TOPAKK Comes Home for MMFF 2024

It was hot, humid, but everyone was in a celebratory mood over at the TOPAKK press conference in Quezon City. Greeted by a different sounding Basti Artadi performing on stage, I was like "Wow!" because of how b4d 4$$ it was, it felt like a dream for me. Then they started the presscon.

We had the pleasure of actually being on location when they shot TOPAKK in Rizal for the finale scenes. Just looking at it back then, I knew this was going to be something special because it will bring back a genre that was sorely missed, plus we get to see multi awarded actors on screen like Cong Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Enchong Dee and Kokoy de Santos. 

They also had Levy Ignacio, Bernard Palanca, Paolo Paraiso, Vin Abrenica, Cholo Barretto, Julio De Leon, Ivan Carapiet, Jeffrey Tam, Gerard Acao, Michael Roy, veteran character actress Ms. Maureen Mauricio, Elora Espano, Claire Ruiz, Anne Feo, Bong Cabrera, Manu Respall, Rosh Barman, Victor Medina, Ivan Rivera, Ian Lee, Nico Dans, Yian Gabriel, Raquel Pareno, Precious Laingo, Kayley Carrigan and Geli Bulaong to complete the ensemble cast for this film. Mind you, this has been showcased and raved about in different film festivals internationally. This year, it's going HOME to the Philippines and will be shown on the 50th Anniversary of Metro Manila Film Festival. This feels like fate to say it frankly.

Direk Richard Somes is one heck of an action film director. The quality is certainly for international consumption, and he didn't shortchange with regards to set design and hard knocking scenes. What's a bit of a let down though is the rating because this is R18 outside SM Cinemas while those who want to see it in SM can do it on an R16 rating. This has heavy fight scenes and very bl00dy encounters so we kinda understand why it's rated that way. Though I would suggest you do the R18 version so you could get the full experience of the movie. Don't worry though for the R16 because you will still learn and get the story.

Nathan Studios producer Ms. Sylvia Sanchez isn't worried about it though because they're giving movie goers real good options. Aside from Nathan Studios, they are working with Fusee and Strawdogs as producers for this project. Hopefully to make more of these (a sequel no?). Some of the people who saw the movie that evening told me this is a material where Julia Montes really excelled, though she's been doing action stuff on Coco Martin's TV series, she is more hands on in the scenes. She's going to be in really physical fight scenes which she's never done before. This is more raw, and Julia with Arjo means it's got emotional scenes will be there. They also had the army spokesperson at the press conference praising them about how they portrayed the Filipino soldiers, TOPAKK will certainly be a good thing to watch if you're thirsty for action films this year.

This is the opportune time for you to watch TOPAKK, it's international release name is Triggered. You've got to see why critics have been raving about it. Hopefully, this picks up awards in this festival too!

Gary Valenciano Entertains West Coast

If you haven't watched a Gary V concert, you're definitely missing out. He just did 4 cities in the US' west coast particularly in Pantages in Seattle, Cache Creek in Brooks, Pechanga in Tememcula and at the Royce Hall in UCLA. He's also sold out two venues and showcased his percussion and dance supremacy in his opening numbers, proving why he's called Mr. Pure Energy this side of the globe.

He also performed with his equally talented daughter Kiana (who by the way has her newest single Heartbeat on Me) to the delight of onlookers plus his other acts like Al Jarreau's Spain and his original songs that's well loved by generations. Rockstar Princess Yeng Constantino was also in these performances doing their versions of Ikaw, Hawak Kamay, and Babalik Ka Rin while Gary sang and played instruments, knowing how talented he is.

Gary also was surprised by action star Coco Martin in his LA concert when he walked on stage to thank him and his contributions on hit show Ang Probinsyano and his other soap operas where Gary's song was a staple. Coco also went to Gary's Antipolo home when he was recovering from kidney cancer nephrectomy surgery, the audience was touched and surprised when they saw him walk in. Donita Rose and her husband Felson Palad, Sean Chambers, Faith Bautista, Chris Do, Cecile Azarcon, Pinky de Leon, Jennifer Cortez and other celebrities of Filipino descent were also in the audience to show support for Gary.

He also did Texas Hall yesterday, but still has Alaska Center for Performing Arts this October 21st and Town Hall in New York on the 23rd, so if you haven't been to a Gary V concert, this might be the opportune time to do so. His US Tour is sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Tancinco Law Office, and the Belo Medical Group. Promotion is courtesy of Star Media, Manila Genesis, Zion Agency, Music Arts International, Jeepney Production, Relion, Jak 'N Poy and JP3 Marketing and Production. Make sure to be there when Mr. Pure Energy performs on stage, and it will be one epic night!

COCO MARTIN and Task Force AGILA All Stars Appear in AP Partylist Sortie in Tondo, Manila

Yesterday was an eye opener for me. I got to witness a grand campaign by Ako'y Pilipino Partylist in Parola Tondo, Manila. It's actually very far from where I live and a bit adamant to go, but hearing that Coco Martin was part of the people pushing for the cause of AP Partylist tells me I should listen more about their platforms... this time, live and in person.

For those who don't know, they've been very active in helping people during the height of the COVID-19 crisis where Representative Ronnie Ong is running for 1st nominee. He did several projects these past few years which include free transportation for health workers,  helping farmers to get their produce to centralized pantries to feed communities, free tablets and access to internet connection for teachers and students who are having difficulty during the pandemic. This benefited communities around the country and helped public utility drivers, farmers, frontline workers to get to and from their work place. They also provided work for some ABSCBN workers who got laid off during the station's franchise woes that left 10K plus employees fending for themselves.

Coco and TASK FORCE AGILA knew about their deeds which is why they are in full force supporting AP Partylist #164 so that they may continue their projects in communities such as this one in Tondo, Manila. Coco says "Cong Ronnie has always been working so hard, we've been witness to that. Now it's our turn to support him, and hopefully you will too by choosing #164 AP Partylist on May 9th."

 Coco and Task Force AGILA came from a long day of roaming the streets of Manila (through a motorcade from noon til night time). The place filled up in no time as it was pretty close to a community. They got a DJ from Cebu, DJ Jhaiho and Amazing Betong to host the event. It was met with excitement as several lucky guys and gals got to participate in games they prepared that evening. A mini pageant, a dance off, that got all of us entertained while waiting for the celebrities to come out. 

 

  Aside from singing, dancing and entertaining the crowd that evening, each of the Task Force Agila celebrities had the chance to talk to the crowd about Cong. Ron's projects which he still continues to do today. Marc Solis, John Medina, John Pratts, Raymart Santiago, Angel Aquino, Michael De Mesa, told us about the importance of having someone out there to help people in times of crisis, when people don't have jobs and how they could earn a living (they also help MSME's and fund projects). They are also supporting Vice President Leni Robredo who's running for President as well this 2022. 

 

Meanwhile, Sancho Vito de las Alas joined Bassilyo, Sisa, Smugglaz who consider this their home turf so they got the crowd hyped up right before Coco Martin came out from back stage. They sung the "Ako'y Pilipino" theme, rapped some parts of it which touched a lot of the audience last night. They ended the festivities with Coco Martin going up on stage and the whole Task Force AGILA singing to the crowd. Coco reiterated how people need to help AP Partylist and Congressman Ronnie Ong have all of us who care about these causes true representation in the lower house. Because at the end of the day, each one counts! 

P.S.Thank you to the kind people behind this event who had us experience this last night.

/*photos with AP Partylist watermark belong to AP Partylist FB Page and is not mine.