BARBIE FORTEZA Shows Range in Funny Barkada Film "SAVING CHERRY"

It's been a while since I've had a laugh with a Filipino film, but SAVING CHERRY did it. This stars Barbie Forteza, Khalil Ramos, Mikee Quintos, Mika Salamanca, AC Bonifacio, Sassa Gurl, Kokoy de Santos, Joey Marquez, JC Alcantara, Monina Lawrence, Almira Mulach, and Than Perez. 

Barbie plays the role of Cherry who's getting married to Jude (played by Khalil) but finds out he wasn't the man of her dreams after all on day 1. Mikee, Mika, AC and Sassa are friends who went to rescue her as she gets into a wild state, taking her own sweet revenge after saving herself YEARS for marriage.

Barbie is an actress, she does impeccable comedic timing for every scene she's involved in and gives a place to start a conversation where each one of her friends could come in. You can't help but be surprised on how she becomes a chameleon, showing experience, range, that she probably can do any other character there is in cinema. Cherry is one tough, bold and strong woman, and Barbie gives so much life to her in this film.  

My personal favorite part is the scene on the stairwell. Mikee represents the life of a married woman and all the intricacies of issues she faces. Watch out for the little language she injects on the scenes and why you'll never see a washing machine the same way again. AC on the other hand does a fun religious character, which makes this a crazy mix of personalities. Mika's character is the most liberated one, taking Cherry on a wild goose chase of finding a man who can do her the favor she's been wanting to do after Jude did something to her. Sassa as always will be the source of beauty and kanal (breath?) humor that gave her the nod in previous Regal projects, it just made each moment like a wild party!

But don't be deceived with the comedy content in this film because once the dust settles, Barbie will definitely give the DRAMA you can expect from an actress of her caliber. When Barbie and Khalil take you to the quiet moments, you'll be swayed with their tears, then feel her ANGER when she needs to.

SAVING CHERRY is a must watch, especially if you are a fan of BARBIE, MIKEE, AC, MIKA and SASSA because they all mirror the Filipino barkada. Make sure to bring your friends along when you watch this, because it's fun, you get to see what length people can go to for their friends, and you'll learn a thing or two about the women in your life. This is produced by Regal Entertainment and Directed by Ivan Payawal. It's a RIOT! Showing today in 160 cinemas, so don't miss it for the world!

An Actor's Actor: KHALIL RAMOS Wins Best Actor Award for Olsen's Day

Saying Khalil Ramos is on a roll is an understatement this first quarter of 2025. For starters, he was given the Puregold Cinepanalo Film festival's BEST ACTOR award for the film Olsen's Day, a film directed by JP Habac (who also won as the Best Director). I've had the the impression of him being an "actor's actor", someone who's been able to do it successfully.  

His stellar filmography, unquestionable knack for doing acting pieces, have taken the nod of film critics. The chance to talk to him today was certainly, an opportunity to pick his brain a little. He was capable, even impressed us by the way he answered questions. It felt he was on his toes the whole time, very eloquent, albeit being a semi-introvert.  

Winning this award doesn't mean he's going to be picky, he's always about the script, about the craft, and when asked, he didn't even expect this at all. He says "I don't think about it being a competition at all, even though it is a festival. This was something very personal for the Director JP Habac, and it's a big thing to be trusted with this kind of material. I felt my duties as an actor became bigger because of it. You want to tell this story the way he wanted it to. The process had to be more open when we made Olsen's Day. I was already happy that Direk JP was happy about my performance, but during the awards night, a few of us were only there. We were there to celebrate with everyone. Then I won, and even Direk JP Habac won too, so we were just ecstatic. This goes to show that when you pour your heart into the story, a lot of people would connect and relate to it." 

Rest certainly is a luxury for both Khalil and Gabbi. Khalil was working on three platforms at the same time. Aside from Olsen's Day, he was doing a Neflix series called "How to Cheat Death" with Gabbi, and "One Hit Wonder" with Sue Ramirez on the same platform. He's also in the 9 Works Theatrical production of "Liwanag Sa Dilim" as Elesi, a very interesting character trying to find his roots. He felt it was 2023 all over again because yes, he did a lot tooo during those times in different mediums.

He feels energized as an artist that he could do all these roles, working with different people, saying he loves what he's doing, tired but definitely fulfilled in artistry and passion. Here's our interview with him this afternoon:

If he feels he resonates with the character and the script, he would do it no matter how big or small the production is. If he likes the story, that gets precedence over other things. His schedule is super packed for sure that he had to decline a few opportunities, that's the only time he needs to decide.  He was doing three characters in one week (in January), which was crazy but did it by studying characters individually saying "At a certain point, you have to be as real as possible in your pursuit with the film. Sometimes your body doesn't know you're already doing it. You're commanding it, and your body just follows. If it's tired, then you've got to pull other tricks in the bag to finish it. I need to find another technique to be more effective. Your co actors especially in Liwanag Sa Dilim will influence your performance, and they've all been a breeze to work with."

 Khalil is still in "Liwanag Sa Dilim" at the RCBC theater til April 13th, and watch out for "How to Cheat Death" on Netfilx this April 2. "One Hit Wonder" will premiere around May. Khalil is just starting, I bet he's bound for more accolades with Olsen's Day as they plan to also put it in streaming platforms soon.

 

KHALIL RAMOS Does Exceptionally Well at Puregold Cinepanalo Entry OLSEN'S DAY

Fast review!

This is my first day of watching the Puregold Cinepanalo Festival and saw a couple of films. One is an PG flick by Director JP Habac called "Olsen's Day" starring the good looking Khalil Ramos. 

It's a family film, much of which was just him and an elderly Mom suffering from dementia. There are problems in the world, but much of them were with him (it felt like that). The film shows the complexities of work, his life, and fate. The cast includes Romnick Sarmienta, who meets Khalil's character Olsen and had them along for a ride to Manila.

This trip would change his life, his outlook on so many things, including his situation as a son, as a person, and realize how love, for family can be sufficient no matter what the odds are. It also talks a whole lot about forgiveness.

Khalil's exceptional performance in this film might well cause him getting a nomination for Best Actor. It's very intricate, subtle, you could hear him sigh, flood you in his eyes that speak. 

He knows his craft, and he is so good at it. Go watch Olsen's Day at the Gateway 2 Mall Cineplex as part of the Puregold Cinepanalo Festival.