Vhong Navarro Stars in Sequel MANG KEPWENG: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim

 

This is produced by CINE KO Productions and Star Cinema. On Christmas day, we'll see a dose of comedy courtesy of this film derived from the 80's iconic film of the same name, Mang Kepweng. This generation has a different spin on it so they properly called it Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim.


Tickets are now on sale via upstream.ph. We talked to the stars this evening and they had a lot of stories. Here's some of their statements during the zoom conference.


Fumiya says "We are together here, my best friend is Yamyam and it's a complicated relationship. We are dwarfs but we don't get along that well."

Yamyam says "My role here is a dwarf that could give Mang Kepweng the direction so he can get the magic for his bandana. My grandpa was actually an albularyo, he cured me with a lot of rare leaves and roots, he used a few on me with smoke, he told me I was really punished by spirits hence a lot of bumps on my skin appeared. I got smoked, I got prayed upon and got cured by my grandfather, I believe 50%, I don't know for sure but I think it was true."

Ritz Azul was a bit perky during the call and says "I am the queen of Engkadya and I'll be helping Mang Kepweng fight Maximus on his journey to find magic on his own polkadot bandana. I did experience a lot of albularyos in our province, they did dishes, eggs, they pass on powers to people, there are lots of things that I can explain but they do get cured."

Joross Gamboa plays the villain of the film and he says "I am the enemy here, I have the black bandana and I will make Mang Kepweng's life miserable. This film is for the whole family so make sure you do this Christmas. There are a few comedians that can whip their faces like that, who can make funny faces and comedy out of it, Vhong is qualified to do it."

Ryan Bang joked around and said  "Of all the friends of Mang Kepweng, I am the most good looking... almost 70 percent I will be with him in his adventures. I read the script so many times but when I get to the set I just end up with people who will not go with the script. This is for kids, I hope people will see it because it's fun, it's just that so many things happening here but I don't know what it means. I hope you become happy watching this but if you don't we can't do anything really."

Ms. Jaclyn Jose says "I am the mother of Mang Kepweng here and I have been since the first one, so they have no choice but get me for this second installment. The albularyos of the first Mang Kepweng has been brought to this generation, I watched the original in the cinema, he can play Chiquito really.I love the cinema, I hope we could watch it there instead but I'm not worried, I'm sure it will be back. I want people to forget problems, this film is funny and if you could forget an hour and a half of those problems, I'd be really glad."

Barbie Imperial says "I have a lot of experience being cured by albularyos, in the province we really believe in them and I had to seek their help because I always get sick when I was a kid. I wasn't able to get help from doctors, but when I seeked their help, I got better. In Bicol, I got treatment from them and with that experience, I really did get healed."

Vhong Navarro was so proud of this film and he says "I play MK or Mang Kepweng, he will be continuing with his mission to cure everything. He will need his friends to fight aliens, monsters, without facial mask or shields because this was shot before the pandemic. I am sure though that you will enjoy this film, you just need to look for Mang Kepweng on upstream.ph and pay 250 only to watch it with your family.That's what new technology can do this MMFF 2020 and Christmas. I wanted to really look for the copy of the original Mang Kepweng but the quality of those on digital is just too poor, but I'm glad CineKO agreed to do a part 2 because this was their baby and together with Star Cinema there will be a good comeback. I'm also glad they chose me to play the lead role again, I was chosen because they see Chiquito in me so I reprised the role again. I don't think it's bad to believe in things that could better health with faith and albularyos. We even filmed everything on the actual home of Mang Kepweng during the 80's and that connects the generation. We're both happy and sad because we got in the MMFF 2020 but a little sad about how it's different on how we watch movies without movie houses. It's good though because a lot of people will learn on how to use technology. I haven't really researched about albularyos and just based what I am doing with the character of the late Chiquito, I am privileged to be able to do this as my first film that got a sequel. It's a good feeling because people loved it, the producers believed in me again and I got to work with brilliant writers that made this even better. I want to make sure it would be better than the first one because we'll put a lot of adventures in Mang Kepweng now."


Other stars are also in this film like Lou Veloso, Mariko   Ledesma, Kaladkaren, Patricia Roxas, Ritz Azul, Ion Perez and Benjie Paras. Watch it on Christmas day!

Lovi Poe and Vhong Navarro for "Woke Up Like This!"

I'm sure you've already seen the trailers playing on TV every now and then. There's a new movie in town and it's doubly crazy because funny man Vhong Navarro is switching genders with primera aktresa Lovi Poe in Regal Film's newest film called "Woke Up Like This!". For millenials this might feel like the instance where you take a selfie after waking up literally but for them, it's a little different. 

This might be their first pairing but you know this is going to be a riot because just imagine, an very athletic guy, with a very promising basketball career suddenly switches bodies with a very sought after supermodel. Seeing them do normal things suddenly became very funny as it looked totally slapstick and funny because they just couldn't get used to each other's bodies. How did it all happen? Maybe the heavens above had to teach them a lesson in how to not get all that fame into their heads. It is Direk Joel Ferrer's directorial debut, but it's already getting rave comments online as the last trailer they released already got 7 MILLION views. It will also star Joey Marquez, Bayani Agbayani, Cora Wadell, Dionne Monsanto, Yana Assistio and Raikko Mateo. Make sure you see Sabrina and Lando once it shows on theaters this August 23, they won't be throwing jokes if it ain't funny!

Direk Joel says "This is the first time that I'm working with a material that isn't mine and this is an ensemble cast, I am overwhelmed but I'm game to do anything so this was a blast to do."

Vhong adds "Lando will be Sabrina and Sabrina will be Lando so you have to know how crazy thay would be if it happens. Lovi and I already worked in the last Shake Rattle and Roll so we kind of know each other. This will test our chemistry on screen because sometimes comedy takes team effort. Lovi is hard to copy, but I found out how easy she is on set and she teaches me her ways. We talked about this a long time ago and had some similarities with Hollywood films, but our version is based here, and we are doing things that the kids could learn a thing or two from. I had difficulties learning how Lovi talks in English because she is refined, and you can't go overboard and not look like a gay person, but I do sometimes enjoy that. I also would like to experience how they go out on dates and not pay a single cent because I do that."

Lovi Poe adds "Working with Vhong is the greatest experience of all time, in comedy you should always enjoy what you are doing so this cast and the people behind them is just a perfect mix. The writers are all there during the shoot watching us like a hawk. We couldn't stop laughing and we have tons of bloopers. You need to have extra effort because he's Vhong and watch every scene that you do. He will tell me if I am going overboard. I have experienced pissing while standing up, and also how it is to be a little care free, walk around without a bra and just going to the set without any makeup or my hair done two hours before every shoot."

Bayani says "I am a fan of Vhong and I hope I get to do movies that he did in the past. You always see him do different things and that makes him unique. I always text him when I watch his show. I also watch Lovi in indie films and small projects so you couldn't really say but wow now that she's making us laugh."

The writers explained "The concept is light and timed right because there are just a lot of things happening in the country today. We want the characters to be really like normal people and we are glad that Regal trusted us with this. We have background in standup comedy so you will see those instances here, a lot of things will happen."

This film is under Regal Entertainment, Inc. They will be going around shows and promoting this film so stay tuned!

KUMAGCOW

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Buy Now, Die Later for MMFF 2015

It looks like there's going to be real tough competition in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival as Quantum Films, MJM Productions, Tuko Film Productuons and Buchi Boy Films joined forces to put up a horror comedy film called "Buy Now, Die Later" which stars Vhong Navarro, John "Sweet" Lapus, Alex Gonzaga, Janine Gutierrez and Lotlot De Leon. They say this is a psychological thriller which will be related to the plot of having weaved around a human's 5 senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. 

The premise is good, as it talks about the norms of society's greed, how to solve mysteries, the voices in our head, love and age. It's like a multitude of stories all put into one. Mind you, these are the same production outfits that also did "Walang Forever" and "English Only, Please".

Here's the video I made during the presscon

Buy Now Die Later Quantum Films by kumagcow

Vhong plays a blogger named Odie who wishes to become a serious photo journalist like his Dad. Tj Trinidad who plays Santi is an ecclectic shop keeper sells different wares to different individuals who in the end will face consequences brought about their traits and later become his victims. Odie bought a phone from his shop and gets scoops first hand from an app installed on it, later on solving each mystery as it unfolds. Ato, played by Rayver Cruz is a friend of Odie. He starts up a restaurant and buys a special ingredient for his restaurant, but them becomes greedy so they'll be having some real serious problems in the end. Chloe is played by Alex Gonzaga. She on the other hand wants to become a very successful singer. It came true when she used an app from Santi, but she gets crazy later on after having a great hit. John Lapus plays Pippa who used perfume (bought in Santi's store) and tries to woo Narciso (Manuel Chua) because he's madly in love with him. Lotlot De Leon on the other hand plays Maita who wished for her daughter (played by Janine) to have a normal life. Santi gets her in trouble but them Maita came into her senses and didn't accept the consequences, she's the only one who did that and got something better in return.

They promise five times the fun and entertainment on this official MMFF entry from these film outfits. It's directed by Randolf Longhas who also did "Ang Turkey ay Pabo Rin". Watch them on MMFF as they show it on December 25, for the Metro Manila Film Festival!

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Vhong Navarro Stars in New Comedy Film "Da Possessed"

The whole cast except Kimpoy was there during the blogcon of the Vhong Navarro movie Da Possessed. This is his first movie after the controversial rape case filed against him by Deniece Cornejo and Delfin Lee. It was great news for the star to have been able to get justice when the DOJ finally junked the case last April 4, 2014. The film marks his comeback in the movies too which is hopefully going to be at par with his previous ones Mr. Suave, D' Anothers and Agent X44 all of which consequently have been directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal. 

   

Veteran comedian Joey Marquez, Joy Viado, Smokey Manoloto and Beverly Salviejo are also part of the cast. They are joined by not so gay actor John "Sweet" Lapuz who's complaining that he's been typecasted as a gay guy in films and the sexy-sultry Ms. Solenn Heussaff as Vhong's love interest in this movie. One of the film's writer was also present to give some facts on the creative process too. He says it wasn't hard to create material for Vhong because no matter what you give him, he can execute it well. He's got his own brand of humor and you can't just find that in most actors these days.

It was funny to hear them tell some of the stories while filming. They were also shelling some secrets in doing comedy and how they attacked the roles that were given to them. Solenn Heussaff also hinted that she had a crush on Vhong, which the actor gladly got so excited with to the delight of the crowd.

They also had a time when Joy Viado and Beverly Salviejo had a disagreement in statements, so automatically Smokey Manaloto, John Lapuz and Joey Marquez ganged up on them and wanted to make them fight. They were hilarious!

No matter how serious this may be, it'll still fall on a hilarious situation. With spectacular writing and great situational scenes, this is bound to be another blockbuster in the making. This is also an offering for Star Cinema's 20th anniversary and the pressure for Vhong to make this movie perform the same way as their previous films is big... he said he'll do his best and hopes the audience would love it the way they do. It's a little naughty, a little more in the manly humor as the writer explains but it's not cheap slapstick. You'll laugh and have a good time with your family and friends if you choose to watch this new Vhong Navarro starrer. You'll also see how fantastic Vhong Navarro could be in physical comedy. I even heard he's the Jim Carrey of the Philippines, I couldn't agree more.

Da Posessed will be shown on April 19 in your favorite theaters. They won't have a premier night but will be shown on Black Saturday so make sure you rush to theaters and see this film. They say this is better than Vhong's previous films so let's see if they can prove that statement shall we?! :)

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