Finalists for Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Bared

After the several successful series shown on The Puregold Channel, here goes one of the country's biggest supermarket chains championing Filipino films once again with the first ever Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. 

They have scoured the country for the most talented storytellers and picked over 31 finalists which they presented today at the Artson Events Place in Quezon City.

Ms. Ivy says "To everyone who's doing films, a pleasant morning. We are so proud to have you here today. The wonderful stories you sent now have faces with them. The festival is a platform for Puregold to make sure film will be passed on to generations to come. This goes beyond production, but igniting change and making dreams come true. We are your ally, to be part of the development of Filipino cinema. You are the stories of Puregold now and tomorrow."

Introduced to the press were Jenievive B. Adame who did "Smokey Journey" from STI College Cubao, Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo who made "Saan Ako Pinaglihi?" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Alexa Moneii Agaloos who made "Ka Benjie" also from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Kent Michael Cadungog who did "Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366" from the University of the Philippines, John Pistol L. Carmen of "Repeater si Peter" from Bicol University, Chrisha Eseo Cataag who did "Hallway Scholar" representing the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo, Patricia W. Dalluay who made "Lola, Lola, Paano ba 'Yan?" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Joanah Pearl Demonteverde who made "Kang Pagpuli Ko" from University of the Philippines - Visayas, Joshua Andrey A. Doce who did "I Am Mutya And I Thank You!" from Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology, Neil M. Espino "Sa Hindi Paghahangad from De La Salle Lipa, Terrence Gale Femandez "Kaibigan ko si Batman from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Daniel Gil who did "Distansya" from Ateneo de Davao University, Alexandra Lapid who did  "Queng Apag" from Mapua University, Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima who did "Till ni Lola" from University of San Carlos, Dizelle C. Masilungan who made "Kung Nag-aatubill" from the pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Jose Mikyl Medina who did "Lutong Bahay" from De La Salle University, Ronjay-C Mendiola of "Last Shift" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Mark Terence Molave who did "Paano po gumawa ng collage college?" also from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Jhunel Ruth A. Monterde who did "Si Mary May Crush Kay Tess" from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Doxford D. Perlas who did "Naduea Eoman Si Brownie (Brownie's Lost Again!)" from University of the Philippines - Visayas, Andrea S. Ponce of PUP - Sta. Mesa who made "Layag sa Pangarap", Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion who did "Dzai Dzai Dzai Delilah" from Mapúa Malayan Colleges in Laguna, John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito who did "Tambal nga Sabaw" from Far Eastern University, Tyrone Lean J. Taotao who made "Abandoned Lullabies" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa, Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon who made "May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?" from University of the Philippines - Visayas.

6 full length films are also included like Kurt Soberano's "Under the Piaya Moon", Eugene Torres' "One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All", Sigrid Bernardo's "Pushcart Tales", Raynier Brizuela's "Boys at the Back", Joel Ferrer's "Road to Happy" and Carlo Obispo's "A Lab Story". Puregold gave them 2.5M pesos each full length film as grants while 100 thousand pesos went to the short film entries.

These were chosen by film directors Jeffrey Jethurian and Victor Villanueva, Puregold Senior Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative, and Festival Director Chris Cahilig.

If you want to watch the films, the premiere will be done at the Gateway Cinemas from March 15 to 17. There will also be several regional screenings plus short films shown on The Puregold Channel on YT, their social channels FB and TikTok.

4th IMPACT Welcomes Fresh Start: Releases New Album

 

When I heard Mylene, Almira, Irene and Celina was out to release an album, my 4th IMPACT fan heart was so happy! After their successful stint in X FACTOR UK Season 12 which catapulted them to worldwide fame, they're still looking for that spark to start off their own, original music, and a journey made of the same dreams they started with years back. Th launch happened at SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City, The Philippines.

The album only has 5 songs, but well worth every minute it plays when you stream online or spin on CD where available. Singles include "Distorted", "All at Once", "Round and Round", "February", and "Hate That Girl".

In 2023, announcement of their departure from their previous management shocked a few, but instead of drowning in the past, the girls went down hard as independent artists and did all the legwork needed to make this happen. They spent time working with the best of the best in the industry, same people who made music for Jennifer Lopez, and popular KPOP artists. 

Although there were a lot of sad anecdotes and realizations mentioned in the press conference (where they all kept it real), they had each other, their Mom and Dad to make sure they wouldn't give up the dream to represent the country in the international music scene - and still get to where they want to be. Since the debut single has been released in the US last year, they want to test the waters with these songs and see what resonates more with their audience. This also personifies their deep perseverance, something they're mighty proud came naturally as sisters. Even their management of tasks felt like everyone was volunteering and fit their skills like a glove.

Here's our video coverage of the press conference this evening

They rightfully dedicated this new album to the DREAMERS (their fan group) as they made them realize how they made 4th IMPACT inspired all these years (instead of them being the inspiration). Their faith in the 4 ladies made them hold on to that dream no matter what hardships they encounter.

I liked that in the end, Irene told the press how they knew that this isn't a continuation of what they've been doing in the past, but a true start because as far as artists are concerned, they definitely deserve to have that opportunity. They're hard working, still think about folks, and each other. They've been in so many roads, taken lots of detours, but is still hungry to be where they deserve to be. 

Up there, with the stars!

HONOR Opens SM Center Angono Experience Store

Headed out east at SM Center Angono in Rizal this afternoon. Top phone brand HONOR is opening their newest experience store which soft opened last October in this side of the metro.

This is at the level 2 of SM Center Angono's Cyberzone, and consequently, the claiming of the viral HONOR X9b 5G phone for those who pre-ordered is today too. Lines have been really long because this particular model is their toughest phone to date. People have pre-ordered last week and got freebies of Honor gift packages that contain an umbrella, a portable fan, and an earphone from the same brand. That's over 4000++ pesos worth of free stuff just because they ordered from HONOR ahead of the pack!

During the store event, executives from Honor, their PR and Marketing people also joined in the festivities and gave away a brand new HONOR X9b 5G unit through games too!

So if you are looking for a new phone, go visit HONOR authorized stores nationwide and get yourself the new HONOR X9b 5G. Love it like the ones from HONOR's SM Center Angono branch :)

Sofia Copolla Masterpiece PRISCILLA To Be Shown in PH Theaters on the 31st!

Just got out of the cinemas this evening after watching Priscilla, the movie starring Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny. This centered on the life and love of Priscilla and the iconic entertainer/actor Elvis Presley. Set in West Germany, she gets invited to be in their home for a party, which started it all.

She was very young, but it was an Elvis appearance (heck he always get the girls from the start), they got close and she daydreamed about him all the time. 

This setup would have been shunned in 2024 (hello cancel culture and grooming), and I bet it would have been worse if people knew about it during those days too. They talked much about what life was like in the US. He dreamed and missed Graceland, talked lengthily what it was like to go back there. He's grown a bit homesick after being stationed for years in Germany. Priscilla then became smitten.

So was he.

After a few months, Elvis went back to the US and she thought that was the end of the relationship. A call came one day, and arrangements were made to have her flown to home soil... and she stayed with him for quite some time to finish her studies.

Life looked perfect, but one could see how their lifestyle was certainly different. While they were together, life was laid with substance abuse and Vegas fun. It felt like no one could stop them.

Then came reality. The popularity, the stardom, the differences, the time away, the women, the continued abuse, being controlling, which started questions about living in it. Is love really enough? Is she really living the dream or is she living a lie?!

Yes, her life would have been a dream for a lot of women. On the surface, it certainly looked like it was good. In reality, there were a lot of things that didn't feel quite normal. If you were in her shoes, you would ask if it was still worth being together. Her journey, their relationship, her desires, this will all be told in-depth in the movie.

This is a soft burn, written and directed by the award winning Sofia Copolla. This will be shown in theaters come January 31st nationwide and is released in the Philippines by CreaZion Studios Inc. (same people who got The Childe which stars Kim Seon-Ho and When Evil Lurks in 2023) represented by their EVP Real Florido. You may follow their social channels by searching CreaZion Studios or visit their official website creazionstudios.com for more about this.

For fans of the rock and roll icon Elvis, Priscilla and Liza Marie, you would definitely want to see this with fresh eyes as this will be in the point of view of the wife. The 60's and 70's was certainly different, totally americana... and I experienced that in Priscilla. Make sure you watch it!