News: Top Filipino comedy "You're My Boss" starts international roll-out April 10, 2015!

"That Thing Called Tadhana" director Antoinette Jadaone scores another big hit in Star Cinema's "You're My Boss"!

TFC@theMovies brings the current number one Filipino romantic comedy this April to US, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Spain, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Singapore, Japan, Australia & New Zealand

REDWOOD SHORES, CA, April 8, 2015 – Even for her first major studio film under ABS-CBN Star Cinema, white-hot independent Filipino film writer-director Antoniette Jadaone, who is coming on the heels of the box-office and critical success of her "That Thing Called Tadhana", was willing to take risks.  While You're My Boss - which she also wrote - falls under her solid romantic comedy genre, she took the challenge of directing an untested on-screen partnership in two international Filipino superstars: Coco Martin and Toni Gonzaga.  

The result?  You're My Bosshas grossed Php65 million in just three days of showing in the Philippines.  The film opened on Black Saturday, went head-to-head and toe-to-toe with powerhouse Hollywood movies like "Fast and Furious 7", and more than held its own at the box office.

TFC@theMovies is bringing this latest rom-com blockbuster to U.S. and Canada starting April 10; Milan and Rome, Italy and Copenhagen, Denmark on April 12; Paris, France on April 12-19; UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman in the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand on April 16; Vienna, Austria on April 18-19; Madrid, Spain on April 19 and TBD in Oslo, Norway; and Athens, Greece, Singapore and Japan on April 26.

You're My Bossis far from just being your usual case of rich girl-poor boy, love-hate storyline.  It's a role reversal for the characters of Pong (Martin) who is the humble assistant of Georgina, an alpha female of a boss.  When Sir Albert (Freddie Webb), their company's Chief Commercial Officer, goes on sabbatical, he assigns a very important deal to be handled by Georgina.  When she meets with the client, Mr. Najimoto, the latter refuses to discuss business with anyone face-to-face except with the head honcho.  Enter clueless Pong who Georgina conveniently introduces, under pretense, as the boss.  Thus, the deal is on with Mr. Najimoto, and so is the make-believe arrangement between Pong and Georgina.

Fans and critics rave over the steady story-telling of Jadaone and the on-screen chemistry between Martin and Gonzaga as their characters adjust to their new situation:

"With a script by Jadaone & Yoshke Dimen, this movie is filled with witty, quotable dialogue in relatable situtations, which isn’t surprising. It can be snarky, just like Georgina’s initial interactions with Pong. It can be sweet, just like Georgina’s interactions with Pong as they start to get to know each other. What it ISN'T is unfunny, bland, or just plain terrible."  - Kieff Iporac, TheTalkingSign.com

"The film’s greatest strength is its focus. Once the two main characters are put together, there’s hardly a scene where they are apart. They interact with each other almost exclusively, the film giving them time to develop something meaningful." - Philbert Ortiz, ClickTheCity.com

"You're My Boss proposes that this extraordinary circumstance of a lie... is the setting for romance to bloom between two opposites... (and) the idea of a 'boss' is redefined from the professional to the personal. There's an organic quality to her (Jadaone's) story-telling that it never spoon-feeds the audience, instead she lets the narrative unfold naturally and in a very realistic and human manner."  - Wanggo Gallaga, Juice.ph

 "We've been pretty busy this Spring offering one original Filipino rom-com after another to the world and being thankful that the moviegoers are watching and loving them," said ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals and acclaimed film, TV and concert director John-D Lazatin.  "You're My Bossunder true 'galing ng Filipino' hands of my colleague, Antoinette, and the acting skills and charisma of Coco and Toni, is guaranteed to give movie audiences a rollicking good time in the theaters.  It's a movie that all members of the family will enjoy."

For more information including the theater listings visit the following links:

U.S. and Canada | https://www.tfc-usa.com/youre-my-boss/
Middle East | https://tl-ph.facebook.com/TFCMiddleEast
Europe | https://www.facebook.com/TFCEurope
Australia and New Zealand | https://tl-ph.facebook.com/TFCAustralia
Singapore | https://tl-ph.facebook.com/TFCSingapore
Japan | https://tl-ph.facebook.com/TFCJapan

Watch the lovely trailer below....

Berlin 2015: Kidlat Tahimik's "Balikbayan #1..." wins Caligari Film Prize!

The Caligari Film Prize for a film in the Berlinale Forum goes to Kidlat Tahimik's "BALIKBAYAN #1 MEMORIES OF OVERDEVELOPMENT REDUX III!"

Language is the key to the empire. Enrique is the slave of Ferdinand Magellan, who circumnavigated the globe. Aside from bathing Magellan every evening, Enrique also has to translate Filipino languages into Portuguese and Spanish. The film opens with a cardboard box containing film rolls being dug up from the ground. Shot in 1980 and now showing their age, the images tell the story of the circumnavigation. Magellan died shortly before the journey was completed, but had authorized that Enrique, now by default the first true circumnavigator, was to become a free man. Enrique carved his memories of the journey into wood, with the sculptures adorning his garden. Balikbayan #1 weaves together the official story with that of Enrique, as well as with the director’s cut of what Tahimik started filming 35 years ago in order to find out the truth and continued in a village in the province of Ifugao in 2013.

The actors are no longer the same, and Tahimik, who himself played Enrique in 1980, has grown older, just as children have been born. Balikbayan #1 is a home movie, a flamboyant epic, a study of colonialism, a historical corrective and an homage to what Tahimik calls ‘Indio Genius’.

Congratulations!!!

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: Two Filipino Box-Office Hits to Open in US and Canada!

"English Only, Please" opens February 20, 2015!

"English Only, Please" is a Filipino romantic-comedy film directed by Dan Villegas and starring Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay. Produced by Heaven's Best Entertainment and Quantum Films, it was an official entry to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival and won 7 awards including Best Picture (2nd), Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Director. The movie also grossed nearly Php200 million to date - making it the most successful Filipino movie in recent memory.

The movie tells the charming story of an American named Julian Parker who comes to Manila from New York with a very specific agenda: to write an angry letter in Tagalog to his ex-girlfriend with the help of a perky Filipino-English tutor he hired online. The tutor, Tere Madlansacay, a top-notch Filipino-English tutor is strict and feisty and takes pride in what she does even if her lovelife is in shambles as well. Their meeting would be the beginning of something new to both of them.


"The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" opens January 30, 2015!

"The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin", the top-grossing Filipino film of all time (grossing Php435 million as of January 14, 2015) will open in over 40 theatres in U.S. and in Canada starting January 30.

A sequel to the 2011 hit, "The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin", this action-comedy returns with the dynamic actor-director duo of Wenn Deramas and Vice Ganda. In this installment, Praybeyt Benjamin is promoted to colonel and has become an international superstar after defeating terrorists and saving the world from a zombie attack.Once simple and humble, he allows success to get into his head and after making a fatal mistake in one mission by disobeying his new commanding officer, Benjamin is subjected to disciplinary action: A new mission to gain the confidence of the General's brat kid and extract from the General's estranged child information on the secret locations of three active terrorist bombs planted in the country.

Joining Vice Ganda in the cast are Richard Yap, James "Bimby" Aquino-Yap, Alex Gonzaga, Tom Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia, Al Tantay, Vandolph Quizon, Nikki Valdez, Kean Cipriano, Anja Aguilar, DJ Durano, Ricky Rivero, Dennis Padilla, Malou de Guzman, Abby Bautista, Rhed Bustamante and delightful surprise appearances by famous celebrities.

Note: Both movies will be shown with English subtitles. 

See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

MMFF14: "English Only, Please" Earns Rave Review!

"English Only, Please" earns rave review from The Philippine Star! 

Ricky Lo writes, "Villegas treats the subject with wit and humor without sacrificing the film’s serious message (watch the movie and find out for yourselves), coming up with an ensemble acting at its best, with cameo actors making their own markado moments (no matter how brief) — Kean Cipriano as Jennylyn’s gold-digging lover, Alex Vincent Medina as a homely woman’s lover, Patani (of Survivor Philippines) as the Pinay obsessed with bagging a foreigner-lover, Lyn Ynchausti (Mrs. Tirso Cruz III) and Ian de Leon as Jennylyn’s barrio-bound mother and brother, even the Korean guest performers and the little girl as the talkative daughter of Cai Cortez (Rex and Candy’s real-life daughter) who is a big (literally!) delight as Jennylyn’s hopelessly-romantic-but-luckless-in-love friend."

Read full review here: http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/01/06/1409812/fairness-defense-derek-jennylyn

If you are in Manila, you very are lucky because you still have a chance to watch this movie in theaters! Make sure you watch it this weekend.

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: Blockbuster Filipino comedy "Past Tense" opens in US theatres

TFC@theMovies brings current number one Filipino comedy film to 38 theatres in the U.S. and 13 in Canada starting December 5, 2015 

REDWOOD SHORES, CA – The last time Kim Chiu and Xian Lim teamed up on the big screen under award-winning director Mae Cruz Alviar - which was just in early 2014 - their film Bride for Rent grossed over P326 million ($7.2MM) in the Philippine box office.  Versatile comedienne Ai Ai de las Alas co-starred in Sisterakas, an entry of ABS-CBN Star Cinema to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, which earned over P391 million ($8.7MM).  These two films are now the 7th and 4th, respectively, highest grossing films of all time in Philippine cinema history.

TFC@theMovies is giving moviegoers in North America the holiday gift of a jolly ho-ho-ho and a barrel of ha-ha-ha when it brings anew director Cruz-Alviar, the love team known as "KimXi" and the genius zaniness of De las Alas in a wild comedy ride of a movie called, Past Tense, to 38 theatres in the U.S. and 13 in Canada, starting this Friday, December 5.

"This is a 'feel good' time for every member of the family, a season of joy and laughter," said ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin. "With this winning team, viewers will find themselves rolling on the floor with the laugh-a-minute barrage of jokes, comedic characters and situations.  The beauty of this is you can tell that the artists are immensely enjoying themselves in this movie and that energy is contagious.  This is a true laugh trip.  It's a fun way for TFC@themovies to wrap up 2014."

Can You Change The Past Without Messing It Up Further? 
This fresh rom-com presents the story of Belle (De Las Alas) in 2034 who wakes up after being in a coma for 20 years.  The last thing she remembers is getting into an accident while chasing after her boyfriend Carlos (Daniel Matsunaga) to apologize. She learns that Carlos died the same night that she got into an accident. Belle couldn’t believe how her life turned out.

Belle was given a chance by Papa Time (Benjie Paras) to time travel to 2014 to correct her mistakes, but as the 2034 version of herself.  In doing so, she finds out things that make her decide to change the course of the past. First, she learns that Carlos is a bad guy for her after all and that her best friend Babs (Lim) is in love with her. She then decides to make her younger self (Chiu - yes, no kidding) fall in love with Babs hoping to get Carlos out of the picture and to avoid the accident.

In the process, things go out of her control, putting Belle's future life at risk of becoming even worse.

See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: LA Premiere of "In Nomine Matris"

Award-winning Filipino movie to screen in Los Angeles on December 5, 2014!

"A MUST-SEE MOVIE!"

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!

“Will Fredo goes to those dark places artists live in day to day and also finds the comedy. He captures that fine line between passion, pursuit for our career and art, and our desire and need for a loving relationship. The trio of the mother [Tami Monsod], the mentor [Clara Ramona], and the female lead [Liza Diño] dance off is a must see but the meat stomp scene with Ava [Tami Monsod] is classic!” ~ Stephen Girasuolo, Actor/Producer NYC

"In Nomine Matris will be remembered as a stellar artistic breakthrough. But most of all, it will be honored as one of the few films that tries to understand the painful sacrifices women make either for passionate ambition or love for a man. And why most often, she cannot have both." ~ Marivir Montebon, NYC Executive Editor at OSM (Awesome Global Citizens online magazine)

“In Nomine Matris is a sensual, passionate glimpse into the world of flamenco in Manila. We're hypnotized by the rhythms of flamenco and beautiful dance captured on screen. The scene with Ava, Mara, and Mercedes (played by Tami Monsod, Liza Diño, and Clara Ramona respectively) in the dance off still gives me chills! Along with the beautiful dancing, I love love loved the mothers in this story. They are graceful fighters, embracing and protecting while guiding with their fierce gaze.” ~ Sanju Balasunderam, Solutions Manager, Integral Development Corporation (New York, USA)

"An inspiring narrative about a woman's love, her passion & sacrifice. The flair of flamenco fused with Filipino dance & music is simply remarkable. Most notable is the dance segment featuring Mara, Mercedes & Ava - it's a reflection of how these women's lives are very similar: failed relations fueled their internal conflicts, with struggles over personal motivations becoming more complex through motherhood. In Nomine Matris is a compelling showcase of Filipino talent, definitely a must-see movie!" ~ Rutchel Sajor, Banker and Proud Mother (New York, USA)

"The most pleasant surprise of the movie is Biboy Ramirez. As the less-favored son and the silent admirer of Liza Diño's character... His is clearly a case of an actor who has often been misused, even unused by an industry that puts premium on artificially-manufactured celebrities... Dalawang ulit akong pinaiyak nina Liza at Biboy -- first in the scene where BIboy finally reveals that he has loved Mara (Liza's character) all his life and the scene in the operating room... Wala na, reach na for a Kleenex from my bag." ~ Arnel Ramos, Entertainment Columnist

For Tickets: Call +1.424.232.6781 or visit http://www.thesgproductions.com/

AFIFest 2014: "From What is Before"

Lav Diaz's award-winning film "FROM WHAT IS BEFORE" finally had its US premiere today at the AFIFest. There were about 40 in attendance. By the 2 hour mark, about 5 left the screening. By the 4th hour, a third of the audience were gone.

When the film ended, a handful politely applauded the movie. A few left in a hurry. And my eyewitness source? She was disappointed with the film but praised the cinematography.

Her final text: "Very few clapped. Bitin ang ending." That's something for a movie that lasted nearly six hours!

The audience were provided with free refreshments and chips. Someone asked if there would be an intermission. The festival programmer introduced the film as "One-of-a-kind" --- literally, I guess.

The movie will have another screening tomorrow, November 13.

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: Filipino comedy "Edsa Woolworth" opens in US and Canada Nov 14!

ABS-CBN TFC's holiday offering "Edsa Woolworth" will open in US and Canada theaters on Friday, November 14.

The film stars Filipino comedian Pokwang in the titular role. “Edsa Woolworth" is a film that looks into a blended Filipino and American family whose members, at first glance, have everything clashing – personalities, lifestyles, life goals, name it. If you were to match a whole family, this one’s a mismatch. But the journey each member takes to look beyond what doesn’t work and focus on what does – within themselves and with others - is a story that will resonate among many families nowadays. In the end, it's all about love and values.

With the always brilliant funny girl, Pokwang, in the title role, expect generous moments of laugh-till-it-hurts hilarity in EDSA Woolworth. Expect some daring, too, especially with her character’s relationship with charming Chad Bauer, played by American actor Lee O’Brian. Their easy chemistry ignites onscreen and brings the audience into their private space, whether to swoon, laugh or cry.

The interesting family dynamics come into full play through the spot-on acting by the very capable supporting cast. The film assembled the dignified Stephen Spohn as Papa Frank Woolworth, the talented Ricci Chan as Boni Woolworth, and Prince Saruhan as the angst-ridden twentysomething Paco Woolworth. Enriching (or complicating) their lives are popular “Adobo Nation” co-host Lee Robin Salazar as Patrick and Princess Ryan as Shayne.

“Edsa Woolworth as a character is Pokwang. In her name alone, you can see already two cultures, two races, put together. It stands out; so do Pokwang’s character and her family in this film, in more ways and reasons than one,” said director John-D Lazatin.

Watch the trailer below:

See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

Film Review: "The Trial"

John Lloyd Cruz, Gretchen Barreto "THE TRIAL"

If one wants to be kind to the Star Cinema film "The Trial" by director Chito S. Roño and looks at it as a comedy on the hilarity of the justice system in the Philippines and the awkward integration of homosexuals into mainstream Filipino society then you will find yourself applauding the effort of the writers and the filmmakers. But sadly you will be reminded much too often that what you are watching is a melodrama carefully packaged as a socially relevant discourse on the following: rape, the haphazard justice system in the Philippines, social media, mental retardation, homosexuality, infidelity, death, marriage, and many others. The film attempts to cover so much that it feels like watching a distilled teleserye.

It's too bad because, for the first time in a long time, Gretchen Barreto acted her part quite well. Yes, she's supposed to be a psychologist but she was mostly a grieving mother all throughout and her blank, expressionless face worked to her advantage this time.

Richard Gomez was a disappointment however. The veteran actor has the build of a lawyer but the poorly- written court scenes did not do him any favor. John Lloyd Cruz was mildly effective and, oftentimes, his performance as a high-functioning developmentally disabled individual reminds you of how he usually acts "cute" in his regular rom-coms (I am not sure if it was how the character was researched by the writers).

Character actress Sylvia Sanchez has the meatiest part in the film as the lesbian mother of John Lloyd's character and, except for a few badly-written lines, she delivered the best performance in the movie. The actor who played her gay wife in the film was hilarious but it added nothing to the character.

The movie deliberately withheld one key plot detail until the predictable climax which was setup similar to a key scene in "A Few Good Men" when the two marines finally decide to tell the truth. The editing is the film's biggest strength which, to some extent, made the exposition more interesting but the lack of credible conflict and tension only led to a lackluster and dull finale.

Rating: 3 stars

xxx
Raymond Lo

Chito Rono's "The Trial" hits US cinemas!

Filipino director Chito Rono's latest film "The Trial" started its US theatrical run yesterday. The movie is playing in more than 30 cinemas all across the United States. To check for theaters and screening schedules near your city, click on this link: http://www.tfc-usa.com/schedule/

Produced by Star Cinema, the top film company in the Philippines, "The Trial" gathers some of the finest talents working in local cinema today. Roño worked on the story and screenplay by Kriz G. Gazmen, Ricky Lee and Enrico Santos. The sterling cast is led by John Lloyd Cruz, Gretchen Barretto, Richard Gomez, Enrique Gil, Jessy Mendiola, Sylvia Sanchez, Vivian Velez, Vincent De Jesus, Benjamin Alves, among others.

A Curious Case: Flaws and Secrets

The marriage of lawyer JULIAN (Richard Gomez) and developmental psychologist AMANDA (Gretchen Barretto) is already crumbling. Aggravated by the tragic death of their only son, their relationship now is beyond any chance of mending.

That chance came when one day Julian and Amanda encounter a curious case. RONALD (John Lloyd Cruz), a person with intellectual disability, is accused of raping the niece of a renowned university head, BESSY (Jessy Mendiola). The already curious case becomes more intriguing when they learn that Ronald was their son’s best buddy.

Amanda is hired by Bessy’s camp to look into Ronald to prove his lucidity and intention – hence, implicating him of the crime. However, as she tries to get to know him, the truth about Ronald and his relationship with Bessy and her deceased son all unfold before her. Believing that Ronald could have not committed the crime, she withdraws from Bessy’s camp and decides to help him.

Working together, Julian and Amanda exert every possible effort to acquit Ronald of the crime. Little do they know that his case would mean facing the truth about their broken family – something they have forever lied to themselves about.

I invite you to watch the trailer of the "The Trial" below and then proceed to the nearest theater near you to watch the movie in full.



See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

HIFF 2014: Movies to watch!

Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) presented by Halekulani will return for its 34th edition from Oct. 30 through Nov. 9 featuring films from 45 countries spanning diverse genres. 

HIFF 2014 will open with the U.S. premiere of "The Vancouver Asahi" on Oct. 30. The film is an inspirational and dramatic true story of the “Vancouver no Asahi” baseball team who played in Canada prior to World War II. The team was the focal point of the Japanese Canadian community in British Columbia until the fateful day of December 7, 1941 when the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Tsumabuki Satoshi stars as a second-generation Japanese immigrant named Reggie Kasahara, the shortstop for the team. 

Anderson Le, Director of Programming, said “HIFF is honored to open our 34th festival with an advance screening of "The Vancouver Asahi", which is slated as the big Christmas release in Japan. It is rare to see the World War II internment camp experience through the lens of Japanese nationals in a major motion picture. With a large ensemble cast consisting of Japan’s biggest stars, we’re honored to premiere this film from award- winning director Yuya Ishii.”

Check out the trailer below of "The Vancouver Asahi".



There are 180 films in the festival program this year and I have selected several films that i consider must-see! 7 are films entered by their respective countries to this year's foreign language film category of the Oscars. 4 are Filipino films (because I am!) and 1 film from Iran called "A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night" that I have been waiting for so many months now to see!

OSCAR CONTENDERS

Belgium, "TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT"

Germany, "BELOVED SISTERS"

Hong Kong, "THE GOLDEN ERA"

Italy, "HUMAN CAPITAL"

Singapore, "MY BELOVED DEAREST"

South Korea, "SEA FOG (Haemoo)"

Thailand, "A TEACHER'S DIARY"

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PHILIPPINES

"3RD IS MY FIRST" (dir. Real Florido)

"M (MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME" (dir. Zig Dulay)

"QUICK CHANGE"

"WHERE I AM KING" (dir. Carlitos Siguion-Reyna)

AND MY MUST-SEE!

Iran, "A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT"

About Hawaii International Film Festival

Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated
to the advancement of cultural exchange and media awareness in the Pacific Rim. HIFF is a
premier international film event that has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars,
educators, programmers and film industry leaders across the globe. HIFF's programming has
two particular mandates: to be a festival of record for emerging films from Asia, the Pacific, and
North America and to present the top festival films from around the world, annually screening
films from over 45 countries. HIFF also presents educational content and panels in the fields of
film and music, and mobile entertainment and gaming. These transmedia programs reflect
HIFF's commitment to exhibiting innovative creative content coming from the Asia Pacific Rim.
Visit http://www.hiff.org/ for more information.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to embrace this year’s theme of #MyHIFFMoment by sharing their unique experiences, emotions and interpretations from experiencing HIFF films.

See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

TIFF 2014: "Where I Am King"

WHERE I AM KING (Hari ng Tondo)

"Where I am King" (Hari ng Tondo), the first film in more than a decade by acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Carlos Siguion-Reyna, made its international bow to a sold-out screening at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival today as reported by my tita Baby K. Jimenez.

The film premiered in late July at the Cinemalaya Film Festival in the Philippines where it won several awards. The audience at the 3PM screening held today at the Scotiabank Theater applauded the film.

"What an outstanding project of Direk Carlos Siguion-Reyna," exclaimed tita Baby in one of her Facebook posts today. "It was a mixed crowd of Pinoys and Canadians. Bravo to the entire team. Present were Robert Arevalo, Rafa Siguion Reyna, Cris Villonco and producer/writer Bibeth Orteza."

"Where I am King" tells the story of Ricardo (Robert Arevalo), an arrogant self-made tycoon who has forgotten his humble beginnings. But years of high living and a series of poor financial decisions have caused his fortune to dwindle to practically nothing. One of the few properties he still owns is a tenement in Tondo where he grew up in. So, with his two grandchildren in tow (over the objections of his greedy children), he moves back into the crumbling apartment block he left behind. Greeted with anger from the residents over his never-fulfilled promises to improve the building, Ricardo comes face to face with what decades of neglect have done to a once-proud neighbourhood. Even as the impoverished slumlord gradually comes to understand slum life from the other side, he is forced to combat the meddling of his children, who are bribing the corrupt building manager, Ricardo's lifelong friend Boyong (Rez Cortez), to make sure that Ricardo and his grandkids have an extremely difficult time adjusting to their new lives.

I can't wait for this movie to screen in Los Angeles soon...

Here are some pics from TIFF.

Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Bibeth Orteza (writer), Robert Arevalo
(Photo credit: Baby K. Jimenez)

Actor Epy Quizon (2nd from Right) and Baby K. Jimenez (Leftmost)
(Photo credit: Baby K. Jimenez)

Bibeth Orteza, Baby K. Jimenez, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Carlos Siguion-Reyna
(Photo credit: Baby K. Jimenez)

Rafa Siguion-Reyna (Rightmost and Cris Villonco (Leftmost)
Photo credit: Baby K. Jimenez

XXX
Raymond Lo

RAKENROL: Watch for free!

Great news, my friends and readers!

"Rakenrol", the latest film from Quark Henares, the acclaimed Filipino filmmaker behind such terrific thrillers as "Keka" and "Gamitan", is now available for download from Amazon.com.

And, for a limited time, download is FREE!

Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Rakenrol-English-Subtitled-Jason-Abalos/dp/B00KM2L5AK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405306427&sr=8-1&keywords=rakenrol 

Enjoy!

Rakenrol

XXX

Raymond Lo

In Photos: 2014 Cinemalaya Films

The Philippines most prestigious film festival (last year's top winner, "Transit", is a personal favorite!) will be held beginning August 2nd and will run through the 10th. This is the 10th edition of the annual festival and this year's entries seem to hold a lot of promise. Based on the posters i gathered, that is.

Notable films this year include Carlitos Siguion-Reyna's first film in more than a decade, "Hari ng Tondo", Joel Lamangan's "Hustisya", starring Nora Aunor and penned by Ricky Lee and the Nova Villa-Freddie Webb film, "1st ko si 3rd."

Here are the posters of some of the films in competition this year.

"1st ko si 3rd"

"Asintado"

"Bwaya"

"Dagitab"

"Hari ng Tondo"

"Hustisya"

"The Janitor"

"Sundalong Kanin"

"Kasal"

"K'na, the Dreamweaver"

"Transit" earns 8 Gawad Urian noms

One of my favorite Filipino films in recent years received a commanding eight nominations from the leading critics group in the Philippines. Three Filipino films ("Death March", "Norte", "On the Job or OTJ") that debuted at last year's Cannes Film Festival also received multiple nominations.

Below is the full list of nominees to the 37th Gawad Urian. Winners will be announced in June.

Good luck to my favorite Hannah Espia and "Transit"!

Best Picture

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

OTJ

Transit

Ekstra

Riddles of my Homecoming

Badil

Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti

Porno

Dukit

Best Actor

Mark Gil (A Philipino Story)

Joel Torre (OTJ)

Mimi Juarenza (Quick Change)

Sid Lucero (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

Ping Medina (Transit)

Jhong Hilario (Badil)

Alex Medina (Babagwa)

Best Actress

Nora Aunor (Mabuti)

Vilma Santos (Ekstra)

Angeli Bayani (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

Cherie Gil (Sonata)

Eugene Domingo (Instant Mommy)

Rustica Carpio (Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)

Agot Isidro (Mga Anino ng Kahapon)

Vivian Velez (Bendor)

Lorna Tolentino (Burgos)
Teri Malvar (Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita)

Best Supporting Actor

Junjun Quintana (A Philippino Story)

Art Acuna (Kabisera)

John Arcilla (Metro Manila)

Joey Marquez (OTJ)

Yul Servo (Porno)

Carlo Aquino (Porno)

Victor Basa (Lauriana)

Cesar Montano (Alamat ni China Doll)

Archie Alemania (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

Bor Ocampo (Dukit)

Best Supporting Actress

Angel Aquino (Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita)

Angel Aquino (Porno)

Mitch Smith (Angustia)

Ruby Ruiz (Ekstra)

Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Transit)

Raquel Villavicencio (Dukit)

Best Direction

Erik Matti (OTJ)

Lav Diaz (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)

Jeffrey Jeturian (Ekstra)

Peque Gallaga and Lorie Reyes (Sonata)

Arnel Mardoquio (Riddles of My Homecoming)

Hannah Espia (Transit)

Alvin Yapan (Mga Anino ng Kahapon)

Whammy Alcazaren (Islands)

Chito Rono (Badil)

Mes de Guzman (Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti)

Adolf Alix Jr. (Porno)

Bing Lao (Dukit)

Best Screenplay

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

OTJ

Badil

Transit

Babagwa

Porno

Death March

Bing Lao (Dukit)

Best Production Design

Sonata

Riddles of my Homecoming

OTJ

Ekstra

Porno

Shift

Dukit

Best Music

Lauriana

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

Riddles of My Homecoming

Sonata

Dukit

Best Cinematography

Riddles of My Homecoming

Transit

OTJ

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

Porno

Islands

Dukit

Best Editing

OTJ

Riddles of My Homecoming

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

Porno

Transit

Dukit

Best Sound

OTJ

Ekstra

Transit

Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan

Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti

Death March

Dukit

Natatanging Gawad Urian Award: Mike de Leon

XXX

Raymond De Asis Lo