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! 

MRLD's "7th Sense" Album Drops Midnight, Announces Concert Next Month

If you guys don't know who MRLD is, you should. She's a singer songwriter who hails from Cebu and is making waves on streaming platforms with her hit songs "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You", "Ikaw Pa Rin" and "Ligaya". She was also featured by Spotify in New York's Times Square  as one of the most streamed female artists in the country.

She says "I was planning to release a full English album but I didn't feel a spark, this album is about my feelings , for things that I could not explain. It's mine and it is very simple. I already released 4, and the others will be done later this evening. Much of these were written 2 years ago, and it felt right, I had to make an album now. The track list was mixed initially, but I want it to open up minds, that I can carry different genres. Though there are lots of revisions, I had a lot of help from friends to make this happen."

The lead single is Hanggang Magsawa Ka, the longest single she wrote, a little painful, and she hopes you also cry when listening to it. Initially Malayo was supposed to be the carrier single, they just had to listen to everything and it was something they thought of while starting over, it's raw and 6 minutes long.

Listening to it earlier, it felt like an ode, very emotional and soft, all acoustic, hopeful and beautiful. 

She wrote it during 12th grade, puppy love, where she gave a person 2 chances, but thing is, she wasn't the one chosen, she wasn't the only one.. the song was made to have her overcome the hurt from it. She's also so glad about her earlier single "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You" which has gained traction in Indonesia, one which they even made a Bahasa version too to cater to audiences there.

Her single SAGOT was the one she's super excited to perform because it's the one that she made with her fans in mind. It was for them and it's a bit upbeat, dancing and enjoying it is highly encouraged especially during the concert.

Her concert will happen on April 27th at the SM North Edsa SKYDOME, tickets are still available and she's rehearsing soon for the whole concept. It's going to be a special night with 2 guests being confirmed already.

This is just the start of big things for her, follow OC Records socials to know more about her!

Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentine Concert

If you're looking for the perfect concert this Valentine's season, Fire and Ice productions and Fire and Ice Live! is bringing you "Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentines Concert" at The Theatre at Solaire this coming February 8th at 8pm and you'll love who's in it! Of course there's Ice Seguerra, Juris Fernandez, Nyoy Volante, Sitti Navarro, Kean Cipriano, Princess Velasco, and Duncan Ramos. It's going to be nostalgic, a thing that's been in the works since pre-pandemic will now be realized.

The last time that these guys were together was way back March of 2015. Although they didn't really get to meet during those days, they've been connected online through chat. Though if you look at it, it's been almost 10 years since they've done music together, a little overdue. 

Ice says "There was a time in 2019 when we thought about doing something like this, I messaged everybody if they're game to do it. I really miss them, they all agreed, but the pandemic really got in the way. We had a venue ready, stage design, production, everything. It was supposed to be Fire and Ice's first show. But it didn't happen because of the pandemic. It was moved, and things happened with our careers individually, life in general. We started talking about it after the videoke series I did, which was a successful concert. Whether it's Valentine's day or not, we have universal love that we celebrate. We have the romantic love covered, but we have other kinds of love that we also want to celebrate on that day. And also our friendship that stood the test of time. Wohoo!"

Nyoy adds "During those 10 years, we often perform in each other's shows, but not as a complete group, usually benefit concerts. We often become guests with each others concerts or gigs, it was easy because aside from being artists in the same group, we're friends in real life. We did theater, and we supported each other. We're so used being with each other back in the day, and now our lives are intertwined. We're so used to answering each other's songs, lines, but it's going to be more organized since it is a show. We have several surprises for you, and seeing from our studies, it's going to be one fun night!"

Kean adds "This is going to be a treat for everyone. You'll see our camaraderie, but what we will sing is going to be heartfelt, more meaningful. This is also a concert where anyone, of all ages, could actually go and have fun! As you know, we are from different genres, it will surely be a good time to see that on stage."

Juris agrees and said "Yes it's going to be a treat for everyone and also a treat for myself because singing is more of an escape for me now, not work, and I'm glad that we're doing this."

Producer Liza Dino Seguerra says "It's been a while since people have seen them together. It's going to be so good to see them perform together on stage, their careers didn't end on that portion of the show. Sessionistas went on and did things individually, they lived out their careers, had family, it will be a time for the fans so they could see where these guys are now. It's a concert of their journey as friends and as individual artists. You will not only see them as Sessionistas but as Ice, Juris, Nyoy, Sitti , Kean , Princess, and Duncan. It's super exciting because their chemistry is different. The photoshoot we had in November was already crazy, what more the actual show in February."

Here's the full press conference on video, make sure you subscribe and check out their performances on our channel. Sub to KUMAGCOW on YouTube!

 

Fire and Ice and the Sessionistas would like to thank Profero Ageless Aesthetics, Solaire Resort, Ticketworld, Katinko, The Platinum Experience Real Karaoke, HGStudio, Nova Wellness Store, JB Music, Magic 89.9, Philippine concerts.cim, TrueFM, and WhenInManila. You can get tickets to the show via TicketWorld.com.ph, plus they plan to have a second day run on April 4th, because this one is almost sold out!

We also heard that they plan to take this either on a local tour or an international one. Just make sure you show interest in their social channels to let them know!