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!

ELIJAH CANLAS Outs "JosephK" Music Video

This evening was so much fun as we got to spend some time off our regular coverage and see what actor Elijah Canlas is up to. Apparently, the good looking man is wearing another hat as he is given the opportunity to pursue singing and songwriting. He began indulging himself with his type of hip-hop music, and after hearing some of it earlier, we loved every bit of it. The single is called "JosephK", and it's been in his coffers for a while now because of creative reasons. 

Elijah says "I love how they (recording corps) are giving value to the song, it's the least pop single with those that I have, but it is very personal. Thank you to Cornerstone, Project8, Island Records. This is black and white and it's cinematic, really cool."

He adds "JosephK is actually something I didn't want to explain, but for trivia, it's based on the novel called The Trial. It was when he was woken up on his birthday and sent to court, accused of something but never told what it is. Now it's a little grimey (the treatment for the video), I am JosephK. This is just a huge flex, I didn't expect this to happen but thanks to UMG and Island records for pursuing it. I hope it would be listened to by folks around the world and here in the PH. This is special because there's a lot of cameos with my friends. I feel how they love and support me. Direk Dan also conceptualized it, these are people I have worked before, and I am very grateful."

He also mentions "I wrote this in 2021, but it felt like a Christian song, I shelved it because I didn't like how it sounded. I told myself that maybe the right time will come, a better version. I asked other musicians and they said sometimes it takes years to finish a song. It took me 4 days to do this song. Sometimes you just have to listen to it again and change the melody. It's personal and based on the book I mentioned earlier. You can compare that with the lead, and I just changed it into Filipino. I want to have more gigs, to perform more of my songs, take out songs, wrote and make more of it to everyone. I hope to also join UP Fair."

To date, he's got 4 out of 10 tracks that he plans to release. He told us "I think I can do an album. It has a story, collaboration with other artists, then hopefully a concert in the near future. I don't put myself on a pedestal, if you want to know me, listen to my music because it's deeper."

Here's the event as he talks about his music:

The single "JOSEPHK" is now out on digital streaming platforms. If you loved his new songs, you'll love this even more. It also has similarities to Brandy's Full Moon which is a genre they called reverse RnB in the 2000s. I also loved how he kinda mixed Manila sound to his first few songs. I like what I see so far and from the looks of it, Elijah is not done. You're about to see him get even better. He's just starting.

Congratulations Elijah! Happy for you! 

VICE GANDA Does OFW Family Drama in MMFF 2024 Film "AND THE BREADWINNER IS"

Just got out of the cinemas after watching "And the Breadwinner Is...", the MMFF 2024 entry of Star Cinema and IdeaFirst Company. This stars the one and only Unkabogable Vice Ganda and an ensemble cast that includes Eugene Domingo, Joel Torre, Malou De Guzman, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, Kokoy de Santos, Jhong Hilario, Gladys Reyes, and more. 

While this movie is expected to be funny (it is in the first half mostly), it has concentrated a lot on family and its intricacies. It would make folks learn more about how flawed we all are, how we need to spend MORE time with each other, and how we need LOVE.

Vice in this movie, in a way, is not just a source of laughter, but one who'd initiate real talk in the film. As the namesake means, Vice plays the breadwinner, one who's trying to manage and survive the challenges it entails. The hardships, like any person, would practically reach its boiling point and you'll see where Vice's character is coming from especially if she's done a LOT to make sure her family lives comfortably, and survive life in general. It's one of the most touching films I've seen this MMFF, I think it's why people have been crying the cinemas because it pulls heartstrings with the most important people in your life.

 

Kudos to Vice's great performance, that remarkable monologue with the other characters about their struggles really hit home. I felt several lines would hit you especially if you have OFW experiences. I almost lost it when she asked where a breadwinner would get rest because she felt, almost all the time, she had no right to.

Her scenes with her Mom Malou de Guzman also showed how one needed love (despite conditions), you should definitely see that.

Don't be swayed by opinions of non MMFF 2024 movie watchers because at the end of the day, this movie made sense for me. Congratulations Vice, Direk Jun and everyone who made the film. I'd give this a strong 4 out of 5 cows 🐮🐮🐮🐮.