An Actor's Actor: KHALIL RAMOS Wins Best Actor Award for Olsen's Day

Saying Khalil Ramos is on a roll is an understatement this first quarter of 2025. For starters, he was given the Puregold Cinepanalo Film festival's BEST ACTOR award for the film Olsen's Day, a film directed by JP Habac (who also won as the Best Director). I've had the the impression of him being an "actor's actor", someone who's been able to do it successfully.  

His stellar filmography, unquestionable knack for doing acting pieces, have taken the nod of film critics. The chance to talk to him today was certainly, an opportunity to pick his brain a little. He was capable, even impressed us by the way he answered questions. It felt he was on his toes the whole time, very eloquent, albeit being a semi-introvert.  

Winning this award doesn't mean he's going to be picky, he's always about the script, about the craft, and when asked, he didn't even expect this at all. He says "I don't think about it being a competition at all, even though it is a festival. This was something very personal for the Director JP Habac, and it's a big thing to be trusted with this kind of material. I felt my duties as an actor became bigger because of it. You want to tell this story the way he wanted it to. The process had to be more open when we made Olsen's Day. I was already happy that Direk JP was happy about my performance, but during the awards night, a few of us were only there. We were there to celebrate with everyone. Then I won, and even Direk JP Habac won too, so we were just ecstatic. This goes to show that when you pour your heart into the story, a lot of people would connect and relate to it." 

Rest certainly is a luxury for both Khalil and Gabbi. Khalil was working on three platforms at the same time. Aside from Olsen's Day, he was doing a Neflix series called "How to Cheat Death" with Gabbi, and "One Hit Wonder" with Sue Ramirez on the same platform. He's also in the 9 Works Theatrical production of "Liwanag Sa Dilim" as Elesi, a very interesting character trying to find his roots. He felt it was 2023 all over again because yes, he did a lot tooo during those times in different mediums.

He feels energized as an artist that he could do all these roles, working with different people, saying he loves what he's doing, tired but definitely fulfilled in artistry and passion. Here's our interview with him this afternoon:

If he feels he resonates with the character and the script, he would do it no matter how big or small the production is. If he likes the story, that gets precedence over other things. His schedule is super packed for sure that he had to decline a few opportunities, that's the only time he needs to decide.  He was doing three characters in one week (in January), which was crazy but did it by studying characters individually saying "At a certain point, you have to be as real as possible in your pursuit with the film. Sometimes your body doesn't know you're already doing it. You're commanding it, and your body just follows. If it's tired, then you've got to pull other tricks in the bag to finish it. I need to find another technique to be more effective. Your co actors especially in Liwanag Sa Dilim will influence your performance, and they've all been a breeze to work with."

 Khalil is still in "Liwanag Sa Dilim" at the RCBC theater til April 13th, and watch out for "How to Cheat Death" on Netfilx this April 2. "One Hit Wonder" will premiere around May. Khalil is just starting, I bet he's bound for more accolades with Olsen's Day as they plan to also put it in streaming platforms soon.

 

UNINVITED Throws Biggest MMFF Entry Launch with NADINE LUSTRE, VILMA SANTOS and AGA MULACH

If there's something to tell about this movie aside the stars, it's the sheer scale of it. This is HUGE, and I couldn't wrap my head around why they've done it this way, but with Nadine Lustre, Ms. Vilma Santos and Aga Mulach in the cast, this kind of welcome is needed for their movie UNINVITED.

It was grand, it was fitting, because the story involved a Filipino billionaire. The story is also very dark as depicted on the trailer they released. This is going to be an acting piece for the three lead actors and honestly, I wouldn't want to be a juror for MMFF 2024 because from the looks of it, they'll be having a headache with first, having actresses with phenomenal awards battle it out for Best Actress. Two, seeing Aga do evil roles, something unlike his very sunny personality. That's just the tip of the iceberg though.

They revealed the official poster at the start of the event!

This is the huge stage, have I used huge a lot in this article? Yes I know.

Ms. Vilma Santos told the media "There's nobody else, no other name to play his role, it was only Aga Mulach. When he called me, he only asked if I'd accept the project, asked if it was true, and I immediately told him to accept it because otherwise, I'd be returning the candles for being Ninang to him and Charlene Gonzales. I wanted him to accept it so I could beat him up (she kids). When I head also that Nadine agreed with the project, I was already asking for shooting dates, with all honesty, I was mostly excited about it. Then I learned the huge cast that will also be with us, even if I felt bad in several shooting days, I knew I had to go through with it because I was with them all. I am inspired and in love with them."
 
Aga quipped "People were asking me why I'd be calling her, and they didn't know we often talk like that because we're really that close. The only question I asked was if she was game to do it, she didn't even had to talk more because I've been waiting for it the whole time. I'm just so happy this happened. It comes in threes, and out of the stuff we did, I'm very proud of this one! I'm quite excited too. When I heard Nadine was in the cast, I thought she was going to be a love interest, but production told me she will be my daughter (he kids), I was relieved!"

Nadine divulged a few things about her character and said "About similarities, I think we're polar opposites. Nicole is kind of extreme, she's rich, she does all the bad things, she's a foul mouth, she's got lots of hatred towards her father and the situation. I on the other hand am a more chill person, and the relationship I have with my father isn't the same either. The only thing I think that is similar is that we're both feisty. Our scenes are very heavy, but Kuya Aga does these adlibs that are not on script and we laugh about it after the scenes. But it feels different when you are working with a person of his caliber. Our scenes are going to be triggering, his personality is totally different in real life."

Here's the rest of the press conference on video:

Producer Bryan Dy responded to my question about being so passionate doing HUGE projects like these and he said "I'm actually very fortunate to be in this position. This is the part that you would never have to hold back, because with this kind of cast and story, if we let go of the chance, we probably wouldn't have something like this happen in our lifetime. One reason is, going to cinemas actually is expensive, so you want to really make sure that every peso cinema goers spend is worth it. With this cast, with the people working behind the camera, we think they're the best and we believe the Filipinos deserve it. And, we're not yet done, we're just starting! It is a dream project, and I've seen Ms. Vilma Santos in different roles when I was growing up, she didn't act on this film, she was more of a collaborator. She is very important for the entire film because she was assisting all the actors, they don't even go home anymore even if their scenes were done because they stayed to make sure this film has something to give. This is important and fulfilling for me. All our earnings from past projects, we rolled over here and even gave more. We're sure that we won't disappoint you with this film."

If the stars won't be the sole reason to see this film, you've got the story, the production value, and the anticipation of how great actors do it on screen should. 

Can't wait to see it in December!

ARJO ATAYDE Taking Strides with Feelmaking Productions, Inc.

What makes a film great? A good story? A stellar line of stars? Special effects? It could be one of those, but the most heavily awarded ones and praised by critics are those that are simple, films that depict life that is raw and unfiltered. There are tons of stories of this nature that need to be told. This is what Arjo Atayde's Feelmaking Productions, Inc. (FPI) want to do. He collaborated with famed TV Director Avel Sunpongco and Ad pro Marj So to make films that could impact people's lives so we could talk about those that are relevant and touch on real social issues.

Arjo says "After years of being in the TV and film industry, I just felt that I could do more. It was at this time that I realized I had to do something, to tell the stories worth telling and put Filipino filmmaking on a different level. It's time we do things differently and adapt to changing times and tastes of the viewing public. There's a different way to tell the Filipino story that can be accepted around the world. We'll try to do that, it's what we're here for!"

FPI also believes by keeping their workplace and film locations happy, everyone would find joy at work and come up with the best quality. It was done during their first project "Hey, Joe" which was shot in Baguio City. Together with Arjo was decorated actors Joel Torre, Eric Quizon and Mon Confiado. They also had Dumbo, Nikko Natividad, Gillian Vicencio, Iana Bermudez, Manuel Chua, Yamyam Gucong, Jobert Austria, Donna Cariaga, Chamyto Aguedan and Alexa Miro as part of the cast. Arjo's gorgeous sister Ria Atayde is also included and will have a special participation on this project.

Arjo says "With FPI and our partners, we are keen to create quality films that would be at par with international standards." Hopefully, we would be able to see this on movie houses (following protocols, when it's safe!), or digital platforms that could bring the titles they're raring to churn out around the world so we could showcase our artistry in this medium. If you want to know more about Feelmaking Productions Inc. and Arjo's other projects, follow @feelmakingprodinc on IG or search the name of the production on Facebook because they're there!

And I think, that's just the first step! You'll hear more about these films very soon!