JOROSS GAMBOA and SAM COLOSO Joins BARANGAY SINGKO PANALO

Just left TV5 Novaliches studios this afternoon after meeting with Direk Percy Intalan and the cast of Comedy/Gag-Gameshow "Barangay Singko Panalo" which is currently in their first month on the Kapatid Network. Currently, it is being hosted by Jerald Napoles and Kayla Rivera (who plays Kags Je and SK K), and since it's a Barangay setup, Direk Percy told us how this all will evolve with new and fun characters. They announced this afternoon the addition of Joross Gamboa and Sam Coloso.

Joross has already been in several shows and hit movies, his comedic timing would certainly fit in what they wanted to do with this show. He plays Kagawad Jo, a guy who just came back from a seminar from Baguio. Kag Je and J will surely bring more funny antics in between games and skits in the show. Sam Coloso on the other hand is like an Energizer bunny, she's super hyper and fun which would be so good for the contestants of the show. She's going to make sure that every single person on set will get the same endorphins she produces to get encouraged in the challenges they whip out everyday on the show. 

Jerald says "We have new things to share with you today. This is also a sitcom so you get to know the cast as it goes. A bigger cast means bigger collaborations, there will be more ideas. Actually, we don't really talk to each other (he kids), we easily pickup things, it's like we're not working on set. Expect our banter with contestants to become even more interesting. This is a fun experience, we don't try to make things technical, and I hope people feel that in the show. Filipinos are looking for that format."

Kayla adds "I'm excited to share with you that we are growing even more in the show. There will be a few people joining us in the Barangay and I hope you are as excited as I am in welcoming them in Barangay Singko Panalo. In a Barangay there are so many members and so far, in our taped episodes the energy is over the top and I'm so happy our family is getting bigger."

Here's the video we shot during the press conference!

Joross was quite happy and said "There's a transition happening in my life, starting in this show, I'll be a politician. I'll give you envelopes later but it doesn't have anything on it, so just put something there.. God Bless! (He kids). You will not see a game repeated, you will also hear stories from contestants, and even if it's like playing games in streets, it's going to be fun!"

To add to the fun, they also introduced Bob Jibailey who plays the Vulcanizing Shop owner who plays Boogie. He's a pretty cool guy. There's also a former writer who initially was just working behind the camera but they encouraged him to join the cast. He now plays the role of Kap AL, his last name is Moranas, so go figure! He was so thankful for the production as he becomes a part of the show.

It's quite fun to know that they will be doong different games everyday (runs from Monday to Friday). Contestants are auditioned, from the public, and they stand to win over 100 thousand pesos in the Jackpot round. The things they do are quite easy, physical, and can be done in Filipino parties of every kind. This is directed by Rich Illustre and they make sure every episode is something you should look out for. This will be shown every weekday at 5:30pn before Frontline Pilipinas. This is also part of TodoMax Primetime Singko. Make sure you follow their social channels for more updates, they want to make sure the TV audience would go back watching TV again which I think is noble. 

Wouldn't you want to join the fun at Barangay Singko Panalo?!

BIG NIGHT: A Feisty, Funny Entry for the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival

It’s been a while since Direk Jun Lana came out with a film but this one produced by Cignal Entertainment, IdeaFirst Company, October Train Films and Quantum Films would certainly ruffle feathers as the topic delves on the governments drug war that cost so many lives. It would be interesting to see how they would be able to tell a story about it especially when this topic in particular is very pointed politically. Watched it a few days ago in Gateway Mall as part of the press screening, you could say it’s a dark dramedy. With award winning actor Christian Bables on the lead role, it made the gay spin effective; and put the point across without people realizing how serious this is. This is also their official entry for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

BIG NIGHT usually is coined from the events that gay bars in this part of the world do when they let it all out. It’s the evening where they make all the grand production numbers and let hell hath fury when it comes to adult entertainment/male pageants. This is where Christian’s character “Dharna” also works as his partner Zeus played by Nico Antonio joins these pageants as he dreams to win some day. Dharna also works in the beauty industry (owns a shack salon) but has unfortunately found himself reported in a "watch list". That entails being hunted down or killed, even if he isn’t involved in it. This starts the quest to clear his name, a chase that might prove lethal as he's seen a couple downed just because they're on it. He needed to hurry though because chances are, he could be next. Here, he hopes to live another day. The story also involves a lot of interesting characters, an ensemble of actors with the likes of Eugene Domingo, Gina Alajar, Ms. Janice de Belen, Ricky Davao, Ms. Gina Pareño, Nico Antonio, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Martin del Rosario, Awra Briguela, my friend VJ Mendoza, Cedrick Juan, Ogie Diaz, Ms. Sue Prado. and best actor John Arcilla.

Christian says “When I watched this, I thought it wasn’t me. The work we do with the director and co actors are different, it changes you to become the other person, and I think that’s why this is good! I had a hard time doing the ambulance scene physically, I think I lost 5 pounds (he kids). If I win awards for this I’d gladly accept it, but whatever happens I’m already happy that you didn’t see me as Christian but just Dharna on screen.”

Direk Jun Lana took us on a ride, bringing real scenes of poverty, family, religion, community, corruption, society and heartbreak. This movie made me feel very sad, to see how things could be, to make something so evil become just a norm. He put it out there for us to discuss, the interpretation is left to the ones who watches it. The musical scoring in different scenes will haunt you a bit, effective and makes you feel like it was you involved in the scene. John Arcilla’s scenes is on another dimension, it was crazy and unusual, and Christian’s reaction to that was gold (you'll know more about it if you watch the movie!).

Miss Janice adds “People need to see other people go out in the streets, in malls and watch movies again. It’s okay but of course with proper protocols, we need to learn to live with this and try to live normally.”

Perci Intalan, Atty. Joji Alonzo, Isabelle Santillan was also in the screening. Miss Isabelle says “We’re very excited about the film because this is the first time Cignal is sending an entry for the MMFF.”

Atty Joji says “Jun and Perci asked me to co produce this and I hope you like this, if not please be kind.” she jokes.

Perci says “Thank you to everyone, to our partners, this was a passion project in 2019 and we were able to produce it during lockdown. Please, spread the word!”

Here are excerpts of the interview we had with them right after the screening, enjoy! 

 

BIG NIGHT is part of the Metro Manila Film Festival, and according to Direk Jun there will be a sequel. I’d love to see that, because this movie just begs for more. It’s organic, funny, and you get what they’re doing the scenes itself because it's so relatable, it talks about what is happening in current Philippine society. I remember Direk Jun mentioned that this may not be fully understood by foreign audiences because this was made for FILIPINOS. Also, there would be several scenes that would be Easter egg moments for you, and they left it to your interpretation. I'd love to see this again during MMFF and see how audiences would react to it. I sincerely loved how they presented the message, and I won't expect less because this is a Jun Lana film. It makes you want to talk about it, and it makes you think.

See you on theaters this MMFF 2021!

Championing Viewers: CIGNAL TV and TV5

If you haven't felt it, heard or seen it, you'll be surprised how Cignal TV and TV5 did these huge business model changes in the past few years. They've started to work with independent producers and talent agencies which made a pretty good impact since it lowers production costs for the channel, but not shortchange artistry, entertainment value and talent which Filipinos rightfully deserve.

For those who don't know, they've worked with huge entertainment companies like VIVA Entertainment, IdeaFirst Company, Cornerstone Entertainment, Brightlight Productions, Archangel Media and Regal Entertainment. And if you haven't seen it yet, episodes of ABSCBN's highly rated shows like Coco Martin's "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano", the Jodi Iza Sam starrer "Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin", then the Paulo Avelino, Zanjoe Marudo, Arci Muñoz and Angelica Panganiban show "Walang Hanggang Paalam" and the recent reality show Pinoy Big Brother Connect which had its finale a few days ago.

Not only that, Brightlight Productions also produced Korina Sanchez' Rated Korina, the Ian Veneracion and Dimples Romana romcom "Oh My Dad!" and the jampacked fun and innovative show "Lunch Out Loud". Viva Entertainment on the other hand brought to the table "Born to Be A Star", "Puto", "Republika Origins", "Ninja Kids", "1000 Heartbeats: Pintig Pinoy", "The Wall Philippines" and recent KDrama adaptation "Encounter" with Diego Loyzaga and Cristine Reyes. They also did Masked Singer Pilipinas, Ghost Adventures, Bella Bandida, Kagat ng Dilim and Onstage which had their really good runs in the evenings. They did good. My favorite people from IdeaFirst Company also did "Paano Ang Pasko?" and "Paano Ang Pangako?" which was done by Direk Jun Robles Lana (script), Director Enrico Quizon, Ricky Davao and Perci Intalan.

Cornerstone Entertainment did "I Got You", "Stay-In Love" and "Sunday Noontime Live!" plus Gretchen Ho's very own show Woman In Action and home grown TV5 News Programs Frontline Pilipinas and The Big Story which she's a mainstay. Archangel Media did the Paolo Ballesteros and Wally Bayola hosted Bawal na Game Show (which I had the chance to join a few months ago). They also did Fill in the Bank with Jose Manalo and Pokwang which is still doing good til now. Regal Entertainment Inc is doing their 10th year of content via One Screen Channel on Cignal TV, and they're still doing more in the coming months.

What's good is that we all know who's winning here, the viewers. For all these years, TV5 and Cignal TV managed to still bring everyone a piece of good programming in the midst of a pandemic. That's a lot of people working there just to bring you these things in 2021. 

I can't wait to see more!