It was a really fun evening to talk to the cast and production of the upcoming romcom flick Wheel of Love presents "Weekend to Remember". This new show was made and created by the almost the same people behind the hit BL series "My Extraordinary" which garnered a couple million views a few months ago under Asterisk Entertainment. The series will also be shown on the Asterisk Entertainment YouTube Channel starting this Sunday (today!) at 7PM.
Truth be told, some of the cast members also appeared in the previous show and we got the preview the pilot episode (which you will get to watch today). The show also has no specific lead stars, but more of an ensemble cast which would be quite good since they can cover a lot of things during storytelling. Wheel of Love presents "Weekend to Remember" will be composed of several love stories that talks about young love, hetero and gay relationships. In a nutshell, it's about a family where the Asuncion brothers will be involved in different connections that might all blow up during a special occasion done during the weekend, hence the title.
I got to ask a few questions during the livestreamed media conference yesterday and talked to Nico Nicolas and Kristine Hammond who will be doing the hetero type of romance in the story. They're pretty good friends in real life since they're both under Asterisk artist management and these roles would pretty much entail them to become even closer because they'll be falling in love in one way or form. For the two, doing the role of Miguel Asuncion and Jane Del Pilar was comfortable and felt like they were not working at all because the people around them was so much fun to work with. It took off the stress and craziness of doing the shoot during a pandemic and they felt quite taken cared of by the production.
Nico told us "I am really a very shy person, I'm not the type who would tell a partner about my feelings but more of just show it through actions. I don't usually say I love you, or I like you, I just do it if I can. When I met Tin for the first time, it was in an events place in Filinvest. She's very beautiful, her eyes are very attractive and so I didn't have a hard time showing how our characters would fall in love in this series. She's also very kind."
Kristine says "Before we even started shooting, in our short workshops we would often ask what we like about each other. I think we really started connecting from there, I'm really happy that he said that. He's a guy that you can talk to quite easily and quite down to earth. When I arrived in Asterisk, I wasn't able to talk to him as we had different projects and never had time to be together in a project. I already knew who he was because friends were talking about him, and I've grown quite fond of him during the whole filming. Yes, he is indeed boyfriend material."
I can't wait to see how their story will unfold as I think that will be done in future episodes.
The first episode that will be shown today will be touching on a pairing we've seen in the previous series "My Extraordinary". One of the BL stories will be done by Keijee Mesina and John Cortez. Their previous Isaw romance took a turn and became a little more about a boss and a kasambahay/assistant who's become secretly inlove with him. I bet, you'll love how these two will have their love story starts in the first episode entitled Arina Grande. Their funny antics and life like reactions to love like getting giddy, the banter between Keijee and the other help in the house would make this a good continuation of their previous love story. The two are fine actors and you'll be amazed how it'll become something that would span across pronouns or orientation, it will affect you because love is love. It's a hugely successful pairing and I hope there will be something more even after that. I really hope so.
Again, this series stars Nico Nicolas, Sam Cafranca, John Cortez, Hannah Balahadia and Enzo Santiago. They also are with Kristine Hammond, Orly Mejia, Sean Guyamin, Philip Dulla, Ayumi Takezawa, Daryll Rodriguez, Louie Caminade, Tysh Basa, Carl Williams and Keijee Mesina. They are also introducing the good looking Yam Mercado who will be playing an anti hero in this flick.
The series is written by Jaymar Castro and Jaja Amarillo. This is Directed by Jolo Atienza. Their original song "In love ako, In love sayo" sung by Camille Rose Tarrosa is already out on streaming sites and apps so do that while watching the show. Again, make sure you're tuned in 7pm at the AsterisK Entertainment Youtube Channel in the next 8 weeks.
It'll be shown every Sunday so go fall in love with them like I do!
This happened a few weeks ago before the lockdowns in Manila happened. A new breed of artists will grace television, commercials and film this 2020 as Asterisk Artist Management finally was launched at the Water Balance Events Place in Muntinlupa City. The agency is headed by Kristian Kabigting. Kristian is no stranger in the industry and has helped countless artists land jobs and projects in different networks. He's basically putting this into good use as he now formalizes everything, and in hindsight help these artists to get where they need to be. I felt the reason why he's doing this, he believes in them and that I think counts.
By the way, Water Balance Events Place is pretty nice. It's got a pool, several rooms to sleep in and a few function rooms. Look it up on their social channels if you need a place to celebrate your birthdays or events.
Before we did the press conference, we waited a bit and took naps as they got ready. Their artists are a mix of old and new faces, some pretty good ones from film outfits and regulars of commercials, so you probably have seen some of them. We got the chance to talk to Z Mejia, Nico Nicolas, Enzo Santiago and former Girltrend Kamille Filoteo in the dressing room to get to know them a little better.
When they started the program, they introduced them one by one, Princess Manaloto, Hannah Balahadia, Ronan Bearis, Carl Saliente, Nina Flores, Karissa Toliongco, Ivan Morriel, Sam Cafranca, Hillary Tan, Miguel Diokno, Ayumi Takezawa, Z Mejia, Christine Lim, Darwin Yu, Nico Nicolas, Enzo Santiago, Axel Torres and Kamille Filoteo.
The Asterisk will also be producing concerts and fan meets of international artists including Thai Actors Off Tumcial and Gun Atthapan on May 2020. Their event arm Asterisk Events is headed by Aian Ylagan. They are also in the plans to produce digital content via Asterisk Digital TV on YouTube headed by Nicole Din. They also have Asterisk Digital Entertainment Inc which is also under Asterisk DTV of Ms. Ma.Theresa Clift. Now these promising actors and actresses will have their own projects, the chance to also work beyond their channels and be involved with projects where their passion starts. This is a huge gamble for Kristian and the Asterisk group but from the looks of it, it's very doable. Here's part of the interview we did with the artists, with some really good info on how they started and their plans when the ball starts rolling.
Here's where they told us about why they joined The Asterisk!
Did you know that Axel Torres actually auditioned for GLORIOUS?!
They have around 30 artists that can go to different networks, which means there are lots of opportunities in store for them.
Congratulations to all the artists, to Kristian and his new venture! There is nowhere to go but up!
I just want to share these red carpet photos from the premier of Regal Film's My Rebound Girl starring Alex Gonzaga, Joseph Marco, Martin Escudero, Nathalie Hart, Mitoy Yonting, Carl Guevarra, Alora Sasam, Helga Krapf, Anna Vicente, Pinky Amador, Racquel Villavicencio, Lawrence Yap and Nico Nicolas. During the premier night, Loisa Andalio, Isabelle Diaz and Bimby Aquino also appeared and supported the cast of the movie. Enjoy!
Pretty Loisa Andalio
Mother Lily Monteverde
Isabelle Daza
Nico Nicolas and Anna Vicente
It's Bimby Aquino Yap beside his Ate Alex Gonzaga during the premier. He congratulated Alex when the movie ended, so sweet!
Alex Gonzaga and Joseph Marco looked so good together!
I enjoyed the movie a LOT and for those who haven't watched it yet, you should!
I've been to the red carpet premier a few days ago, but let me tell you about the blog conference that we had with the stars of My Rebound Girl first. For starters, a rebound is not just a basketball term. The analogy though is quite similar because if you fall in love with a person who has just broken up with another one, then suffer the consequences of being left because that person still loves the ex, then by all means ladies and gentlemen, you are the REBOUND. That would hurt under normal circumstances. And yes the character of Alex Gonzaga has unfortunately undergone that. Not only once, but A LOT of times. The last one though looked like Joseph Marco. Now with a cup of coffee, he tries and ask for a second chance. Would a perfect blend be enough?
Alex says "Direk has already worked with my sister in the past, and when this was given to me I forgot his real name and now as a mainstream director, I figured out he's so meticulous in the script, I knew it was going to be a great project. I've learned to break rules but we learn things as we go. I have experienced this myself, with being a rebound, I expected that they have unfinished business and later you'll feel used. You'll waste time and moments together, you'll compete, and be down, a man that really loves you would never compete with another woman. I even asked to help him court her again but I was already crying. I felt so stupid back then. We all have our limits, until we don't learn or get tired, you'll continue to do it. The character discusses the limits and for me, we don't have to wait and lose the game. I remember our bed scene, it was where you'll see both sides of our pain and since we needed each other we had to make it work. You'll have to see it if it did work. Joseph and I wanted to do this but never had the opportunity, and this came as a blessing. Our schedules suddenly fit, it's not just his body but his heart as an actor. We can pretend and do things we don't want to do but the willingness should be there, it goes through a phase and we need to introduce all those secrets and dreams with them to get that intimacy for keeps."
Joseph
Marco adds "I saw Direk in the workshop and I knew we were going to be
in good terms. I wished that in every scene I would be able to do my
best in one take. I would glady want him to be my Director if ever I had
one in the future. We had 7-8 scenes shot in Baguio for two days. He's
very open to opinions, and he asks what we would do in certain scenes. I
haven't been involved nor been a rebound but I'm hopeful that I don't
end up like one. With Alex and I, I think we mutually agreed that we
don't want to force things. We told ourselves that we have to also work
and it would be awkward if it didn't work out. What I like about her is
that she's a cowboy, she's no fuss, and what you see is what you get.
She eats in small stores and didn't even hesitate to ask me for money.
We also did a scene in the coffee plantation and stepped on coffee beans
but had bugs in them, it was so good on the reel. It helped make the
scene a bit better. I've been wanting to work with her thanks to Regal I
got to see how willing and comfortable with the scenes we're doing."
Direk
Emmanuel Dela Cruz says "This story is a bit hard, we were looking at
the young generation and how they mix in the things in their lives. In a
craft coffee shop, we saw this as a place to stir in the story. She saw
the love in her family grow, change and come together to look at
themselves. She's finding the perfect mix, the perfect person, that's
the feels of this movie. I'm so lucky to have a cast that's equally
perfectionists as me. If we needed to fix things, I wanted them to have
the chance to do it. It looks like a million bucks even if we only shot
it in 14 days. The coffee farm scenes are really shot in the actual
location, we didn't give up because they are very dedicated. We tested
the "formidability" (if there's such a word!) of the cast and they've done that in simple scenes and
do punchlines that make you think. It's important to do proper
characterization and you'll remember them because they too have that
attitude of helping me reach that same goal. We have gone through other
scenes and made really remarkable ones because of the elements of nature
and as long as we help each other, you'll feel it even more. You'll see
a new Sakura plantation in the movie that will be soon a tourist spot.
You'll love it!"
"I'm
here as Liz, the younger sister of Joseph Marco. I could relate because I am
the youngest in the family. He thought I was a foreigner but we hit it
off on the second day."
Alora
Samsam says "I'm here as Christine, someone who would slap some good
advice in relationships. I think I was the one with more experience.
I've broken all the rules, you choose your battles but even if I'm NBSB,
I've chased guys a lot. My character is funny but a bit more natural.
We see to it that it's not over the top because she is the cousin and
there should be a connection between the two."
Nico
Nicolas says "See if they moved on, see if they don't love that person
anymore because there will always be other girls out there. You just
need to present yourself right, it's all about time, test everything
first and see if she pursues you even if it takes time."
As for the movie, I actually really liked it. It was around 2 hours, but it'll show you romance, a little drama and just the right amount of comedy. Watch it today on 100 theaters nationwide!
