Dick Israel Passes Away

Veteran actor Dick Israel passed away Tuesday night, actress Vivian Velez said. [hit the jump to continue]

Eugene Domingo wins Best Actress in Tokyo Film Festival

Filipino comedienne Eugene Domingo won best actress for Jun Robles Lana’s “Barber’s Tales” at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)—the first acting prize for the country in the Japanese fest that closed on Friday.

“It is always an honor and a pleasure to represent our country anywhere in the world,” Domingo, known as “Uge” in show business, told the Inquirer via e-mail. “My heartfelt gratitude to Direk Jun for this once-in-a-lifetime role.”

Prior to the awards ceremony on Friday night, Domingo and Lana, who both attended the fest, were just praying to bring home any award. “We knew an award would help in marketing the film … it would help spark interest in it when we have our local screenings next year,” she said.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the full article at INQUIRER.NET
CLICK HERE to read our previous article about BARBER'S TALES

Universal Plans to Remake ON THE JOB

As many of us already know, the Filipino film "On The Job" made such an impact internationally that it attracted US and French distributors. Now, Variety reports that Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to the movie with Scott Stuber on board to produce, and Baltasar Kormakur, director of Contraband and 2 Guns, on board to write and direct the remake. Local media has been speculating the possibility of Mark Wahlberg and Tom Cruise playing the roles in the remake, as based on an interview of Gerald Anderson with ABS CBN News. Canadian critic Chris Bumbray also made news early this month when he nominated Bryan Cranston (star of the hit TV series Breaking Bad) to star as the remake's lead. All these are mere casting buzz for now, since no actors have been officially cast as of yet. [hit the jump to continue]

Pinoy Indie Film BABAGWA to compete in Canada, Hawaii, and Poland

The indie film BABAGWA was an entry in this year’s Cinemalaya New Breed section. It is all set to go international, vying for film festivals in Canada, Hawaii, and Poland. On September 28 to October 4, 2013, it will be at the Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It will also be competing in the 29th Warsaw International Film Festival in October 11 to October 20, 2013. And finally, it will also be competing for the Halekulani Golden Orchid for Best Narrative award at the Hawaii fest on October 13 to October 23, 2013. BABAGWA is written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, and stars Alex Vincent Medina, Joey Paras, Alma Concepcion, Kiko Matos, Nico Antonio, Chanel Latorre, Marx Topacio, Raqs Regalado, Garry Lim, Sunshine Teodoro. BABAGWA is about an Internet scammer who falls in love with a wealthy old maid while trying to swindle her using a fake Facebook profile.

Farewell, Behn Cervantes

Legendary Artist Behn Cervantes dies at 74
Stage actor and director Behn Cervantes has passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2013. He was 74. Cervantes died at 10:15 a.m. due to pneumonia with diabetes complications, his eldest sister, Lengleng, told ABS-CBN News. Relatives, friends and supporters may not be able to pay their last respects to Cervantes as the stage actor-director does not want any wake to be held. "Behn wanted no wake," Cervantes' brother, Tony, said in a text message to ABS-CBNnews.com. Cervantes would have been 75 years old this August 26.
[hit the jump to continue]

JM De Guzman backs out of San Pedro Calungsod movie

JM De Guzman as
Pedro Calungsod in an
early publicity photo

One of the entries for this December's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the highly anticipated movie based on the life of the young Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod, entitled "San Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir" But that film is currently facing a setback because its leading man JM De Guzman, who will be playing the titular character, is backing out from the project.

Ronnie De Guzman, JM's father confirmed that the actor will be withdrawing from his role citing health reasons, revealing that his son is "going through something" and he does not want him to suffer tedious production and hours required to film the movie. [full article after the jump]

Farewell, Sammy Lagmay

Comedian Sammy Lagmay passed away on Wednesday afternoon due to complications brought about by diabetes, his sister Mylene Mariano told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He was 55.

A former production office messenger, the funny man was discovered and became a mainstay on the 1980s sitcom “Chicks to Chicks” on IBC 13/IBC Channel 12.

He often played the put-upon sidekick in several sitcoms (“Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata,” “George and Cecil”) and movies (“Bala at Lipstick,” “My Monster Mom”) and also worked as assistant director on ABS-CBN shows (“That’s My Doc,” “Okay Fine Whatever”). [article continued after the jump]

Farewell, Eddie Romero

A National Artist Passes Away
National Artist for Film Eddie Romero passed away at 9 p.m. Tuesday May 28, 2013, according to son and fellow director Joey Romero. Eddie was 88. He directed such acclaimed films as “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon,” “Aguila,” “Banta ng Kahapon,” "Noli Me Tangere" and “Kamakalawa.”

In a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the young Romero said that the veteran director “fell into a coma. The doctor told us that he has a blood clot in the right side of the brain,” said the younger Romero.He had been in and out of the hospital for the past few weeks. He was first confined from May 18 to 19 and returned to the hospital on May 23 because of “health complications.”

“He died peacefully,” said the younger Romero. “Last time we talked, he said he wanted to go home.”
His son said the family were planning to hold the wake at Arlington Memorial Chapels on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

source: INQUIRER

Eugene Domingo shooting alongside Japanese actor Yuki Matsuzaki for Pinoy Indie Film

Pinoy super-popular comedienne Eugene Domingo will be starring opposite Hollywood-based Japanese actor Yuki Matsuzaki (The Last Samurai, Letters to Iwo Jima) in a Cinemalaya film entitled INSTANT MOMMY, directed by Leo Abaya. In the movie, Eugene will be playing Matsuzaki's fiancee, and falsely claims that she is pregnant so that Matsuzaki wont leave her.

Filming has begun this month on this Pinoy indie film. This is a Cinemalaya Indie Film. So that means that we here in Iloilo would have to wait for further notice if it will be shown in our theaters, or if some special screening will take place for it.

Graceland is Now Showing in Selected US Cities

SYOWING OVERSEAS: GRACELAND

After screenings in Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York and Austin theaters, Filipino-American Ron Morales’ second film, “Graceland,” is showing in other US key cities. It will be shown at the Magic Lantern Theater in Spokane, Washington from May 9 to May 16, at ; and from May 17 to 23, at Grand Illusion in Seattle, Washington.

It follows a driver (Arnold Reyes) out to save his daughter (Ella Guevara) from a kidnapper (Leon Miguel) out to settle old scores with the hapless driver’s boss, a corrupt politician (Menggie Cobarubbias).

[CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE AT INQUIRER]

Ping Lacson receives 7 Million Peso Royalty for a Movie about his time as a fugitive

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson was paid 7 Million Pesos as royalty and rights to a movie about his life as a fugitive three years ago. It would be remembered that in 2010, a warrant of arrest was issued against him  for the double murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito. He disappeared and became a fugitive that time, and only resurfaced 2011 after the Court of Appeals voided the warrant. Lacson is mum about who, or what production company paid for the royalty. [hit the jump for the full article]

ABS-CBN Acquires the Rights to Darna

DARNA is now a Kapamilya, as ABS-CBN has acquired the rights to the iconic, classic comicbook character; Mars Ravelo’s DARNA. ABS-CBN signed a deal with the late Mars Ravelo’s daughter Rita Ravelo-de la Cruz and son Rex Ravelo, for exclusive rights to the komiks creation. According to ABS-CBN News, aside from “Darna,” the deal with the Ravelos granted the network exclusive rights to their father’s other well-loved works, like “Dyesebel,” “Captain Barbell” and 10 other titles that are yet to be specified.

The report further notes that while the network had the liberty to choose who would play Darna, the family would be consulted when it came to “creative decisions.” That, he said, would have to be a collaboration. [read the entire article after the jump]

Legendary Pinoy Midget Actor Weng Weng, the subject of a documentary by an Australian Fan

Remember the Pinoy actor/comedian midget known as WENG-WENG? He became popular during the 70's and 80's for comedy films, specifically his midget-themed comedies. On movies like "For Y’ur Height Only" and "The Impossible Kid" he played the role of Agent 00, a midget-version of James Bond (You'd be surprised to know that DVDs of these movies are available overseas), and also starred in the western "D’Wild Wild Weng"

The legacy of Weng Weng lives on, as he is the subject of Australian film buff and filmmaker Andrew Leavold's documentary about the Filipino midget actor. “The Search for Weng Weng” contains interviews with film legends Dolphy, Eddie Romero, Cirio Santiago and Bobby A. Suarez, and footages about his quest to unearth the story of the giant little actor.

“Weng Weng is a personal avatar,” Leavold said. “Most of the time, it feels like he is sitting on my shoulder, directing my film from behind a curtain—so many strange coincidences have occurred along the way.” It is most heartwarming delightful that Leavold is somebody who recognizes what Weng Weng represents in relation to the Philippine entertainment industry, as well as one who understands it as well. He quotes:

“His story is sad and remarkable, Weng Weng is a metaphor for many people in the Philippine movie industry, and in post-colonial Philippines in general-— used, abused, then cast aside once they had outlived their usefulness.”

He continues, talking about Weng Weng's resurgence on internet fame.  “Like Weng Weng, this story refuses to be beaten down as witnessed by its present resurrection.”

READ THE FULL STORY, CLICK HERE

Farewell Dolphy Quizon

Dolphy is dead at 83
source: ABS-CBN

Dolphy, dubbed the country’s “King of Comedy,”whose body of work on stage, movies and television mirrors the history of Philippine entertainment, died on Tuesday night. He was 83.

With his lean physique and humble demeanor, Dolphy’s memorable characters, notably as the down-on-his-luck family man John Puruntong in the long-running sitcom “John and Marsha,” effectively captured the travails of the common Filipino who is able to find humor even in the direst situations.

Dolphy died after a five-year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to his long-time partner, actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.
"We would like to inform the public that Mr. Rodolfo 'Dolphy' Quizon, passed away today, at 8:34 p.m. due to multiple organ failure, secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure," the Makati Medical Center said in a statement.

"We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon and his dearly beloved family and friends. To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences," the hospital said.

Pinoy horror movie The Road will haunt the US (starting today)

THE ROAD was one of the best Pinoy mainstream horror movies to come out of 2011. Well, actually, its one of the best Pinoy mainstream movies to come out in a long time. So much so that it received flattering reviews from probably any critic who have seen it. It even caught the attention of the New York Times [click here to see that New York Times review].
[Click here to see OUR review of the movie]

THE ROAD caught the eye of a midsize American film distributor: Freestyle Releasing, which is based in Los Angeles. Today, (May 11 in the US) THE ROAD will be shown in more than 50 theaters across North America. It will be released simultaneously on DVD and via the iTunes Store, Amazon.com and Netflix.

GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar said at a news conference in Manila announcing the film's US release:
“As far as we know, this is the first Filipino film to be commercially distributed in the United States. This will be distributed like a Hollywood-produced movie.”

Apart from the U.S., THE ROAD will also be shown in selected theaters in Singapore beginning May 15. Talks between GMA Films and other film releasing companies are also underway for possible distribution of the film in other countries.

THE ROAD was directed by one of the very few really good directors working in the Pinoy mainstream movie industry, Yam Laranas. Laranas directed Radyo, Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon, and Sigaw, which had a Hollywood remake entitled THE ECHO.

A Scandal in CineMalaya & How the Indie Film Industry is being Corrupted

by Reymundo Salao

Controversy is burning up in the Indie Film Scene when Cinemalaya Festival’s Monitoring Head Robbie Tan disqualified the film entry “MNL 143” from the list of the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival New Breed category finalists, after the film’s director Emerson Reyes did not heed the advice of Tan with regards to the casting of the movie.

Reyes wanted to cast Allan Paule and Joy Viado on the lead role for the movie; on the other hand, Robbie Tan allegedly wanted Reyes to cast semi-retired actors Victor Neri and Francine Prieto instead. Reyes and his producer Abrogena stood their ground and did not compromise, reckoning that the material was written specifically for both Paule and Viado, and that it was part of his vision as the filmmaker. [CLICK HERE READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY RICK GALLARDO]

You may be familiar of who Robbie Tan is; he is the owner of Seiko Films, a film production company which has produced a gazillion awful movies that have contributed to the reason why Pinoy movies are generally regarded as “buki”, “bakya” or simply; lousy.

This kind of sh1t always happens when dealing with local mainstream TV and movie producers. It doesn’t matter if you are Martin Scorsese, as long as you are working with a producer of a Tagalog mainstream TV and movie production, your movie will be just as awful as a metaphorical rugby for an unhealthy masa audience.