MANILA's FINEST: A Period Film That Discusses Current Issues

Just watched Manila's Finest last night and from a viewers standpoint, it was a cinematographic masterpiece. It's a period film, set in the late 60's, that tells the story of what transpired during those years with the Manila Police District. While life was simple, it wasn't any less complicated as the atrocities of love, family, relationships and politics become real and present danger. 

Piolo Pascual plays Homer Magtibay, a very optimistic cop who's got his own demons to vanquish. He's got his own crew that includes Enrique Gil who plays Billy Ojeda, Romnick Sarmienta who plays Severino Meneses, Joey Marquez as Rogelio Liwanag, and Dylan Menor as newbie cop Efren Taguyonon. He will begin most of his challenging life when Cedrick Juan who plays PC Metrocom Danilo Abad comes into the picture, and makes his once tranquil life into something a lot problematic. 

They made us see the causes of Martial Law lengthy, of what intricate things were done to make it happen. Fact or fiction, this makes them question loyalties, principles, betrayal, how corruption blur the lines of what's right and wrong. While it is set in the 60's, it still discusses something that is sadly happening til now. Piolo Pascual has always been an excellent actor, and a nomination for Best Actor award would not be surprising. Another notable performance would be for the role of his daughter in the film played by Ashtine Olviga. Her role might not have appeared much in the movie, but it is pivotal for the rift between characters, and her endearing ways of communicating emotions is unquestionably brilliant. Enrique too is another, but I think he would've needed more dialogue and grit, but that's just me.

What I'm loving is that they're absolutely BRAVE in doing this film during this regime. That alone deserves something, including the quality of work in post production which might get them a nod. They deserve 4 cows 🐮🐮🐮🐮/5. I'm a little sad that though realizing how the problems in the 60's are still present, like corruption to it's core.

If you want to see the film this coming Christmas, be ready for something a little cerebral. This obviously has been made with higher production value, and that's because of MQuest and the MVP group. Hopefully they'd be able to create more of this even after MMFF 2026!

Time to Watch Liza Soberano Shine in "Lisa Frankenstein"

Lisa Frankenstein is going to have a February 9 release in the US via Universal Pictures International and they held an advanced screening in Hollywood and a celebrity screening in the Philippines which we got to attend a few days ago. 

I'm sure a lot of Filipinos have been waiting for this as this counts as Liza's first Hollywood film, and the interesting back stories through interviews even made it even extra fascinating. During the celebrity screening, James Reid was very happy about how things turned out and how Liza Soberano is reaping the benefits of her hard work in this movie. He wasn't willing to give some details of what other plans they have for her or what Liza is actually doing after Lisa Frankenstein. He just gave us the sweet look LOL. Aside from that, he wasn't aware that Enrique Gil was attending the celebrity premiere, but when the press told him about it, he was surprised and happy too. Here's the interview we had with him before the movie:

James also went to the event with supportive girlfriend Yssa Pressman who also obliged the press with an interview about her man James.

Meanwhile, Liza Soberano attended the Hollywood premiere together with the film's stars Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. To tell you honestly, Liza looks different in the film. Lisa Frankenstein felt well made. It reminds me of those films that La Lohan used to make, and it begs another installment because of the various twists it introduced (which may grow a following since Cole Sprouse aka Frankenstein is adorable). Liza asked Cole about the feeling she had in making this film because it was pleasant, she didn't get to be a nervous wreck working with the actors and production (some of which have been doing this for years). Cole told her it was what he felt too, and that says a lot about the people she's with in the movie.

This project had so many femme energy. Diablo Cody wrote and produced this, and even if this is Zelda Williams' directorial debut (she's Robin Williams' daughter), she got lauded by the crew and cast with her work. This also stars Carla Gugino, Joe Chrest and Henry Eikenberry (whom you might like too, I've seen him model). Liza Soberano's role was not in any way a bit role, but I don't want to spoil it. You've got to take the patience with how the story is developed because this is a slow burn, but I assure you, YOU WILL LOVE IT. It talks about family, love, romance, the 80's, great music, Moms, best friends, and fun. I felt Kahtryn Newton's role especially when she's a bit crazy (just like me). This film is out NOW in theaters nationwide, so go catch it and get tickets early.

For the naysayers that said it wouldn't happen, this proves you wrong... and I hope you watch LIZA SOBERANO shine and make her dreams come true, one film at a time!

LG Celebrates 10 Years of OLED

LG is celebrating their milestones especially the LG OLED TV. It's been a standard, and with good reason because they're the best in this technology. Back then, it wasn't common to see Organic Light Emitting Diode on TV screens but today, the same tech has changed the landscape of not just theirs, but every company that comes out with their own TV screen, all because they have pushed for its innovation.

Today, they've got LG OLED evo that has got a Brightness Booster, an a9 Gen5 AI Processor so you see those pixels with unbeatable clarity. Thing turns off on screen so those blacks are now deeper, but colors still remain rich and vibrant, something that you probably have never seen before on TV.

A history lesson ensued, they displayed generations of their OLED TV's from the beginning HD to now their OLED evo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaming on it even has it's own setting, to enhance not just experience, but latency and better framerates

Some sets even had close to no gaps at the back, so you're basically looking at something that could depict artwork to change the feel of a space. That was nice!

They used a PS5 without a speaker attached, but it sounded quite nice. It's also Dolby Atmos ready, so for acoustic freaks, this would be satisfying.

They utilize their own LG WebOS 23 that's got apps, quick cards, easily accessible through the clicker that comes with the OLED TV from LG.

 

It's also got HDR like quality visuals, those textures would come quite handy in some games you need to play.

In a studio setting, you can teach KPOP moves with ease. It's also got multi screens if you need to look at materials and see yourself at the same time.

Shortcuts to use if your favorite team has a game, or use it to follow them if you miss one.

The brightest because the pixels light up independently.

LG Executives, several celebrities like Enrique Gil, Michelle Dee and Dominic Roque were in attendance, no interviews but just seeing them was precious!

It was certainly a good thing that they also did this in the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines where some got to dress up in cultural garbs like Hanboks and Jeogori. Thank you for the fun event LG! Congratulations and I fervently hope you'll continue to innovate, perhaps introduce new ones in the coming years. Real progress! Cheers!

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano for Alone/Together

Today is such a good day for #LizQuen fans as Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil star in their more matured BlackSheep (indie arm of Star Cinema) produced movie called Alone/Together. This is directed by Antoinette Jadaone which has several hits in her belt. First impressions on the trailer had everyone talking, it was cerebral, definitely more matured take on the pairing.

I’m sure I am not alone thinking about the movies plot, because until now the teasers only give us vague storylines depicting a relationship that didn’t work out, or did it?

Antoinette Jadaone says “Yes it was intentional to actually keep that a mystery because it is just a teaser. We will be coming out with a trailer that will contain more sense in the premise of the story. The first five sequences were done 5 years ago and I adjusted it to something to be told now. Not really millennial but the overall treatment. I think the hardest part is bringing life to the story, it is something close to my heart because it is about UP, it’s a about my youth and how I could get my feelings out how I wrote it. This is like a love letter to my young self. I am so grateful how committed Christine and Raf even before we started shooting. I only wanted to tell the story, but during workshops, they would ask me for more how eager they were to learn about their character. As a movie fan, I have seen their romcoms but when I worked with them, they are very young actors, but very smart when they ask questions doing scenes. For young people who need to play matured characters, it’s a gift and they could do it. They know the characters and I trust them. It’s not just based on what the director wants them to do. Every movie requires a different process, the way I work is different and since it is my first time to work with them, I included them on my research, she needed to be with UP students. Enrique had to work real doctors and it wasn’t simple.”

Liza says “I would observe how UP students would talk, we ate at Area 2, went around IKOT, even had scenes with real UP students. You know I don’t even think of how it would go viral but in that particular scene it was really sincere. You will find out what it means when you get to watch the movie. The biggest challenge was maturity, I am not that point yet to have experience that level of pain and I had to think of how it were to happen to me. Magaling sya magtagalog sobra. Handa na akong masaktan this February. I really thought she was giving us freedom, but she was just trusting us. I worked with other directors but I felt it was more of a collaboration, fun and exciting to work with Direk. She was so sweet. It was even so cold in New York but she even made us feel warm. I interviewed art study students, I had to relate it with how hey do it in real life and they will be disappointed if it doesn’t become believable on screen, I always had that in mind when they talked to me. This had a risk in it, it is completely different from what we have been doing in the past. We did romcoms and lighter ones, I am proud to have said yes even if we knew how difficult this would be. Medyo may takot since it is a comeback film, I am also afraid how this would be accepted by the fans and people if they will still watch this film. They will remember their struggles in college days, I hope they realize they are more than their mistakes and there is always a way to turn it around, into something even better.”

Enrique says “I am a doctor here, I do work with doctors in the barrios, it made me change my mind about them, going through school, it helped a lot seeing students and shooting in campus. Being a doctor was a challenge, I am not really good with seeing blood, the switching of Raf from different timelines. I think there is some hope, I think it is why she is my great love. Direk is so cool because she lets you feel the scene, she gives inputs and understand things as we go. It was a different experience working with her but I really like it. We had three scripts and when we read this we really wanted to know the story. The slides we were shown had what people go through everyday. I think the crucial timeline and moments in between, it is in this movie. A lot of young adults do not know what to do with their lives about what they want to do and what their parents do. It’s a little taste of that past memory.”

This shows February 13, the perfect Valentines Day movie, single or not lol!

Enrique Gil for Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro

Samsung actually released a teaser but now you know who’s going to be the newest endorser. If you want to see life in full color though, Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro is meant for you and who wouldn’t like a smartphone with a TV like display,a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a fun camera that can take nature like colors, deep contrasts, 8MP front cam, 5MP back cam with LED Flash, 2600 mAh battery, dual sim socket, and is available in Black and Gold. It only costs Php 7,490.

Now who else would be a better fit to actually be the one to show you this phone but Enrique Gil. Yes ladies and gentlemen, he’s now the newest endorser and will be with Samsung together with his real life sweetheart Liza Soberano. When he made the commercial, he laments they were very tired but totally had fun shooting it.

Now that Enrique is here, would there be a possibility that he will have a commercial with Liza? I bet! I wonder when that would happen? Stay tuned as Samsung Philippines think of ways how to make LizQuen a staple!

KUMAGCOW

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Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano for My Ex and Whys

We're at the My Ex and Whys blogcon today with the cast, the director and the young writers of the film. Talking to the writer Jancy Nicolas first, he says the story was made for this generation and social media, even blogging is included in this fresh approach by Direk Cathy. They even made www.myexandwhys.ph as a microsite for everything about the film and got official book published as "The Book of Bakits". The infamous line by Liza Soberano was explained and he said "It was hard to imagine for Liza to say those lines for obvious reasons and perhaps the rawness could get away with it because we all go throught that, asking those questions are quite normal after a breakup."

P.S. Enrique and Liza will be at SM Manila and Fairview Terraces this weekend and they know how busy they will be!

Direk Cathy quirps "Liza was different back then, she was nervous, she was a black canvass and needed direction. Now she's matured, different, she's learned a lot in 2 years. Quen was already an actor prior to me directing him. I was in ASAP a few years ago, Enrique was there but he had his tounge twisted, but he was already good back then. Now they have a lot of experience, and their willingness to learn, the willingness to take emotion and new characters, it was just right to have them in this film. I like LizQuen because they are open, they are giving, and they don't tell off anyone even the artists."

Enrique (even if he's under the weather) says "Direk Cathy is very deep, I felt we had fun in this project because she's inspired while we were doing this. We could feel how we could work with her easy because now it's more personal. You take in consideration how long we have worked as a team and I use it now, it hurts more, and time is spent well in this film. When something new happens in life, it gets better. I like Korea because of the lights, like Myeongdong, so I vould wear tons of clothes, layered and eat a lot. I think I also relate more with my character because he accepts his mistakes, he mans up, even if he gets tired you move on and be more selfless if you are going to love someone.

Liza added "Working with Direk Cathy now feels like she's glowing, she's like very happy now. She lets us explore the scenes. Working with Quen, I was nervous in Forevermore, but doing this we helped each other in scenes and it's nice to see how we've grown over the years. She did a blog to reach people who got hurt like her, they're very deep and vulnerable. I would like to blog about travel, and if I was Cali it's more personal and her relationships. Shooting in Korea, I enjoyed Nami Island. I discovered that it's like so sad, you feel like you are in a movie, so gloomy and everything. I relate with Cali because of her love for her family, I'm not like her but she's interesting. I don't think anybody should be afraid when you fall in love. I try to also prove myself to a lot of people, being beautiful I appreciate that but sometimes when peope tell me I don't dance well but I'm okay because I look pretty, I try to dispell that by doing my best in everything that I do. To be honest, looks are the premier thing but you can't love someone who's ill mannered or not brainy. It's more than that, you have to get to know them personally."

Make sure you watch My Ex and Whys this coming week because they might be visiting theaters for block screenings come February 15, 2017 so don't miss it! Thanks to Dominos Pizza for the pizza (it's Liza's sponsor) and Grips too for the hair products (Enrique's sponsor). 

This is from Star Cinema!

KUMAGCOW

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