Green Bones Tops MMFF 2024 Awardees: Now Shows in Over 180 Cinemas

Green Bones unfurled a few surprise wins in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night) which happened last December 27th hosted by the folks from the Metro Manila Development Authority. They won the festival's coveted BEST PICTURE Award amongst 10 entries including the Best Actor award for Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens, Best Screenplay for National Artist Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, Best Cinematography by Neil Daza and the nod of critics. The night's award ceremony was witnessed by GMA Network's Senior Vice President and GMA Films President Ms. Anette Gozon-Valdes. She describes the win as a great show of their efforts, risks, to ultimately tell the story in hopes of people loving the story, in its wonderful and outstanding depiction. 

This is the vision of GMA Picture's Executive Vice President Nessa Valdellon. They wanted to make sure that the movie would become a vessel to showcase the amount of talent their artists have, and no doubt Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid gave their all.  Critics likewise saw how production took risks, and lauded how Director Zig Dulay made sure it be at par or even better than last year's successful entry "Firefly" which got rave reviews and top awards  too. Dennis' portrayal of Dom Zamora had complexity, Ruru on the other hand did Xavier Gonzaga - who's a very colorful character, who wouldn't want to fall or have a change of heart with criminals like Dom in the film. MMFF also took notice of Sienna Stevens, got her the Best Child Performer trophy, and nominations for talented actors Royce Cabrera and our guy Mikoy Morales who had their moments in the film. If you haven't watched it yet, just be warned I've seen fully grown men who had a bout of crying in the cinema, a handy work of Ricky Lee and his excellent screenwriting no doubt. Go watch this touching, but now, well decorated film that's been lauded by movie goers during the festival. You'll be surprised how emotional it will get in the end, and see why Green Bones took accolades this year.

Best Actress Marian Rivera-Dantes' "BALOTA" Hits Theaters October 16th

It's been a while since I've last seen Ms. Marian Rivera-Dantes. I also missed the opportunity to watch her latest movie "BALOTA" which was showcased at Cinemalaya XX which won her the Best Actress trophy for obvious reasons. The film mirrors real life (although satire), of an educator who goes over and beyond her duty in the classroom. Teacher Emmy not only thinks about her future, but spins in the optimism of electing leaders, and finding out the grim reality of the human psyche.

In a mayoralty race of their quaint town, they had the choice between a land grabbing power hungry woman, or a former s3xy actor. Since she also administers a precinct during the elections, she gets caught in the action when the result meant people seizing the ballot box she carries in order to win. The woman with integrity didn't budge with any force, and baddies even became more eager to find or eliminate her, no matter what it takes.

Marian by any means still looked every bit beautiful even if she was de-glamorized. The chase brought her to vehicles, the forest, the querida's house, the s3xy actor's house, the boondocks, something you wouldn't think she'd have to do as a premiere actress yet here we are. Marian says "I couldn't explain how I felt after shooting "Balota". I even mentioned to Dong how fulfilled I felt doing it despite me being in the industry for a while now. It fed my hunger to do worthwhile projects like these. I felt inspired after that win given to me by the Cinemalaya community."

The exciting thing is, they will be having this released for public viewing this coming October 16. This is produced by GMA Pictures, written and directed by Kip Oebanda. The film also includes actors Will Ashley, Raheel Bhyria, Royce Cabrera, Sassa Gurl, Esnyr, Donna Cariaga, Gardo Versoza, Mae Paner, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Donna Cariaga and Nico Antonio. Apt for the times, great story line that is cohesive. It's genius. Having Marian Rivera-Dantes is a great reason to also watch this. It's our story.

5 Good Reasons to Watch "CALL ME PAPI" in Cinemas Today!

Spent an evening with the cast of CALL ME PAPI, it was their red carpet premiere and I think I under dressed, and I'm so sorry for that haha! I've been following this project for some time now, and was really excited to see how this would look like on the silver screen. This is also the last known project of Shandii Bacolod (Team MSB and FEAST Productions) who produced and conceptualized this film. She passed before the last day of filming, and they dedicated this to her. It's a light, funny film with 5 men involved. The roles are played by Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño. After watching the film, I could tell how you would probably like CALL ME PAPI which shows today on cinemas.

Three Years in the Making

It took a lot of time to make this film happen, it got delayed because they started a few days til the strict lockdown was imposed in the country. Stopping in the middle of filming made much of the artists act if it'll never be continued... but they did. It got stopped again when a surge happened. They followed strict protocols and was finally able to finish it July this year, which was a relief especially for those who would be handling continuity (of course their bodies and looks changed over time). The cast was ecstatic when they were done.

The Story is EASY

It was so nice to be there, the realization that both Dr. Alvin Yapan and Shandii Bacolod made this easy to digest in itself is already something different. They've made several films that are more on the serious side, very artsy, and would usually take time to understand, pretty cerebral. The feeling of being amongst usual friends, a huge barkada, that you would take a bullet for when times are hard.

The Boys

Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño alone would make you watch this film. They are absolutely in their best shape, though not the reason it's R-16, it's probably going to be one of the reasons to see this film. See, those muscles do actually come with deep stories in each of the characters they play. You'll find yourself rooting for one or almost all of them when you understand where they are coming from. Much of the drama though rests on Albie Casino's character, but as the film's name implies, he wouldn't end up handling everything alone because no matter how much things cost, the guys chip in to make things better. It is testosterone filled, but it ain't toxic... that alone should be appreciated.

It's FUN

There are several scenes which you'll find funny, but it wouldn't need a scientist to figure out. A little close to home especially if you're fond of "Tindahan" scenes where everything happens over a few bottles of beer and pulutan. The raunchy scenes would come, yes, it's certainly one of the highlights but never because of what you think. Watch out for the femmes because they too are built differently.

HOPE and LOVE

If there's a thing you would pick up from the relationships they forged, the women they loved or the reasons they leave or stay, is that there is hope, and LOVE for one another. It wouldn't be said straight forward, but done with a nudge, a banana, and eggs.

Go head on to theaters today to watch CALL ME PAPI. I liked what I saw in cinemas, because it's time you take a break from the usual serious movies. You need to get entertained while learning something in the process. These boys had that figured out.

Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño for CALL ME PAPI

5 of some of the hunkiest guys in the Philippines in one film? Yes, it is possible! This comes as CALL ME PAPI will be shown on theaters this coming December 7th, nationwide! This stars Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño. It's a full blown barkada film, so if you've got friends that stick with you through thick or thin, you'll definitely find yourself in one of the characters.

A Filipino Barkada film, CALL ME PAPI stars Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño

 

Times are tough for films this year but they're raring to have this shown during the holidays. This is the opportune time to do it because this film was delayed because of pandemic restrictions, it took them over 3 years to finish it. It's a tale of 5 men from different walks of life, all of whom would be testing the bonds of friendship, and camaraderie. Have you ever heard of "friends being family you choose?", that's exactly how this one goes, but there's more to their individual struggles that will be told in the film.

Check out what happened during the press conference last week:

 

Seasoned actresses Katya Santos and Irma Adlawan will also be joining the cast. Anya Aguilar will play the girlfriend of Albie Casino in the film.

Enzo says "My character is a little artsy, but always end up with the wrong women, like some who are married, and struggled finding out what relationships are and if it does make him happy."

Royce says "I play Lito in the film. He is a hard worker, a call center agent, and does every odd job imaginable just to put food on the table."

Albie adds "I play the character of Bret, who's a waiter, a man who's going through life and survive daily struggles. His life is going to change once that he finds out that he has to take care of a baby, who's mom left behind."

Lharby plays Mario, a call center agent, who's a man's man. He takes care more of his peers rather than just himself. He doesn't go out much, and just stays at home after work. He also contributes for the expenses of his family, doing his best to help his papis all the time.

Aaron Concepcion plays Roy, a farmer, someone from the province who wanted to just help his family. There will be a twist on his professional career, which will affect not just his friends, but his family too.

Life may have been very complicated for these 5 guys, but it would be nice to see how the dynamics of their friendship would solve their problems, how one would be able to help one another or break down in shambles when you need them most. I hope this gives a glimpse on the lives of Filipino guys that are not toxic, and puts a lot of importance on their peers, to hopefully help each other out in times of trouble.

This will really be a huge challenge for production, and the cast to bring this message across. I pray they get noticed for awards as this has got a solid concept and story. This is also dedicated to the film's producer Shandii Bacolod who passed away a day before the shoot was done. This is also directed by Dr. Alvin Yapan. She made remarkable work especially for this project because she believed in the material, the cast too. Again, if you would like to see a feel good Filipino barkada film, give CALL ME PAPI a visit on theaters this coming December 7th. Bring your friends!

EXCLUSIVE: Director Alvin Yapan for CALL ME PAPI

He's got over 13 films on his belt, and very well known for critically acclaimed "The Dance of Two Left Feet" in 2011, "Culion" in 2019 where we had the pleasure of covering in Palawan and recently "Hulagway" which he worked with NCCA a couple months back. This time, it's a whole different movie, his first commercial film, on a different genre which he divulges was the handy work of the late well loved producer Shandii Bacolod who also worked in this movie. It's called CALL ME PAPI, a funny "barkada" movie where 5 men from different walks of live, get their stories intertwined.

The project was supposed to be released a few years ago but the pandemic happened. This prompted them to re-think how they would finish filming, and when things relaxed a bit, another hard lockdown was placed (prolly around November 2020). But nothings gonna stop them from doing it.  This is produced by Feast Foundation and will be distributed by Viva Films.

Dr. Alvin Yapan says "What I like about this project is that some of my friends say they couldn't concentrate on looking at just one guy in the film. These guys are good looking and I think it was meant to feel that way when it was thought about by Shandii Bacolod. This was intentional, to put guys with different looks, in this generation, so they get well represented in the film. There's one that came from the province, a bougie one, a gym instructor, a waiter, a bartender and a call center agent who was forced to live with each other. This discusses what they go through with the work they do. Shandii already worked with Enzo Pineda in Utopia. We got him to audition for this film because I didn't know him prior to this. He did so well in the audition, he had presence, he wasn't nervous in front of the camera and he was pretty tall. He was meant to be part of the lead cast. Even after this film, I would really like to work with them again because of how easy we got to work together. I don't know why but I've always landed in projects that have an ensemble cast. I couldn't complain in the looks department, they also have a sense of comic timing. They also have formed the dynamics, but to tell you honestly, this was one of the most difficult films to cast because it required a lot with the actors. We've gone through a lot just to put them together." 

He adds "Royce was always a joker on set, Aaron was so lean and fits his character like a glove, Enzo was caramel, Lharby had majestic physique, Albie had the perfect abs. I had Albie read the script and when we talked later on, he really liked the role of the waiter. His story arc is a little different than the others. I'm glad that none of them were problematic on set, that when I instruct them to do things, they oblige right away. I connect more with the character of Royce, as I can relate more with what he was going through. I can't really tell much because it might spoil the film."

Dr. Alvin Yapan wants this to showcase how friendship works, how you can trust each other when times are hard, when you treat people like family. There's a lot of promise in this film, and later, we'll get the chance to talk to the cast. This by the way stars Albie Casiño, Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio , Aaron Concepcion and Royce Cabrera. This will be something that will be in several parts, and designed to be continued in the future. It will depend on what would get the interest of the audience. So make sure you get heard on their channels if you want to know more about the boys.

This comes out on December 7, so see you in theaters soon!

What's Sexy About Royce Cabrera?

Why do people fall in love with a guy like Royce Cabrera? Is it because he's got a body of a demigod? Is it his demeanor? What is his ideal woman? Well we asked that and more during this interview as he just recently signed with GMA Artist Center. They're now taking good care of him now as he becomes one of the most sought after actors in the country. He's pretty confident and trusts their judgement on where to actually put him in this industry and during our small talk with the FBois and Quaranthings star, he told us a lot of interesting things that you may not know of with the hunky Filo boy.

 

Royce says "I have been in the industry for quite a while and there are a lot of offers from other companies but we talked about it, but I felt something, a gut feeling of what I needed to do, and I was right, judging from the things I have been getting, GMA has given me the opportunities where I could grow as an artist. I grabbed the chance when they came, I will return the favor. FBois was really a huge gamble, I did it because I wanted to take a risk. Wether I win or lose, I tried it out in Cinemalaya and I think I made the right choice. I do hope I get to do other roles, I don't want to be boxed up as an actor. If I were to be a leading man, why not, it is a huge opportunity for me."

He adds "I told GMA what I wanted and they I trust them about the path they want me to take. I am an actor foremost and I will do the job when it comes. I want to work with Marian Rivera or Sanya Lopez, I think we will be good on screen. Right now, I do have projects lined up and we are not privy to divulge yet."

So there we go, we've got lots of things to look forward to now that he is connected with GMA Artist Center. I could see how happy he was about what is happening in his career, so make sure you also follow him on his social channels so you get updates about his shows.

Congrats Royce!