Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

A Story of Triumph, Hardships and Unending Love | "IDOL: The April Boy Regino Story"

Monday, November 04, 2024

If you're a fan of OPM songs, you're bound to listen to one of the most talented singer-songwriters of the 90's and 2000's... and his name is April Boy Regino. He's made remarkable achievements during his time, and made the title IDOL resonate with the masses. This 2024, a movie will be done telling his story under Water Plus Productions. It's called "IDOL (The April Boy Regino Story)", and we got to watch it earlier at the press screening.   

This film stars John Arcenas who plays April Boy Regino and Kate Yalung to play the role of his wife Madelyn. I've seen John do several projects in the past, and he's quite a spirited singer doing the classics. He's also an architecture graduate, and managed by star maker Tyrone Escalante (both of them). John has bested 27 people in the auditions, and it was obvious, he's got the voice and mannerisms secured. He studied quite extensively using April Boy's previous movies and TV appearances which he took to work while filming. This is also directed by Efren Reyes Jr. who quipped how much they had to work on finishing this film even before the pandemic. Kate on the other hand is no stranger to films, modeling, commercials and stage. They look lovely on screen, and you could tell, the camera loves them.

Making this film was no walk in the park. They had to dish out production budget for the songs they needed to secure prior to filming. But it was producer Madame Marynette Gamboa's promise to him, before he passed... and they knew, they just had to do it.  

Here's the media conference which was done after the screening, please enjoy!

The film really had a very colorful story line. While this is a biopic, it's being told from the eyes of April Boy Regino. His sadness stemmed from a lot of things including getting sick thrice, and the challenges of life was no joke. It also mirrors the crazy life of a celebrity in a Philippine setting, and where he succeeded, got to help his wife and kids, his community, and ultimately be loved. This is something that you would see in the film, and I'm telling you, there were a few members of the press that cried in the dark corners of that theater.  

You will learn how to cherish every moment with your family after watching it. If you feel that's something you would like to feel, it comes out in theaters this November 27th. It's also rated PG so you can take your whole family to watch it.



COW

CABRINI Hits Philippine Cinemas Today June 19th

Wednesday, June 19, 2024


If you are religious, faithful, care about other people, or know an OFW, you definitely should watch this movie called CABRINI. This stars Cristiana Dell'Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse and an ensemble cast of Italian-Americans, because this is mainly, a story about them.

Cristiana plays the role of Francesca Cabrini, a woman who after landing in New York's shores, saw the shocking plight of immigrants, their children, and the condition they live in. The story is TRAGIC right from the moment she stepped foot in Five Points, a place where she saw the orphaned children, the abused women, the people who live through unbelievable means. She was frantic, and wanted to do something about it. 


Cabrini was also with other nuns, whom all worked from sun up to sun down preparing what's supposed to be an orphanage so they could house the kids, take them away from the streets and burrows, the sewers of the same city. They began feeding them, cleaning them up. They did sew a lot of clothes, they looked quite nice in dresses and suits which the nuns personally had woven, and sewn together. Though this was the time they began noticing, they needed funds in order to serve a lot of children (bambinis).

But just like the Philippines, the politicians had a different view. They felt there should be no funds, and they should never be seen as part of the city. It was disheartening to see how when Chrisitana was making headway together with the nuns and community, they began sabotaging, do unnecessary things to stop them from flourishing on American soil. It felt like when they already had a roof on their head, they begin throwing a ton of bricks on top, or burn them to the ground because they didn't like what they were seeing.

She started to device a way to put the spotlight on those who need help specifically the immigrants, Italians, and children. After getting displaced, lack of funds, she began believing she could do more for the voiceless, those who are quarantined and in the slums, the ones with dignity and still have the chance to live. She does ALL these while suffering from an incurable disease (back then). A woman who in spite of adversities, used art, a second language, her faith and love in order to make sure the women, children and people she serve gets adequate medical care, nourishment, and dignity they deserve.

Watch this trailer to get a grasp of the story



Her story based on real events is so inspiring. The dark treatment/color grading for this masterpiece by Director Alejandro Monteverde was apt for the mood they wanted to exude. Its excellent, and warrants you to definitely see and hear her story, on how this once sickly but feisty lady from Italy became the first American saint, and patron of immigrants.

It shows in the Philippines starting today, June 19 in theaters nationwide!
COW


What's Good with the realme 12 + 5G

Thursday, March 07, 2024

realme 12+ 5G

Just had this phone used for a few weeks now and I wanted to tell you the experience. For starters, a phone dubbing itself as a "Portrait Master" would have been a tall order, but the realme 12 series so far has been able to deliver that promise. They got portrait shots from an actual realme 12+5G and used it to shoot ordinary folks (like me), and saw quite amazing results. First off, I looked good in it.

This is a photo taken using a realme 12 Pro+ 5G, and image was even compressed on FB. Imagine the things you can do with this phone model in real life!

Here's our unboxing of the realme 12+ 5G

 

What I like most about this phone is the really good details on static shots, the video, and the actual display. It seems so crisp and  bright, the colors are in a different league. When I played MOBA games in it, I get amazed whenever characters are being selected because it's all so vivid and the effects and music felt awesome... I was ready to switch and make this my primary phone.

 

realme 12 Series Phone Launch

These phones were launched a couple of weeks ago at the Green Sun events place in Makati. It was simultaneously streamed on FB and YT in the Philippines and they got us to walk through a photo gallery, all showcasing what the 12 series could do in real life. 

The design and features of the realme 12 Pro+ 5G and the realme 12+ 5G were also quite impressive especially when it comes to taking portrait shots of people, moments, which you can do in one click. If you are taking interest in the realme 12 Pro+ 5G, it comes with a 12GB+512GB storage in Submarine Blue or Navigator Beige colorways. The price for the said model is only Php 25,999. If you want the realme 12+ 5G, you can get it in two varieties like the 12GB+256GB or the 8GB+25GB. The first one is Php 19,999 while the other is Php 17,999. Both models come with really good flagship level cameras and don't break the bank despite having those lenses in the handsets.


If you get them early, they have  a promo on their official Shopee, Lazada and TikTok shops til the 15th where one could get Php 3,400 off since it's a brand day sale. They also have realme Care+ thrown in for the first 1000 customers for the realme 12 Pro+ 5G and the first 2000 consumers who would get the realme 12+ 5G. They got you extended warranty for it after the default one is done. You get peace of mind, which is priceless in my books.

You can also get the phone through Home Credit who they partnered up with for 18 month installment programs at 0% interest. They also did it in selected credit cards, so there's no reason not to have it. There will also be freebies in realme stores and selected merchants like the TechLife 4.5L airfryer whic you can see through while cooking. They also have a hair dryer or digital rice cooker (til stocks last). You can check their social channels if you want to know more about it.

I can vouch for the realme 12+ 5G. The 12GB+4GB Ram and 256GB Storage feels like I don't even have to delete photos or files anymore. It also has a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, a screen size of 6.67 inch and a 16MP Front Camera which you can use for selfies with friends and family. The rear 50+8+2 MP cameras also give you the capability to shoot portraits, landscape and wide shots like a pro, without resorting to a pricey DSLR if all you want is a decent photo. Congratulations on making this one of the best things people can get this quarter realme! You've outdone yourselves!




COW