Vhong Navarro Stars in Sequel MANG KEPWENG: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim

 

This is produced by CINE KO Productions and Star Cinema. On Christmas day, we'll see a dose of comedy courtesy of this film derived from the 80's iconic film of the same name, Mang Kepweng. This generation has a different spin on it so they properly called it Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim.


Tickets are now on sale via upstream.ph. We talked to the stars this evening and they had a lot of stories. Here's some of their statements during the zoom conference.


Fumiya says "We are together here, my best friend is Yamyam and it's a complicated relationship. We are dwarfs but we don't get along that well."

Yamyam says "My role here is a dwarf that could give Mang Kepweng the direction so he can get the magic for his bandana. My grandpa was actually an albularyo, he cured me with a lot of rare leaves and roots, he used a few on me with smoke, he told me I was really punished by spirits hence a lot of bumps on my skin appeared. I got smoked, I got prayed upon and got cured by my grandfather, I believe 50%, I don't know for sure but I think it was true."

Ritz Azul was a bit perky during the call and says "I am the queen of Engkadya and I'll be helping Mang Kepweng fight Maximus on his journey to find magic on his own polkadot bandana. I did experience a lot of albularyos in our province, they did dishes, eggs, they pass on powers to people, there are lots of things that I can explain but they do get cured."

Joross Gamboa plays the villain of the film and he says "I am the enemy here, I have the black bandana and I will make Mang Kepweng's life miserable. This film is for the whole family so make sure you do this Christmas. There are a few comedians that can whip their faces like that, who can make funny faces and comedy out of it, Vhong is qualified to do it."

Ryan Bang joked around and said  "Of all the friends of Mang Kepweng, I am the most good looking... almost 70 percent I will be with him in his adventures. I read the script so many times but when I get to the set I just end up with people who will not go with the script. This is for kids, I hope people will see it because it's fun, it's just that so many things happening here but I don't know what it means. I hope you become happy watching this but if you don't we can't do anything really."

Ms. Jaclyn Jose says "I am the mother of Mang Kepweng here and I have been since the first one, so they have no choice but get me for this second installment. The albularyos of the first Mang Kepweng has been brought to this generation, I watched the original in the cinema, he can play Chiquito really.I love the cinema, I hope we could watch it there instead but I'm not worried, I'm sure it will be back. I want people to forget problems, this film is funny and if you could forget an hour and a half of those problems, I'd be really glad."

Barbie Imperial says "I have a lot of experience being cured by albularyos, in the province we really believe in them and I had to seek their help because I always get sick when I was a kid. I wasn't able to get help from doctors, but when I seeked their help, I got better. In Bicol, I got treatment from them and with that experience, I really did get healed."

Vhong Navarro was so proud of this film and he says "I play MK or Mang Kepweng, he will be continuing with his mission to cure everything. He will need his friends to fight aliens, monsters, without facial mask or shields because this was shot before the pandemic. I am sure though that you will enjoy this film, you just need to look for Mang Kepweng on upstream.ph and pay 250 only to watch it with your family.That's what new technology can do this MMFF 2020 and Christmas. I wanted to really look for the copy of the original Mang Kepweng but the quality of those on digital is just too poor, but I'm glad CineKO agreed to do a part 2 because this was their baby and together with Star Cinema there will be a good comeback. I'm also glad they chose me to play the lead role again, I was chosen because they see Chiquito in me so I reprised the role again. I don't think it's bad to believe in things that could better health with faith and albularyos. We even filmed everything on the actual home of Mang Kepweng during the 80's and that connects the generation. We're both happy and sad because we got in the MMFF 2020 but a little sad about how it's different on how we watch movies without movie houses. It's good though because a lot of people will learn on how to use technology. I haven't really researched about albularyos and just based what I am doing with the character of the late Chiquito, I am privileged to be able to do this as my first film that got a sequel. It's a good feeling because people loved it, the producers believed in me again and I got to work with brilliant writers that made this even better. I want to make sure it would be better than the first one because we'll put a lot of adventures in Mang Kepweng now."


Other stars are also in this film like Lou Veloso, Mariko   Ledesma, Kaladkaren, Patricia Roxas, Ritz Azul, Ion Perez and Benjie Paras. Watch it on Christmas day!

KIM CHIU Stars on BAWAL LUMABAS the Series

 

This is under the production of Dreamscape and iWant TFC and yes they are not stopping in creating more all original content. This time, they're banking on Kim Chiu's very controversial statements during the pandemic which became a hit song and now becoming a new series, now isn't that a good thing?


It's called BAWAL LUMABAS the Series and during the presscon, Kim says "I play the role of Emerald, the eldest of 4 and I became an OFW for 10 years and when I came back to the PH, I thought it was going to be happy, but unfortunately, the dynamics became different. I was still the cool sister, had to go back to school, and also became the classmate of my youngest sister. I thought it was just money to solve things, but I had to bond, to communicate, and cherish the time together. I got to renew my contract with Star Magic and ABSCBN. I wanted to stay at home but I ran out of cash during the pandemic, so I was afraid to go out. I guess we all suffered, we had about three months normal, the rest was crazy. My parents were not strict when I was growing up, I learned a lot by following only a few things from them, they let me be when I needed to. I got to be independent early, I can cook, I can clean because if I was hungry they did let me learn how to cook. It was only when I was told by my grandma not to go home late. I have a phobia with cats because there was a time that I was chased by 5 of them."

Direk Benedict Mique added "This was actually pegged to Vilma Santos' movie Anak but she was the sister since the parents perished so it would be a lot different."

Kyle Echarri says "It was hard during the first few weeks of the pandemic.  I wanted to go to Cebu but it was hard, I got to go there in the nick of time and had been able to stay with them during the past few months."

Trina Legaspi shares "I got to develop a new skill during lockdown, I didn't know I knew how to do vlogging. I found ways, love was so nice too. I got engaged with Ryan, we now have a venue and church, he just proposed in the barbershop and invited my family."

Paolo says "During ECQ, I think it was a nice experience for me because I got to really be with my siblings, we had anxiety but I think prayers helped during that time."

Giselle Sanchez said "I had to go out because I had to buy food for my family. I partnered with a convent so we could feed the homeless during that time too. I got to renew vows during the pandemic so there was always love."

Maybe you'll get to see more funny and dramatic stuff from this series, at least Kim had a lot of things that she didn't expect to come from those times she got bashed for it. She's thriving, she's on this show and you'll probably watch it. I didn't get to ask questions as we were so crunched for time. I also didn't get to hear when it would be shown because I left the conference after I heard them saying I wouldn't be able to. But it's probably going to be shown on iWant TFC since this is a series.

Til the next one!

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!