Alden Richards for CENTERSTAGE

Sunday will never be the same again now that CENTERSTAGE will premiere this evening. It's the new show hosted by Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards and Concert Jester Betong Sumaya. The show will be making superstars out of kids who would want to make their dreams come true every week. It is limited to 7-12 year olds but I got to do it a few days ago against some media reporters at the GMA Studios. I enjoyed it a lot even though I didn't win, but really, this is ingenious because they get to pick winners every week and new kids can get you out of contention if they sing much better than you. This just means you must do your best everytime so as not to lose your place in the competition. There are rings in the Centerstage which indicates how many times you've won so you get to do the next rounds, so you can expect this to run a couple of months. 

The judging panel is composed of International Theater actress and singer Aicelle Santos, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and Music Director Mel Villena. They will be telling how you will advance on the rounds so make sure to please them as soon as the song plays on stage. This is obviously an original concept by GMA, like their previous successful ones, they know how you're gonna love this weekend show!

They will be scouring contestants from across the country and all you need to do is join, or watch at home. This is another exciting show hosted by Alden Richards who was so excited during the preview.

 

Ronnie, Loisa and Donny for James, Pat and Dave

They were lauded about their film and yes, it's still showing. It's the sequel to Vince, Kat and James called James Pat and Dave. Maybe it's high time you watch it on Valentine's day.

They liken these to the classic romcom and yes, it's very millennial character wise. You learn about hope, love, moving on and keeping it. During the presscon, Loisa Andallo cried because she felt so overwhelmed about the praises she got from people and the management. For her to be chosen for this project alone shocked her because she was spotted doing a project in Hospicio De San Jose by Olivia Lamasan. It got very personal. The three also got to do several things that are more matured (which we will not divulge so as not to spoil it). 

It's a dark horse but it feels they are succeeding  Make sure you watch it on cinemas today!

UNIQLO Outs 2020 Jeans and EZY 2 Way Stretch Ankle Pants

The new UNIQLO 2020 Jeans and EZY Ankle Pants are all up to be available at nearby Uniqlo branches. I’ve been waiting to see what lengths they have done with the Uniqlo Jeans line as they’ve promised a more sustainable way of producing them a couple of years back. The goal was to start it in 2020 and I think they’re making headway as production of stone washed items and laser technology rolled out for distressed textile. 

With that, folks at Uniqlo had us preview UNIQLO 2020 Jeans and the EZY Ankle Pants via styling sessions with Pam Quinones and Bea Constantino. The Uniqlo flagship store over at Glorietta 5 was turned into a showcase of their Spring Summer pieces. 

Cheska Legata says “Uniqlo is crafted for everyone. Pam and Bea will be styling a few people today. We will have a preview of our modern UNIQLO Jeans and the EZY pants can stretch horizontally and vertically.”

Bea says “When you are in the creative field you have to be comfortable, you need to move around, belted or pleated as they are very flattering. Uniqlo also has innovated the jeans, it’s tapered, very chic even on men. The EZY Jeans hold the sweat but is breathable, you can go to Poblacion and out. We also like the parkas, easy and lightweight. You can be casual, but still classy. You can wear em for different occasions.”

Pam says “There are rules but we always can break them. Nice shirts that have no lining can be paired with jackets and pants which you can still wear in this weather. There are so many ways to switch from corporate to party wear, pull up a sleeve, unbutton a shirt, change shoes and you can go from work to twerk in a jiffy. I usually bring 2-3 pairs of shoes in the office. Removing blazers and use accessories, necklaces, wear a bright lip, it changes your look.”

Go check out the pieces at your nearest Uniqlo stores because they’re quite nice even in the PH weather. 

WATCH LIST: PH Showing Slated February 19

Alessandra de Rossi stars the movie WATCH LIST, a very powerful international film that has gained the nod of several international film festivals and won he hearts of cinema fans worldwide. It’s directed by Hollywood based American-Indian film maker Ben Rekhi which he also co-wrote with Rona Lean Sales. It’s a story about a woman recovering from drug use. Her husband got killed and stands now as breadwinner and protector of her kids which Rekhi dubs as “A very human story as it talks about how a mother would go the lengths to protect her children.” Together with Alessandra, she stars here with Jake Macapagal, Art Acuña, Lou Veloso, Jess Mendoza, Angeli Abayani, Micko Laurente and Timothy Mabalot. 

It’s a little disturbing to see how it talks about matters close to home. The drug campaign by the government, politics, poverty, the who enchilada of things that are so taboo to talk about in the country. All of which may or may not be fiction. 

Working also with Ben is Executive Producer Anjay Nagpal who is also co-executive producer of the film Joker. Aside from that, he also has international cinematographer Daniella Nowitz and world class production designer Ericson Navarro. The film has already participated in Deauville American Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival and won Most Disturbing Fiction Film Award at Tournai Ramdam Festival in Belgium. 

Ben says “I’m excited to be here, to finally be able to see the release of it in the country. I spoke to Alessandra and she apologized she couldn’t come. I came across a photo of a woman who held her husband dead. I called the journalist and she told me stories she was covering and I couldn’t believe and understand it. I came to Manila and there were a lot of emotional things, I have never felt this before, I felt there was a higher presence that was compelling me to do this. I realized more and more to make this film. Yes there were challenges, but the community was welcoming to tell me about it. Wether the film was in English, Tagalog or Hindi, they were all good in English so it was east to communicate. The cast and crew were very supportive, sometimes the universe conspires this to happen and I have worked with talent in the US and I think Alex can win an Oscar one day. They are crazy talented. Early on I partnered with Reality Entertainment and Erik Matti suggested to me these actors including Art Acuna.  I have done films in India, shooting outside the US meant it just got a lot of talent elsewhere. Shooting in the neighborhoods itself like the violent places was an intense labor of love. Truth was the guiding principle, living in these circumstances made me a foreigner have to do tremendous amount of research. We shot this over 16 days and a lot of post production. A year at most. Originally I wanna pick someone older for a role, but I found the most talented people and it will break hearts to see talents like these (Micko). The Oscars and Parasite film makes it possible do hybrid style movies to open doors of conversations, everything is possible. I was here for 6 months and haven’t explored the country except Caloocan City’s 2nd Avenue. This is my fifth film, but I’m most proud of. Not knowing what people would want, but regardless hope this connects to an emotional level.”

Micko Laurente says “Finally, I am so excited to see the film in the Philippines. I just heard now that he watched my previous movie. It was very memorable for me (Bambanti) and I miss Alessandra a lot, when I learned there was an audition about it, I was happy just to see she was the Mom playing the role. Thank you for making me a part of it. In all the films I made, he’s one great guy. He picks the angles, the shots, he knows how to attack it before we do it on set. He’s not like a local director who screams at his actors. He’s very cool, even if he’s running out of sunlight, he was very calm about it. I have worked with Alessandra in two other films, when we did this she was funny, but when the work comes, she’s on cue to work with me and do it fast and efficient. I don’t usually do bad things so we get along quite well.”

This will show on theaters starting February 19, and is released by Reality Entertainment.