DONNY Proves Actors Bloodline: GG (Good Game) The Movie Out in Theaters Today!

Just got out of the cinema after the premiere night of GG (Good Game), the movie starring Donny Pangilinan. It's a film about eSports, but right off the bat they made the presence of drama felt in this movie by Director Prime Cruz. The film also stars his Mom Ms. Maricel Laxa, Baron Geisler, Johannes Isler, Igi Boy Flores, Gold Aceron and a throng of gaming and streaming personalities too.

To tell you honestly, I was looking forward to see this during the Metro Manila Film Festival but fate had other plans. Now that it's going to be released this January 24th, but something tells me it is going to be big because a LOT folks were at the rails of SM Megamall's Cinema 2 when I arrived, I was even early in fact. For me, that was the measure for how excited folks are (and hopefully translate to box office success) and I think with Star Cinema distributing this particular movie in the country, they'll be successful putting this in around 198 cinemas today (if I heard it right during Donny's interview). 

The movie will start to get you to think about the dynamics of the family, and the pressures of studies, the expectations of some, and spending time for passion. The film has excellent production value, they got Metasports create "Requiem", a 5x5 FPS game for the PC. 

The color grading, the stitching of the plot, and the reveal of the twists, was given a lot of time to mature before letting it all out. Can't say much, but one thing for sure happened during the screening... I felt the urge to say that the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree. This is certainly an acting challenge for Donny, and having Ms. Maricel Laxa as his Mom in the film must have certain expectations (for most people, to be on the level of his Mom). He didn't disappoint, because from where I was sitting in the balcony, there were several people already crying from simply understanding the trials they were going through. Boy had so much emotions bottled up especially towards the end of the film.

 

They made this for a whole year, so you could see how it wasn't rushed post prod. I've seen films joining festivals in the past that felt clumsy, unfinished, and had so much loose ends. They don't have that, and I hope you see how a LOT of people worked tirelessly to put these together despite being an indie film... and how they did production work personally to make sure you get your money's worth when it hits cinemas. 

Here's a glimpse of the red carpet premiere, please enjoy!

 

 I've played a lot of games, I'm sure some of you do too. You don't even have to be a gamer to understand the film, because yes, it breathes family, love and camaraderie. It's best to bring family, friends and peers to get your movie fix. Watch GG (Good Game) The Movie, out now on theaters!

Finalists for Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Bared

After the several successful series shown on The Puregold Channel, here goes one of the country's biggest supermarket chains championing Filipino films once again with the first ever Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. 

They have scoured the country for the most talented storytellers and picked over 31 finalists which they presented today at the Artson Events Place in Quezon City.

Ms. Ivy says "To everyone who's doing films, a pleasant morning. We are so proud to have you here today. The wonderful stories you sent now have faces with them. The festival is a platform for Puregold to make sure film will be passed on to generations to come. This goes beyond production, but igniting change and making dreams come true. We are your ally, to be part of the development of Filipino cinema. You are the stories of Puregold now and tomorrow."

Introduced to the press were Jenievive B. Adame who did "Smokey Journey" from STI College Cubao, Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo who made "Saan Ako Pinaglihi?" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Alexa Moneii Agaloos who made "Ka Benjie" also from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Kent Michael Cadungog who did "Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366" from the University of the Philippines, John Pistol L. Carmen of "Repeater si Peter" from Bicol University, Chrisha Eseo Cataag who did "Hallway Scholar" representing the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo, Patricia W. Dalluay who made "Lola, Lola, Paano ba 'Yan?" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Joanah Pearl Demonteverde who made "Kang Pagpuli Ko" from University of the Philippines - Visayas, Joshua Andrey A. Doce who did "I Am Mutya And I Thank You!" from Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology, Neil M. Espino "Sa Hindi Paghahangad from De La Salle Lipa, Terrence Gale Femandez "Kaibigan ko si Batman from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Daniel Gil who did "Distansya" from Ateneo de Davao University, Alexandra Lapid who did  "Queng Apag" from Mapua University, Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima who did "Till ni Lola" from University of San Carlos, Dizelle C. Masilungan who made "Kung Nag-aatubill" from the pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Jose Mikyl Medina who did "Lutong Bahay" from De La Salle University, Ronjay-C Mendiola of "Last Shift" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Mark Terence Molave who did "Paano po gumawa ng collage college?" also from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Jhunel Ruth A. Monterde who did "Si Mary May Crush Kay Tess" from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Doxford D. Perlas who did "Naduea Eoman Si Brownie (Brownie's Lost Again!)" from University of the Philippines - Visayas, Andrea S. Ponce of PUP - Sta. Mesa who made "Layag sa Pangarap", Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion who did "Dzai Dzai Dzai Delilah" from Mapúa Malayan Colleges in Laguna, John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito who did "Tambal nga Sabaw" from Far Eastern University, Tyrone Lean J. Taotao who made "Abandoned Lullabies" from Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa, Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon who made "May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?" from University of the Philippines - Visayas.

6 full length films are also included like Kurt Soberano's "Under the Piaya Moon", Eugene Torres' "One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All", Sigrid Bernardo's "Pushcart Tales", Raynier Brizuela's "Boys at the Back", Joel Ferrer's "Road to Happy" and Carlo Obispo's "A Lab Story". Puregold gave them 2.5M pesos each full length film as grants while 100 thousand pesos went to the short film entries.

These were chosen by film directors Jeffrey Jethurian and Victor Villanueva, Puregold Senior Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative, and Festival Director Chris Cahilig.

If you want to watch the films, the premiere will be done at the Gateway Cinemas from March 15 to 17. There will also be several regional screenings plus short films shown on The Puregold Channel on YT, their social channels FB and TikTok.

4th IMPACT Welcomes Fresh Start: Releases New Album

 

When I heard Mylene, Almira, Irene and Celina was out to release an album, my 4th IMPACT fan heart was so happy! After their successful stint in X FACTOR UK Season 12 which catapulted them to worldwide fame, they're still looking for that spark to start off their own, original music, and a journey made of the same dreams they started with years back. Th launch happened at SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City, The Philippines.

The album only has 5 songs, but well worth every minute it plays when you stream online or spin on CD where available. Singles include "Distorted", "All at Once", "Round and Round", "February", and "Hate That Girl".

In 2023, announcement of their departure from their previous management shocked a few, but instead of drowning in the past, the girls went down hard as independent artists and did all the legwork needed to make this happen. They spent time working with the best of the best in the industry, same people who made music for Jennifer Lopez, and popular KPOP artists. 

Although there were a lot of sad anecdotes and realizations mentioned in the press conference (where they all kept it real), they had each other, their Mom and Dad to make sure they wouldn't give up the dream to represent the country in the international music scene - and still get to where they want to be. Since the debut single has been released in the US last year, they want to test the waters with these songs and see what resonates more with their audience. This also personifies their deep perseverance, something they're mighty proud came naturally as sisters. Even their management of tasks felt like everyone was volunteering and fit their skills like a glove.

Here's our video coverage of the press conference this evening

They rightfully dedicated this new album to the DREAMERS (their fan group) as they made them realize how they made 4th IMPACT inspired all these years (instead of them being the inspiration). Their faith in the 4 ladies made them hold on to that dream no matter what hardships they encounter.

I liked that in the end, Irene told the press how they knew that this isn't a continuation of what they've been doing in the past, but a true start because as far as artists are concerned, they definitely deserve to have that opportunity. They're hard working, still think about folks, and each other. They've been in so many roads, taken lots of detours, but is still hungry to be where they deserve to be. 

Up there, with the stars!

HONOR Opens SM Center Angono Experience Store

Headed out east at SM Center Angono in Rizal this afternoon. Top phone brand HONOR is opening their newest experience store which soft opened last October in this side of the metro.

This is at the level 2 of SM Center Angono's Cyberzone, and consequently, the claiming of the viral HONOR X9b 5G phone for those who pre-ordered is today too. Lines have been really long because this particular model is their toughest phone to date. People have pre-ordered last week and got freebies of Honor gift packages that contain an umbrella, a portable fan, and an earphone from the same brand. That's over 4000++ pesos worth of free stuff just because they ordered from HONOR ahead of the pack!

During the store event, executives from Honor, their PR and Marketing people also joined in the festivities and gave away a brand new HONOR X9b 5G unit through games too!

So if you are looking for a new phone, go visit HONOR authorized stores nationwide and get yourself the new HONOR X9b 5G. Love it like the ones from HONOR's SM Center Angono branch :)