More Celebrities, Food, Destinations on the Second Year of FARM TO TABLE

Chef JR ROYOL is steadily becoming a household name in the Philippines through his show "Farm to Table". They are currently celebrating their 2nd year and yes, there are going to be a few changes especially with the way they do the show. 

The confident man who hails from Mountain Province talked to us more about what's going to happen in the next few weeks as they come out with more content from different locations. Farm to Table will visit his Mom's hometown of Barlig in this week's episode. This will start on Sunday at 6:50PM. 

 

He says "Thank you for celebrating our 2nd Farmniversary with us, we are excited to share with you good news about the show. Definitely it's going to be a consistent cooking element, we are going to expand our reach, the places that we plan to go to will have us explore and discover more people week after week. I would hope we can do that in the next few episodes, so we can tell more stories and food adventures too. It's totally a collaborative effort to focus on food we do. We don't limit ourselves with a particular cuisine and always integrate local ingredients that we have in the country and tell the stories about them. We want to start this year with a bang, so this weekend we will have BEA ALONZO as our guest. We will also be having TikTok personalities and other chefs that will also be in the show. As far as guests, we have a lot of stars coming in the next food adventures!"

He is so thankful about the show and adds "The show was able to make me work with very dynamic people, we are not boxed up and the different locations gives us a chance to work with a lot of talented individuals. We also get to create different dishes with not so common produce, we usually encounter them in the local markets and the locals tell us how to cook it."

He wants to introduce a dish internationally and says "Pinikpikan is the number one dish that should be introduced to the world. It's easy, the method can be taught, and I could eat it everyday. If there's anything, it's number one for me because there's nothing like it. You could also see it in other cultures but the process is innately ours alone."

He remarks "I wish the show would last for years, this show could be done til we're sixty, but more than that, to our viewers I hope you watch it every week. We do it purely that this comes from our heart, and I hope our viewers appreciate how we do Farm to Table."

There's certainly more to look forward to in the next few episodes, so if you are into food adventures, get Chef JR ROYOL to take you along different places in the Philippines and see how colorful our food culture is. This show airs Sundays on GTV and their other online channels.

SPARKLE Artists Shine in Different Movie Projects

Sparkle (formerly GMA Artist Center) had us all at the edge of our seats earlier during their first Sparkle Scene, their first event this February featuring their artists Luis Hontiveros, David Licauco, Shaira Diaz, Cassy Legaspi and Dave Bornea for the films Without You, Ako si Ninoy and Oras de Peligro. Aside from their current TV programs and appearances, they were able to finish these films during the pandemic, a very challenging time for cinema.

Without You is produced by Octoarts Films which showcases the complexities of being in an open relationship. David Licauco plays a DJ who falls in love with Shaira Diaz (a nurse) but gets themselves into something that had no labels, a pretty painful predicament for her in the end. Luis Hontiveros plays Shaira's bestie, closeted, but very supportive, tells a spade is a spade when her life turns to shambles because of what David's character wants. 

 Meanwhile, this musical "Ako Si Ninoy" will have Cassy Legaspi as part of its cast to tell the story of the 1986 revolution and how Ninoy Aquino brought change in the country. Dave Bornea will get to be in a 70's-80's Filipino revolutionary themed film called Oras de Peligro which will be directed by Joel Lamangan. Here's the press conference on video, thank you for the opportunity to ask questions about your projects!

 

Two things, I have new found respect for actor Luis Hontiveros. He was so smart, very eloquent answering questions. Aside from that, I've been following Shaira Diaz' career and I'm so happy that recent reviews about their movie had lauded her for her performance, drama certainly is her forte and it shows. The matured scenes was a little uncomfortable for them to actually watch, she and David Licauco chose to close their eyes inside the theater when the scenes came. You should all see why.

Meanwhile, the politically themed movies of Cassy Legaspi and Dave Bornea would surely be something different to experience. This is also Cassy's first foray to musicals and some of the scenes were sung live on set, it'll be pretty interesting. Dave on the other hand didn't want to put his hand on matters of politics, he did this to experience how to work with Direk Joel Lamangan which he says motivated him throughout the whole process.

Truly, Sparkle artists have gone into making really good movies.Aside from their successful shows (especially David Licauco), they have become a different kind of breed as individual artists. This surely will help them achieve more in their careers especially with GMA helping them reach it. Congratulations guys! <3

ALEXA ILACAD, KD ESTRADA, Ensemble Cast Tells Story of HOPE, LOVE in Funny Musical "Walang Aray"

When word got out that Star Magic artists Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada was venturing into theater, I was so happy to see them spreading their wings to try something different. Even with years of experience on workshops, TV and Movies, this was no ordinary feat as it is unfamiliar territory. The stage certainly asks for a different skill set especially for a new material like "WALANG ARAY!". 

 I watched with gusto last February 14th. It was a special screening on Valentine's day. PETA has certainly done a lot of hit shows in this joint but the pandemic has really made the facility go through hardships since they couldn't do a show. It was a proper comeback, an all original musical which tells the lives and love story of Tenyong and Julia. Alexa already had a solo number in the first few minutes which required powerful vocals from the Kapamilya actress, by any standards, she really did good. Theater requires a bit of strength, over acting, exaggeration so the people in the back experience the same show as with the people in the front. They exhausted establishing who she was, and their relationship. If I may, KD Estrada felt a little like a diesel engine that started to warm up. There are serious talk, but all of it was executed it with good comedic timing.

 The play was based off "Walang Sugat" a Severino Reyes sarsuela told in a modern and funny way so it does strap itself to tell the revolutionary story and see to it that current, modern day comedy in a Filipino setting take the spotlight. Entertaining is an understatement, because you'll be surprised about the small quirks they inserted in each scene. The play takes a little over 2 hours to do but they made sure it wouldn't get boring in each scene. Much of the ensemble cast had their own time to shine, from their parents, the Friars, the other man, the house help, the fan girls, they got to play along with the audience without veering off the romantic angle they all needed to tell. Alexa took this by the neck and made the show hers. I've never felt so proud to see how she's become. She completely changed imho, and having this as part of her repertoire just screams she can do more. KD on the other hand used his charm much of his time in the musical, so try not to fall in love with him while he's in separate acts.

 

 For the KDLex fans there (much like me) that I've spent hours updating on Twitter, there's certainly more content I've left out on the platform so you could have your moment to enjoy in the show starting today. There's a reason why there's a sold out crowd here.

 

 If you haven't bought a ticket yet, you may get them via ticketworld.com.ph and see how it's funny, love story would make you agree it's fine to fall in love. Make sure you take the trip to Quezon City and watch PETA's Walang Aray on it's last few dates. This is directed by Ian Segarra and music is by Vince Lim, The fun choreography is also done by Gio Gahol, which he made really fun and interactive. KDLex will be appearing on 8PM shows on Feb.17-18, 24-25, Mar. 4, April 14-16, 21-23 and April 28. They have alternates Gio Gahol and Marynor Madamesila doing the other dates, both seasoned theater actors that can do justice to Tenyong and Julia's role.

 

 

This would be a dream for any KDLex fan, go watch it for them, and the love story they will tell.

Kapuso Star JILLIAN WARD Expecting Over 700 Guests on Debut

 

This morning was certainly super fun as we got to talk to Kapuso star Jillian Ward. She's been in the industry since she was 5, and has worked in several shows like Trudis Liit, Super Ma'am, My Special Tatay, Prima Donnas, and recently Abot-Kamay na Pangarap. She's not much of a child actress anymore and is turning 18 now, so preparations for her birthday celebration has been keeping her busy even after work. Even with no sleep, she innocently posted a photo on Instagram and it went viral for the good reason that she still looks absolutely gorgeous in it. Today on the blog conference, she detailed some of her debut's preparations and here's how our small talk with her went!

For starters, she's expecting over 700 people to attend the event. She tells us, a lot of these individuals are people who have worked with her in previous shows and it's why she's electing a more celebratory theme rather than something formal. She wants a party where she could just have fun with her loved ones, much of which has been instrumental with her successful career in GMA.

Jillian mentioned Alden Richards, several veteran actors, leading men from GMA's stable. She also wants Ms. Marian Rivera and her family to come but they might have plans prior to the event, she says they might arrange something with Dingdong Dantes before the day comes. She looks up to Marian and thinks so highly of her. 

Jillian will also be with several GMA actresses, her friends who have also been with her in different shows so this will certainly be a huge gathering of stars. Mak Tumang will also be designing her ball gown, and a few will also be made in different parts of the event where she'll be performing. There will also be different stars performing in the event, and one of the reasons why she's busy these days is because they are already preparing, doing rehearsals for the big day!

Jillian Ward is certainly not a kid anymore. She wishes that everyone who she loves, and loves her would all be there. Happy birthday dear!