Cignal Entertainment Does Showbiz Caravan: A Proper Thanksgiving and for Charity

Had a wonderful time talking to stars from Cignal/TV5 shows Sing Galing Kids, Sing Galing, Suntok Sa Buwan, Oh My Korona, Kalye Kweens, Now Zending, Reelverse and several other programs from the Kapatid network. They've been doing a showbiz caravan visiting several spots in Mega Manila to bring entertainment and thank everyone who supported their shows. Some of them are already ending, so it's an apt thing to do for those who contributed to their success. We talked to Zendee, Marimar, Ms. K Brosas, Jessy Salvador, Paulo Angeles and Pooh who also had a mall show later that day for the same purpose.

We talked about a lot of things including their experience about being on the show and working with other actors during the locked in taping and the pandemic. It's a pretty neat sight to get to know how they survived some of the most difficult circumstances like when Sing Galing was airing and Zendee had COVID-19. She was adamant to finish her work despite difficulty breathing, I was at awe on how she was able to do that. Here's our interview with her and Marimar that afternoon.

The Showbiz Caravan was pretty well received over at Starmall in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. They were there from November 17 to 19 to the delight of mall goers, shoppers and fans of the shows. They also did a portion where they get to sing with the stars and prizes went to a charity for the benefit of Kids of National Children’s Hospital and to a baby named Aaron who is a 7-year-old patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. That was certainly touching to see. 

 

Ms. K Brosas touched on a topic about Ms. Kris Aquino and how she was able to give her advise about accepting praises, and thanks as a celebrity. That part really made sense, and touching how their friendship has lasted all throughout these years.

 

 

Jessy Salvador (Maja Salvador's sister) talked lengthily about their show Oh My Korona which she says had her comedy acting chops tested during the whole show. She was glad Pooh was instrumental in making her better in the genre and hope she'll get to do drama shows in the future. Pooh on the other hand shared his experiences on working with his co-actors and how blessed he was despite the hardships of the pandemic, the lack of work, and how he was still blessed. Listen in!

Then on the other side of the venue, we got to talk to Paulo Angeles. Such a fine gentleman. Good looking, but never thought of himself as a matinee idol material. He often was playing a playful lad, partnered with different love interests, but wants a more dramatic role next time. Here's what we talked about during the press conference:

The finale episodes of Oh My Korona will air on November 26 while the grand finals of Sing Galing Kids and regulars will air on December 3 and 10 respectively. The Suntok Sa Buwan ending on the other hand will air on December 8th, while Kalye Kweens will end on Christmas eve. You can watch it on the date or re-runs if you use the Cignal Play app,. it's actually free so no need to burden yourself watching the shows especially for PH subscribers. Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you all! You've done good.

MARKKI STROEM Depicts Delivery Drag Queen in "My Delivery Gurl"

Markki Stroem seem to be on a roll because right after his thought provoking digital series, here goes another one in Cignal Play called My Delivery Gurl. Thing is, he's going to be in drag most of the time and since it's a lead role, he's going to do most of the talking. Think of it as Carrie Bradshaw in a Philippine setting and a drag persona, you'll love Bianca D. Cignal Play has been really active in putting content on the app and this is exciting because it's a little light, certainly entertaining, and quite a lot romantic.

Direk Carlo Catu says "This was formed because I was inspired with RuPaul's drag race. This aims to bring hope, to make you smile, so you can wake up the next day and feel good because you watched something nice. This shows the life of drag queens, that they are people who care for others, they have a life that needs to be in the spotlight, at the end of the day we are human beings who deserve to be loved and appreciated."

Markki says "Drag is a full art form, you have to wear a lot, hip pads, makeup, and heels. This gives individuals to men, gays, lesbian, to anyone, to wear anything and walk in them. I got to walk in Arab Fashion week doing this, so it really bore fruit when I practiced for this show. It's great that I am able to play the roles very well, I would be fine with character acting. If I be typecast, I'd be glad to, we need people to talk for the community and it's important to have people be proud to represent them. It started with heel training, I needed to walk and watched training videos, I even walk in Eastwood with it on, I also talked to drag queens and do this, understand the history, the laws, Paris is Burning, RPDR and more, it just means we have to learn to love each other. It's funny when I post things on my social channels, there's clearly internalized homophobia and prejudice not just with heteros, but even in the LGBTQ community. Bianca will have a love triangle, one who gets inlove with the masculine one, one that loves my feminine persona. This is really going to be amazing. You are all loved in all ways and forms, you can be femme if you want, masculine, a nice body, but still do drag, you can be whoever you want. If you love yourself and understand yourself, all these words should not affect you. Be you. I really don't know what Direk saw with me, but I think this is because I played queer in the past and I am a huge fan of understanding the whole spectrum. There are other colors of the rainbow, it's diverse, learning all of that shouldn't be feared. I walked in 7 inch heels and did it now, you would think that would impossible in the past. Owning it and how there is so much repression, you just have to love it. I wanna be a voice for the LGBTQ community, to love each other for who we are. I think I even identify as Demisexual, we just don't have to put each one of us in boxes. Bianca has different personalities... one day it's Madonna, next day it's Beyonce, body wise it's Cameron Michaels, comedy is Bianca Del Rio, Talent is Adore Delano. I also have Iyah Minah who taught me how to be a lady and walk that way. Soon, I want to be a drag queen with a trans man partner, you never really see that much on usual shows."

Rocky Salumbides who plays Jakoy says "You have to watch this to see what I'm doing. Respect should be given to those who deserve it, we shouldn't be looking at their appearances. We can't judge people, I learned a lot doing this film because it evolves. Give them what is due them. I was chosen for this role and through script reading. While direk was writing this, I think he already was thinking of me. The character I played is really based on the script, I didn't want to step on the toes of the creative, you don't really have to overthink this because it's a beautiful script."

Victor Basa plays Boss Sam "I am the owner of the delivery service where Bianca works, there's a lot of illegal things happening but it'll all make sense at the end of the day. Markki is one of the best actors I've worked with. I feel I was handpicked, because of who I am in real life. I feel that's why I was chosen for this role and character. It's a challenge because I came from a long hiatus in acting, I had to work with Markki here because he's supported us during the shoot. I don't know if we will have intimate scenes, it doesn't need to be physical, it's the feelings, there's clear attraction and I think you'll see some of this in the series."

 

Markki's character has also adopted kids, which serves as his immediate family in the film. EJ Panganiban plays Raver, Pipay Kipay is called Dyosa and Sky Teotico plays Joey Silver.

Pipay Kipay "This series doesn't have any challenge, I am so good here, it's a major one, it doesn't feel like work, it's like a vacation. I love this and it's very close to me, I didn't have to act, it was just me. We all know the pandemic brought out the worst and best in us, we got jailed at home for years, I think need to leave the fear to love, I realized that I'm beautiful, I am much more, I am more capable, I am looking forward to see everyone to be brave, bold, life is short to be just sad, it won't happy tomorrow, it's a process and that's where we'll be ourselves so be patient."

EJ Panganiban says "I learned from Rayver that it won't make you less of a man if you support others, you can love them, be with them. I was really shocked in my first day of shoot, but it's fun and I played along this good movie. It's one of the aspect that you will love with me, even with my putok and shortcomings, you'll still love your straight ally."

The movie also stars Madeleine Nicolas, Lui Manansala, Allison Piñeda, Brian Black, Andre Miguel, Carlos Dala, Liya Sarmiento, Kakki Teodoro, Juliana Parizcova Segovia, EJ Jallorina, Lady Gagita and Maria Christina. This is produced by Cignal Entertainment and Epic Media. This premiers January 1st on the Cignal Play app. Just download it, register, then upgrade fo premium so you can watch #MyDeliveryGurl. You can follow CignalPlay social channels for more updates about this show. Go treat yourself from something absolutely fun and romantic!

CIGNAL TV Honors Filipino Athletes in Stellar Olympic Campaign

The Filipino really did quite well during the Tokyo Olympic Games this 2020. We won the first Gold Medal and hauled two Silver medals and one bronze, making the country the top Southeast Asian country to get them even under the pandemic.

Cignal TV has been there all the way as it is the official Philippine partner for the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 and dubbed it as "We Are Stronger", a campaign that has showcased what we can do as we strive to be faster, higher and stronger. They're following it up with another campaign called "See Us Stronger" when they wrapped up coverages a couple weeks ago. Cignal TV also covered 2016 Rio Olympics and put it in Cignal TV, TV4 and OTT platforms through Smart and PLDT. Gretchen Ho and Paolo Del Rosario was also sent to Japan to cover them, while you remain glued to your screens.

Cignal TV, TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang says "It was a proud and defining experience for all of us, we are extremely honored to be part of it. We know a lot of Filipinos also downloaded the Cignal Play app for it and got united cheering for our athletes in their respective sports.  We remain commited to provide the best sports experience across the country, the best is yet to come!"

This is another feather to their hat, and undoubtedly a historic  event captured for our eyes, and for the Filipino viewers.