Several Actors Shine on GMA's "PULANG ARAW"

I've been trying so hard to keep mum about this series, I'm talking about GMA's biggest series yet, "Pulang Araw".

See, I think I've heard about it a few years ago and thought that it was going to be shelved. I'm so glad to be proven wrong today as it does the world TV premiere, right after it's launch through Netflix a couple weeks ago. 

When I heard of the story, I really felt how quite promising it would be. Delving in history, the war, the Japanese, and the personal/family complications... there's just a lot of things you can pull off from that. 

Here's a video of the red carpet event:

Then there's the artists portraying the role. Coming from the very successful "Maria Clara at Ibarra", GMA wants a continuation of the #BarDa pairing so they got David Licauco and Barbie Forteza in this show. Then a little about 10 years ago, they already told Alden Richards about it. This is also the first time he is being paired with Sanya Lopez, so there's a lot to see where their stories would go.

 

The first episode I could say had no SHORTCHANGING in the acting department. Since this is a backgrounder, the young versions of these four gigantic stars of GMA would take the spotlight. Aside from them, this is the time you'll notice how underrated RHIAN RAMOS is as she plays the mother of Barbie and Alden's characters (Adelina, Eduardo). Rhian Ramos as the mother of young Alden and Barbie is EXCEPTIONAL. She's feisty, didn't hold back raising arms for her son and daughter who got beat up, teased and bullied by other kids. She's a gem in this series albeit short-lived, it was enough to showcase who she IS as an actress. I'd give her a trophy today just for that, and I'm not even joking.

Aside from Rhian who stole the show (first episode), another person decided to tell us during the preview that he's a force to reckon with. His name is Aidan Veneracion, whom I often see in workshops under Ms. Ana Feleo (with or without reason, he comes voluntarily). Albeit new to the business as a Sparkle Teen, he's really outstanding in the first salvo. Another star is Cassy Lavarias who played the young Barbie Forteza. She has this innate charm to pull you in on her struggles. She cries like a legendary actress, but she's still a child... so imagine the things she can do in a few years. Heck, she'll give a lot of veterans a run for their money. She's that good. They could be the reason you'll love PULANG ARAW on the first episode, and  follow these individual stories through.

Here's the press conference on video, please enjoy!

 Here are some of the other stars to join the show!

See, this is not normal. I could just have seen the first episode to be just another episode, but no. PULANG ARAW deserves the attention NOW and in the next few episodes. The sweetness of relationships, friendships, and nationalism, mixed with the star power of the lead stars they've managed to put together in one show, how can you not love a story like this?! 

You need to watch the show, PULANG ARAW is now streaming on Netflix. The episodes will be out early in the platform, a few days before the one shown on TV and GMA subsidiaries. You don't need to deeply think about the story, you just have to have the heart to love it just like what they did to the people in their lives and this story. Imagine if it's going to be Alden, Barbie, David and Sanya's turn, they actually were phenomenal in the short instances they appeared in the first episode (Alden made the war scenes in the forest quite a visual feast!)

Make sure you watch it, because as far as I'm concerned, it's one WELL MADE series that deserves to be seen. It's realistic, excellent graphics (especially the planes during the war), funny in some places, and you'll love how.. in a way, shape or form, impress you even if you don't like it. It's that impressive!

Director Cathy Camarillo Served Needed "KILIG" in #BarDa Film THAT KIND OF LOVE

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco stars in new funny-romance film THAT KIND OF LOVE

 

(Photo by RandomRepublika's Kate Adajar)

 

After leaving the SM Cinemas during the "THAT KIND OF LOVE" Premiere Night, I felt quite relieved about how Director Catherine Camarillo made her recent films. After the well received "Chances Are: You and I" which stars Kelvin Miranda and Kira Ballinger, this new one probably had easier merits to execute because of the fact that this is the first film of Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. 

 

The pairing had remarkable success in their previous shows (ie Maria Clara at Ibarra, Maging Sino Ka Man), and putting out a film wouldn't be a walk in the park because it doesn't necessarily mean that if you are good on TV, it would be the same with box office returns; because they admit, the movie industry is still ailing in some way shape or form.

This one though, holds a lot of promise. It's way different than what Barbie and David have been doing on TV for sure, and Direk CC took time to execute Ellis Catrina's vision of not only establishing these new characters, but how they could fall in love with their individual quirks, and make people feel that KILIG from start to finish.

This is exactly what the film offers. It's got a bit of laughter, a bit of romance, plus a solid love story. I feel above all, it's a gift for the #BarDa fans out there. She plays a matchmaker, while David is "The Perfect Guy". They have different upbringing, they have different set of friends, their outlook in life is not the same. When David's character talked to Barbie in the movie, he wanted her to set him up for a date. He was perfect, but he wasn't quite successful in that department. They both had egos, and the story of how they eventually fell in love is what's going to make you interested in this movie.

Director Cathy Camarillo knows how to put things together. Her first one was good, this one is better. Although on a different spectrum, this just makes all the #BarDa wishes come true. Think of what you want the #BarDa to become, and it's probably in this movie. The experience watching it on the silver screen is lovely, I guess the darkness makes you enjoy it more because nobody could see if you are smiling on your own... or crying, so nobody would judge you. That's the perk you get watching it in a cinema. 

THAT KIND OF LOVE will show on theaters this coming July 10th. Barbie and David would love for you to see what they've been working on. It's a really good #BarDa project, go watch it without a care in the world. Feel that same "KILIG" Direk CC wants you to feel, it's meant to be like that.

This film is produced by Pocket Media Productions Inc., Pocket Media Films and Happy Infinite Productions Inc. It will also be released by Regal Entertainment nationwide. Thank you to Digital Out of Home Inc. for being part of this too, who made it possible for us to cover the event! Muchas gracias!

BARBIE FORTEZA and DAVID LICAUCO Wishes Box Office Success for "THAT KIND OF LOVE"

Looks like the quest of finding love will be easy when you watch this new movie called THAT KIND OF LOVE. This stars well loved pairing Barbie Forteza and David Licauco, popularly known as #BarDa. 

They've been really followed quite intensely during GMA series "Maria Clara at Ibarra", but this is the first time that they are doing a movie, under neophyte Pocket Media Productions Inc. The material was crafted by Ellis Catrina who has made this specifically for them. This is directed by Catherine O. Camarillo, who's first film under the same outfit "Chances are, You and I" was well received by critics for its very compelling story.

 

"That Kind of Love" will be featured  in Japan as a spotlight entry under the Jinseo Arigato International Festival. This will be held in Nagoya, Japan. While the local screening will start on July 10th which is a few weeks from now. They will also be doing a premiere night on July 4th, so make sure you go and support them (especially if you are a BarDa fan). Know that parts of the movie has been shot in South Korea. Both Barbie and David enjoyed doing scenes in Seoul where much of the shoot happened.

Barbie says "There were so many risks done in making this movie. There is pressure, much so because people are just starting to go back to cinemas. But I am confident about our project, our film, because who doesn't want to feel good? to fall in love? This is what we want to offer, and our goal is for you to fall in love with David once you go out of the theater."

David adds "We are pressured, but I know how good the material is. This is also directed by Direk CC. As long as we do our part in promoting the film, I know this will do good in the box office. I can control the things that I can do, so we just have to promote and help the movie."

People have already seen the trailer, and had really good feedback. The Director mentioned how this is not the work of one person, but a lot of people who did their best to make this movie what it is now. It's a quality film, and Barbie wants people to patronize the movie based on its merits, and because it is done excellently. She also hopes that Filipinos start watching Filipino made films first before they venture on watching other films from different countries. Here are parts of the press conference where we asked questions for Barbie, David, Ms. Arlene Mulach, Divine Aucina, Ivan Carapiet and Jef Gaitan who were there that afternoon. .

As of today, word has it that the fan base of both Barbie and David are arranging block screenings in different theaters nationwide. They are also asking Sparkle management for a little lee way in their schedules so they could attend the screenings as they happen.

I felt how happy Ms. Arlene was when she told the story of how kilig she got when she saw Barbie and David portrayed Mila and Adam. Will this perfect guy fall in love with the dating guru? Who knows! Best to watch it in cinemas when it goes out on the 10th!