Filmmaker Rechie Del Carmen Builds Promising "BATANG PACO" Cast

Looks like there exists a movement to make an action comedy flick called "Batang Paco". Direk Rechie Del Carmen has confirmed they are already building an ensemble cast for it. Known for character driven films, she wants to make this intricately done by choosing apt ones for roles, because this isn't just going to be action and comedy, but will also contain family drama which Producer Ana Abiera Del Moral says Direk Rechie understands, and needs to have meaningful emotional core, so they could breathe new life to these characters once the film starts rolling. 

They also divulged the appearance of Chichi Rita, who's wit and charm will rival lead actors Empoy Marquez and Ms. Aiai Delas Alas comedic powers, it's going to be more fun than usual. The cast also includes Mon Confiado, Ynez Veneracion, Richard Quan, Alma Concepcion, Lara Morena, Natasha Ledesma, Gerard Acao, Kookoo Gonzales, Josh Ivan Morales, Kim Rodriguez, Jovi Vargas and Quentin Molo among others. It's going to be a crazy time and very Manila, written by one of the most successful writers in cinema, Ms. Gina Marissa Tagasa. This will be under MiVida Productions Inc., and "Batang Paco" will hit theaters on February 18th, stay tuned for that!

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).

JM DE GUZMAN and SUE RAMIREZ Define Love Differently in LASTING MOMENTS

Took a break from events and watched a movie premiere last night as one of my favorite actors JM De Guzman and talented actress Sue Ramirez star in a Director Fifth Solomon project called Lasting Moments. This is under PASSION5 Studios.

Before we went to the red carpet, we took the chance to interview them and Director Fifth bared how it was a little problematic to release a film like this because of the recent line of foreign films that are showing also in the same dates they planned. They had to adjust and had to compromise doing it in July 30th to make sure enough theaters could carry them, not the fault of theater owners as he said. 

Direk Fifth told us "The struggle of Filipino films is obvious, to see change, we need to talk about it so we could see what we need to help the industry, and its workers. I want to throw the question on how we can compete with foreign films. I understand the business, the malls on how they choose things where they could earn. We need the government help to not only survive, but have ample screens to show our work. We hope they could trust us, July 30 is going to be the date we are showing our work, this is a call for help. Lasting Moments needs to be seen."

Here's a glimpse of the red carpet where several friends of the lead stars and director also supported. We saw several Drag Race Philippines alumni and rumored Slaysian Royale cast. There were also several influencers and artists at the venue, and watched with us later in the evening.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Bueno (@kumagcow)

I've watched Fifth Solomon's previous films and I must say, this has definitely outdone those. He also wrote this, and evidently, this has been researched a lot because of the several things you would see in the movie. He took time to establish characters, but they'd give reasons later on about sudden outbursts between JM and Sue's roles. It questions your tenacity, of what lengths you would do when it comes to love and emotional impediments. The film also takes a jab on how one would quantify happiness, contentment and one's ability to measure it. 

Sue says "The topic is very sensitive, it's about silent battles. I hope people would be able to relate and understand this is a crisis. I hope the weight comes across the screen and the character. I'm so nervous, but the deeper meaning will be shown when you see the film. This is really a good film and we enjoyed making it, I hope people would go to theaters because I'm nervous if it didn't have days on the theaters."

JM says "I didn't really have a hard time doing this because I did a lot of research and I'm working with Sue. It's going to be relatively easy to understand what they are going through, without spoiling.. it's about remaining with the person and love. Sue doesn't act, she lives the character."

Here's the press conference on video:

JM and Sue really took their characters to heart. You'll have a bout of trying not to cry when they show closeup shots of them on screen. If there's a flaw, probably audio because there were several instances when I heard lengthy supposed quiet times that had high pitched sounds interfering (either from the movie theater or the actual edit).

Again, LASTING MOMENTS will show in theaters this July 30th. JM and Sue are phenomenal actors and there's no question, films that include them must be seen. See why folks beside be cried on some scenes. Congratulations to the cast, Direk Fifth and PASSION5 Studios!