Fear Something New With This Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero Starrer ESPANTAHO

When we heard Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo was participating in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, we were really excited about particular film she's doing; they call it "ESPANTAHO". The term actually means a "scarecrow", a thing that's pretty common in farmlands, especially in agricultural countries like ours.

It's been a while since she's done something like this, but it was promised to her by Director Chito Roño who called her for the project. Judy Ann says "It's been a while since I've worked with Direk Chito Roño. Before I was a young lady, but now I already have a daughter. I'm happy because when he called me for a horror film, I didn't say anything, just "let's do it!". This is a dream, I wanted to experience it, he's calmer now, but still has a mic when he does sarcastic lines. I'm not the one he's getting mad at these days, but when you do it with him, it is fulfilling!"

This film was prepped for a year before they got to make the script. When the writer Christ Martinez presented it, he got "good" feedback from Direk Chito, and things started rolling from that. Atty Joji remarks how this has been a collaborative experience for them, and since Direk Chito is a master Director, they wanted to make a great film with them during their 20th Anniversary. The only issues they encountered were mostly because of the weather, but they adjusted with the season to fit the story. 

JC Santos likened Direk Chito to his former theater mentors, because once he asks for one more shot, it means you would need to do better on the scene. If he says "next scene", that means you're good. Most of them nodded in agreement, and Direk Chito felt he was getting roasted during the press conference (they had a laugh about it). 

Here's the press conference on video, of course! I got you!

They let us in on a secret, that painting on the left side of the stage will play a significant part in the film so if you see this in any theaters they'll be showing ESPANTAHO, go take a photo with it!

Ms. Lorna Tolentino took time to talk about love, family and a few more things about the movie after the press conference, listen in to the conversation:

In a nutshell, you would need to watch this film because of the caliber of actors that are in it. Not to mention how big of a horror director Chito Roño is, and how he's come to embrace new technology, special effects, and face a new crowd of movie goers eager to see something new, as you introduce a brand new entity to fear because they don't know what lurks behind that painting that you base the story on.

Hope this forms a cult following, perhaps a sequel too! The film will show on December 25 together with other MMFF 2024 entries, but consider watching this first especially if you're a Judy Ann Santos Agoncillo fan. This is produced by Cineko Productions, Purple Bunny Productions and Quantum Films. They promise that this will be the scariest film you're about to see on MMFF 2024.

JUDY ANN SANTOS-AGONCILLO is BACK with The Diary of Mrs. Winters

We are extremely excited (as you are) hearing that the Queen of Primetime Drama Ms. Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is now in the process of filming an acting piece called "The Diary of Mrs. Winters" where she plays a "forensic cleaner" and OFW in Toronto, Canada. In the film she will be playing opposite good looking guy Sam Milby, who will be with her in the maple leaf laden state come last week of February to start filming. 

Judy Ann tells the media how she's been in the fence of doing this because she basically didn't want to be away from her family, something that also has stopped her from doing films and projects in the past. She's a mother and a wife above anything else, but got to talk to Ryan about it later on because she had a feeling she wants to do this because it's a Ricky Lee piece and will be directed by Rahyan Carlos (who does acting workshops for Star Magic and is certified to do the Chubbuck technique). This is a horror movie, and right up the director's alley, and he got to do the workshop with Judy Ann and Sam so he would be able to know more about each other before filming starts. Direk Rahyan is also part of Happy Karga Films and partner AMP Studios (Canada) which will be producing the movie.

 

Cast includes Issa Litton, Guji Lorenzana, Robbie Walche and FDCP Chair Liza Diño-Seguerra who will be marketing the film in the international film festivals

 

The Team Happy Karga Films and AMP Studios include Direk Rahyan Carlos and Chalen Lazerna (Standing L- R) Joy Mangilit- Tarce, Rechelle Everden and Patrick James Dooc

The cast and producers talked lengthily about this film being showcased in certain film festivals which they plan to do before having a theatrical release in the third or fourth quarter of this year. They say it's actually easier to have this released internationally because it's not comedy which would have more local context. So surely, there will be a chance for this project to get Judy Ann, Sam and the ensemble cast to win international awards which Liza Diño-Seguerra will be working on in the next few months. The computer graphics will also be done by Direk Rahyan Carlos' team which is the cream of the crop in the PH film scene, all of whom have worked in his past projects so you're sure this will be done right.

There will also be a couple of actors from Canada who will be joining the cast, and they've already scouted a few locations before filming. There will be a few of them already flying there in a week's time to make sure once Judy Ann, Sam and the cast lands, they start grinding.  

So here's a toast to the men and women behind this film! Congratulations and I hope to see the movie in cinemas soon!

Discounts and Promos as "Beko Sends Love This Christmas!"

I just had so much fun over at the BEKO event as they announce their plans this December when "Beko Sends Love This Christmas". They were so proud of having Judy Ann Santos as their first brand ambassador this year and surely, people trust her a lot, they're putting the cherry on top by giving various promos and activities to make sure you get special discounts and free home appliances from Beko, Europe's number one appliance brand.

Beko knows how Christmas is very important for Filipinos so this season, they're making sure those items on your Christmas wish list will be in stores this 2022. From freezers with MinFrost Technology, to Split Type Airconditioners that's got wifi connection and control, to HarvestFresh enabled refrigerators, and the new vacuum cleaners and washing machines, there's a perfect Beko model just for you!

With purchases made on Beko products, you can stand to win in raffle prizes like Fuel Cards or a Family Vacation to a Philippine destination like Coron, Boracay or Davao. 5 winners weekly will get free fuel cards worth 5 thousands pesos, I'm sure every person with a car would certainly appreciate. If you purchase 10-26K, you get 1 raffle ticket. If you buy more than 26K til 40K, you get 2 raffle entries for that. Anything above 40K will get 3 raffle tickets, make sure you register this via bekopromos.ph and read the fine print. Who wouldn't love that Beko love!

Trusted by homes in over 140 countries, Beko is just starting to make Filipino lives better. You may also see information about this on @bekoph social channels, make sure you follow them there too!

Congratulations Beko, you've done remarkably well in the last few years and have a lot of time ahead of you to grow in the Philippine market. Thank you to the nice people who included us in your celebration a few days ago, I can't wait to see how people will react with the few more appliances you plan to launch very soon!