Battling Hollywood Giants: GLADYS REYES in "The Heart of Music"

Got to watch the movie and musical entitled "The Heart of Music" starring prime actress Gladys Reyes, together with the very talented singer-actors Robert Sena, Isay Alvarez, Angel Guardian, 80's heart throb Rey PJ Abellana, Ms. Marissa Sanchez, dance couple Jopay Paguia, Joshua Zamora, and a throng of new child actors in the mix..

It's a very light-hearted story of a woman who happened to change the lives of a family using the power of love, singing and music.There are also several scenes where they teach life lessons about family, relationships, building dreams, aspirations, and the harsh realities of raising children. 

It had the right touch of Filipino humor, culture, and as Ms. Gladys put it, it was a dream role for her. She's been doing dramas for most of her acting life and one of her bucketlist items was to do a musical. She prepared for this by old school Karaoke style, but also involved a voice coach since it would really need execution that wasn't so familiar to her as a primetime drama actress.

 

Despite its shortcomings (albeit a few), it gave most of its spirit to how people could learn a thing or two about family, of having good manners, things that would fit be watched by children. I heard a lot of feedback from those who got to watch the screening that this would be perfect to show this to kids who are under the Department of Education (Elementary Schools), and I totally agree. It does make sense since it has little elements that they could learn from, and it'll be quite entertaining as a medium because it is after all filled with music and singing, done by some of the most talented folks in theater, and PH entertainment. 

Here's the fun mediacon on video, please enjoy! 

This shows on December 10 in cinemas nationwide! And as Ms. Gladys said, this could beat those big Hollywood movies, see if it does on theaters! This is Directed by Paolo Bertola and written by Mario Gatdula Alaman (who also did the music).

"NASAAN SI HESUS? Showcases Humanity and Touching Ways of Faith

Screenings (the advanced ones) have already begun for the movie musical "Nasaan Si Hesus?". It is a story about folks, their community and their unending thirst to find the reason for their existence, slated to show in SM Cinemas this December 3rd, nationwide! 

It was cool to see several iconic 80's and 90's stars be part of the cast. It's a musical, so the caliber of singers must fit the characters of the original stage production. From Janno Gibbs, to Rachel Alejandro, Geneva Cruz, Jeffry Hidalgo (I almost thought they would complete Smokey Mountain), comedienne Ms. Marissa Sanchez, the well loved vixen Salome Salvi, Ms. Via Antonio, Chloe Jenna, Cecil Paz, new stars Rachel Gabreza and Giani Sarita. Not to mention multi awarded actor Bembol Roco and musical mainstay Jerald Napoles. 

Much of the songs were made by Mrs. Lourdes Pimentel (Bing for her closest friends in the industry). This is also directed by Dennis Marasigan (including screenplay). The project is an adaptation of the original work done by Ms. Pimentel and Nestor Torre who wrote and directed the piece.

Much of the story delves on a community trying to find answers on everyday struggle. They eventually find out how God took care of things, and how it changed their lives. It's also interesting how they managed to show how faith comes into play, not just having someone to believe in but how blessed they are despite their circumstances. This film is the handy work of production firms Balin Remejus Inc and Great Media Productions Incorporated. If you want to know more about it, follow the social channels of Great Media Productions and Management (especially on FB). It's time you see how talented Filipino singers and actors are, and this might be a sure fire way to prove how faith helps in anything.

Try to find yourself in the characters, and connect with it!

RK Rubber Enterprise Corp. Launches 6th CINEGOMA Film Festival

If you're in the look out for indie films, there's a lot being showcased at the CINEGOMA: RK Rubber Film Festival. It's an open film festival hosted by RK Rubber Enterprise Corporation to feature student and non-professional films that tell stories of resiliency, grit, determination and the Filipino spirit. They are also making sure the film makers are going to be featured in several locations across Quezon City.

This is their 6th installment, so far from the initial 6 films independently produced when they started, they now have a little over 50 films shown in several locations. They also have some of the films released in other provinces like Olongapo City prior to this launch in Quezon City. They also did a parade to promote the CINEGOMA Film Festival around Quezon City Circle grounds with a full on band, street dancers, participants and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe. 6th installment not only means film, but workshops and several mainstream works that are exhibited for the filmmakers and the public.

Xavier Cortez the CEO of RK Rubber who heads the festival says "I feel pressured because of the introduction but this is the 6th year of the CINEGOMA Film Festival. Thank you to the organizers, to the employees of RK Rubber, the production department of the same corp, the logistics department and operations, to RK Rubbers Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, the RK Rubber Davao and to the media who went here for the opening of CineGoma. You are giving them voice, to those who volunteered and supported CINEGOMA and provided expertise and experience, to help make sure we get to understand how go organize this show and emman dela Cruz. We also have the sales department of Manila who got us huge projects to contribute here. If we are this big and do this every year, there will be more than 40 films that will benefit from it. Folks have never got tired of CINEGOMA because the independent and small filmmakers are being given experience, so they too can tell their stories. Each of you have stories, unique ones that can change the lives of others. Because if we do that, there will be a huge impact on communities, and I hope this 6th CINEGOMA becomes bigger in the next few years as we imagined it to be."

He adds "I feel proud that my once schoolmates are now cheering for a person who wants good things to happen with filmmakers. I get teary eyed, because they're so proud of me too. For all who participated, full length or shorts, congratulations to all of you! I'll do my best to make this better, give more opportunities for filmmakers and this is all for you!"

Here's what happened at QCX that morning:

This year's categories are separated into Student, Commercial, Pro, made with AI and RK which are meant for RK Rubber Enterprise employees only. As mentioned by Sir Xavier, prizes amount from 5,000 pesos to 25,000 pesos depending on the award category. This will run from November 24-29, and the awards will be given at the Quezon City University on the last day. Make sure you watch the films at Sine Pop and exhibitions around Quezon City during this time because after all, it's the City of Stars! (Please check schedule on CINEGOMA social channels).

This is certainly a great way to showcase their talents, and hopefully, the ones who have a lot of promise gets noticed especially the students. They were very eager to showcase their work during the festival launch. Congratulations to RK Rubber Enterprise Corporation for mounting this every year!