Mallari's PIOLO PASCUAL, JC SANTOS Might Bag MMFF 2023 Acting Awards

It's Christmas Day and what better way to enjoy it but by watching MMFF 2023 entries at SM North EDSA. The streets there were pretty weird as there was no traffic. I had a hunch that people may have not flocked to cinemas, and as soon as I alighted from the car, the mall was full to the brim.

The lines were crazy, there were people in the actual ticket booth (about 20), but right across was the actual line (because SM prepared seating for them) and it was almost 50-100 people, even more as the day progressed. For those who would want to watch movies, I would suggest you get tickets online so you don't have to line up.

I've watched a few entries already, but the recent good reviews about the film MALLARI just got me interested in seeing it. Piolo Pascual in the lead role was a given. I wouldn't want the reviews to influence me, but reading how they've described this as a technically excellent made film right at the get go, I had to be extra observant on how they executed it. His role was a little difficult because he had to play a Mallari from 3 different generations. One is from the Spanish times, the other would be in the 40's, and the modern one too. Piolo's ability to do the 3 different personas was something he had to really prepare for so watchers could differentiate them from the other. Aside from that, they had to also scare people in the theaters, and you'll get attempts right from the very beginning of the film. Piolo Pascual's character is pivotal. He's the anchor wherein much of the journey through time happens, but you have to watch out for several characters that are also going to be involved in the conflicts introduced in this film.

When the movie started, they stopped a few minutes in because PIOLO PASCUAL went in the actual theater!

 

It would be happy to note that JC Santos' performance here was just AMAZING. When you look at him throw lines and tremble in various scenes, you can feel him across the screen. We don't want to spoil things, but just look at him every time he's on frame as each little nuance and appearance would matter. Their story structure is interesting because you wouldn't have to be a scientist to know what would happen if they suddenly get their timelines intertwined. Yes, there will be time travel involved but unlike cars on Back 2 the Future, they had a special way of doing it. Aside from that, you'll have bouts of ghouls, monsters, and legendary beings from Filipino folklore. The story after all is based on real events, but mighty glad to see a rich interpretation of it.

It's not all horror, not all drama, it delves on family, revenge, the tendency to wreak fear with different kinds of people. They put this together quite nicely. I even felt proud seeing Warner Brothers in the opening credits, I'm sure they see something special in Mentorque's entry in MMFF 2023. Now it's your chance to see this in cinemas. Don't just stay at home and do nothing, grab your friends, your family and try MALLARI out for size.

There's a huge reason why it's getting sold out in cinemas yesterday. The story is interesting, and with Piolo and JC's superior performance, it'll be a tough one to battle out with the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. 

They might just get it.  

The film also stars Janella Salvador, Elisse Joson and Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. They will be great contenders as well.

Go watch them all!

Khalil Ramos and Elisse Joson for iWant’s Ampalaya Chronicles

Unrequited love is painful, but here goes Firestarters Production under the helm of Real Florido to tackle the story based on best selling author Mark Ghosn’s book called Ampalaya Monologues. This pilot episode is entitled ADIK written by Carlo Hornilla. It tells the life of hopeless romantic and poet named Carlo, and his muse cum long time crush Nina. This is played by Khalil Ramos and Elisse Joson. The episode is written by Florence Henzon.

In a way, this is very relatable for people who didn’t get the chance to show their love for someone. Spoken word poetry has been a very ingenious way to be an outlet, to foretell love with a play of words, which sometimes are effective, sometimes not. One thinks how he could just look from afar and hope he gets noticed by the lady he so admires, one who wants to also protect her from other guys, some situations he wouldn’t have any control over. He hopes his efforts would bear fruit, one day, someday. 

Khalil Ramos says “Good evening to everyone, I play Carlo here. It was important for me to study, at first the look and screen test, we already talked. We rehearsed this kind of poetry, it’s rhythm, it’s like rap and I had to do it right. The character is one of many, like people who want to profess love. Carlo is intimidated with Elisse, she is like the dream girl, out of his league, he went through a lot. It has so much to do with his identity, his purpose in life, he is very introverted, he has been bullied and has dealt with his friends and family a lot. Emotion wise, I have my own struggles, it is natural for most of us. For me it’s what I wanna do, about my future, I got it from there. I find myself looking at my own inner purpose, my relationships, my friends. I wouldn’t say I wanted to quit, it was just stressful and it will break you. Knowing yourself, I have had one sided love, in highschool I felt his frustrations. It was an immature love, heartbreak. I couldn’t tell you the story, I might spoil it for you so please watch it.”

Real says “Some of the performances you have seen a while ago will be put on screen. I came from trad broadcasting but understanding the generation involves producing for the new audience. TV as we know is changing, this is familiar, this is relatable, when we saw Ampalaya Monologues three years ago we planned this out and is now streaming. It is the hunger for new kind of entertainment, they have a different kind of thinking and it is so nice to see on the digital platform. The nice thing about this is when we pitched this to iWant, they gave us builds about family, a person’s journey, when we developed this we delved into problems, heartaches of the new generation and you have something to learn from it. There is value in pain. Generally the series is about the bitterness and pain, you wouldn’t experience love without it.”

Isiah Dela Cruz, Alex San Agustin, Henz, Mark Ghosn will also be in this episode. Real Florido has done a lot of remarkable films in the past, and having top caliber actors like Khalil and Elisse in this iWant digifilm, this would be another nice piece to watch. This is an iWant Anthology, a different show every week so stay tuned! 

Elisse Joson Officially Joins Vivo Family

Went to Market!Market! a couple weels ago for the launch of the latest handset from Vivo Philippines, the Vivo V9. With it's superb cameras that can take AI capable shots, it's definitely something that this generation should definitely consider if they want those selfies to remain perfect, amiable in every shot. 

The gorgeous Elisse Joson has always been seen in her social media channels - she definitely looks so adorable, lovely and very classy. Now I think this is the same reason why McCoy adores her, probably the same reason why Vivo Philippines said it's time to make Mclisse (yes the popular loveteam) a reality - and be together in supporting and endorsing popular smartphone brand Vivo.

The place was full to a brim with McLisse fans, Vivo executives and the media. Got a front seat so when the show started, I only used my Vivo V9 to take these shots, mind you they were a bit far but I'm still getting detailed photos, amazing!

A fashion show ensued and these good looking models showed us how to take selfies and use stickers to have extra fun with the Vivo V9. I think I got the hang of it.

Aside from the stickers, I also love the portrait mode of this phone because man, the bokeh is just awesome!

They announced Elisse Joson as their newest endorser, so that means they just united McLisse in Vivo. But there's something missing, he came in with flowers of course!

McLisse is now complete, and from what I've heard, they are both happy to be together in one smartphone company because they can now take selfies together. They used to refrain from doing it because Elisse wasn't signed up yet, but now they've got more reasons to keep memories using the lovely front and back cameras of the Vivo V9. 

They promise to go around the country in different cities to bring you closer to the brand and yes, the Vivo V9.

I love McLisse!

KUMAGCOW

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