ALDEN RICHARDS Celebrates 15 Years with MOVING FORWARD Concert

15 years must have been a tall order for most people, but for Alden Richards... it's like he's just starting. The talented and multi awarded actor is celebrating this milestone with some of the most important people in his career, HIS FANS, which he deem deserves this concert, a way to thank them for supporting him this long. 

Watch him arrive at the red carpet in Shang Mall!

 

Alden says "I'm very excited this coming December 13th as we celebrate my journey, my learnings, the things I learned and how we keep on Moving Forward. I thank C@$in0 P|us, Bench, Belo, CDO, White Flower and Oxycure for all their help. The purpose of this event is for my 15th Anniversary, and how I want to give back and pay it forward. I want to highlight the people that have been part of my journey in the last 15 years, and that's the fans. Why Sta. Rosa Laguna as the venue? Because I've been in the industry so long but I haven't had a big event in a place where I grew up. With the help of the people of Sta. Rosa, we were able to mount this event. And I'm very excited because now I could give back to the place where I grew up in. Since Day 1, they've been always there for me. It's our little way of saying thank you to them, and I'm doing it all in this one event."

He adds "In the 15 years, there's been a lot of fan interactions that have happened. I get surprised about news, the most memorable one of which the folks that I have helped in the past would suddenly come up to me and say how their lives have changed because of that. I was just there to help, but to actually see how it has changed their lives means a lot to me. It gave them comfort, I think those are the ones that really touch me in fan encounters. I remember in 2019, a girl standing in the crowd was looking at me intently. She was holding a diploma, looking at me the whole time, smiling, so I wondered what it was about. She approached and told me that she already graduated, and that I was responsible for it. I learned that it really isn't about the volume of people that you help, it's the effect you have on people, it gives me more passion, grounds me, that because of all the things I'm doing in my own way, it creates ripples of kindness. It's why I continue doing the things I'm doing today.That kind of platform and reach, it's what keeps me going."

Here's a video of the media conference, please enjoy!

One of the highlights of the concert is the inclusion of PBB artists Will Ashley, Bianca De Vera and Dustin Yu. He will also have popular band CUP OF JOE performing a song or two in the event. This is produced by Myriad Events, and for tickets you can get them at https://arxv.helixpay.ph/. There are only a few seats left as Diamond and Platinum sections are sold out. This is a once in a lifetime experience to be with him at this locale so if you're a big fan, it's time you take the trek down south to see Alden Richards in the flesh!

Alden Richards is MOVING FORWARD and there's no stopping him anytime soon! Congratulations Alden! :) 

BAR BOYS AFTER SCHOOL: Funny with Serious Topics, An Exciting Installment!

When I heard Bar Boys would have another run, I was extremely happy just thinking what it would be like especially since the first installment had so many stories to continue with. The iconic Odette Khan won Best Supporting actress for it in different award giving bodies, including Indie Movie of the year, Best Director and Screenplay nominations to name a few. It also had a stage musical done which was well received by fans, and also had nominations for the version with the music used for the medium.

10 years since, the boys would have totally different lives and a whole new set of students to tell a story with Will Ashley, Sassa Gurl, Klarisse De Guzman, Glaiza De Castro, Emilio Daez, Therese Malvar, Benedix Ramos and Bryce Eusebio. The orignal ones Rocco Nacino, Kean Cipriano, Carlo Aquino and Enzo Pineda took on their roles 10 years older, having different lives to say the least, with Rocco teaching law school. Most of them were at the press conference a few days ago. They also paid tribute to Madame Odette Khan as she graced the event, had a standing ovation, which I adored.

Direk lamented how beyond the film, they all have been able to forge friendships and didn't take a miracle to pull off a second movie after the success of the first one. He said "We all grew as people and I've worked with everybody on this stage (including the new ones). I can guarantee, all of them are good people. I can confirm they are true artists who want to become better at their craft. I hope people see the value in that and support our Metro Manila Film Festival entry for 2025! I hope people would watch us first because we assure you it's going to be worth it." He also said that starting this meant they need to tell more stories that would matter, something people found in their first one so that's going to be interesting.

Will Ashley is going to be part of this and he says this movie is going to connect with you in so many ways, they really worked hard to make this second movie. Benedix on the other hand has auditioned for the musical play before landing this role for the movie. Sassa was super playful, her valedictorian role is something you should look forward to. While new, Emilio took a chance and auditioned for this role because he loved how his character developed. He learned a lot and want folks to watch this. Therese is already an award winning actress, having her in this film is just icing on a cake, she deserves it. The story she says is super good and said YES when it was offered to her.

Enzo says "It means a lot to me to see fans of Bar Boys to be here. It's also my first time to do MMFF, I've waited to do this after 15 years, and I'm part of it. I hope you get to support it like the first one."

Kean says "Josh after school didn't pass law school and this will continue that story. I hope we won't die in the end. Being part of a project that has value, being part of the first one was worth it, the second one just touches us on a different level. Being with them, seeing you appreciate it is enough for me."

Rocco says "Thank you to everyone who's here. I was supposed to take a different role, but I'm glad I ended up with this one. This is the first film that I've done that had a sequel, I assure you, you won't have problems suggesting this to friends and family if you would want to watch an entry at MMFF."

Carlo jokes about being in MMFF like he only had this as an entry, but everyone knows he's a regular LOL. He says "I want to share that when I read this email of Bar Boys, I was quitting showbiz, and the film gave me spark, to do what I love, I hope the same spark makes a movement out of Filipinos."

Excellent choices so far has been seen in MMFF 2025, and Bar Boys is the only one that is independently produced and supported by the FDCP. I can't wait to see what would happen to the original cast and the freshmen who will take on the new roles. This is a piece worthy to watch for sure! 

SPARKLE Artist Center Stars at the PBB Celebrity Collab Edition x GMA Grand Mediacon

Having met the ABSCBN artists a couple days ago, I felt it was high time to see the GMA Sparkle Artist Center side of the collab. Yes, it's an opportunity I wouldn't want to pass because you know, PBB has changed the lives of Mika Salamanca, the gorgeous Ashley Ortega, good looking Will Ashley, Dustin Yu, Josh Ford, Michael Sager, Charlie Fleming, AZ Martinez, Vince Maristela and the playful Shuvee Etrata.

Just to give you a picture, there were a lot of trad media and entertainment bloggers covering for this event. Most of them were editors and columnists from your dailies. I guess I was a little hesitant to send questions because it took almost an hour and a half to talk to them because of the sheer number of housemates we had to interview.  

Here's our coverage on video, please enjoy!

Ashley Ortega currently holds the most number of views on my YouTube channel, and I've had the opportunity to interview her a couple of times. She's very eloquent, gorgeous and very talented on ice. She also was able to show a side of her that's not seen on camera. It's why after her short stay in the house, people were all supporting her A LOT. She also got major endorsements because of it and life has been good. 

Charlie Fleming has been able to enjoy the success of the show and was able to still have some parts of her life private. Will Ashley has signified his willingness to work with Dustin Yu, which is actually not the first time because they previously were together in a Regal Entertainment movie. He feels the show was also a venue to introduce themselves, and show things that have not been seen on TV. Dustin laments that he's been waiting for the right time as far as his career is concerned. He didn't really expect to join PBB Celebrity Collab Edition, but he was so glad he did! He may be an introvert, but now that people got to know him, he's going to have more opportunities after the show. 

Josh Ford is so thankful that his trip back to the Philippines was not in vain. It's been years that he has been in the industry but feels this is his biggest break. He also said that even though some people know him, it was only after PBB that he felt seen. He's so thankful to GMA, Sparkle and PBB for the opportunity! I can't wait to see him grab major roles in shows because he's done his homework.

Vince Maristela on the other hand got recognized while he was in Korea for a little R&R, even if he's been in the industry for a while, it's only now that he gets stopped a LOT while out in public. He now is eager to grab opportunities that would come his way. Everyone was so happy for him!

Shuvee was so fun during this interview. I could see how she is also being fancied by GMA execs while telling her story. As you can see, several shows have already got a hold of her, and joking on social media about her availability. She loves the support and promises to love all the brands and people that supports her. She's not just Shuvee the host now, she's everything and more! Still humble! 

Big winner Mika Salamanca knew how much flak she once had because some have already pre-judged her because of previous controversies. She knew that people just didn't know. For Mika it's a big thing to have a platform to let people get to know who she is, change their perspectives and she thanked Sparkle for believing in her. Winning it meant that she can further prove naysayers of how she deserves the spot. She's pretty game about it. 

I'd like to send a huge THANK YOU to SPARKLE GMA Artist Center for letting us get to know these housemates after the show. I'm quite sure they're planning a whole lot for them because by any angle, there's nowhere to go but to stardom! Oh and yes, that COLLAB CONCERT is coming up, make sure you get tickets before they run out!

PS, sub on my YouTube channel called "kumagcow" because I've uploaded some shorts there about this event. You'll love that!