FANEY: A Fitting Tribute for the Superstar and Adoring Fans of NORA AUNOR

 

Sitting with a throng of screaming Noranians inside a full cinema was certainly not what I expected to see in the screening of FANEY (The Fan) at the Gateway Cineplex just this evening. This is a film by Director Adolf Alix Jr., made as a tribute to the one and only superstar Ms. Nora Aunor who passed a few weeks ago.

This is the handy work of producers RS Francisco, Frontrow International, Intele Builders, Noble Wolf and AQ Films. It is written for cinema by the Director himself, and quite hard to do since it's election season and the energy is pretty down because of our loss, she's a national artist of course!

They coincided the screening with the superstars birthday, which is today May 21st. Editors surely had sleepless nights just to make sure it got shown on this date. Laurice Guillen is good at her craft, uttering iconic lines of Nora Aunor, she made it felt how it is to be a loyal fan. Doing it on screen was no easy job, but she took us along for the ride.

She was flanked by Direk Gina Alajar (who played her daughter) and Kapuso Actress Althea Ablan (as her grandchild) in the film. Direk Gina's character was more of a protective one, who didn't understand how becoming a fan of Nora Aunor meant you would need to have lots of sacrifices including your own family. 

If you are a fan of the Superstar, you'll really have to pay attention to the references of this film because a lot of it will be based on Nora Aunor's movies.  You'll get moments to ask yourself if what you are watching is real, or a line from another project of hers. It's like every scene would become a test if you know this movie they are referring to or not. Add to that their family dynamics, how they unleashed their anger because they couldn't believe her passion, her loyalty to her idol, and how it has affected their families too. It also showcases the bond, the reasons on how a Noranian is built different and why they remain and adore her to this day.

 This film also has gems, like Bembol Roco who brought Nora centric romance in the movie. There's also Roderick Paulate who did several scenes that would rival his fun movies in the 80's, Ms. Perla Bautista who at 85 still felt sharp with her character. You will also get to feel the rivalry between Ms. Nora and Vilma Santos, as there will be bouts of it in the movie. Althea Ablan on the other hand did good as she represents a generation who understands why Noranians are still Noranians. Bring lots of tissues if you are a fan, because this is all about Ms. Nora Aunor and YOU as a fan. The real stories they shared are all incredible, and told by the people themselves, front and center.

It's a well made piece, stay for the ending because you'll feel the nostalgia that her life brings. It is a proper tribute for the Superstar, the National Artist we all adore and love.

MANO PO LEGACY Moved to New Timeslot

Talking to the cast was really an opportunity to see how these actors and actresses prepare for their role and know how they do it. True enough, people have been raving about the performances of Maricel Laxa, Sunshine Cruz, Barbie Forteza and the whole cast.

As Maricel Laxa says. "It's not hard to actually do it because you've got a supportive cast, excellent people behind the scenes that would make you think it's easy to execute the character."

David Licauco says "At first it was intimidating but when I started to talk to them, it was easy. The script is actually good so it was easy to do because you would know how their character moves or do in the story."

Here's our blog conference a few days ago, enjoy!

Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune cast also includes Rob Gomez, Nikki Co, Dustin Yu, Darwin Yu, Casie Banks, David Chua, Victor Basa, Ms. Boots Anson-Roa and a lot more.

And before we do go, they've changed their time slot as MANO PO LEGACY: The Family Fortune will be shown at 8:50pm starting February 7, so make sure you move your watching hours to that time because it's perfect after dinner no?

Happy Lunar New Year by the way!

Sun Life Financial Philippines Presents: LEGACY - The Sun Life Story

Sun Life has been in the Philippines for 120 years. I've only known them for quite a while because of the research that I've personally done when choosing investments. They've gone way beyond the form of an insurance company and with the recent celebration of their anniversary, they wanted to show everyone who has been part of their success what they have done to the country. A mark that may last here for generations to see, feel and hear. This is what they call their LEGACY, a musical to celebrate their 120th year in the country.

When they arrived in Manila a century and some years ago, they had high hopes, they had dreams, so they started to educate Filipinos about life insurance. They had some resistance because Pinoys never found any sense in getting money after they're dead. They wanted to change that mindset and let them see the benefits that it'll give to those who are left on this earth. I can even hear some of the ladies ridicule these Canadians and how they see no sense on having life insurance at that day and age, but when the wars started. that's where tons of Pinoys lost their lives, their families left in distraught and tried to rebuild their lives.

Sun Life even had tons of their records lost during that time and it was very hard to keep most of it. They had to resort to putting them underground and had hundreds of them burned by the Japanese. Commerce was put to a halt and lives were lost. After the war, people were clamoring for the Life Insurance they had with the corporation. They had the choice to just stick to those who still had their records but Sun Life understood they had the responsibility. They honored each and every person that went to them to claim what was rightfully theirs. They got to help all those who need it. Sun Life stood by them after all those years.

They did it because it was the right thing to do. They did it because at the time they needed the business, the Filipinos believed in them. The Canadian based company made their lives better. When they needed to rebuild and start over, the money went to the families of the plan holders. Even if some of them lost their papers during the war, Sun Life did not leave them hanging and honored all of it. A noble thing indeed.

Years after, they made the profession even greater than what it is. They started not only selling plans, but giving professional financial advice to people of all classes. They wanted to provide the quality of life that their plan holders to a larger population and they stuck to what they know best, making an impression that they are serious in what they are doing. The professionalism they implemented made so much sense even in the 60's when everyone else were in the discos, bars, the changes were absolutely working for them even more.

Their current President and CEO Riza Mantaring,  Chairman of the Board Jose Isidro N. "Lito" Camacho, and Kevin Strain who is President of Sun Life Financial Asia were also there to award former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos who has been instrumental to how Sun Life is in the Philippines. When they were distraught during the financial crisis, then a political one during Edsa, he encouraged them to stay and believe in the Filipino. They also championed the lives of Filipinas who have been part of Sun Life's workforce and they showed how it has improved their way of living. Filipinas believed in themselves, they professionalized and made them more independent. They helped more families in the process and shown how they valued them too. This is something noble. This is Sun Life's Legacy.

Executives, performers sang too in the end of the show. This is Sun Life's Legacy.

Inigo Pascual was also there. As one of Sun Life's endorsers, he believes in the value of saving for a rainy day. He also believes in investing for the future of his own family and to take an early step to financial freedom. His future lies on how he manages his finances and a Sun Life's advisor could help make that dream come true.

It's not just the personalities that prove Sun Life's the best in the industry. They are the number one insurance provider in the Philippines and if these people can do it, so can you. It is possible. They have their own legacy to prove what they've done to improve the lives of Filipinos. If you haven't had the chance to talk to anyone yet about your finances, investing of life insurance, visit http://www.sunlife.com.ph and make that leap to make your plans better, one that would benefit your family and community. You can also visit http://brighterlife.com.ph and see how it works. It's easy, talk to one of their Sun Life Financial advisors today!

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The End Is the Beginning Is the End ... For Lovely Lovi Poe

It looks like this is the last week of GMA Top rating drama Legacy and sure enough its whole cast is on the verge of tears for the entire season that it has been running. I'm not surprised but pretty emphatic to what Lovi Poe feels at this time. Her experience in the series has made her so in touch with her character "Natasha" saying that she will truly miss it. She might have been evil most of the times; but there's always a hint of goodness and cause to this role that pinoy's surely identify with. This is the thing that she will truly miss. She will also never forget to experience working with the powerhouse cast and the friends that she has made in LEGACY. For those who follow her on this program, don't fret because she'll have two more things lined up after this. A testament of the trust her home film studio has been giving her these past few years.

Lovi Poe will be making a couple more movies with Regal Films. You probably know that she has been doing a lot of movies from that outfit; we know she's truly blessed. She has probably taken this craft a notch higher with the experience she's getting from the veteran actors and actresses she's been able to work with. She is going to do GUNI GUNI. This is the directorial debut of Tara Illenberger, recipient of the best film award at the 35th International Festival of Independent Filmmakers held in Brussels, Belgium. This will have a horror/mystery/drama genre. Lovi Poe will also be paired with Benjamin Alves, who he is being groomed as the next leading man in GMA7. He's the new face this channel is banking on and I'm sure Lovi will help a LOT to this budding artist. The film also stars Empress Shuck,  James Blanco, Ria Garcia, Julia Clarete, Gerald Pesigan and Ms. Gina Alajar. Lovi plays the role of Mylene and is excited to come back with another horror flick after Aswang. This will surely be another exciting film!

Turning into drama, she will also be filming “The Bride And The Lover” opposite Jennylyn Mercado plus another Erik Matti masterpiece called “Tiktik, Aswang Chronicles” where she will be paired up with Dingdong Dantes. This will be their first time pairing on screen, she must be nervous. For those who are in Hong Kong, Lovi Poe will be there on June 9 for the Fun Freedom and Friendship Ballat the Hong Kong Shangrila Kowloon. This will be on June 10 to be in the “Tayo Na,Magsaya at Magkaisa” Fiesta event at the Hong Kong Chatter Garden.You guys should come and see her there!

Congratulations Lovi! Still blessed as ever! Thanks for CHILLING OUT with me! :)

(Photo from Lovi Poe for Extraderm)

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Loving Lovi Poe!

She's a breath of fresh air, she's Good, Bad, Lovely, Evil. She can be anything you want her to be on the screen... Simply put it, she's Lovi Poe...

I've been seeing her on screen for the longest time. Born Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe, she's the daughter of the one and only king of Philippine movies. Who am I not to admire her golden complexion; or effortless beauty? In fact, she might not even know it nor am claiming to be sexy; but she just naturally is. Good thing I got to sit down and talk to her a couple of days ago. I was a happy boy.

She had that happy demeanor. She talks so softly yet gets her point across. I had to remember she's actually playing the role of Natasha too in the GMA7 top rater LEGACY. We asked her a couple of questions about that, she gladly obliged.

When asked about the series, she says she was a little sad that it was about to end. 6 Months was a long season but it really felt like it was yesterday for her. She was so glad though that she was able to get close with some of the show's stars, particularly Heart Evangelista and Alessandra De Rossi. Although on some scenes you'll grin and watch them explode with the exchange of "EPIC" lines. Lovi Poe says she really have in some ways relate to Natasha because "Everybody in their right mind would want to be somebody who could talk and speak that way, she doesn't hold back!". She had 2 particular scenes in LEGACY that she can't forget, one was the exchange of lines she had with Alex's character and the other one is just about to happen, you should watch out for that because we're about to do the last shoot tomorrow (this was the day after this interview). She says that she will really miss the people she worked with on this project because they really worked so hard to make each episode worth watching. I agreed.

  

She is single but is optimistic that the time will come when she gets to love someone. She's learned a lot in the past but bares she can only give what she can. These days, she prefers to CHILL; that's her own term. She's got tons of work but plans to actually have a vacation after LEGACY. She feels so good and says her Dad would have been surely proud to see her success now. Don't fail to watch LEGACY on it's last few weeks, it'll surely be one heck of an ending she says. I heard she's also going to do a movie through Regal Films. It's a horror flick with Benjamin Alves, Empress Shuck, James Blanco, Gerald Pesigan, Ria Garcia, Neil Ryan Sese & Ms. Gina Alajar. It's starting title is GUNI GUNI. I'm sure just like legacy and her other films, this will be something worth while to watch! She's also endorsing a new line from cosmetic mogul SPLASH Corporation. Watch out for that soon!

It was so nice to see Lovi in a different light. She was a joy to talk to. Very candid. Very promising.Don't you just LOVE her more now that you know something about her? =)

Leaving a Legacy: DJ Neil Armstrong for adidas Originals

It was a very posh barbecue that afternoon, of course I didn't expect anything less when it's and adidas event. This is the first time I'm seeing one of the greatest artists this side of the world has ever produced, DJ Neil Armstrong.I suddenly thought I was in LA when I got to the Skye Lounge, W Building, Fort. With the throng of expats and similar species that afternoon, I felt this wasn't in the Philippines for sure.Local sports, fashion, lifestyle and music personalities were all there to shake it out to celebrate adidas Originals. The brand found it very important to give much attention to originality and individuality. I concur!

Awesome spinning from DJ Badkiss commenced and of course we did the next best thing, we partied and enjoyed the music! The crowd was gorgeous, best of all they were quite noted in their respective fields. There must have been some sort of qualification made to be in this crowd, one that would require to show what adidas Originals is all about. To "Leave a Legacy" of setting a trend and staying original is hard to do but that's what adidas stands for. 

The rain may have poured that night but that didn't dampen the spirit of those who chose to celebrate the occasion. 

He was clad in adidas Originals gear from head to foot. I thought he was going to be some weirdo off the house circuit but he was very down to Earth and very accommodating. He was quite a presence and you feel so easy around him. Quite a nice chap!

The lights came on and the music changed. It was time DJ Neil Armstrong made the speakers pound and start another party!

Yeap! The party just started! I just really admire the last few words he said when his set ended. He was so proud to be amongst us, best of all he was so proud to be Filipino! 

To get you more into the mood, adidas is introducing a way for you to leave a legacy of originality. They made a special Facebook application where you can simply upload a photo of yourself in your most original STREET STYLE. You can share this photo and ask all of your friends to vote for you. The top 10 images with the most votes will win 50,000 Philippine Pesos worth of adidas products, isn't that amazing?!

For those who want to join, simply visit their Facebook page HERE and check out how you can "Leave a Legacy" of your own. Visit http://www.facebook.com/adidasPhilippines for more details.

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