MIDNIGHT GIRLS: Excellent Depiction of Social Issues and Family Relationships

Just by face value, this new film called "Midnight Girls" felt like a dream come true. Imagine putting together some of the country's best actresses who's work speaks largely on their previous projects like Jodi Sta. Maria, Jane Oineza, Sanya Lopez and Loisa Andalio - and then have blockbuster Director Irene Villamor do it at the the beautiful Nagoya, Japan. 

For those who don't know, a lot of entertainers (mostly singers, performers and dancers) went to Japan for work since the 80's, 90's... and it still is happening today. The film gives a glimpse of not just working conditions, but the actual dynamics of family life, of how little appreciation they get from working there, and how their relationships happen in dire conditions because they still want to survive... and take care of the folks back home.

Here's the Mediacon which happened at Gateway Cinemas:

Jodi Sta. Maria is her old self, doing easy work on dramatic moments especially the scenes with Zaijan Jaranilla (where you'll probably cry). I like the character of Sanya Lopez because she's so extra as Trix. Loud but quirky, she absolutely loves to fall in love and wish for the prince charming she deserves. The person playing the Japanese partner of Sanya in the movie is super attractive, but in real life changed the whole conversation they made for the film. Since he's doing theater, he was alarmed that the script contained non conversational Japanese, so they had to do everything from scratch in just 3 days. The whole cast also needed to learn Japanese (hence the long production), but it was essential to understand how they got to talk with their patrons. Jane Oineza's character is interesting, and you'll need to figure out why she's doing a lot of the unnecessary stuff while she's figuring out who she is in the movie. Loisa on the other hand also did good as Bea, and the manner she treated her boyfriend (Miggy Jimenez) made me realize how corny people get at times when we fall in love. Her story was also intense, when people realize the need to work to put food on the table, but this doesn't equate to who you are as a person. A lot of this will be seen on the film when it comes out May 13 nationwide.

This is produced by TJAV Films (who's got a very young producer behind it) and is released in the Philippines by Warner Brothers. This will also be part of the Far East Festival in Italy, so your support is needed for that too. I'd gladly put this at 4/5, for it's excellence in discussing social issues. I'm sure you've got OFW's who've gone through the same and would easily connect with them individually.

A Look at Jodi Sta. Maria's Psycho Horror Thriller "UNTOLD"

Regal Entertainment's scary movie offering "UNTOLD" was just given an advanced screening and scream party at the SM City North Edsa's THE BLOCK. It was witnessed by Regal Entertainment head honchos Keith Monteverde and Roselle Monteverde. While Jodi Sta. Maria is out of the country filming an international project, actresses Sarah Edwards and Kaori Oinuma attended the screening to say hi to lucky students, fans and media covering the event.

Jodi plays Vivian Vera, a reporter/anchor for a TV station. The film was easy to absorb at first, but it is a psycho thriller, full of jump scares and g0re. It was also very claustrophobic because much of the entities come from different directions. This is also about PTSD, mental health, and family.

Keith and Roselle Monteverde, Regal Entertainment Inc. is personally working on this film

This seems like a huge experiment for Jodi, and the film is full of things that would make you question realities. You get scared for a while then end up being in a flashback, or immerse in a supposed alter reality then see it being true. You also won't be able to invest too much on characters because one minute they're goody two shoes, the next day they're going to the underworld. Her involvement with all of them is consistent though, which again, made this story line cerebral, it makes you think and question every time what is true, what is happening now, and what's not.

The entertainment value certainly is enough for a Jodi Sta Maria film, and if you doubt her capability to scare, I've seen several people in my row screaming at times. Much of the content is psychologically heavy, and you'll feel the struggle on why the characters are doing what they are doing, even after the "afterlife". The narrative is stressful, so make sure you are ready for this horror film because by any standards, Jodi did justice with hear character. You'll also love some not so serious things that JK brings, which gives relief despite the heavy plot.  

Director Derrick Cabrido may have had a field day doing this with an actress that is capable of playing complex personalities. She did phenomenal, and the script certainly has been researched well. If you are practicing witchcraft (not that I'm insinuating you are), you'll also be seeing a lot of clues why we say that. This is another layer that you should discover when you watch it on theaters on April 30.

The Boy Foretold By The Stars

Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in soulmates? Do you believe that somewhere out there, there is someone intended to love you? In some ways, I do.

Those questions are pretty hard to answer. However, I've had the privilege of talking to some really smart people who are trying to tell you a story. It's called "The Boy Foretold By The Stars". This is a Filipino BL film starring Adrian Lindayag and Keann Johnson. We also got to talk to the director of this film Direk Dolly Dulu. 

This is quite interesting as it is set in an all boys Catholic school. That alone is quite crazy as a venue for an LGBT themed story (for some), but obviously it happens. One is a straight guy and the other an effeminate boy.

Adrian Lindayag plays Dominic, an honor student, achiever, straight A's and doesn't believe in fate or stars.

He told us about how he got into the film and says "I was invited by a friend who told me his friend wrote a script and told me to audition. I was taping Kadenang Ginto and I asked for permission. Good thing we filmed quite near in ABS CBN. I knew when I read the script that I was Dominic. I worked with Keann already and it was easier because of that. Yes there will be kissing scenes, people should note how good Keann is and I trusted him. I really was feeling kilig when he looks at me. I believe he's a nice person, he listens to me when I have issues, I can be myself when I am with him."

Keann Johnson plays Luke, a jock, sports man, and does everything by flipping a coin. He says "I got this role back then when I was celebrating things with fans. When I learned about it, I knew it was a different role and push my limits. It takes two to tango and I feel if it wasn't him it would feel different. I feel really kilig when he gives me things, no awkwardness whatsoever. It's 2020 and people are very understanding, if I'm going to introduce him to my parents I will be bold to do it. I feel he would always ask about his future soulmate, not just career, he's more into finding love. Honestly, the guy is very open to men or women, maybe a pansexual, I learned no one could tell you who to love, but with all your heart."

Direk Dolly Dulu says "I was waiting for the festival to start but it took too long for Cinefilipino to do screenings. I was a little down because we finished this ahead of time, even ahead of the BL wave in the country, but it just wasn't being shown. Jodi asked me about it and then CineFilipino finally decided that they would do things next year, the material was getting old but now that people are craving for it, we knew we had to do it now. This film was written in 2016 and I'm glad a lot of people trusted us, I am so thankful for that. I took it from personal experience, from a one act play of which I was trying to get over someone, I just changed names. It was formed way before the movie, I had to do it in a higschool setting. The casting was really for Dominic as it required a feminine guy doing it. It was hard to get actors who would just do it, I got a legitimate one. Getting Keann on the other hand was a no brainer because we had to get someone who looks good and was willing to do it. I had to do auditions for his role and had to make sure they jive when they are together."

To give you an even better understanding on why I'm so glad I did this interview, here's what happened during the blog conference, enjoy!

Adrian was a ball of energy, very nice and easy to talk to. He's very articulate, snaps humor into conversation and hella fun. Keann (aside from being extremely good looking) was cerebral, takes nibbles to understand questions thrown at him and gives really smart answers. Even if this was the first time I talked with them, I felt I was amongst friends, which is why I enjoyed this blog conference. I haven't felt that way in a while. I have seen the trailer, and these two are very effective, I'd mistake it is real... which is why I am so excited to watch this on theaters soon (or virtually)!

The Boy Foretold By The Stars is produced by teleserye queen Jodi Sta. Maria under Clever Minds Inc., The Dolly Collection and Brainstormers Lab. 

Coming soon!

Jodi, Robin, Richard in New Afternoon Show Before Showtime

Leo, Martin, Mona and Lisa. These are just names to you now but as soon as it airs on ABSCBN this coming Monday, you’ll love each of their characters as portrayed by Robin Padilla, Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria. This is called SANA DALAWA ANG PUSO (I wish I had 2 hearts) and will be the afternoon offering right before Showtime on the kapamilya channel.

Robin plays Leo, a man who takes odd jobs for a living. Although poor, falls madly in love with rich beauty diva Lisa of the Loriano Group of Companies (played by Jodi)... who was in a supposed arranged marriage with Martin Co who later finds himself a poor barrio girl who looks exactly like Lisa but is named Mona, a chicken farmer. Will their lives intertwine? Will love be good for these four people? How are they related? You have to watch the first episode tomorrow on ABSCBN.

Jodi says “I am personally very excited to see this, this is fun, you’ll learn a lot of things, sometimes very romantic and I hope you get to watch it. The postponement had nothing to do with Robin but our creative team had to do revisions with the script and characters. We were not ready yet last August but this is good now. There will be 4 characters tomorrow and I believe they will be in love with Martin and Leo, you can’t compare then because they have different stories that should be appreciated by people.”

Richard Yap adds “We have been gone for a while but I hope people would go back to this time slot, hopefully the same people who watched us will get to see us again. My character is different now, I had to reinvent myself to be this character, I have long lines and I should have asked something like a man of few words like Robin.”

Robin says “To belong here is really but an honor for me, I am a fan of their show in the past and now I’m with them in the series. ABSCBN was a bit behind schedule and our schedules got mixed up between this and a movie we tried to make in between. They are bringing in a show about love, so it’s light and very Filipino. It was just a matter of timing I guess. My two movies were postponed (by Vidanes) and we did this instead. I asked ABSCBN to just make my character to be as close as possible with me, they agreed.”

The show also stars Christopher De Leon, Bobot Mortiz, Alma Moreno, Nikki Valdez, Bayani Agbayani, Ryan Bang, Ylona Garcia, Buboy Garrovillo, Kitkat Favia, and a whole lot more. Again it starts tomorrow January 29 after showtime!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap for The Achy Breaky Hearts

We're at The Achy Breaky Hearts intimate presscon today with Team Chinoy Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. The two have been very busy promoting their movie and I'm excited too as tje pairings are my families favorite.

Jody mentioned "Ian and Richard are a joy to work with, but I think I'm really close to both of them. It doesn't matter of they are married, I'm okay with that because there's no alterior motive. I love working with them. Direk always asks us about our opinions, Chinggay has been single for years and she's been heartbroken so when Frank came back she was more careful, she was also taking in consideration a new love and the previous guy she was with. That's where the story will spin. Now that it's Fathers day, I will give Richard care and concern ha-ha! I haven't reallt gone through a stage where I got to be courted ny two good looking guys. There are some scenes where I got to connect with Chinggay, about relationships, about a new guy. I always give chances, no regrets on my decisions, I know it will only make me wiser and stronger as a woman. This is our profession, but unlike what people know, we study our characters and we become effective portraying roles because of that. We alsp consult each other to make the scenes realistic. We know how to react because we did our homework. I know they are married and I respect them individually, it's better for me because I can make sumbong if ever ha-ha! We share the same standby area for 2 years, so it was just normal to be close. The last thing I want to happen is for real Team Tisoys and Team Chinoys to actually be divisive, and they made the story light and you'll understand in the story how it's going to make both of the guys end in good terms. If there's someone to pair with you, we have to make them believe the character, to the love story. Chinggay is guarded, but open with the other. They really pursued her and they showed their intentions. Chinggay liked that."

Richard Yap says "When we're working, we get into the story. We've also gone through wrongdoing, the faults in our relationship. This new one is something that should be perfect, that's what we want to do. I think Ian and I have dofferent levels of expertise and he's really good in drama but I don't want to compare and I'll leave that to the audience. I can relate to the guy, my character, because before I got married we broke up but when we got back together I knew for sure that I'll marry Mrs.Chen. It's the cooperation of everybody, we study our characters so it looks real in camera. When we started out, we didn't know each other and through time, we developed our friendship. We have common interests, mutual trust and respect came later on. We both know each other's moods, we already know when and not to disturb each other. Jodi is so attractive, but we have our limits, and we're professinals and we must keep it that way. "

The movie will premier on June 29 and is Directed by Tonette Jadaone. This is produced by Star Cinema. 

KUMAGCOW

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Be Careful With My Heart : "The Happily Ever After" Ending

Be Careful With My Heart Cast

It might be the last time you'll see them together in one photo. So this one's for keeps. The well loved series Be Careful With My Heart just recently held their finale presscon. I already felt a little sad when I heard of it and I knew that the moment this happened, everyone was trying to stop crying just thinking about it.

I tried to get a shot of them one by one but they were just a little fast going up the stage.

I felt a little nostalgic because the last time I saw them, they were asking us to promote their show. Now that the show's ending, they asked us if it will be a happily ever after. I'm sure it will be a little bitter sweet.

Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap says they'll be forever grateful to ABSCBN for giving them a show that lasted this long. They hope this happy ever after ending to the show would be something fit so that the viewers would still find the end something perfect because they've been part of the journey of Maya and Sir Chief. Jodi says "BCWMH changed our lives and at our age, Richard and I did not expect that we would experience having albums, concerts, world tours, endorsements, a love team at this age. All these things happened because of you guys (their fans), you are the true reason why our episodes come out so beautifully."

Please Be Careful with My Heart World Tour!

It takes a whole lot of time to get interested in one TV program but if you have the perfect story, the perfect actors and actresses to play the role, and the public finds your execution interesting enough that they fantasize about the lead protagonists because when they seem to fall in love with each other, you feel it, you even get "kilig" each time they meet, touch or woo each other. Aww I know you guys are waiting for this so I'm not going to delay this anymore!

You might not recognize them here because they look so pretty and made up. They are the famous Doris and Sabel who play the quirky helpers in the show. They said they felt so much of a celebrity and couldn't believe how much photographed they were on this day. They also said they were so blessed to have been able to work with Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap which in your vocabulary is Maya and Sir Chief. =) It wasn't so hard for them to get along with the cast and they are so excited the whole team will be going on a world tour. Rosario "Tart" Carlos who plays Doris and Vivieka Ravanes who plays Sabel are so proud about the success of their show. Vivieka said she wants to roam around Japan which she has been really looking forward to; because it has been her dream since she started working in the entertainment industry. It's all falling into place. They are really excited to see people who love their show and all the places they'll be in pretty soon. =)

Here are some more photos!