Several Actors Shine on GMA's "PULANG ARAW"

I've been trying so hard to keep mum about this series, I'm talking about GMA's biggest series yet, "Pulang Araw".

See, I think I've heard about it a few years ago and thought that it was going to be shelved. I'm so glad to be proven wrong today as it does the world TV premiere, right after it's launch through Netflix a couple weeks ago. 

When I heard of the story, I really felt how quite promising it would be. Delving in history, the war, the Japanese, and the personal/family complications... there's just a lot of things you can pull off from that. 

Here's a video of the red carpet event:

Then there's the artists portraying the role. Coming from the very successful "Maria Clara at Ibarra", GMA wants a continuation of the #BarDa pairing so they got David Licauco and Barbie Forteza in this show. Then a little about 10 years ago, they already told Alden Richards about it. This is also the first time he is being paired with Sanya Lopez, so there's a lot to see where their stories would go.

 

The first episode I could say had no SHORTCHANGING in the acting department. Since this is a backgrounder, the young versions of these four gigantic stars of GMA would take the spotlight. Aside from them, this is the time you'll notice how underrated RHIAN RAMOS is as she plays the mother of Barbie and Alden's characters (Adelina, Eduardo). Rhian Ramos as the mother of young Alden and Barbie is EXCEPTIONAL. She's feisty, didn't hold back raising arms for her son and daughter who got beat up, teased and bullied by other kids. She's a gem in this series albeit short-lived, it was enough to showcase who she IS as an actress. I'd give her a trophy today just for that, and I'm not even joking.

Aside from Rhian who stole the show (first episode), another person decided to tell us during the preview that he's a force to reckon with. His name is Aidan Veneracion, whom I often see in workshops under Ms. Ana Feleo (with or without reason, he comes voluntarily). Albeit new to the business as a Sparkle Teen, he's really outstanding in the first salvo. Another star is Cassy Lavarias who played the young Barbie Forteza. She has this innate charm to pull you in on her struggles. She cries like a legendary actress, but she's still a child... so imagine the things she can do in a few years. Heck, she'll give a lot of veterans a run for their money. She's that good. They could be the reason you'll love PULANG ARAW on the first episode, and  follow these individual stories through.

Here's the press conference on video, please enjoy!

 Here are some of the other stars to join the show!

See, this is not normal. I could just have seen the first episode to be just another episode, but no. PULANG ARAW deserves the attention NOW and in the next few episodes. The sweetness of relationships, friendships, and nationalism, mixed with the star power of the lead stars they've managed to put together in one show, how can you not love a story like this?! 

You need to watch the show, PULANG ARAW is now streaming on Netflix. The episodes will be out early in the platform, a few days before the one shown on TV and GMA subsidiaries. You don't need to deeply think about the story, you just have to have the heart to love it just like what they did to the people in their lives and this story. Imagine if it's going to be Alden, Barbie, David and Sanya's turn, they actually were phenomenal in the short instances they appeared in the first episode (Alden made the war scenes in the forest quite a visual feast!)

Make sure you watch it, because as far as I'm concerned, it's one WELL MADE series that deserves to be seen. It's realistic, excellent graphics (especially the planes during the war), funny in some places, and you'll love how.. in a way, shape or form, impress you even if you don't like it. It's that impressive!

Home Cinema Dreams Come True with the LUMOS DAWN

Meet the LUMOS DAWN, the newest affordable home cinema projector available in the Philippines.

My love for movies and the arts has always been an obvious thing since I've been covering entertainment events in Manila. I've always wanted to have my own home theater especially during the pandemic, and it's a lovely premise to have one at so you wouldn't have to go far if you want to enjoy local and international films right at the comforts of your home. You'll be glad to know that there exists something that would fulfill your dreams, meet the new LUMOS DAWN Projector. 

 

Form and Function I Need

Aside from the usual subscriptions I have on streaming apps, I often watch Anime, documentaries, gaming re-runs, and the best films available online on TV. I've got some of the best brands bar none, but I do feel that TV's just doesn't cut it to feel like you're in a movie theater. My room theme is monochrome, and a wall was painted white years ago so I figured I'd better put that to good use. The LUMOS DAWN arrived safely packaged in a box within a box.

It comes with a Remote, a User Manual, a Basic Set-Up Tips flyer, a Power Cable, an RCA Cable and an HDMI Cable. If you're not a techie, it's easy to understand how to put these together. The package doesn't come with batteries, buy one from the grocer or use the one on other remotes for the meantime.

This is where the Power Cable goes

Shiny lens, with the LUMOS logo in front

Underneath, it's got a place where you could fit a stand and screw it. I love how it's a standard size and it fits on my actual tripods here at home.

It's got an audio port where you can use your wired earphones in, an AV port, 2 USB ports for storage and plugging in other devices in plus an HDMI port where I had my laptop plugged in (and see HD quality videos in).

The front has a power button, turns green when it's ON

I like that this one has a cover so you won't have trouble keeping it in boxes or have it gather dust in storage.

The LUMOS DAWN Smart is a smart device, so the remote control for it is essential. The NEXT and DONE clicks, the Volume Control, Home, Menu, Source switches, and mouse control is done through this. You can use a wired mouse too, but it would be so convenient to just get batteries for this and make your movie and streaming moments E A S Y. 

I love how this particular device has a very compact form factor, like they thought about making it small sized but powerful. It's got ample amount of ventilation so as not to heat up. The ports are also positioned well, not too crowded for all the other devices you would need to connect it to. After hooking it up with the cables, we turned it ON. 

The Experience

After screwing it to the tripod I had sitting around, we turned it on and checked its features. After pointing it into the wall I had inside my room, I adjusted the settings by turning the knobs in front. It just takes a few seconds to do that.

You can set the distance of the device quite far (about 3m max) to achieve an 125 inch screen and still see clear images. I did change my wall paint to a matte white color about a year ago and it did wonders for the images this time. It's like my own projector screen without shelling out extra for that. With its 1080p support and 600p clear resolution, it's undoubtedly one of the best ones in the market in the same price range. Quite bright as its got 2500 Lumens which makes videos clear and not appear blurry or faded on screen. When you turn it on, it would ask for your language, timezone, have it connect to your home's WiFi network to gain access to internet. The device has it's own App Store, or Google Play so if there's something you would like to install for a smart device like this, it'll be cinch to do.

It has a built in YouTube and Netflix app so you don't need to bother installing one on the device. They don't also advice you update it and just use as is. If it's not broken, why fix? Makes sense! Aside from that, it's got AirScreen and Miracast which you can use to cast your mobile phone screens into the LUMOS DAWN so imagine what you can do with those Mobile Legends, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact sessions you do for hours. It may well then be the grandest place to play and have an immersive experience (yes the LUMOS DAWN has Dolby Audio speakers!). I'm totally not suggesting you do those TikTok numbers you've been practicing secretly, but you do you!

The soil from Mars certainly looks detailed

I don't need to move shelves, just point the projector on the space I've got on the east side of my room and it becomes an extra place to watch more videos!

LUMOS DAWN gives a lot of these features without breaking the bank. It's priced at Php 6,999 and the LUMOS DAWN Smart version for Php 9,999. It also comes with a 1 Year local warranty which assures you hours of movie and entertainment pleasure right at the comforts of your home. I even used it as a screen to watch YouTube videos today. It was lovely watching documentaries, foreign TV shows and Valorant matches which I streamed live on the YouTube app. Now isn't that a dream?! If you wish to have one, you can purchase them today at https://www.lumosprojector.ph/.

Well, since I'm celebrating my site's milestones this year and you've read this far, I'm letting you in on a huge surprise. I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY of a brand new LUMOS DAWN. This is your chance to win that dream home cinema projector you've been eyeing, and I'm here to make your Home Cinema Dreams Come True with the LUMOS DAWN. All you need to do is look for the Facebook post of this article HERE and follow these steps below:

1. On the comment section, tag 3 FB friends and comment “I like LUMOS DAWN because…….” (and state why you do)!

2. Share the FB article post on your Facebook timeline (set in PUBLIC) with the hashtag #LUMOSHomeCinemaGiveaway and tag the official LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph  

3. Bonus points will go to those who Like our FB Page @kumagcow - 1 bonus entry

and Like & Follow the LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph - 1 bonus entry

(take screenshot and post photo of liked page on the comment section) 

All I need from you (if you WIN) is a photo with the prize when you get it and tag us both. All I wish is that you put it to good use, and here's hoping the best of luck to whoever wins it! Winners will be announced next week so stay tuned!

 This definitely made my Home Cinema Dreams Come True!

Firestarters "1st ko si 3rd" to be Shown on Netflix

I loved this movie when it was shown on theaters, but I'm so glad of recent news that it's also going to be shown in a global platform like Netflix. It's got an international title called "Third Is My First" which for me is quite phenomenal as this was shown back in 2014. 

This was directed by Real Florido (under Firestarters) and has earned a Gawad Urian Award nomination for the legendary Nova Villa, I would have wanted her to win that one. It got Dante Rivero the Best Actor Award during Cinemalaya and did quite good in other award entities internationally. This also stars former Senator Freddie Webb, Ken Chan, Dante Rivero, RJ Agustin and Denise Barbacena. 

Getting nods from the Hawaii International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Canada International Film Festival and Jersey City TV & Film Festival makes this worthy of your binge watching on Netflix starting October 15th. 

Check out the trailer here:

Trivia: The iconic coffee shop in one of the scenes closed down. I used to have coffee and cookies there. Kinda sad. But this will definitely bring back a lot of memories.

Now it's your turn to watch it on Netflix!