It's been a couple of years of good career choices that got Sef Cadayona where he is today. The Kapuso actor and comedian has gotten renewed again in the network and GMA Artist Center, his management that he trusts especially about the projects he made. He's gone so far than just appearing in commercials with a 20 peso bill and now does iconic show Bubble Gang regularly, and Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kwento in the same network. He's seen as the next Michael V which he attributes a lot of what he learned from the craft of comedy, including TVJ which he had the chance to work with previously.
Sef says "Kuya Bitoy shows you the ropes but he allows you to do what you want to do. The boost of confidence was enormous. I have also worked with Bossing Vic and I've learned the humor of classics, it's still funny. Because he taught me timing. Never stop learning, I have to still improve on what I'm good at. They say I'll be surprised at what I can do."
True enough, he's already had several shows in his belt and plans to continue to do so in the next year. Sef trusts the network and his management, he's gotten to purchase an island of his own as he divulged in this interview.
His success stems from the hard work and passion he's put in on his craft and it's not surprising he has been able to support his family, a home and a lot of other things he need for the business. Imagine, he was just doing Starstruck a few years ago, and look at him now! That's talent right there, and GMA has him taken cared of.
Mikee Quintos just signed again with GMA Artist Center. With her powerful singing, acting prowess, she's made a lot of shows very interesting with her characters. What struck me most was the last one in The Lost Recipe because that one had so good story, editing, drone shots, the works! We also asked Mikee about her experience going into GMA grounds when she started, it was nice to reminisce about that. Then she also mentioned how she would want to work again with Kelvin Miranda, because honestly, they look good on screen.
Mikee says "When I first stepped in GMA, I felt right at home. Even if the building was intimidating, I didn't feel that at all. I want to work with Bea Alonzo, I feel I won't work with her, I'll just ride along because I have seen her work and I am fan girling. The experience here is self explanatory, I have my share of doubts because of bashers, but you know yourself more, that's important, do what you have to do. Don't carry the hate, that's heavy, just do what you can because that won't put food on the table. The biggest lessons I learned is to stay humble, that's what is important. My acting mentors have taught me a lot, when I'm on set, I speak the truth, wether comedy, drama, romcom, as long as you are true it will resonate. I would never forget their guidance. Kelvin and I have worked after the lost recipe, we talk about it, we hope we could do more because we just wish it happens. We pray for that, maybe if ever I'd try something simple, a romcom, a simple person with simple dreams, or maybe childhood friends who end up together, hopefully soon. It's so nice to feel how we went on the signing the first time, when I told them about it, they felt how I did feel that time. They know I trust them, it came with emotions of 6 years. I think I have grown a lot over the years, and I am so thankful for GMA for that."
Mikee is also in Pepito Manaloto, make sure you catch her there and every week on AOS. Congratulations dear! You're definitely going places!
Kapuso Kate Valdez has done so many shows already. Aside from iconic ones like Destiny Rose, Onanay and Encantadia, she's currently in Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kwento. She shared us her dreams to work with Alden one day, and a couple more plans she bared as she signed again with GMA Network and GMA Artist Center. Kate also said that she's so happy that she gets to work with the network's biggest actors, award winning ones and learn from them.
Kate says "Usually when I do VTR's I get really nervous, but when I stepped in GMA, I didn't feel anything like that, I felt right at home. I want to experience comedy next time I do a project, hopefully with Kuya Alden because I haven't had the chance to work with him. So far, I haven't had a comment that I'd be sad about, it was all encouragement. Somehow, it was me who always doubt myself, but so far, I've been blessed and happy that there are a lot of people who believe in me, they're the reason I exist now. With all the veteran actors that I worked with, it's always being humble that they teach me, that's what I do so I get to work more in GMA. I get inspired with experienced actors, and they are willing to guide us especially since I just started in the industry. I have work even during the pandemic, I thank GMA for that. I am still in stage when I doubt myself a bit, it's pressure, but now I think I have grown to a more matured actress, I have the courage to take on challenging roles and I am thankful for that. I am so grateful for GMA Network and our bosses, from giving so much amazing roles, they know I can do it and I have a lot of opportunities now that I have the chance to act. I am also blessed to be an inspiration to others."
Here's a video we made for our interview with her
Watch Kate Valdez on Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kwento and other shows she's planning to do in the future. She's raring to have these projects soon, and so thankful that GMA has given her these opportunities! Congratulations Kate!
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!
