Celebrating 10 Years: "JUAN KARLOS LIVE" at the Mall of Asia Arena this November 29th

I distinctly remember being seated beside this good looking lad at a concert in Mall of Asia Arena a couple of years ago. Even back then, he's one of the most adored artists of his generation, and I could reckon how he was at awe of how it must have been like performing on stage especially at this big venue. This year marks his 10th year in the industry and with all the pieces falling into place, it's the right time to hold his very own concert. They call it "JUAN KARLOS LIVE", happening this November 29 at the same venue.

JK says "I'm excited, but nervous, but I'm working with amazing and talented people so I'm concentrating on audio and visual aspect of the concert. Nathan Studios is working on a lot of things. I never think of it too much, it was never really set as a goal to perform in big stages, it was more of contentment wherever I perform. I think it's just the people I work with that makes it worth it. I have a song called KALAWAKAN, which is a nice song, but haven't performed it on stage yet just like a few collabs I've done in the past. Sometimes I forget it, but imagining performing those songs just have that cool aspect."

He adds "I don't think anyone could be ready for something like this, but Tita Ibyang (Sylvia Sanchez) told me not to think of what to perform, because this is for the fans that supported me all these years. It's something that I have to do for the people who believe in me, it is the direction I felt was right. With that, I just said "oo nga ano", it is for them. I'm trying to balance selfishness and selflessness, to try to balance the flow of the show that I'm just there to perform rather that complicate it. It will be intimate, a jam session, it will be an experience, no lessons, but the feeling of being in that capsule to be able to relate to those songs, and the life we went through all these years. I just feel like yesterday I was a bisaya that was just playing on stage by coach Bamboo, not taking things seriously when I was in Voice Kids as a bonding moment. I never dreamt any of these things, now here we are because of that one decision I made to please my Mom. For some reason, it was something she wanted, it made us happy. It's beautiful because I've been through a lot to be able to get to where I am now. To reflect on that, and be in this moment, it's beautiful. I am lucky and blessed to be surrounded by people who believe in me."

 

For him it was a no brainier for Nathan Studios to produce this because Ms. Sylvia was a mother figure. She was the one who pushed the concert even if the decision was made. He just said yes to it. JK also discussed his relationship with his Lola, the one who pushed him to achieve things. One that didn't talk too much, but is part of who he is. He says the things she does is cute, and he's happy she is witnessing this.

JK also lamented how he used to watch concerts, and believes how he should be a consumer before becoming a performer. He felt he was able to get a perspective of what he should see to enjoy a concert, and now that he is doing this, he is finding solace in creating songs that the populace will appreciate, make him feel good, because music was the thing that made him feel constant even if he's going through a lot. This is for the people who made him, and his songs, part of their lives.

 Here's the full press conference on video, took a long time to upload this, please enjoy!

He is honest, fragile and vulnerable, and wishes to write more songs in the near future. He has a lot in his coffers, it's just the release part that worries him and prolly his label. The viral version of "Through the Years" may or may not be played on the concert too because a lot of people are requesting for it. It's just going to be a surprise, so make sure you get the few tickets left for the concert on the 29th! We heard some sections are already sold out!

This concert is also directed by Paolo Valenciano. Musical Direction is by Karel Honasan. This is produced by Nathan Studios and fully supported by his label Universal Music Group Philippines.

Get your tickets at SM Tickets website smtickets.com/events/view/13698. He's a very cool guy, and I think I'm a fan. :)

Differently Executed: John Woo's SILENT NIGHT in PH Theaters on the 29th

Nathan Studios has a gem up their sleeve with this new PH released John Woo movie called Silent Night. It's an action packed film, created quite differently than usual ones because of how it's made, as it's suggests, it's all silent.  John Woo gleefully placed his different action ballet shots, that will surely be loved by action fans in the Philippines, and worldwide. I'm sure your Dad, Tito, Kuya would need a break from the usual romcom in cinemas and give this a few hours to watch with the whole family. 

You'll be amazed at how this story of a man out for vengeance for his child will be told. Right at the start, the story gives you the feeling that it has heart. The usual suburb Mom and Dad playing in the yard with their son. Yes, the scenes always had family involved. Gang wars erupt, and one gets hit in the crossfire. He starts his long grueling time to recover, train and realize what he's up against. You'll feel the agony on screen in the first few minutes. With his wife also worried about him, he suffered further and became a drunkard staring mostly on what his son had left in his room, the memories and pain he felt was just insurmountable. This caused a rift with his wife, and everyone else in his life. He took off and sought the gang members one by one, and doesn't hold back.

If you're a gamer, the events in this movie reminds me so much of GTA5. It's got firepower, the goons, the gangs, and the fun starts with a huge car chase in the streets. Think of it as your dream sequence where you hold the armaments, where you think of gruesome ways to eliminate the bad guys til the end of the movie. The drama was quite minimal, aimed to only solidify the story's plot and wouldn't ruin the action scenes that John Woo wanted you to see from the very beginning, I'd say this is a showcase of his genius.

If your thirsty for action, make sure to make this part of your movie watching session on the 29th. Yes there are a couple of movies coming out on that date, but if you have the time, you SHOULD see this. After all, it's been a while since the last time John Woo released a film. Thanks to Nathan Studios, you've got the chance to watch it in the Philippines. Actually, they have a few more lined up in the pipeline and each of them are quite different theme wise. It's quite a refreshing thing to see that we have choices in the cinemas now. I can't wait to see the other films that Nathan Studios still have for next year!

JOHN WOO Flick "SILENT NIGHT" in Philippine Theaters November 29

If you're raring to watch an action packed film these holidays, look no further as legendary award winning director JOHN WOO and Joel Kinnaman take you on a gripping film called "SILENT NIGHT". He adds this to hit films like Face Off, Hard Target, Mission Impossible 2, Paycheck, Reign of Assassins and Manhunt among others that he made in a span of 55 years in film. This will be in theaters come November 29 in the Philippines.

Silent Night is sort of a comeback for the director after his last one in Hollywood in 2017. He also is collaborating with Basil Iwanyk who produced Expandables and John Wick among others.

Joel Kinnaman on the other hand has been doing Netflix series House of Cards, Robocop, Suicide Squad. In this film, he's playing a father looking for justice because his son got caught in the crossfire of gangs over the holidays.

Sad for years, he went through rigorous training to find revenge with the same gang, so imagine the bullet ballet John Woo had to execute with that premise alone. Aside from Joel Kinnaman, cast includes Scott Mescudi, and a throng of character actors that will make this action packed film as intense or even better than his previous masterpieces.

John Woo is certainly a visionary, and this film was brought to the Philippines via Nathan Studios and 888 Films International. There will be more in the coming months for sure, but together with their recent hit series Cattleya Killer and Topakk, there will be no moviegoer that will say they're shortchanged when they go to cinemas. Follow Nathan Studios social channels for more updates about the film!