ARJO ATAYDE Wins Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards

 

When I saw this video circulating on Twitter and IG of Arjo Atayde winning the Best Actor award at the recent Asian Academy Creative Awards, I had goosebumps, I almost cried buckets for his achievement. Mind you, he actually made history as the first Filipino who won that for that category and it is for his role in the iWant original series called "Bagman" which was done a while ago.

In that movie, he was a barber, turned criminal turned politician (which was quite realistic no?) and he actually did beat quite a number of acclaimed actors from the Asian region. Add to that, he also won in the national level against really good Filipino actors too (and the chance to represent the country in the said tilt).

Arjo Atayde says "Thank you so much for your support. My journey has been very interesting, especially the characters that the network and dreamscape has given me. The only thing I had to do was be kind in dealing with people everyday. I would do whatever genre they want me to do and hopefully I get to explore more, I get to widen my range so I could grow and learned, so I could do another character. That is what is interesting in my 8 years. At home I am as regular as it is, kulitan lang, with my siblings, my mom and dad. Besides my family and girlfriend, I dedicate this to everyone who helped me since the very beginning. The way they showed brilliance on and off cam, to ABSCBN, to everyone who helped me, I can't say enough, I'm very thankful!"

He adds "I got Tito Pen's guidance, my Mom also said I need to improve. I also watched documentaries so I could improve my craft. I wanted to immerse for the role but I couldn't because it is very personal. I talked to the writers and researchers, the story and the script made it easy to do it. An actor is a real person, but has a heart and mind that grows fonder."

He also talked about the announcement online and he mentioned "I was actually so hopeless, I didn't see that I would win because I was watching it on FB live. I thought they didn't like us, but I wanted the announcement to actually be done with because I was palpitating since 3PM.  When they did, you could see I was so shocked, I was so proud to represent our network, our country, it was a dream of mine when we entered and I got emotional. I said "What?!" but it really happened, I wish I could let someone feel it, I couldn't put it into words.  It was a good fight for the country, it was a good fight for ABSCBN. I can't  explain in words, I was just thankful and grateful for them. This was my goal, to represent the country in anyway I can. I never even thought about that to prove anything, I had fun, it was like a playground for me and what I learned, I never think about who's shadow I had to stay away from. I was just playing really. I know it's the hardest time to stay positive, but it has to start from within, I hope we all look forward to a better 2020. "

Here's the rest of the interview I got from the Zoom conference earlier. 

Thank you so much to Star Magic for arranging this earlier, I really am so proud of this man! He's going places!

Fangirl : A Movie About Blinded Fan Love for MMFF 2020

Tickets are now being sold for this particular film called Fangirl. It is starred by Paolo Avelino and Charlie Dizon under BlackSheep Productions, Project 8 and Globe Studios directed by Antoinette Jadaone. Tokyo International Film Festival gave so much acclaim with this very interesting piece and has been sent as an entry in festivals in other countries. This is a coming of age film where an ultimate fan girl got to spend one night with Paulo Avelino.

Tickets are being sold now via bit.ly/WatchFanGirl


Antoinette Jadaone says "I was a super movie fan before, when I was a kid my aunts used to go to santacruzans in araneta center just to see them there. When I got into film I was more into people behind the camera. My family loves films, my grandpa made a cinema in Pasig so I got to watch films for free. We used to watch all Filipino movies. I did film in UP Diliman. Fangirl is relatable, we've both been through things like these in one form or another. We idolize, it's like a romcom that is anti romcom. You will get to see a fantasy wherein you could spend one night with your idol, and this might go differently. The first leg of auditions, we already had someone for the role of Charlie. Out of 600, we got 7 of them do workshops with Paulo, we got look tests, we got costumes, but at the last minute there were contract problems already. We got to call one more leg of auditions and got Charlie there. When she got in, in about 2 to 3 days we already went shooting. When you see her, you already know it's her. She had lots of make up, she had lashes and all, you could see it was like a commercial for her. I had to see her bare and she went in, her walk was like a street gang member, she talked like someone from the streets too and deliberated about it a bit. She was also okay with kissing scenes and matured ones, so that's how it happened. I think one of the things this came from is how I have worked in films, it is interesting to see the culture of fans when we watch our idols on screen where the line is so faded. People expect what they portray in the movie is actually what they also do, but there is a difference when you have a camera or not. There are two concepts that I combined here, as a fan and as an actor. I think it goes with it as a cautionary tale, it happens. I think as film makers, we must tackle not just things that are talked about, but those that are not talked about. So scenes mostly will be things that people are afraid to tackle, done in tasted, done with Charlie's comfort and understanding the vision of it. I wrote this in 2016, I was way different then as a writer and director. I developed it in 2019 and the material changed a lot. It helped with that I got the advise of European writers because I got a more worldly view of fan culture rather than just a Filipino fan view. Things are going with technology, so fan culture changes with that. Actually writing this was different because it changes in the point of view of the fan. As a writer I resorted into method writing, I didn't have to ask Paulo anymore and just got information from articles before. I asked Paulo what he needed to be removed or not but he just returned and understood it why I had him play himself. Since I did this in 2016, I had an actor in mind, but Paulo was the tough one, people would fear portraying themselves on film and it is what we had to play with. They would think he's like that but it's a role, but I understand their inhibitions. He just asked who the fangirl was and just told him then. "


Paolo Avelino shares "I didn't become a fan of sorts because it was not as usual for stars to go to Baguio when I was a kid. What's challenging here was the fact that I had to do it while I wasn't acting. (I asked about his tweets in the past months and asked if it was connected in some way with this). No John, those tweets came before making this film. These days I'm not so active on social media, my fans remain the same, mostly moms or grandmoms. Charlie and I might or might not have kissing scenes, you might need to interpret it and see if it is okay with what we see in this film. Maybe one thing that you'll see here is me being a father, another is being optimistic, how I finish things, and how simple I am as a person behind the camera. I like it quiet, I hope it transcends into the film. You wouldn't think Direk would do this, that is what peaked my interest when I did this film. I don't categorize dates, if we jive then we can date, she can go here in my house if she wants. Most of the people behind Paunatics are pros, they are tamed, they are normal people and I talk to them like that. Paulo Avelino in the script isn't too far from who I am, but wether it is fictional or not I'm okay with it. When I read it, I only processed it in a few days. It wasn't so hard, I just did it for Antonette (he kids) but it was really a good material honestly. I find Charlie cute, she was like high school, very innocent, when I talked to her, I saw why she was chosen to play this role."

 

Charlie Dizon says "Yes, just like anyone, I have been a fan of someone. I went to a mall show of Richard Gutierrez and I did kinda experience it too. I was in the crowd, screaming his name, I did that back in the days. Now my family is very happy, they always asked about the progress of filming this and I'm actually very nervous when  they see this film. I couldn't imagine kissing my idol in real life, it's out of my league. I would date a fan, if it were me I would want that. I also talk to my fans like that which is why I am also in a group chat with them. I am a KPOP fan, an FX fan because I wanted to become a rapper. I tried out doing that in Korea and I met them, I debuted there and got inspired training. My real name isn't Charlie Dizon, it's a screen name but I got Dizon from my Mom. I would want to be with Park Seo Joon, he's my ideal guy and if ever I got the chance to work with him I'd love that, together  with John Lloyd Cruz, I got to hug him in a movie project.

This is going to premiere on December 25. Go watch it for its merits and see why this is loved internationally too!

Marites Allen: Thrive in 2021 Year of the Metal OX

We just got off the online preview of Marites Allen's Feng Shui Webinar which is going to happen this December 19th 2020. This is going to all happen online and will start around 9AM London (5PM Philippine Time).

A couple of us actually asked her about what happened during the last few months because the pandemic was obviously not foreseen, but she immediately dispelled it by facts saying "We didn't see the pandemic coming, we are not fortune tellers, we are Feng Shui masters. It could have been prevented by man in the beginning (makes total sense!)."

She further shared what the Year of the Metal Ox meant for all of us this 2021 and said "There was really a lot of people who didn't do well during the pandemic. This year, metal elements, earth elements is good, the optimism is a little absent. There will be doubts, not much trust, so people should save up and spend on things that matter. Economic structure is shaky, third quarter will show a little improvement but next year is a year of vaccination. It will take a lot of time to process and do things, but with the Filipino attitude, we will always get along no matter how far this pandemic will take."

About detractors she said "Honestly, I am too busy to worry about people who doubt feng shui. I am quite connected with my clients, the expertise of Feng Shui matters only means that we're not fortune tellers. If they doubt, it doesn't really matter to me."

She further shared optimism by saying "It's gonna be a while before people would trust traveling, or get back to normal. In the course of history, we have had pandemics, people die and suffered, but a lot survived. Nothing is new, it is just how people live with it. We all were never prepared for this even billionaires didn't see a magnitude like this. The lock-down in London isn't that strict, it's how people use their time. There is still so much opportunity in 2021."

Lucky Sectors: East, North East Rabbit, Ox and Tiger, Horse is Victory.

Sheep, Monkey will face arguments. Robbery star is on Boar. 

She adds "2021 will bring a lot of misunderstanding for couples. You can get the 2021 planner and almanac to guide you this year. Before the year ends, the energy is shifting so much, when December 21 starts, I'd like you to make a gratitude list so you can achieve good health, make sure you get a fortune plant. We are going to be still busy for this year. The webinar is going to be virtual, we used to do it face to face. What is different is that there is going to be a lot of videos to explain things, we will have models showcasing our Frigga items. It will be a lot different."

For Earth Horses like me, she bids these good news and said "It is good news for 2021, you have the victory star.  You really have to change if you get in that condition. Those who are the year of the sheep are going to have to work double time this year."

To further understand more about these, make sure you get your tickets via Frigga.co.uk or 09209509390. She will be also with King of Talk Boy Abunda on this date so make sure you get your tickets secured before that date!

5G Phone Vivo V20 Pro Available via Smart Signature Plan 1999

It's true! and it's coming to Smart stores pretty soon. LANY already has been using it in different instances and swear by its performance, there's no reason not to have it even now.

The new Vivo V20 Pro is 5G capable. It is the thinnest smartphone of its class in the market. It is also lightweight, very fancy looking, but don't be fooled because this also is a beast with a 44 MP front selfie camera and utilizes Eye Auto Focus technology (to prevent those blurred moments). It also has a 64MP rear camera that can take those landscape photos, product shots with ease. This makes you just stand out from the rest of the pack, you can #BeTheFocus. 

They signed with Smart last October 23 and with that, they're now including the Vivo V20 Pro in Smart Signature Plan L which you can get from Smart Stores nationwide. This is the Smart Signature Device Plan L which is pegged at Php 1,999. It already comes with 15GB of data, unlimited all network text messages, unlimited all network calls, and 150 minutes of calls to PLDT units. This can be availed by new subscribers, or for those who are Smart Postpaid subscribers that would want to renew their plans with the largest network in the country. You can get it by paying an initial cash-out of Php 3,710 and add Php 200 on top of your monthly bill, or if you prefer, you can pay for it with Php 8,300 outright, so it's really flexible terms. For Smart Postpaid subscribers, you may renew your plan and get this for Php 179 on top of your monthly bill. Else, you can do it for the cash out option of Php 4,300, which is pretty easy on the pocket right?

So go right ahead and apply for it via http://www.smart.com.ph/v20pro today, because if you get approved, you also get FREE Wireless Earbuds worth Php 2,499 (promo until January 15, 2020). It ain't gonna last forever ye know!