Shot in SEOUL: KELVIN MIRANDA and KIRA BALINGER for "Chances Are, You and I"

There are still a lot of stories to be told and this one is both romantic, heartbreaking at times, and could pull heartstrings. It also talks about love, friendship, taking chances, and dreams... this of which will be discussed lengthily in this movie by Pocket Media Productions Incorporated. This stars Kelvin Miranda and Kira Balinger, some of the country's most promising stars.

A Little Backgrounder:

This is the first project of Director Catherine Camarillo under her production outfit PM Productions Inc. This was during the pandemic, and when the franchise of ABSCBN wasn't renewed. This was a family decision, more or less, and since her daughter had this script for a while now, they wanted to do this specific one and offer it to streaming services pre-prod. The scenes were all shot in 2022, and a little during the latter part of that year because production ceased when restrictions came during those times. 

The film had to be shot in two locations, one in Manila and the other in Seoul in South Korea. It was mainly due to the look they wanted to portray especially during winter time, which they find perfect, and hellish when they got so cold after scenes were cut.

This is also the first time that Kelvin and Kira are being paired on screen, but they've got quite different first impressions when we interviewed them yesterday. It was essential for them to not only wear 3 layers of clothing, have heaters, and several heat packs underneath just to survive all of that. They were so grateful the crew from Manila and Seoul stepped up and made sure they were comfortable as arrangements were made during filming.

Director CC says "It was really the perfect weather to shoot in the snow because of the visuals. We might have had a hard time shooting because of it but really, I was so impressed with how Kevin and Kira held up in that temperature. They knew the vision of what we were doing and really understood the script. They knew their lines, so I really didn't have a problem with the scenes we had to shoot in Korea. I was happy how they really portrayed the roles, and I hope you appreciate how it felt during our teaser drop (check @catherineocamarillo on IG) because that is made with pure love, passion and hard work."

She adds "I may have had problems securing artists in my home network, but I told my staff I needed a new pairing. It was an audition, I pitched it with Kelvin and Kira then profiled how they both speak, or see how they could add to the characters/role they needed to do... and I appreciate how they interpreted it."

Director CC also holds several hit projects under her belt including "Halik" and "Wildflower" on TV. Her real orientation is film, so this is the caliber of what you're about to see in CAYI.

Here's our interview with Kelvin, Kira and Direk CC yesterday, please enjoy!

 

About Sol and Gabi

Kelvin says "My character was more or less an opposite of me. Sol is quite happy, with a loving family, and might have bottled up angst which would surface when he's dealt with a very huge scare later on. It made him look at life differently, but manages to deal with it like it's not a big thing. He takes these challenges easy, and learns from it. He's also quite adventurous and tough, a man's man and is fond of extreme sports which you'll see in the film. That's where he feels that he exists, and I think that's who he is in a nutshell."

He adds "Maybe I gave a lot to my character because I felt like an actor in this film. It's a big concept, and the trust given to me is no joke. I really felt like I was Sol when we made this."

Kira told us "Gabriela Sinag is a hard worker, she volunteers and is so bubbly... severely a person for others. Behind that, she's hurt, and will perhaps get through things with the help of Sol. That's where the fun starts. Honestly, I don't know if I'm crying because of the emotions or the cold, but it gives you a sense of focus so you could do the role and not just because of the environment. It was a different experience for me. The Korean team were so professional, so you really need to step up, and they take care of you. It was so wonderful with our short stay, it was memorable. Personally, I thought he was a bad boy because he was always wearing black, he had earrings, the works! He showed me that under all that machismo, he's a nice person and very devoted to his craft. He is such a giving actor, and it was so easy to work with him."

Flip a coin and take a chance in CHANCES ARE, YOU and I when it comes out in theaters this May. Official release will be done by Regal Entertainment in theaters nationwide!

PS

It was such a joy to talk to Kelvin and Kira, and the stories of Direk may just be the tip of the iceberg. Hope to get to interview them about this film before it shows soon!

Grace Lee's New Dining Spot: Kko Kko Home of Seoul Chicken

It's been a while since I've seen Grace Lee, last time of which I think was during a men's magazine launch. A lot has happened in the past few years and now she's one of the most sought after host and news presenters in the country. Star power aside, she's got her hand on kitchen tables a few years ago and put up a business with her Mom and a couple of business associates. That restaurant has flourished and is very successful especially with the young Korean crowd that's already in the community. The demand for authentic, current food from Korea has increased over the years and they're giving Filipinos what they want. This time, they're donning a new name and keeping the same good dishes that they've served over the years. They're also taking it up a notch by putting the great food in an equally better ambiance at the Sapphire Bloc in the Ortigas business district and calling it Kko Kko. As the name suggests, it's going to be about the good chicken that they're serving... which I absolutely loved that evening. 

The place can hold about 40-50 people. That includes outside seating for those who prefer to do that on lunch and dinner. The interiors are mostly farmed wood, concrete, some bunk chairs, mirrors, some greens and flowers on the wall. I like that it's like a modern Asian kitchen, a little cute from outside.

Kimbap - This is a staple in most Korean meals. The white one was done with soy and green mangoes/jicama if I'm not mistaken. The red one is a little spiced up with kimchi, which I actually liked. I'd order the latter if I'd go back to this place.

Snow Chicken - You can have this ordered half or whole. I'd suggest you order the whole one if you're a bunch of guys because I'm sure it'll be out quite quickly. Don't be fooled by it's appearance because those things on top of the chicken ain't snow but tons of cheese, cheese, and cheese. It's out of this world and I thought this won't work but it actually did. This was a hit also on their other restaurant so they kept it on the menu and tons of people are absolutely praising it. You can also have this with Fire Chili, we didn't have it that evening but I'm planning to get some the next time I'd visit. They say it's the hottest stuff on the planet! I'd give this a 4/5 and definitely recommend it.

Chicken Cheese Fondue - This is the craziest thing on the menu and a LOT of people absolutely LOVE this. It's sweet soy glazed chicken fingers, tons of fries, and a batch of beer battered onion rings with a bread bowl full of Cheese in the center. Contrary to the usual fondue, this is a savory treat that shouldn't be missed because its crazy good. You would be sorry if you don't order this especially for cheese lovers because that thing in the center is made of dreams. If I was the only person in the table I would gladly drink that concoction and be happy for one day. It's freakishly awesome, but don't take my word for it... you should try it out yourself.

Here's a short interview we did with Grace Lee during the event.

Thank you so much to Kko Kko and Grace Lee for having us in their lovely restaurant! It's located at the ground floor of Sapphire Bloc along Garnet Road in Ortigas. Can't wait to see more branches of these soon!

For more information about their food:

Kko Kko Home of Seoul Chicken

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

https://web.facebook.com/KkoKkoPH/

Rock & Seoul Bibimbap Bar at SM The Block

There's a new restaurant that opened at the Ground Floor of The Block in SM North Edsa. They've made it like a new strip of some sort that would probably cater to the more growing crowd in the area. Management probably had a hand choosing tenants as they've put up some pretty new brands instead of just the veterans they had inside their other malls. That's a step in a new direction. If you've heard of the Relish Group, (the ones who also owns Wee Nam Kee, Osaka Osho and Kumori Japanese Bakery) this is an original restaurant concept they call Rock & Seoul Bibimbap Bar.

The premise is easy. You choose the meat, the veggies that come with it, then the sauce. If you prefer the "easier" way, they've got specially prepared Bibimbap varieties that you would love. Thing is, they're not serving the usual too. It's more of like fusion, like east meets west. Still, it would be in Bibimbap form.

You've got the usual Banchan, with Kimchi, Chicken Salad, Korean Soy Fried Chicken, Cold Pickle/Noodle Salad too. This would be a thing that would go nice with your Bibimbap so instead of eating it all up, I suggest you leave some for later use.

 

They serve everything in a hot plate so they have paper shields reminiscent of other restaurants you may know who have them. As with any Bibimbaps, they have rice in the center, the whole enchalada on the sides, then the special sauce on the table which you can put in generously over your Bibimbap.

I thought this was Bulgogi but no, this is actually Bistek Bibimbap which is part of their Signature Baps. If you don't prefer to build a Bibimbap of your own, you can order these on the menu. They don't hold back on garlic as you can see, so this should be good.

This is my favorite, the Mexican Taco. It's got all the essentials in a usual taco plus corn and carrots on the side. Make sure you put in a generous amount of sauce on the rice while it's hot because this is good, really good that I am saying this is my favorite of all the things they have in the store.

This is what they call American Breakfast. You have the Potato hash, Bacon, Hamburger patty, Egg, Cucumber and Carrots. This should be ordered by people who would want to have something more filling, as it's carbs and protein mainly.

This is the Original Bibimbap. They've got the usual stuff, veggies, got Spinach which I love! 

This is the Korean Fried Chicken Bibimbap. It's got those yummy breaded chicken breast pieces, fried until golden brown, mixed with the usual veggies. You've got the house sauce on the table so make sure you put it on generously, you're basically dousing it so it won't be too hot (since it is on a sizzling plate) and also making it a tad sweeter for doing that. I like this too but if I were to choose between this and the Mexican Taco, I'd go with that.

I've had lots of Bibimbap in different restaurants, some are better than these but if you think about the price, this is way affordable. You can also customize which in my books is something that other restaurants don't offer. You get affordable but quality food, that is something you should really take note of. Go visit them at the ground floor of SM The Block right in front of the SM Hypermarket. They are on the left side, you shouldn't miss it. 3.5/5.

For more information about their restaurant:

Rock & Seoul

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://relish-group.com/rockseoul/