked about the team eliminated on the third episode yet I was in denial. By lunch time here in the Philippines, my Twitter timeline is flooded by complaints about the sudden elimination of Team Latrila (Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon).

 

LATRILA serving spooky realness

 

Seriously, Rupaul?! To be honest, I am a fan of the RuJubee team (Raven and Jujubee) too and I was hoping to see Latrila and RuJubee at the Final Four of the show. I cannot believe that these teams are in the bottom two. I mean, at least not Latrila! Manila Luzon did a fantastic job in the challenges and I can say that among the contestants in the All Stars season, she is the most loved by the fans. I am not saying this because she is Filipina, ok? I am saying this because it is the truth.

Continue reading →

On Waiting, Boredom and Lack of Inspiration

4 Replies

The other night, I met up with Ada to watch the new movie Suddenly It’s Magic. It’s been a long time since she last saw a Filipino film and this is a kilig movie. Most of the people watching were giggling everytime Marcus (Mario Maurer) does something sweet to Joey (Erich Gonzales).

Teleport Us to Mars! – Tammie Brown cartoon from http://heckyestammiebrown.tumblr.com

I enjoyed this movie because they were able to showcase some of the best spots in Ilocos Norte. We can’t help but calculate the travel time in every important scene toinks. I also enjoyed the scenes shot in Bangkok and Ayutthaya. I wasn’t able to explore Bangkok and Ayutthaya when I went to Thailand last February, and I am eager to go back.

But I can’t for now.

Continue reading →

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles – A Horror/Comedy Film Worth Watching!

4 Replies

The movie Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles is one ambitious film. For years, the people behind the project were talking about it and you can see in the film output that the hard work paid-off.

Director Erik Matti with Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles lead stars Lovi Poe and Dingdong Dantes

 

Last night, my friend Maire and I made it to the last full screening of Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles in Gateway Cinema. As they say, when real-life horror hunts you, better relax and watch a movie!

I am happy that a lot of moviegoers chose to watch this Filipino over the other foreign films. The cinema is almost full when we sat in our designated seats. When I saw the cast line-up, I already expected that I am about to watch a comedy-horror film… well, more on the comedy part.
Continue reading →

Manila Luzon, I Love You!

8 Replies

Guess what? I think I’m in love with a drag queen.

For the past few days, I’ve been watching some of Manila Luzon’s videos on Youtube. I think I’ve seen almost half of the videos uploaded at her personal Youtube account. I’ve also seen some of her amazing performances as shared by her fans. How I envy them because they get to see him perform live!

Manila Luzon | Karl Westerberg

 

I am talking about Karl Westerberg a.k.a. Manila Luzon from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Yes, he/she is a Filipino!

I first heard about Manila Luzon’s achievements through a gay friend. There was a time when I fell in love with the boys of Kazaky. I joined this Facebook group, where I met more Filipino fans of the Ukrainian dance group. One member shared a video of Manila Luzon’s ‘Hot Couture’. The song is so catchy that I ended up playing the video a lot of times. Some shared the video on Youtube. I don’t get why I haven’t really heard about Manila Luzon’s achievement via Philippine print media. Her talent and creativity is something to be proud of!

Continue reading →