The night was indeed stellar at the SM Megamall Cinemas because of the red carpet premiere of CHANCES ARE, YOU AND I which stars hunky Kelvin Miranda and the angelic Kira Balinger. We had the chance to talk to the stars a few weeks back, but this time, I'd like to concentrate more on the actual movie which we got to see last night May 28, 2024.
It's about two strangers who had the same fate, finding their lives intertwined at very interesting points. The hospitals wouldn't be just providing care, but a launch pad for realizations and grounds for what seem to be "opposite personalities" at first, then became that tiny flame that would ignite care, an adventure, special friendships, and love.
Do not at any instance downplay this movie to be just a cute chick flick. Kelvin has been recently awarded the Most Prolific Dramatic Actor Award at the Jinseo Arigato Film Festival in Nagoya, Japan. Kira on the other hand had several scenes to pull heartstrings, which is surprising to see for a neophyte lead in this film. They didn't even had to force themselves, it felt quite natural because you will bear witness with their love story.
If there's anything to add that should be noted amazing in this film is Kelvin and Gian Magdangal's confrontation scene. Tart Carlos also had her moment with Kira Balinger when she had to admit all her faults, it was personal and heartbreaking. Jinho Bae whom people might expect to only blurt out Hangul in most of the scenes in Korea, will be your breath of fresh air. His comedic timing is impressive and as he revealed, he was personally surprised about having 80 percent of his adlibs being put in scenes when he was quite sure it should have been cut by the director. You'll love him for that!
I think I cried twice, and you might have to bring a few sheets of fascial tissues for that. You can now see CHANCES ARE, YOU AND I on theaters starting today! Bring your friends, significant others and family because you'll love how they executed it.
Photography is A+, plan and go, or flip a coin if you need to decide. This is produced by Pocket Media Productions, Inc. and Happy Infinite Productions. They will have Regal Films distribute this to 130 (I heard) cinemas nationwide!
There are still a lot of stories to be told and this one is both romantic, heartbreaking at times, and could pull heartstrings. It also talks about love, friendship, taking chances, and dreams... this of which will be discussed lengthily in this movie by Pocket Media Productions Incorporated. This stars Kelvin Miranda and Kira Balinger, some of the country's most promising stars.
A Little Backgrounder:
This is the first project of Director Catherine Camarillo under her production outfit PM Productions Inc. This was during the pandemic, and when the franchise of ABSCBN wasn't renewed. This was a family decision, more or less, and since her daughter had this script for a while now, they wanted to do this specific one and offer it to streaming services pre-prod. The scenes were all shot in 2022, and a little during the latter part of that year because production ceased when restrictions came during those times.
The film had to be shot in two locations, one in Manila and the other in Seoul in South Korea. It was mainly due to the look they wanted to portray especially during winter time, which they find perfect, and hellish when they got so cold after scenes were cut.
This is also the first time that Kelvin and Kira are being paired on screen, but they've got quite different first impressions when we interviewed them yesterday. It was essential for them to not only wear 3 layers of clothing, have heaters, and several heat packs underneath just to survive all of that. They were so grateful the crew from Manila and Seoul stepped up and made sure they were comfortable as arrangements were made during filming.
Director CC says "It was really the perfect weather to shoot in the snow because of the visuals. We might have had a hard time shooting because of it but really, I was so impressed with how Kevin and Kira held up in that temperature. They knew the vision of what we were doing and really understood the script. They knew their lines, so I really didn't have a problem with the scenes we had to shoot in Korea. I was happy how they really portrayed the roles, and I hope you appreciate how it felt during our teaser drop (check @catherineocamarillo on IG) because that is made with pure love, passion and hard work."
She adds "I may have had problems securing artists in my home network, but I told my staff I needed a new pairing. It was an audition, I pitched it with Kelvin and Kira then profiled how they both speak, or see how they could add to the characters/role they needed to do... and I appreciate how they interpreted it."
Director CC also holds several hit projects under her belt including "Halik" and "Wildflower" on TV. Her real orientation is film, so this is the caliber of what you're about to see in CAYI.
Here's our interview with Kelvin, Kira and Direk CC yesterday, please enjoy!
About Sol and Gabi
Kelvin says "My character was more or less an opposite of me. Sol is quite happy, with a loving family, and might have bottled up angst which would surface when he's dealt with a very huge scare later on. It made him look at life differently, but manages to deal with it like it's not a big thing. He takes these challenges easy, and learns from it. He's also quite adventurous and tough, a man's man and is fond of extreme sports which you'll see in the film. That's where he feels that he exists, and I think that's who he is in a nutshell."
He adds "Maybe I gave a lot to my character because I felt like an actor in this film. It's a big concept, and the trust given to me is no joke. I really felt like I was Sol when we made this."
Kira told us "Gabriela Sinag is a hard worker, she volunteers and is so bubbly... severely a person for others. Behind that, she's hurt, and will perhaps get through things with the help of Sol. That's where the fun starts. Honestly, I don't know if I'm crying because of the emotions or the cold, but it gives you a sense of focus so you could do the role and not just because of the environment. It was a different experience for me. The Korean team were so professional, so you really need to step up, and they take care of you. It was so wonderful with our short stay, it was memorable. Personally, I thought he was a bad boy because he was always wearing black, he had earrings, the works! He showed me that under all that machismo, he's a nice person and very devoted to his craft. He is such a giving actor, and it was so easy to work with him."
Flip a coin and take a chance in CHANCES ARE, YOU and I when it comes out in theaters this May. Official release will be done by Regal Entertainment in theaters nationwide!
PS
It was such a joy to talk to Kelvin and Kira, and the stories of Direk may just be the tip of the iceberg. Hope to get to interview them about this film before it shows soon!
Good looking actor Kelvin Miranda is reaping the benefits of his efforts especially this 2023 as he gets multiple projects left and right.
One of which is "Missed Connections" which he is doing together with noted actress Miles Ocampo and sexy vixen Chie Filomeno. It's off tangent of much of the characters he's played in the past; because this time, he's not the cool boy who always hit on girls, but a guy who's never had a girlfriend since birth. He's now someone who's very awkward towards them, which he says was quite hard to play during the shoot. Missed Connections by the way is already streaming on Netflix (oh yes today!) and is under the production of KROMA Entertainment. He was very game answering questions during the press conference.
Kelvin Miranda adds "For me (in finding someone to love), I always go for the one who has personality; because believe it or not, I find it hard talking to women. I don't even post much on social media and much of them understand me when I talk to them."
About his recent wins, he says "I feel the success, and I'm glad my management has always been there to support me in my projects and my personal life. I give my all when I work, because I love what I do. I'm so happy that GMA and Sparkle supports me too, they even put up this presscon just for me. I can't thank them enough because they are always there when I have projects, they give me what I deserve. I know there's a lot of artists in GMA but they do give time to see me, ask what I need."
Here's some highlights of the press conference this afternoon:
Kelvin then said "I really count my blessings, I take it easy, I listen to music so I do relax (after work), I try to be reactive on social media because I too love those who love me."
Now remember, you can stream Missed Connections on Netflix today. Kelvin also has a few projects too on GMA, plus a few films from other productions. Make sure you follow Sparkle's social channels, and his accounts to know more about what he's doing. He's certainly the next big thing!
If you haven't heard "Gusto Kita" sung by Kelvin Miranda and Ally Gonzales, I suggest you do so on Spotify and other streaming platforms. We had the opportunity to talk to them a few days ago in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It turned out to be very romantic that some of the press were wondering... if there's something else between the two artists. Or are they just friends?
Here's our coverage on video:
Ally says "I'd like to thank Mr. Gino Padilla for the wonderful song
that we were able to collaborate in. Kevin is such a good person, very
much a gentleman. He's also very fun to talk to, and I'm just grateful
to have been able to work with him. Originally we were just looking for
the song where Kevin and I would be able to sing together. We all liked
"Gusto Kita" and we tried to revise it a couple of times to fit what we
wanted to do because this wasn't intended to be a duet. I'm still very
young, I just turned 18. I remember the days when my Mom used to teach
me how to sing. I was also able to train with Coach Keith Martin and his
wife. I was put under the wing of Vehnee Saturno since I was around
13-14. I had difficulties maintaining my low notes and that's what I had
to train hard for. I also have a voice coach in case I also needed to
do more training because this is a continuing thing, I need to learn new
songs almost every day. I don't compete with other singers, I compete
with myself because I want to improve and become better. Self
love is the key, because if I had that, I'll have confidence and I feel,
it all starts with myself."
Kelvin adds "The song was
awesome, and it has recall. When I first heard it, I knew that it was a
good opportunity to do our version of it. Ally is very sweet, I'm very
happy that she's beginning to achieve her dreams in such a short amount
of time. Ally already knows her music, her genre, I had the chance to
choose this Filipino song in a long list we had for covers. I am really
grateful to have been able to work with Ally on this single. In our
group, we talked about what we need to do covers for, something that fit
our personality, something that we can interpret and connect with. In
this generation, any music is a little hard to sustain because people
are looking for new things everyday. This is done differently, I
realized how I wasn't listening much of OPM songs but this made me
realize there's so much out there to listen to. Hopefully I could do
both acting and singing, train for it, because I know experience is the
best teacher. When there are opportunities, I don't want to pass on them
especially when it's on GMA. This chance to partner up with different
actresses, singers, it's part of how I could develop as an artist."
The version was something off a teen romance novel. It kinda makes you feel all fuzzy inside and wish you also had someone say the line to you. Again, "Gusto Kita" is available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Their music video is also available at the GMA Music YouTube channel so go ahead, indulge on what could be a start of something big. I would want to see if this could start some new show, or series for them. I bet their respective fans would want to see that. This is under GMA Music and Universal Records Publishing.
He's one of the coolest looking guy in GMA's stable, and this time he's raring to release a new single under GMA Music. We got first dibs about his latest venture into singing and it'll be called "SUMAYAW" for one or more reasons. It's also his next level foray into his singing career which he'd love to continue especially these times when he can make a track in between shows.
Kelvin says "I've been busy working on this new single "Sumayaw" lately, and this was made specifically for those who are undergoing challenges in life. It's about not dwelling on the problems and concentrating on moving forward instead. It's not about dancing per se, but a metaphor of being carefree despite life's setbacks, to go with the flow even if it feels the world is about to end. It also is about living in the now, which we tend to forget a lot these days. We need to give time for ourselves, for the things that make us happy. This has a faster tempo than my previous single.
SUMAYAW will be released this coming November 18, and he's as excited as you are so make sure you follow GMA Music's social channels to get updates about the good looking guy.
I've had the pleasure of watching a couple of trailers this afternoon during the TOLS Media Conference held at the Novotel in Quezon City. This is the child project of Tyrone Escalante Artist Management and Merlion Events Production Inc. which will be shown on GMA's GTV channel. TOLS is a story of triplets Uno, Dos, Third played by Kelvin Miranda, Abdul Raman and Shaun Salvador. Rufa Mae Quinto plays their Mom in the weekly series and Betong Sumaya plays anti hero.
The setting is a Barber Shop and we all know pretty much by now that this isn't going to be your usual scripted story line as the peg was going to be a riot that's much like previous late 80's to early 90's Palibhasa Lalake as inspiration. Thing is, these guys are probably in a younger demographic which means they'd be connecting well with Gen Z's, Millennials, onward. Rufa Mae Quinto's casting has proven to be valuable because they'll be putting in her expertise in the genre and they guys lauded her about being so generous in throwing punchlines they'd be able to follow through with their own antics, tell them to stop if it didn't land too.
I love the fun, the format, and as Rufa observed, these guys have their own traits that people would find endearing. Aside from their good looks, Kelvin is a bit uncontrollable, whilst Abdul was unnerving and Shaun was the one that always got bullied. There were several times in the Media Conference where they divulged some pretty interesting relationships and rumors. Some of them shouldn't land on video but here goes a few minutes in this one if you're raring to know more about it.
Suffice to say, this was something interesting for me as an avid viewer of primetime shows. These guys look good on screen and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of ladies would adore them and this project. The previews and small clues they left us were devoured easily by the press covering the event and if that's piqued our interest, things would probably be same with the general public. Now make sure you go watch the first episode come June 25 at 7PM on GTV. Just make sure you've scanned the channel on digital boxes so you can start watching the show.
Don't say I didn't tell you about it... a toast to the new crazy show! Who knows, they're already wishing for a second season, that might be even be in the pipeline already. :)
Mikee Quintos just signed again with GMA Artist Center. With her powerful singing, acting prowess, she's made a lot of shows very interesting with her characters. What struck me most was the last one in The Lost Recipe because that one had so good story, editing, drone shots, the works! We also asked Mikee about her experience going into GMA grounds when she started, it was nice to reminisce about that. Then she also mentioned how she would want to work again with Kelvin Miranda, because honestly, they look good on screen.
Mikee says "When I first stepped in GMA, I felt right at home. Even if the building was intimidating, I didn't feel that at all. I want to work with Bea Alonzo, I feel I won't work with her, I'll just ride along because I have seen her work and I am fan girling. The experience here is self explanatory, I have my share of doubts because of bashers, but you know yourself more, that's important, do what you have to do. Don't carry the hate, that's heavy, just do what you can because that won't put food on the table. The biggest lessons I learned is to stay humble, that's what is important. My acting mentors have taught me a lot, when I'm on set, I speak the truth, wether comedy, drama, romcom, as long as you are true it will resonate. I would never forget their guidance. Kelvin and I have worked after the lost recipe, we talk about it, we hope we could do more because we just wish it happens. We pray for that, maybe if ever I'd try something simple, a romcom, a simple person with simple dreams, or maybe childhood friends who end up together, hopefully soon. It's so nice to feel how we went on the signing the first time, when I told them about it, they felt how I did feel that time. They know I trust them, it came with emotions of 6 years. I think I have grown a lot over the years, and I am so thankful for GMA for that."
Mikee is also in Pepito Manaloto, make sure you catch her there and every week on AOS. Congratulations dear! You're definitely going places!
The young and talented Kelvin Miranda has become a really remarkable leading man in GMA's stable. Recently, he did so good in the May-December love affair series called Stories From The Heart: Loving Miss Bridgette with the one and only Beauty Gonzales, wherein he did a remarkable job.
Aside from these notable roles he's been doing, he also just launched a new single under GMA Records called "Slow Dance". This single is an original song written by Jomari Jintalan and produced by Paulo Agduelo. Kelvin says "This song is for those who haven't experienced doing it. For me, it's like taking it easy, slowing down which I dedicate to my fans. I am thankful because I've been given an opportunity by GMA. The role I did with Ms. Beauty was well worth it, I think I've given it justice because it's a great collaboration between my Director, the people there and me. I often ask questions, I want to relate to people who are in the same situation so I can make the character realistic. The song I released is like telling a story, I liken it to what I want to do when I have a relationship. I really relate with the first line, if you have to decide, have trouble, you just take it easy. It's an ode to those who are hopeful. I think I've changed a lot, I have more confidence now. I still have moments when I do need a lot of that, but it's manageable. I just have to balance what opportunities come to me. I don't think it would be up to me if I changed, maybe other people would be able to say that. I've had relationships before, but right now I am single, I still have a lot to prove to myself. I often get a little out of focus when I'm in a relationship."
Here's his interview on video, enjoy!
The single "Slow Dance" is now out on streaming platforms here around the world. It placed second on iTunes charts in the Philippines when it first came out, you can also see the official music video on YouTube if you're up to it. Congratulations Kelvin! You're going places!
Kelvin Miranda and Angel Guardian for next installment of ONE HUGOT AWAY, it’s called Beauty and the Hypebeast, sounds so cool on paper, but will these two new actors deliver? On June 3, we will know. The first one was quite successful, gone viral in fact so the pressure is in these two even if they are new.
Angel says “I started in commercials and stopped for a while and when I came back two years ago, I tried with GMA and luckily they got me. I did Studio 7, which was so fun even if it was a bit rushed. I am already 20, working full time and J am so glad for the opportunities GMA Artist Center has given me. My first project was with Pamilya Roces and also Onanay. In the One Hugot Away episode, it’ll include a rich and young girl and a young man who is going to be Hypebeast. When we shot this it was so smooth because it’s been 3 years since I knew Kelvin, we didn’t have any problems because there were no inhibitions. Even before when I was doing workshops the director was having fun with me because I needed to play a mean girl. I also sing (and she sang impromptu).”
Right now she’s plotting her music career and wishes to experiment. She likes different genres and idolizes Billie Eilish, she also sees herself doing a lot of music of that kind, a little dark and weird which she likens most of her poems. She also likes Frisbee and Archery which she seriously wants to do even while doing showbusiness. She will also be on Black Lipstick opposite Kyline Alcantara so if you are planning to see her, that may be a good movie to watch out for.
Meanwhile on the other table, Kelvin says “When I dress up and talk, I have to be legitimately hypebeast. We shot most of it in Malate so you get to see people in the same groups doing it, sometimes they are even in the scene. We don’t know if we have given justice to the roles because just like you, we haven’t seen it yet. We are doing the second installment and we hope people would like it. It’s just luck, maybe we are being tried as a loveteam, it’s my first time too so I don’t know because this is my first time paired in a loveteam. All my scenes are also serious so it is a little different from what we have been doing. We did well in the workshop and having lots of projects with GMA Artist Center made me realize all my work has been worth it. I also audition and I think it’s why I get to learn a lot from my projects. The responsibility that goes with projects makes it a little more pressured that usual, but I am glad to have been able to land interesting characters.”
He looks up to John Arcilla and other veteran actors. Seeing their old projects through Netflix makes him so eager to learn from them, he even wishes to at least have scenes from them too. More than the story, the program is about forgiveness, taking away pride and egos, he’ll be seen dishing out usual hugots on scenes and if he misses, it’s because that’s how his character is. He also sings, does a very good job at it too.
Again, watch ONE HUGOT AWAY for the episode Beauty and the Hypebeast on GMA this June 3. It’s going to be shown the same way as the last one (in different times of the day) and online so don’t miss it! This is also directed by Zig Dulay.
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