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.

 

Xiaomi Launches New Phones, Does Fun Activities, Concerts at Redmi Note 13 Iconic Park

Fun activities, snacks, and showcase of phones happened last January 27 and 28 at Mall of Asia's SM By the Bay where phone brand Xiaomi put up the Redmi Note 13 Iconic Park. It was a way for them to experience the new phones physically in pop up booths they put up at the venue. They also had fun activities like pole catching, arcade machines, and even nachos for the crowd prior to the arrival of several celebrities that have used the new Redmi Note 13 series on the first day.

GMA's Gabbi Garcia (aside from being pretty) went on stage and joined content creators to explain each of the phones and talk about where and when they can use it in their daily life. Since they were all there, Xiaomi fans were also treated to a full blown concert in the evening with Kyle Echarri, JK Labajo and even the whole team ECHO who did good in MOBA games when they represented the country in international competitions. They also made use of the products capability to play games and talked about their personal experiences in using the new Redmi Note 13 series in scrims they did on their personal time.

Aside from the photo centric Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, they also had Darren Espanto do use the Redmi Watch 4 together with some Xiaomi fans in an indoor cycling event nearby. The phone and their other models are now availbale in online stores, Lazada, TikTok, Shopee and authorized Xiaomi shops nationwide!

If you want to know more, just visit their social channels and the Xiaomi Philippines Facebook page since they update it with the latest news about the brand and the new handsets.

Congratulations Xiaomi! Had so much fun that afternoon!

Music, Milk Tea and Gabbi Garcia at the “Panahon sa Taiwan” Event

Spent quite a few hours at Glorietta 2 Activity Center as the Taiwan Tourism Bureau gave Filipinos a taste of how it feels like in Taiwan these days. The folks treated us to a few song numbers courtesy of artist Unique Salonga in the afternoon while the folks got acquainted with the multitude of airline and tour operators offering the best flight deals, hotel and destination packages right on the spot.

This definitely spurred from the recent developments of giving visa free privileges to Filipinos, making it so easy to go to and from the country formerly known as Formosa. I was certainly even more excited about the street food that they have, the Lantern Festival, the sweet tangy pineapple cakes and one of the most tallest buildings in the world Taipei 101. 

 

They also got us to see Kapuso star and international endorser Gabbi Garcia, the official celebrity endorser who was just in Taiwan to experience Cherry Blossoms, Shopping and just about every food item she loves.

 

Gabbi was just ecstatic telling us about how patient and helpful people were during her trip, that even if you're a first time traveler, it wouldn't be difficult to actually take public transportation (she took the MRT), or eat on the streets, have some wonderful tea amidst the majestic views of the Taiwanese countryside. This is also the second time that they are holding "Panahon sa Taiwan" which was graced by Ambassador Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and Abe Chou Shih Pi who is the Taiwan Tourism Bureau KL Office Director.

Ticket promotions were available for Taiwan's China Airlines, STARLUX Airlines, our very own Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Some of the travel operators like Touristique Travel and Tours and Jeron Travel and Tours Corp. offered not just hotel and tour packages, but a meet and greet with Gabbi Garcia in Taiwan on some dates in March.

The event was hosted by Chuckie Dreyfus

Unique Salonga was quite a talented chap!

Here's what happened during the event on video, please enjoy!

 

Gabbi also participated in a DIY Milktea activity where she made her own drink in the venue courtesy of the folks from Tea Melody. They also announced that they will be getting her to appear in a meet and greet in National Taiwan Science Education Center on March 19 at 12PM for the Filipino and Taiwanese community. You may visit eng.taiwan.net.tw for more details about it. Else, you can also check facebook.com/tbrockl for updates since they post regularly there.

I guess it's time we do visit Taiwan! :)