KIKO ESTRADA and SARAH LAHBATI on TV5's "LUMUHOD KA SA LUPA"

Got the chance to watch the pilot episode of "LUMUHOD KA SA LUPA" yesterday through the advanced press screening arranged by SariSari Channel, Viva Studios and TV5. It's a series based on the comics and movie made by Carlo J. Caparas, and will now be part of the Caparas Universe.

For those who don't know, the film came out in the 80's with Rudy Fernandez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Eddie Garcia and Mark Gil. It was a huge project, and seeing it be done as a series on free to air TV (right after Eat Bulaga) will certainly be monumental, possibly catapult the career of Kiko Estrada who almost quit the industry a few years back.

Sarah Lahbati also has not been doing any projects in the past 8 years. Her last one was also a Carlo J. Caparas masterpiece and reckoned she's been doing only Caparas projects by fate. Needless to say, she's been doing a lot of projects recently and a few endorsements too. She was absolutely gorgeous that afternoon, and her role is an important one for the story since they will have a pairing in "Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa" too.

Aside from Kiko and Sarah, the series also include Sid Lucero, Rhen Escaño, Gardo Versoza, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Andrew Muhlach, Phoebe Walker, Andre Yllana, Ashley Diaz, Annika Co, Rose Van Ginkel, Jeffrey Hidalgo and Jeric Raval. You can officially say this is their attempt to put Kiko Estrada into the "action star" game. The series may have some small flaws, but the thing is made like a movie and quite fast paced. You'll have to watch it from day 1 so you get to see how Norman changes over the course of the series and also know why he had to become a force to be reckoned with later on in the story. Ultimately, this is about family and seeking justice... but just like what the two directors said, none of the characters would be useless. They all had a part to play in the life of Norman.

Here's the interview we had with them after the screening

"Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa" will be shown right after EAT BULAGA on April 8th, and will be shown 8pm the same day at SARISARI Channel in the evening. This is part of TV5's Hapon Champion block and the throng of summer shows they will be releasing. Go like their social channels to know more about the show because they will be posting updates about this more there.

VICE GANDA, ALYSSA VALDEZ, Noli De Castro, Atom Araullo Among Recognized at Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards

Every year, Readers Digest Philippines has been tapping an independent survey agency where Filipinos get to vote the best of the best trusted products, services and personalities. Contrary to talks, they need not to be a subscriber of Readers Digest to vote for their favorites since they started this and yes, they are the ones who commission every year. Several of these brands, people, actually have been recognized for several years. 

The methodology, the way they do the surveys are still the same. In the Philippines, the sample size is around 2000, but have 8000 individuals overall for the Asia Pacific market to do this in different regions. Being in this list just means you're trusted by Filipinos, and it is indeed important to a lot of people especially for those who look for quality, and the best in the different industries. The celebrities who got the awards this year include Former Vice President Noli De Castro, good looking broadcaster Atom Araullo, Volleyball Phenom Alyssa Valdez and the Unkabogable Vice Ganda.

Here's the complete list of awardees this 2024!

Most Trusted News Presenter is Former Vice President Noli De Castro

Most Trusted Presenter for News and Current Affairs is Atom Araullo

Most Trusted Sports Personality is Alyzza Valdez

Most Trusted Variety Talkshow Host is Vice Ganda

Platinum Awards

Bank went to BDO

Credit Card also went to BDO

Drugstore/Pharmacy is Mercury Drug

Health and Beauty Retail Store went to Watsons

Life Insurance went to Sun Life

Mattresses - URATEX

Milktea - Macao Imperial Tea

Pen - Pilot

Travel Insurance - AXA

TV Network - GMA Network



Gold Awards


Travel Insurance - Pacific Cross

Air Conditioner - Carrier

Air Conditioner - Panasonic

Washing Machines - Panasonic

Vacuum Cleaners - Panasonic

Optical Shop - Ideal Vision

Airfreight - J&T Express

Refrigerators - Sharp

Washing Machines - Sharp

Washing Machines - Whirlpool

TV Network - ABSCBN

Cooking Oils - Baguio Oil

Drug Store/Pharmacy - Watsons

Investment Funds - BDO

Consumer Loans - BDO

Life Insurance - AIA

Health Insurance - AIA

Life Insurance - AXA

Health Insurance - AXA

Personal Computers (Desktop, Notebook, Tablet) - Acer

Natural Food Supplements - USANA

Plasticware - Orocan

Travel Insurance - BDO Insurance

Here's the acceptance speech done at the awards night, please, enjoy!

Cheers to all the winners, and I hope they do the Filipino public good as they put their trust on your brand's name all these years.

ALEX CALLEJA and THE COMEDY CREW to Perform at Dubai Comedy Festival

I could have made a book out of the conversations we had with The Comedy Crew and Alex Calleja a few nights ago.  Aside from the laughs, we had a glimpse of the serious side of this emerging industry. We got schooled about how they've managed to survive the pandemic and the tough industry per se. Alex is no stranger to comedy, he's been doing this for ages that much of the comedians in his team attested they watched him when they were in primary school (emphasis on he's that old).

Aside from Alex Calleja, The Comedy Crew is composed of Israel Buenaobra, Mak Navarez, Jeps Gallon, Yuki Horikoshi, Winer Aguilar, Doc Ramon Cabochan, Anthony Andres, Dawit Tabonares, Rex Milora, Grease Junio, Schneider Maxino, Marlon Cadag, Franz Opinaldo, Victor Obera, CS Dela Pena, Professor David Blattner, Jimberly Villanueva and Trixie Corpez.

 Here's some serious stuff we talked about first during the press conference

 

Here's where Alex Calleja shared why he should tell new comedians about changing their acts and not commit career ending mistakes early on as part of The Comedy Crew

 Here's some of the jokes they cracked that evening!

Alex is behind the countless comedy shows in different networks. You could say he had his baptism of fire in the late 2000's and learned the ropes. He knew where comedians failed (shared his secrets so they don't make career ending decisions) and made sure no one is left behind. This sparked the formation of The Comedy Crew. These dudes are funny AF, and we had them do a few samples of their kind of comedy during the press conference. Yes, it's quite cerebral. I asked if they see the need to educate the Filipino crowd  but he says "First of all, it's not the fault of the audience if they didn't laugh at out jokes. The fault is ours. There's no such thing as an uneducated audience, it's our responsibility to adjust. If you know your audience, you choose a joke appropriate for them. That's the wrong mentality. It's like having them watch a movie and if they didn't like your soundtrack... it's not going to be their fault. You need to impress them with whatever genre you produce. You are paid to perform and if they don't laugh at your jokes, it's the comedians fault. It's why we have house rules at the beginning of the show. We use our voice most of the time, and we only ask for the audience's attention by turning off their phones for the duration of the show. We also tell them to tell us if they get offended in one or more acts, we also ask much of the crowd to occupy the front seats because it'll be a mess when they arrive late, we don't want that to happen. We only ask for people to be on time, and that's enough. In fact, I didn't know we were going to talk like this during the press con, I almost want to cry instead of promoting our show in Dubai."

It's so nice to see our brand of comedy will be seen on an international stage and these guys are crazy good.

For those who would want to experience their antics and kind of comedy, Alex and The Comedy Crew (Israel Buenaobra, Jeps Gallon, Mark Navares and Imah Dumagay) is performing at the Comedy Masala in Singapore from March 25 to 26 (sold out shows) and at the Dubai Opera this coming April 13 (Saturday) as part of the celebrations of Dubai Comedy Festival. You can get tickets for the Dubai event from dubaicomedyfest.ae. They also have a show in The Astbury in Poblacion on April 6 at 7PM and Laughtrip Olongapo-Subic (a tour) on March 29, 30, 31 at The Palace in Olongapo, Cork Room at Subic Bay and Source Coffee in Subic too. 

You may visit their NEW websites www.alexcalleja.com or www.thecomedycrew.com for more information about their shows. You can also follow Alex Calleja's or The Comedy Crew's official Facebook page for more details about it.

JAKE CUENCA Grabs Role in "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim"

Had lunch with Jake Cuenca this afternoon as he talks more about Morpheus, his character in the hit show "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" (Philippine adaptation) on Viu. Obviously he's attacking this role differently and when he watched it, he eagerly wants to do justice with the role.

Jake says "If I make you cry here, it's not because of heartbreak, but this man is calm and done differently. PSJ is a great actor, so is Cyrus, but the effort here is even more than my previous role in Ironheart. I really prepared for it emotionally. This time you are bringing this to an audience, I had to look for things in between."

He adds that after the pandemic, he wanted to work with the best people including the late Deo Endrinal. He would've regretted it because they were able to tweak the character for him and it's a different take in the Filipino adaptation. When I read it, it was interesting. I do flourish on an off beat role especially Eros, on Catleya Killer it's always very interesting and meaty. I've come to embrace that they put me here for a reason, and I can elevate it."

They thought it was going to be the typical Jake Cuenca but they will talk about the portrayal after the show. He is grateful especially for the audience that comes with it. Jake knows how hot KimPao is. He says "When I'm in the set I don't look at romantic scenes, but I'm really blessed to have been able to work with Pau, and with my best friend, I feel I've had more growth. If we did this when we were young, it would have looked totally different."

Here's the full conversation we had with him

Now if you're in the mood for more of Jake Cuenca, he's on What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and it is exclusive on Viu. You can see the first 5 episodes if you are subscribed but if you want to watch it on TV, it's on abscbn channels. You can also watch it for FREE on Viu as soon as it comes out on TV.

Congratulations Jake on another show! There will surely be more of these projects including the one with Baron Geisler. You just wait!