Erich Gonzales Comes with iWantTFC Original Series La Vida Lena

Rumors about this new show surfaced a couple months ago, and when they released the trailers, I was like, finally, there's a new Erich Gonzales led series. It's called LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series and will start to stream this November!

Erich says "When this was offered to me, it was initially titled Magdalena, I got hooked by the story because it is very challenging. Direk Jerry and Direk Jojo made it easier for me. This is not the first time I have worked with JC, but first time in a teleserye, also with Kit and Carlo. They are very professional and we help each other when we work. Well to be honest, aside from the swab tests we did before and after a location, we do facemasks, shield, locked in, they are very strict in working hours so we have enough rest for everyone. It is new, but we are well adjusted. We work from 8am to 8PM, and we do work as it is, regardless of locked in or not we can work professionally. I said yes immmediately to this because I know there would be a lot of people that would have work, when they approached me, I could feel how thankful they are, and that is priceless. I just had to recharge and do something else before I went into doing this new show."


Direk Jojo Saguin says "The most challenging part is just getting locked in, and you have to do everything in time and you are only given 12 hours to shoot. What's the difference? This is different story wise. It is centered on love and revenge, and it is challenging to Erich as an actress, and they have been able to deliver."


Direk Jerry Sineneng adds "This is a different setup, but it is good to work with seasoned actors and blend together their strengths making sure they don't overlap with their roles. I do get nervous at times, they deliver, so you have to choose wisely how to mix that all because they are good actors. "

Ms. Agot adds "I favor doing this kind of taping, we know the schedules, we have to finish everything in 12 hours and you can't be lounging around if you're on set. The cast and crew, we didn't force the closeness, we were just isolated and we felt now we can share each other's meals because we had to be together if we wanted it or not. It was such a fun group!"

 

Carlo Aquino says, "I am more patient now, I don't rush things.In the past I was always like that, having a baby taught me these things. I feel it made me more patient. Yes, when I saw my baby, I immediately knew that I am going to work for my family. I spend time with them, especially since she just turned 2 months, I always talk to her and I do cherish it now that she is still a baby, I'm afraid she will change her appearance when I get back from work and isolation."

JC de Vera says "I try to dedicate my 100% during this pandemic, I memorize things that I wasn't able to do when I was a kid, I play with my baby, even ask her to do household chores and that bonding doesn't stop. I always am there for my kid even on locked in taping, it made us closer because we understand the importance of being far away from family. I don't give that attention to others, just them at times."

Again, LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series will be streaming this November! Download the app and subscribe to see lovely Erich all over again!

Carlo Aquino Preps for Liwanag in Concert

Carlo Aquino is stretching his vocal chords this morning for another concert at the Music Museum. We were there during Matteo and his concert which was very successful, so this is really a good time to do another one. 

Carlo shares how he feels and says “Excited and thankful because this is real. It was once just talked about, there will be some numbers where I will be playing a guitar, maybe dance too. It is going to be a journey where I loved music, I might be singing old songs, it depends on Sir Louie if he can fit it in. I want some really new songs, Ben and Ben, stuff like that. I started with my Dad, he loves music and also sings. Beatles, old Karaoke hits, bands, so when I was a teenager it was doubly hard because I was a lefty. I usually write songs when I am sad so I gave a lot on my list but I hope we get 2 or 3 of them in the concert. I was also asked about doing a remake on Rico Blanco song, so I chose 2 of them, I ended up getting approval for one which is “Balisong” and I will have to thank him personally, very soon. I hope I could rehearse now, when you mention it I am already shaking. Right now I wish I could rehearse early, we will be meeting soon to finalize things. I have inputs because this is my journey, I have several albums and I hope I get a lot of my material there. We are trying to get guests but it depends on their availability. My second single is Balisong, a Soldier’s Heart has been in the trade launch last week, maybe Bagman season 2 for iWant. I have a lot on my plate. I hope I could get my cousin here, my parents too. Everyday is a good day and I am thankful for times I wake up, I only think of gratitude. I have a happy family, happy heart, I don’t mind the bashers, there’s a lot of love out there and you have so many reasons to be happy for. I am always in love! I am in love with life, I am inlove with work. You may go ahead and agree with it. August 31 at the Music Museum, I hope you guys be there and tell your friends about my birthday concert.” 

His director adds “I called it Liwanag so you can see him, in a new light, I hope that’s exactly what you will see in the concert.” 

This is produced by Hills and Dreams Concepts Co. For tickets you may get it from Ticketworld at 8919999 or 09777819540 (Hills and Dreams) or at the Music Museum ticketron 721 06 35. 

So there! 

ULAN : A Weird and Haunting Love Story

ULAN is a new movie produced by Viva and Hooq. It’s their first venture to movie production, but definitely not the last. This movie is well made, let’s get that out of the way. Pinoys have this little known saying that the reason it rains even if it’s sunny is that there’s a pair of “Tikbalang” getting married. A “Tikbalang” is a mythical creature, half man, half horse. Though the general reason for the tale is that even the heavens cannot stop LOVE from happening. 

Jennifer from Hooq says “HOOQ has been here since 2015 and this is our first Hooq original to be theatrically released. We have a fabulous partnership with Viva and we have other films with Nadine in our system. We will be seeing one of it tonight.” 

She had relationships, fell hard on most of them, found another one, wanted to become hopeful about love and try to be at it again. She learned lessons, finding herself in the same situation, falls with the Prince Charming, then does it again anyway. Then came along a not so perfect guy, who read her stories, found it engaging. This street smart guy may be the next guy to love, but it’s told doing common everyday things. Then flashbacks have really weird interpretations, you’ll stop and be poking fun, but that part I really appreciate because it’s artsy. Albeit not really boyfriend and girlfriend in real life, Carlo Aquino and Nadine Lustre can get you in their relationship, be involved in it and make you invested in it. Then they will surprise you with a twist. You’ll hate him for it. 

Nadine Lustre surprised us at the advanced screening of her movie ULAN at the Podium Directors Club

Carlo is indeed a great actor, so is that young Maya in the film. Nadine is the perfect story teller, you’ll be hopeful for her plight all throughout the movie. Will she succeed in finding love she deserves? Or will the heavens be a hindrance? 

You should watch this film in Cinemas nationwide starting March 13. Hooq and Viva really did good. They should make more of these stories.