More Space for MEN in Entertainment: Meet MAGIC VOYZ

With the recent popularity of PPOP, singing groups, and all, there certainly a place for more. Recently, the folks from VIVA Records and LDG Productions launched an all male sing and dance group called MAGIC VOYZ. Meet Jhon Mark Marcia, Juan Paulo Calma, Mhack Morales, Rave Obado, Jace Ramos, Ian Briones and Johan Shane. 

They're not new to acting since some of them appear in Viva's platform and indie movies. They had promise, so LDG productions and Viva Records are putting a risk with these guys. We sat at few meters from them at the Viva Cafe stage last night. From the looks of it, the audience was captivated by their magic.They've been influenced heavily by Magic Mike, hence the name of their group. The ladies love them, the singing was lovely, the dancing was insatiable.

MAGIC VOYZ then introduced themselves and performed a couple of their original songs (a Filipino song called “Wag Mo Akong Titigan”, and the other is called “Bintana”). They wanted to showcase their versatility, which is why they're doing this in front of a packed shop. A few of them did a cover of Bruno Mars' 24K Magic and the romantic song "Mahal na Mahal". Their manager Lito De Guzman successfully launched similar groups in the past, and he missed doing this a lot. I could liken their songs to a more novelty pop genre, but it's the whole package that patrons will be getting because at the end of the day, they are "entertainers".

They are pretty nice too. When we had the chance to chat with them after the show, they were very eager to talk about their music, their new group, and the excitement of performing on stage. They are also planning to perform regularly at Viva Cafe and out of town shows, so if you hear of them in your side of the woods, you should definitely go and get to know them.

With talks about them competing with other artists, the boys immediately dispelled the rumors because the only thing they want to bring on the table is a different kind of entertainment. Surely, there's going to be a niche market they could cater to because yes, there's MORE space for men in entertainment.

If you want them in your events, you can contact their management via their FB page (just search Magic Voyz on Facebook) or call Viva Artists Agency at 0917-840-35-22. Just go ahead and give them a call.

Bad Life Choices: ALAPAAP Now Out on VIVAMAX App

Today is a good time to head on to your VIVAMAX app to watch ALAPAAP. It's a pretty disturbing film, probably would ruffle a lot of feathers as it's a little unconventional; yet very interesting. This is directed by Fredrich Macapagal Cortez, a protege of legendary Brillante MA Mendoza (as he's worked under a different capacity for 7 years) who's also producing this film.  

It delves into the lives of college friends, some who are into film making. To finish their studies, had to make a documentary as requirement. They decided to do a documentary, a tribe from a remote province. It wouldn't be that easy as they're no ordinary bunch of guys and gals. Let's just say it's all about bad parenting, vices, urges and alcohol ultimately taking over their usual lives. They're a pretty rough bunch and it won't be too long til they meet mishaps along the way. 

You'll get to see the role of Josef Elizalde who plays Erik Bengzon being a lot problematic. He's in his own world, pretty much feeling invincible but later on receives the ugly truth of his actions. Aside from that, Ali Asistio who plays Orius Plana will make you think if he's a good friend or a a bad influence. He looks like a goody two shoes at first, then an evil doer, and makes matters worse. Katrina Dovey, Andrea Garcia, Chesca Paredes, Alona Navarro provide chameleon like characters wherein the audience begin to see horrid changes as they take in intoxicating drinks or substances. They even took it to the mountains (visiting natives) and lived to regret every second of it. The lone London based guy Luke Selby had some of the press screening the movie at the edge of their seats as he contributed what he could do in the acting department. Albeit foreign, he fit right in like a glove. He was in conversation, yet clueless, you'll have to fish out reasons how he ended up in group sessions as with the other cast members. 

 

I asked how this would be different from a Brillante Mendoza directorial work, and Fredrich Macapagal Cortez told us about his cinematography background that would take this into more of his style. This is quite easy to understand once you get to see the closeup shots (especially the eye, skin and sunlight scenes) which you'll see if you stream this project. This is also exclusively going to be released through the VIVAMAX app so download it if you want to see the movie. Subscription fees are also affordable, so you have a chance to see it all. Aside from that, the cast also told us about how detractors shouldn't look at their work differently. Listen in to what we talked about after the screening, I love how frank Andrea Garcia answers questions:

If this piqued your interest and want to know how it ends, go watch ALAPAAP scheduled to be released today November 18 on the VIVAMAX app.

Get Obsessed with "The Influencer" on VIVAMAX

In this day and age, you’ve probably seen an influencer strut their stuff on social media channels. It’s a shortcut to stardom for some, while others use it for other things.

Yexel is an influencer, one that has a dysfunctional family, living quite a fake life. He goes out with friends, some to spend the night with. But in one of these parties, he meets Nina... one that would change his life.

Yexel becomes a kid in a candy store initially. When he’s with her, he takes on Nina like a ravaging hungry testosterone filled maniac who doesn’t want to be far from her... that's til she mentions how she wants to become more serious, but Yexel obviously wasn’t into that.

Unbeknownst to Yexel, Nina has her own secrets. Yes, the film will be really packed with lots of scenes that VIVAMAX is known for (almost half of the scenes will be like that). It’ll get really really overboard once Nina starts taking out her real personality and all hell breaks loose.

This script is interestingly written, at the helm of Quinn Carillo I'd liken her style to be of Quentin Tarantino, she doesn't mind how much shock factor her story is and it's something that you'll look forward with her work. Albeit this is the first time Direk Louie Ignacio is tackling this genre, it was well executed and done realistically, researched well.

You will be a little exhausted at the end of this movie, feel how they'll be trying to connect what's happening in some of the darkest sides of the influencers they got these stories from; because Direk Louie says, this is something that they wanted to show, something so real that they wouldn't be defending much on the story line of "The Influencer" which comes out on August 12th.

We've seen Sean De Guzman in his other projects, but this by far will impress you even more. Cloe Barreto sits even crazier, when you think she's done that in her past films, this will put her in an even higher form. You'll take her as the woman who's going to be seriously insane, and it'll be a good thing.

You can download VIVAMAX on the App Store, Google Play or the Huawei App Store too. They have subscription plans that you can save a lot from if you get the longer subscription time. See how you too can become OBSESSED with it and other shows on the platform. This is produced by 3:16 Media Network, Mentorque Productions and is exclusively shown on the VIVAMAX app.

Not for the faint of heart, not for kids either!

Feisty Femme Scenes Seen on Brillante Mendoza's PALITAN

Man meets woman, fall in love, get married, have children, that seems to be the norm. A few nights ago, we had the chance to see Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza's latest film "PALITAN" under Viva Films, meant to be shown on their platform VIVAMAX.

The film stars GMA's Luis Hontiveros, Rash Flores, Cara Gonzales and Jela Cuenca. It talks about marriage, its intricacies, and why one should know the one you're marrying. Brillante did this Girls Love themed film with subtlety, you can feel the need for shock value at first then give you reasons why you would root for the ladies that wanted to be together. It fits on the premise that it'll never work because of societal issues you would face, including religion, and their own existing relationships.

The ladies Cara Gonzales and Jela Cuenca did not hold back on their scenes as they needed to to fill a void of not seeing each other for years. They kept the feelings, understood the hunger which is why I called this film pretty feisty. Luis and Rash on the other hand are your hetero male dose that don't even need to over act machismo, they're ones that could convey confusion, friendship, lust and disappointment in several acts. You will be taken to their place, understand why they would react that way and in some instances, feel what they feel in the movie. 

A Brillante Mendoza work of course had a sense of reality. Think of it as something that Filipinos won't be talking about on a regular day as it also showed hetero, femme, and group scenes that tells their gender, social construct, no matter what their biological assignment tells them to do. As you may probably know, this would be for a matured audience. They're already thinking of putting this as an entry into LGBT themed festivals as it's pretty late to do so for some of the festivals Brillante Mendoza has joined already. It's also a really nice place to showcase the caliber of Viva artists who are part of this film, at a very international and artsy caliber. Needless to say, I'm impressed with this latest Brillante Mendoza masterpiece and he's slated to do three this year and a couple more next year (a lot in the pipeline) but they're generally mum about it til it happens.

This film will start streaming on the VIVAMAX app come December 10 so make sure you download it off Google Play or the App Store and subscribe to watch a lot of other movies from their library and this film called PALITAN. Here's part of the presscon we had with them prior to screening.

 Congratulations to Direk Brillante MA Mendoza, Viva Films and VivaMax because you've got a really bravely depicted movie in your hands with this one!

The Erotica-Thriller Called ADAN

I was a bit shocked to tell you honestly when I saw their trailer play during a premiere night of one of the films I watched about a week ago. Why you ask? It’s because it felt erotic, a little more matured than the usual, which made others a bit startled and uncomfortable in the cinema. ALIUD Entertainment + ImaginePerSecond and Viva Films is apparently banking on this project with lead stars Cindy Miranda (Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2013) and Rhen Escaño in a showcase of love, lust and lies with the movie called ADAN. It’s an erotic thriller.

Director Roman Perez Jr. and Yam Laranas have been working on this for a few months now. Direk Yam says “More than just the usual stories, we went with love. This is not cliche, we did what we wanted to do and we are so thankful to Viva and Aliud for trusting us. The loyalty is to the film.”

Direk Perez on the other hand says “The answer is simple, do you need an ADAN in a relationship? In love? Or could it be just a representation of heart? The two women would be here, without a male figure, and these are women who dictate the story. Is there a need for a man in their lives? It’s a story of love, to do what they do for it.”

Cindy says “We didn’t show anything not tasteful, but you will understand what we have shown when you watch the film. Come back to us if you feel violated because this is classy, it’s not a bold movie. We want to tell a story. We really had to be in the mountains, I am lucky I am single, I also am trusted by my parents, I think they would be proud and I hope they watch it during the premiere night. This is the new genre, the one with sense, the one with the story. It’s about love and you won’t see or feel bad about it, we didn’t even need additional takes or worry after each take. We would be surprised about the standards of people, we can’t teach people how to love, you just feel it. The experience of doing this is not even awkward, I love Ellen and Marian. Our limitations as people, we went over it.”

Rhen adds “This is for the sake of art. You have to be ready physically and emotionally. Cover shots already required us so much so we did give it all. It was a long process, tons of sessions, before we got here to shoot the film. Walls, issues, they are too high and nobody could understand it. We want to let them know, for them to feel that their story talks about ordinary people who chose to love even as lesbians or any gender/preference. It just so happen it is just about women, but it is about love.”

The film again is under ALIUD Entertainment + ImaginePerSecond and Viva Films and will show November 20, 2019. I suggest wether you’re straight, lgbt+ or anything you can think of, watch it because they’re so proud of this latest project.

BOTEJYU Opens One Bonifacio High Street Mall Branch

I was invited to a luncheon a couple weeks ago but didn't get there because of travel schedules. One of my favorite joints called Botejyu owned and operated by Viva International Food and Restaurants Inc. (same mother company with Viva Films) just opened up shop at the 3rd floor of One Bonifacio High Street Mall in Taguig. 

Honestly, I didn't know the mall existed til now, but it sits right across the Mango boutique in Shangrila Fort Bonifacio along 5th Avenue. 

Botejyu is an Okonomiyaki and Okosoba specialty restaurant from Japan. In a nutshell, the name comes from the Japanese impression of how the Okonomiyaki pancake sounds as they flip it on the teppan or steel plate and how it sizzles til it gets crispy outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Their menu is filled with different versions of it but what tickled my fancy during this visit were a couple of things. Of course there will be Okonomiyaki, but take a look at this.

Their Grape Shake wasn't overly sweet, it was just right and might be a good accompaniment for the savory dishes that were about to come to the table. I could taste the tannin of the red grapes they used for this drink, so it is legit. Very refreshing!

The Bacon and Cheese Okosoba was already halved when it reached me. This is an Okonomiyaki with a filling of soba noodles, bacon and cheese inside. As you may prolly imagine, this is a good representation of east meets west because you get the firm springy noodles with the smoky flavor of bacon and melted cheese. Who doesn't love cheese eh? This is good for sharing, around 3-4.

The Pork Cutlet with Egg Rice Bowl was filling. You get white rice, breaded pork with sauce and a serving of fresh salad on the same bowl. If you're a big guy like me this would be good for one but if you don't eat that much rice, go ahead and share as their servings are a bit large. This is one of 4 donburi varieties so order this if you want a rice meal today.

My personal favorite is the Takoyaki All Star! It's firm outer shell and soft interior are what Takoyaki dreams are made of. You can also treat this as a sampler because each piece has a different sauce on top of it. Although I was looking forward to the original Takoyaki, this was a welcome surprise and I loved it!

This one's called Kyoto Paitan Ramen. They serve the chicken pieces separately so that when you do decide to eat, you can just drop it off the bowl and enjoy. It's a bit on the salty side and the ramen likens egg noodles. It is also served with half boiled tamago and springs of onion leeks. If it's raining hard outside this could warm you up in a jiffy. It is rich in collagen too, so you get skin nourished while you eat, imagine that!

This is their Mochi and Gouda Cheese Okonomiyaki. The name alone would make you salivate as it is served hot with soft melted mochi pieces and cheese inside the fluffy scrambled egg. I suggest you finish this fast because it wouldn't feel the same if it's already cold for obvious reasons. I like this the most amongst their various Okonomiyakis.

Do not order one or the other, order both! These chocolate and milk pudding is just so good on so many levels, you need to treat yourself every once in a while anyway!

For matcha lovers, try the Matcha Ice Cream in this store. Ruth loved this so much she finished it in a few minutes LOL!

If you want something fancy to end your lunch or dinner, try the Honey Toast with Brown Sugar Syrup and Creamy Kinako. The crunchy toasted bread topped with vanilla ice cream, brown sugar and Kinako syrup makes you appreciate the existence of sugar in your life. Everything is better when you share so please do!

Now for people in BGC and nearby Makati and Taguig, if you're in the area and want a more filling but comforting Japanese meal, make sure you visit Botejyu at the 3rd floor of One Bonifacio High Street Mall and enjoy these dishes. Their dishes cost around 300-400 pesos so bring around 1,500 for two people (if you have a date please order dessert). This is the new Asian comfort food you are looking for, I have always dined at their Vertis North Branch on Sundays and I vouch for their service and good food. 

They're worth it.

Get Ready for Viva’s ABAY BABES

If you had one choice, who would it be?

Jade, Emerald, Ruby, Perla and Goldie, names that you would hopefully remember as they get immortalized in this film called ABAY BABES. This is Viva Films hottest offering this year as they take a fun story of friendship, betrayal, romance and love as they prepare for the grand wedding of their friend, but where’s the groom?

The movie stars Natalie Heart, Meg Imperial, Christine Reyes, Kylie Verzosa and Roxanne Barcello. This started all with a childhood promise of being there for each other. After a few years, one of them (Roxanne Barcelo) was getting married to a guy she met online. She never met him in person yet, so they thought it was just a pretend wedding. This caused a lot of rifts between them, will that promise of being in each of their weddings come true?

Kyline says “I am a nun here, prim and proper, I accepted this because it’s not risky, I can show the opposite character of my previous movie.”

Meg adds “I had to do research with my butch friends because I had to play a lesbian/trans man.”

Roxanne says “We had a talk, we also did a workshop with John Lapus so it was pretty good to do that and practice comic timing. Right now I am not with anyone, I am enjoying my time with family, friends and work, I am very much present and enjoy this freedom.”

Christine says “I had to do a lot of projects on TV both on ABSCBN and GMA, doing drama too much may have associated me with that drama but no, I am actually a comedienne, I feel it’s natural and people poke fun at me and I get back at them easily. I find it fun to do that.”

Natalie says “It was only Christine who knew the whole time that I was pregnant while we were doing this movie. I only didn’t tell them so that they wouldn’t really treat me differently. And really I was just cray, I was temperamental because I was with hormones, tired and sleepless and had to juggle myself between projects.”

Will this just tear them apart? Will the lies, envy, pain all wear them down and finish this friendship? That’s what you should find out.

KUMAGCOW

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5 Reasons To Watch BuyBust

You've all heard it from people who had one way or the other have watched BuyBust - from advanced screenings or the premier night. Imagine how much time, blood, sweat and tears have gone into making this movie starring an ensemble case and Showtime mainstay Anne Curtis. Today, August 1 is it's official public release. Before that, let me share a couple of things you would need to know before watching the film.

1. YOU ARE THIRSTY - The only action flick most pinoys probably are having right now is that Coco Martin show on TV. Making action films cost a lot. This one costs 1.6 Million US Dollars (at least according to their side comments during the presscon). Most of the money went to building the set, marketing and putting this on a Hollywood fit. This is going to be shown also in other countries.

2. IT HAS FLAWS - It’s not a perfect movie, you still see new paint and construction even from the back row. It’s dirt and grime that actually make this feel realistic. The movie is tiring, you’ll be at the edge of your seats sometimes, but this makes it all exciting. You’ll be in one situation, then the next, then another, and that makes you feel the rush. It will make you feel involved while they shoot guns, fight, throw bombs at each other and be ultra claustrophobic.

3. BRANDON VERA - This guy is one of the reasons you should watch this film. He’s hard as a rock, you’ll feel every kick he does in this movie (especially that woman he kicked through the side). Although there were a few “should have been shot again moments” like the tight place where he should have been throwing punches with women (but he ends up just swishing them all), he was just too big for everyone. I love when he means to really kick and punch people, it bleeds authenticity. It's like seeing a whole log hitting the little old frail body of a woman, not even joking.

4. ANNE CURTIS - Truth be told I was skeptic with her doing the action scenes, but this woman really delivered. There may be sequences where you may feel she just needed to do more, but think about it, she’s a lady doing action scenes which isn’t a norm in the Philippines. If this is a start for her, I would want to see her do more of this very very soon. She’s damn pretty in close ups, and outstanding in much of the choreographed stuff so don’t blink when she’s hopping from one roof to the other.

Erik Matti says "We didn't know how to actually finish this film in February but we did. When the rights to the film was bought in the US we just had to finish it, and I am thankful we finished this masterpiece. I think we wouldn't have finished this if we didn't get someone as physical as Anne, because of her stamina she can run, climb up, fall off of it, it's not easy but this is by far the most difficult one to shoot just for Anne but imagine the others under the rain everyday. Working with Viva and Reality Entertainment, I got what I want and have the trust of my actors. I rewrote the film as we were doing it, it was fun and they knew why they had to do it. We had no divas, we have Marawi soldiers also in the film, so we are honoring them."

Anne Curtis says "It took us to finish 57 shots to do a three minute scene, we had to rehearse 5 days before that. I never thought of even quitting, I was frustrated to do scenes because they get delayed with their moves. I went to showtime with bruises and wounds, I also got punched in the face by a man. I didn't want to cry, even without the camera, I cried later on though I had so much fun. Erwan took care of me when I went home, he saw how much effort I put in on this. This took two years of our lives to shoot, we brought our best to the table every day. I hope people would get to see that."

Arjo Atayde says "My role here is a secret, it's a supporting role (Erik Matti interjects and says you wouldn't know when he's there and you'll see that happen)."

5. THEY OVERDELIVER - You want action, they give you action, a rollercoaster of emotions, liters upon liters of blood (hence the R16 rating), tons of gun powder, drama, oh and ALEX CALLEJA.

Wooh! I survived without telling you a spoiler! Now go to your favorite movie house and watch BUYBUST. Worth every penny to at least make you excited over a Filipino film, it’s been ages.

Trust me on ALEX CALLEJA.

KUMAGCOW
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Viva Films Outs Jacqueline Comes Home

A usual Filipino family who hailed from Cebu, living a normal life - and suffers a shocking crime, one that would cause loss of lives. This is the Chiong Family story, based on real life events that happened in 1997, who's daughters got murdered as told by the victim's mother, Madame Thelma Chiong. This movie is called Jacqueline Comes Home.

Donnalyn says "This has been made with the storyline of the interview with the victims mother so you are going to see and hear the Mother's side of the story. I  am not going to be showing skin, because these are normal teens we are talking about. They are also born of very conservative families. Happy to note there are no accidents, even if I didn't want any limitations as long as it's shown nicely on screen. Ryan Eigenmann was also very careful because it's my first time, re enacting it was so traumatic so imagine what it would have been for the real victim. People really have to be careful and have chaperone all the time. Your parents should still know where you are going, tell them our whereabouts so they don't have to worry. This film should have been shown later this year, but I didn't know they would show it the same month as my other film with Ella Cruz. I am glad I got to work with Meg, she's a very nice person. If this would happen now, I wouldn't want death for them, perhaps just suffer years in prison as they need to also be liable for their actions."

Meg adds "I am a little cultured in rape scenes so it was quite easy for me, the only difference perhaps is making it still viewable by an R-13 audience. Direk made sure to take care of the scenes. I even ask them to make it more intense so I could also feel the pain, I said that a few times to the rapists because they were very careful with us. This is a nice thing for teens to watch so they would be careful about meeting people in social media. If this happens now, I would love to see this be on trial, in a fair setting, a good justice system."

Jacqueline will be portrayed by Meg Imperial and Donnalyn Bartolome will play Marijoy, whilst Joel Torre (Dionisio) and Alma Moreno (Thelma) will be their parents in this film directed by Ysabelle Peach Caparas, daughter of famed director Carlo J. Caparas who also assisted her in this film. According to the mother, these teens have been abducted, tortured, raped and killed. They will also show how they strived for justice all these years, in the hopes of finding the culprit, the murderers of daughters.

This movie will be seen on July 18, 2018 in cinemas nationwide. This is produced by Viva Films. 

KUMAGCOW

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Give CRY NO FEAR a Chance

Donnalyn Bartolome, Ella Cruz and Director Richard Sommes

It’s been a week or so since Cry No Fear was shown in cinemas. I watched it together with a couple of bloggers during their premier night. Viva artists came in throngs and celebrity friends supported them dearly. Honestly I expected that I wouldn’t enjoy this film because I don’t really watch horror flicks. They did surprise me - as this runs more on the sexy, coming of age, suspense genre rather than just plain horror. It would be worthy to watch especially if you are a fan of Donnalyn Bartolome and Ella Cruz as you’ll see them unfold their sexy side. Not even joking.

Supportive love team Julian Trono

I like the chases, I like the action sequences and the little to no bloody shots, but would have wanted more than that. The ending wasn’t too impressive too as parts of it weren’t realistic. It would have been better to keep the highs still high and perhaps ended it with that rather than forcibly connecting the start of the story.

Donnalyn and Ellla

Donnalyn and Ella used to be in cute roles, this would maybe start them in more mature ones because it felt like that.

 

 

Would I recommend it, perhaps for the fans. Give it a chance though because it is still fun.

Cry No Fear is still showing in select theaters, this is produced by Viva Films.

KUMAGCOW

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