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.
I bake, I cook, I eat a lot and sometimes, you just have to have that sweet end to a meal right?
I distinctly remember preparing all our salads and desserts. Back then, we had to tear up huge bars of gulaman, have it boiled then cooled. It was an arduous process, but now, it's way easier! Imagine doing these tasks in every fiesta, birthday, holiday and more, our families enjoy them the most, especially the kids.
They also join me prepare things, sort of a bonding activity. I feed them while they help me. The difference is, Mr. Hat Gulaman made it easier to do. All they need to do is choose a flavor, mix it according to package directions or customize when needed. They also have unflavored ones so if the baking meant you need to invent one, it would be easy!
Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to form. Your bakes and desserts would taste special, you can use the different flavors to enhance your dishes further... that's how convenient they made it.
Best of all, it's made from actual premium seaweed so there's no fear of it having harmful ingredients, those birthday parties and celebrations would certainly be a great venue to showcase your food, be the star of the show!
Here's some recipes you can try:
Coconut Gulaman Coolers, prep squares, mix it with cream, coconut, then drink and chow it all down.
Summer Mango Gulaman needs the Mango flavored sliced to squares. You can opt for the unflavored ones to make it less sweeter. Use real mangoes so you get that sweet-tangy end for dessert. It'll be amazing!
Almond Lychee Jelly, where as the name suggests, you can mix the unflavored one with almond flavoring. Add chopped canned lychees and lightly mix, it'll be a refreshing one.
Vanilla Milkshake with Gulaman, just blitz Milk, vanilla, Vanilla Ice Cream and drop any flavored gulaman of your choosing, you can have one hit summer drink and prepare it right at home. All good, and easy!
Check out this commercial so you get an idea how to make it.
No matter what occasion, make it even more special with Mr. Hat Gulaman. Because if you're craving for it, they say #NasaHatKoYan. You may visit their website seanlucinc.com for recipes, or follow their social channels too.
In this day and age, people in the Philippines often do not get work in places across the country. To find a better life for them and their families, Filipinos venture out at sea and become seafarers. It's not easy to be away from family and remain in the deep blue ocean for weeks, months, some even years. Some fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who wouldn't bat an eyelash to not give them what's due them especially if they need government help, or lawyers to protect their rights (maritime or others) even if they are not in the country.
They need help, and this is where GOLD Foundation and maritime organizations come in. They just announced a concert for a cause called ALON Pagibig, Pangarap at Pagasa, slated this June 28th 6pm at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. This is headlined by one of the most popular bands in the country BEN&BEN, talented singer John Mark Saga and lovely female PPOP Group CALISTA.
Seafarer Cecilia Giron tells us about her experience at work and says "This is a very humbling type of work, I was a bit hesitant at first, but I was able to perform the job. When I went home, I was so thin and didn't encourage me to go back . 13 years in a cruise ship, and a few years more, fooled by our love story, but I didn't want to end my dream. I had to work for my daughter, and later asked to do the same work now. It only took 5 months to finish it."
Jebsen Gamido an awareness advocate in the maritime sector told us about those experiencing not just abuse, but even mental health concerns for those who are working on ships. There are tons of seafarers who are in the same shoes and hopefully it will also be highlighted at the ALON concert.
Cadet Jerimy Orquiza shared how he didn't want to become a seafarer, but since he worked in a maritime school, he was inspired about their stories and got interested with their lives, even if it means being away from their families so they could provide for their loved ones.
Marville Espagob of ISWAN shared how he had a great career, but it was hard for him mentally. The ALON concert is intended to help folks like him, and he will have a chance to talk about it in the show. They provide free helplines to understand them and their stories."
Ms. Lala Tolentino of The Mission to Seafarers adds "There has been no event that is like this to remind ourselves of love, welfare and hope. We support the family and seafarers around the world, no matter what the nationality, race or trust. We are recognizing them, they carry 90 percent of what you are wearing today. They are hidden workers, unseen, and this will make them be on the spotlight. Because they want to help their families, they set aside personal happiness because no matter what it seems, they deserve our recognition. The benefit concert will go to fund the mission for the seafarers and their families."
Gelo Ruiz who's directing the concert says "ALON will be a tribute born out of love. There are about 3 Million out there, and this is very personal for me because I am a son of a seafarer. This will be about their Stories, their Advocacies, and how we have better lives with their sacrifice. We are making ways to inspire people, and our program contains Ben&Ben, Kelvin Miranda, Calista, and John Mark Saga who will sing for one night. Every artist have their own story, it gives people hope. Calista will also showcase women empowerment with their numbers, and John Mark has real seafarer family members. We hope you get to support us on June 28th!"
Expecting a whopping 7000 attendees, they are still looking for partners, you may reach them on their social channels and email too. Tickets available at ticket2me.net and it will be held at the Ninoy Aquino stadium in Manila. Make sure you bring along your seafarer family members, friends and everyone.
John Mark Saga is a seafarer's son and says even the poster tells a lot about growing up without his father on his side. He got to pursue his dreams because of his father's sacrifice which he wasn't able to do in the past.
Calista says "It's an honor to be part of this big movement about seafarers and their families, it's a responsibility to represent the women and we have been advocating empowerment even those who are on board. With ALON, and our music, we hope it touches hearts for those who work in the industry. We will support them, and their dreams as seafarers too."
Calista had their concert years back to help frontliners and medical professionals, this time they're doing it for seafarers which is a very noble thing to do.
It's an important advocacy, for the seafarers and their families. If you want to do the same, go support them in the concert. Tickets will surely sell out fast because concerts like this cost more on a normal day. They plan to give the proceeds to organizations that help seafarers with legal, medical and mental needs. Get tickets via Ticket2Me.net and watch the event at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium because it's going to be one fun night!
The Intramuros Administration, Department of Tourism, The Philippine Travel Agencies Association together with The Runway Atelier just held THE GRAND SANTACRUZAN at the Intramuros grounds today starting from Foro de Intramuros (in front of San Agustin Church) going to Puerto Real Gardens in Manila.
The event was participated by Runway Atelier's models and artists, donning specially designed gowns to commemorate history and the Catholic faith. This is a yearly tradition for Filipinos to showcase its religious significance when Santa Elena tried to look for the holy cross. There will be models and escorts coming from The Runway Atelier participating in the procession, and it was so nice seeing them dressed in their gorgeous garbs and outfits, depicting iconic characters from scriptures. Last year (2024) THE GRAND SANTACRUZAN Reyna Elena was Karylle Tatlonghari and Rosa Mystica was her equally gorgeous Mom Zsazsa Padilla.
Folks were at the venue as early as 3pm, and the crowd was a mix of foreign tourists, locals, people from the church, and relatives of those who were participating in the Santacruzan, They also walked around the Intramuros grounds and converged at the Puerta Real Gardens at the eastern part of the walled city. Faces did light up when they saw other participants, and it was so nice to see them wear their very detailed gowns, and suits for the consortes that evening.
They gave special awards to Nazalea Vicera, Trixie Mariscotes. The Best Dressed Awards went to Marian Angeles, Anne Marie Tolentino, Criselle Ava Geronimo and Alynna Orfanel. Mr Photogenic Awards went to Ardie Matsada and Migs Casimiro. Ms Photogenic went to Zoe Shi and Lizzie Aguinaldo. The Crowd Favorite Award went to Rhianna Altos and Theodore Salgado. Mikael Collin also won Best Escort. Then they announced the Best in Arc Awards. 3rd Place went to Mikay Barruiz, 2nd Place was won by Alyanna Orphanel, and 1st Place went to Rhianna Alto and Theodore Salgado.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants of this grand event. I heard there will be more things happening this month, make sure you follow The Runway Atelier social channels as they post events there regularly.
