BAR BOYS AFTER SCHOOL: Funny with Serious Topics, An Exciting Installment!

When I heard Bar Boys would have another run, I was extremely happy just thinking what it would be like especially since the first installment had so many stories to continue with. The iconic Odette Khan won Best Supporting actress for it in different award giving bodies, including Indie Movie of the year, Best Director and Screenplay nominations to name a few. It also had a stage musical done which was well received by fans, and also had nominations for the version with the music used for the medium.

10 years since, the boys would have totally different lives and a whole new set of students to tell a story with Will Ashley, Sassa Gurl, Klarisse De Guzman, Glaiza De Castro, Emilio Daez, Therese Malvar, Benedix Ramos and Bryce Eusebio. The orignal ones Rocco Nacino, Kean Cipriano, Carlo Aquino and Enzo Pineda took on their roles 10 years older, having different lives to say the least, with Rocco teaching law school. Most of them were at the press conference a few days ago. They also paid tribute to Madame Odette Khan as she graced the event, had a standing ovation, which I adored.

Direk lamented how beyond the film, they all have been able to forge friendships and didn't take a miracle to pull off a second movie after the success of the first one. He said "We all grew as people and I've worked with everybody on this stage (including the new ones). I can guarantee, all of them are good people. I can confirm they are true artists who want to become better at their craft. I hope people see the value in that and support our Metro Manila Film Festival entry for 2025! I hope people would watch us first because we assure you it's going to be worth it." He also said that starting this meant they need to tell more stories that would matter, something people found in their first one so that's going to be interesting.

Will Ashley is going to be part of this and he says this movie is going to connect with you in so many ways, they really worked hard to make this second movie. Benedix on the other hand has auditioned for the musical play before landing this role for the movie. Sassa was super playful, her valedictorian role is something you should look forward to. While new, Emilio took a chance and auditioned for this role because he loved how his character developed. He learned a lot and want folks to watch this. Therese is already an award winning actress, having her in this film is just icing on a cake, she deserves it. The story she says is super good and said YES when it was offered to her.

Enzo says "It means a lot to me to see fans of Bar Boys to be here. It's also my first time to do MMFF, I've waited to do this after 15 years, and I'm part of it. I hope you get to support it like the first one."

Kean says "Josh after school didn't pass law school and this will continue that story. I hope we won't die in the end. Being part of a project that has value, being part of the first one was worth it, the second one just touches us on a different level. Being with them, seeing you appreciate it is enough for me."

Rocco says "Thank you to everyone who's here. I was supposed to take a different role, but I'm glad I ended up with this one. This is the first film that I've done that had a sequel, I assure you, you won't have problems suggesting this to friends and family if you would want to watch an entry at MMFF."

Carlo jokes about being in MMFF like he only had this as an entry, but everyone knows he's a regular LOL. He says "I want to share that when I read this email of Bar Boys, I was quitting showbiz, and the film gave me spark, to do what I love, I hope the same spark makes a movement out of Filipinos."

Excellent choices so far has been seen in MMFF 2025, and Bar Boys is the only one that is independently produced and supported by the FDCP. I can't wait to see what would happen to the original cast and the freshmen who will take on the new roles. This is a piece worthy to watch for sure! 

Erich Gonzales Comes with iWantTFC Original Series La Vida Lena

Rumors about this new show surfaced a couple months ago, and when they released the trailers, I was like, finally, there's a new Erich Gonzales led series. It's called LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series and will start to stream this November!

Erich says "When this was offered to me, it was initially titled Magdalena, I got hooked by the story because it is very challenging. Direk Jerry and Direk Jojo made it easier for me. This is not the first time I have worked with JC, but first time in a teleserye, also with Kit and Carlo. They are very professional and we help each other when we work. Well to be honest, aside from the swab tests we did before and after a location, we do facemasks, shield, locked in, they are very strict in working hours so we have enough rest for everyone. It is new, but we are well adjusted. We work from 8am to 8PM, and we do work as it is, regardless of locked in or not we can work professionally. I said yes immmediately to this because I know there would be a lot of people that would have work, when they approached me, I could feel how thankful they are, and that is priceless. I just had to recharge and do something else before I went into doing this new show."


Direk Jojo Saguin says "The most challenging part is just getting locked in, and you have to do everything in time and you are only given 12 hours to shoot. What's the difference? This is different story wise. It is centered on love and revenge, and it is challenging to Erich as an actress, and they have been able to deliver."


Direk Jerry Sineneng adds "This is a different setup, but it is good to work with seasoned actors and blend together their strengths making sure they don't overlap with their roles. I do get nervous at times, they deliver, so you have to choose wisely how to mix that all because they are good actors. "

Ms. Agot adds "I favor doing this kind of taping, we know the schedules, we have to finish everything in 12 hours and you can't be lounging around if you're on set. The cast and crew, we didn't force the closeness, we were just isolated and we felt now we can share each other's meals because we had to be together if we wanted it or not. It was such a fun group!"

 

Carlo Aquino says, "I am more patient now, I don't rush things.In the past I was always like that, having a baby taught me these things. I feel it made me more patient. Yes, when I saw my baby, I immediately knew that I am going to work for my family. I spend time with them, especially since she just turned 2 months, I always talk to her and I do cherish it now that she is still a baby, I'm afraid she will change her appearance when I get back from work and isolation."

JC de Vera says "I try to dedicate my 100% during this pandemic, I memorize things that I wasn't able to do when I was a kid, I play with my baby, even ask her to do household chores and that bonding doesn't stop. I always am there for my kid even on locked in taping, it made us closer because we understand the importance of being far away from family. I don't give that attention to others, just them at times."

Again, LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series will be streaming this November! Download the app and subscribe to see lovely Erich all over again!

Carlo Aquino Preps for Liwanag in Concert

Carlo Aquino is stretching his vocal chords this morning for another concert at the Music Museum. We were there during Matteo and his concert which was very successful, so this is really a good time to do another one. 

Carlo shares how he feels and says “Excited and thankful because this is real. It was once just talked about, there will be some numbers where I will be playing a guitar, maybe dance too. It is going to be a journey where I loved music, I might be singing old songs, it depends on Sir Louie if he can fit it in. I want some really new songs, Ben and Ben, stuff like that. I started with my Dad, he loves music and also sings. Beatles, old Karaoke hits, bands, so when I was a teenager it was doubly hard because I was a lefty. I usually write songs when I am sad so I gave a lot on my list but I hope we get 2 or 3 of them in the concert. I was also asked about doing a remake on Rico Blanco song, so I chose 2 of them, I ended up getting approval for one which is “Balisong” and I will have to thank him personally, very soon. I hope I could rehearse now, when you mention it I am already shaking. Right now I wish I could rehearse early, we will be meeting soon to finalize things. I have inputs because this is my journey, I have several albums and I hope I get a lot of my material there. We are trying to get guests but it depends on their availability. My second single is Balisong, a Soldier’s Heart has been in the trade launch last week, maybe Bagman season 2 for iWant. I have a lot on my plate. I hope I could get my cousin here, my parents too. Everyday is a good day and I am thankful for times I wake up, I only think of gratitude. I have a happy family, happy heart, I don’t mind the bashers, there’s a lot of love out there and you have so many reasons to be happy for. I am always in love! I am in love with life, I am inlove with work. You may go ahead and agree with it. August 31 at the Music Museum, I hope you guys be there and tell your friends about my birthday concert.” 

His director adds “I called it Liwanag so you can see him, in a new light, I hope that’s exactly what you will see in the concert.” 

This is produced by Hills and Dreams Concepts Co. For tickets you may get it from Ticketworld at 8919999 or 09777819540 (Hills and Dreams) or at the Music Museum ticketron 721 06 35. 

So there!