Why ANGELICA-COCO Movie Almost Didn't Happen

 

 

Love or Money, which will you choose? Well that's a hard question to answer but this new film from Star Cinema is just going to answer that for you. Angelica Panganiban and Coco Martin is teaming up in this project and with their first on screen pairing, it's going to be very exciting!

The Love or Money Blogcon or BLOVECON was a pretty fun way to actually get to know who their characters are and if you haven't bought tickets at KTX.PH, this might actually convince you to do so. 

Direk Mae Cruz Alviar says "My artists were not flying to locations and we were blind doing the scenes. I was already ready but people were already sent home because of safety protocols. We were supposed to extend but Coco had Probinsyano and cut the trip short, it was a blessing because after that, we had the lockdown. Announcements were done while we were at the beach finishing some scenes. We forgot the film and saved ourselves while editing in between takes, and online, then waited for things to become normal. This was really a pandemic baby, it had so many challenges. We went through a lot and survived through that. Coco also had a limit in English, we joke about that. He asked me to direct him because he was Cardo for several years. He wanted to be corrected. He listens and he wants to know that, as he wants to be different in this movie. He is very patient, he knows how to fake punches and he knows the tricks, he suggests stuff, he does action 101. I learned a lot from him and he was so kind."

Angelica Panganiban says "When we were in Dubai, we were all going to run fast to the airport because lockdowns were already happening. We were pressured to finish this but didn't know if everything would close down. We were also worried about the shoot in the Philippines and if the movie is going to show in the country. Pandemic, the whole COVID thing was just crazy. If love or money, I would still choose love. If you work hard, you could still get that money, but love is a little harder to get and you pray for that. I couldn't find any fault on choosing money though, because if that gives them happiness, if that provides for them and their family, you can do without love, because that's the truth. You can find love later, or if not, you still will be happy. You can be lucky to have both. It's a big responsibility to give opinions, you have to know yourself, what your rights are, we are just lucky as artists, but they too can contradict you, and also give their opinions, that too is their right. Coco is tahimik, mahiyain, it was hard to actually pull off our team up because he has his own world. I was crazy, and I think he somehow doesn't get that. I was expecting him to give me a bike, a vespa, but he didn't, I was asking him to buy me jewelry, but he didn't. My room was actually full of food, it was like a grocery, I added a lot of pounds and ate a lot while we were there. Also, I wouldn't mind if I were supposed to be stuck there because it felt good to be there, I like that country."


This was a super fun interview because Angel was just hilarious! But she'll be showing sides of love, hope, and romance too. Watch her journey as she chooses love of money in this movie. This almost didn't happen because of the lockdown, but they were able to finish it so you could get something to watch. It's light romance with some of the best actors ABSCBN could churn out, Star Cinema made it, so I think that's enough. 

 

They do good movies.

YELLOW ROSE Philippine Premiere on January 29

I've heard of a Hollywood film about a year ago which had 2 Miss Saigons on its cast. It was like a theatre lovers dream to see our very own Kims Ms. Lea Salonga and Eva Noblezada be a part of it, let alone the stellar cast which also includes Princess Punzalan and a throng of other stars from the US. People behind the camera are of Filipino American lineage too, and the proud race doesn't stop there. Well for those who wanted a piece of it are in a bit of a treat especially if you are in the Philippines because it will finally be shown on KTX.PH this coming January 29th.

Director Diane Paragas says "This is like coming home. I've been waiting for this day for a long time and I've been excited for Filipinos to see it there, this is a great moment, it feels like coming home. It's loosely based on my time growing up in Texas, I played music too but not as close as Eva, it was my outlet, I felt like a square peg in a round hole. This is a fable, in a form of a documentary so I did research a lot about families. Yellow Rose is a Texan Rose, an old song that people know. They use that term as a derogatory one, Yellow as in Asian. The original song was about a mulatto girl, it was about her being mixed race. It means a lot of things and you find that out in the film. Lea sings Dahil Sayo, also Princess, a way to pass the culture down. It was something that was sung to me by my Mom and Dad, it was passed on to me and now I sing it for my daughter. I was referred to her (Princess), her acting style was so natural. I have auditioned a lot of girls, I've heard about Eva as she was cast in Miss Saigon, when we got financing to shoot the film, I saw her on Broadway to see the script. She blew me away, she had a magnetic presence, she had sincerity especially about the seriousness in music. She was Rose, on the spot. Eva was selected by Backstage, as among the best of the best. It's what actors read, for a Filipino to be in stellar Holllywood names, that's unbelievable. Joe Biden vowed sweeping immigration reforms on Day 1, we've had 4 years of disdain and we have been abused a lot. It's also a story of an artist, like a star is born, about her resilience and how music saves her."

 

Filam Director Diane Paragas

Ms. Princess Punzalan on the other hand has been sorely missed in the Philippines, but she's currently in the US and waiting out the pandemic although she's keen on doing more projects in the country soon. She says "There are a lot of people in the US and the international ones that have been able to see this. I see the struggles of Filipinos, who are undocumented, like sardines in one room. It's not an easy life. Here, I really feel the concern, the anxiety of what will happen to my daughter when I'm gone."

 

Lead star Eva Noblezada

We also got to talk to Eva Noblezada and she shares "The role is like your identity as Filipinos suddenly being invisible, it's nice to make the rounds, go through the finish line with a movie that is made for you. This is really a cool thing. I know a handful people who are undocumented but are very passionate. I watched my Mom and Dad break their backs, and go to North Carolina where people ask you "Who are you? Why are you here?" when you are trying to make a home for yourself. Miss Saigon was about a Vietnamese which I was not, I was lucky in those roles." 

 

 

 

She adds "We are chameleon in the arts, we talked about what that felt, I did that for 3 years. I was like... Seriously? you want me a young Filipina to play a young Filipina? It was about a young undocumented lass, she reached out to me, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my entire life. She allows the actor to breathe, she had standards, she doesn't give you hurdles, you feel like you're the character. This allows the product authentic in a way. The fact that Yellow Rose highlighted an immigration story, it creates a divide that we hope as a film, would rip off that stereotypical, dangerous, anti patriotic divide in our country. These are people, these are human beings, extreme words that this past regime has used. Country music is like poetry, it's beautiful, to tell a story that is very young and have so much to do. That's what it is to me as a millenial. Getting to do this, it was all she had, hanging by a thread, to know that you are not alone and that you are protected."

I also asked her about racism and how she deals with it. I also asked the director about choosing "Dahil Sayo" which they interpreted in different ways and times in the film. Check out our interview with her this afternoon.

 

 Now make sure you get your tickets via KTX.PH and see the film on the 29th. If you want to see the struggles of a young Asian girl who only wished for freedom, for love, and an overwhelming passion for country music, go see Yellow Rose.

I will too.

 

Edward Barber and Maymay Entrata Said Their Vows on Princess "Daya" Reese Blogcon

It's a movie to start off Star Cinema's year of still creating worthwhile projects and definitely, they've got a hit up their sleeves as the stars of this film called  Princess Daya Reese starring Edward Barber and Maymay Entrata. It's been a while since they've gone and make one, so when I heard they were doing a blogcon this evening, I hurried onto zoom and panicked just like the rest of the media peeps who were there.

Just like you, we miss them. It was obvious with the line of questions being thrown at them earlier that seeing MayWard together meant a lot of things, people miss seeing them together.

Director Barry Gonzales says "In these times, we need to forget the problems, forget covid. These people have dedicated their time making a really good film, it will come out on New Year's day, 2021."

During the blogcon, one of the questions asked was about a vow of friendship and they had to tell us what they could promise each other. Maymay was quick to answer "Whatever you may go through, I am your prayer warrior. I hope you and your family stay healthy, and really happy. I support you, I will always be here as your close friend."

Edward on the other hand sad "Until the very end, I will do my best in protecting you, I will always be there to protect your person, I know your heart, I know when people see a shining star, I will be there to try and protect you, even though you may not need it. To pray for you, to discuss it, wherever you may fly, I will always have your back."

The movie is about a princess which had to switch places with a swindler, Maymay plays both characters so this is a very tough role for her. Anyway, Edward's character will soon find out what she's up to, and I'm sure it wouldn't be good if they started this with lies. This would be fun though because this is still a comedy situation-er and of course, since it's been a while since they've worked together, I asked them directly about what they missed with each other.Aside from that, I also asked them about what they were thankful for. I'm quite pleased how they answered these questions. 

Please subscroooooob!!!!!!! LOL

Now I hope you're as excited as me, we have to wait a few days though since this is going to be shown on January 1, 2021. It'll take a while but as Edward and Maymay said, it'll be worth the wait.