Eula Valdez and Emilio Garcia in 'Manghuhula'

The movie “Manghuhula” is as the title suggests, about fortune-telling, and it explores the true nature of the craft, or shall we say a “gift.” Or a profession, a long-established part of Filipino culture or tradition.

The movie stars Eula Valdez, Glaiza de Castro, Chanda Romero, Emilio Garcia, Pinky Amador, Bella Flores and with the special participation of Angel Aquino, Epy Quizon, Mark Gil, Meryll Soriano, John Lapuz, Mel Martinez, Tuesday Vargas, Candy Pangilinan, and Harlene Bautista.

The director, Paolo Herras said: “Our objective is to tell a story for Filipino audiences. While it is commercial, it has artistic integrity. And though it is an indie movie, I believe the Filipino audience will like it.”

And why “manghuhula?”

“I would like the ‘manghuhula’ to be the star of the movie,” the director said. “In other and previous movies where the ‘manghuhula’ is featured, he has always been an insignificant ‘extra.’”

The director added that a true “manghuhula” does not charge any amount for his profession, but he accepts donation.

While the movie is slated for exhibition abroad – particularly in film festivals – the director said that it will be shown first in the Philippines.
The movie has been in the can since last year and it was shown in a local film festival.

Emilio Garcia plays the role of a syndicate leader among manghuhulas. “He is my first choice for the role,” the director stressed. “Mahusay at magaling siya!”

While indie movies pay lesser talent fees than mainstream movies, Emilio Garcia said: “For the love of it!!”

Eula Valdez plays the role of an unsuccessful “manghuhula” that she had to leave her hometown – and when she returns, she finds her daughter (played by Glaiza de Castro) practicing the same craft. Afraid that her daughter may also fail, she wants to stop her.

Suspense-thriller movie fans and critics alike would surely love watching “Manghuhula,” a movie by a new film industry player AP 24.07. “Manghuhula” was the most popular local indie film screened at the 2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival. Produced partly through a grant given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, it is a good example of a movie which blends artistic integrity and mass commercial appeal.

The film opens on Sept. 10.
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‘Moomoo & Me’ on TV5

Have you seen a ghost? Or do you want to experience the presence of  one?

Ghosts are not scary. Especially when the one playing a ghost is the handsome John Prats!

“I haven’t seen a ghost yet,” John said during the press conference launching their comedy sitcom, “Moomoo & Me” which will air starting Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. and every Thursday thereafter on TV5.

The fantasy-adventure, aside from John Prats also stars BJ Forbes, William Martinez, and Yayo Aguila.

The story revolves around a suburban town in Bulacan, where smart and perpetually curious 11-year-old Junjun Magpantay (played by BJ Forbes) discovers mysterious activities happening in the neighborhood with the help of his playful dog Choco. This leads him to meeting Oscar (played by John Prats) – or “Moomoo,” as Junjun fondly calls him.

Moomoo is a friendly ghost who moves from house to house trying to find the perfect family to which he could belong to. He stumbles upon the Magpantay family composed of Junjun’s loveable father Fred (played by William Martinez) and his beautiful and devoted wife Rose (played by Yayo Aguila). Junjun’s very cute and talkative little sister Misty (played by “Kiddie Kwela’s” Martoni), and RC (played by Saab Magalona) – Junjun’s beautiful and kind sister, who Moomoo instantly falls in love with.

Through Moomoo’s ghostly powers and Junjun’s savvy, they are able to help other ghosts in need, fight monsters, ward off evils, interact with other fantastical creatures, solve mysteries, and share heartwarming human and supernatural experiences.

Other members of the cast are Paul Andre Salas, Empoy Marquez, Celine Lim, Tiya Pusit, and IC Mendoza.

Also part of the adventure is Kapitan Bruno (played by Benjie Felipe) and Peter Cruz, the newspaper boy who always gets in a silly fight with Precious (IC Mendoza).

The first episode, “Ang Kahol Ni Choco,” features Choco, the dog, who mysteriously would not stop barking. Soxy Topacio directs “Moomoo & Me.”

TV5 is now concentrating on comedy and horror sitcoms but with wholesome values.

Direk Topacio said that their shows are for the family.

John Prats, who was allowed by ABS-CBN to appear in the TV5 sitcom comedy, said that the show would be exploring several important values, including care for the environment.

John, who plays the ghost “moomoo,” said that though he has not seen any ghost yet, he believes in their existence.

Tiya Pusit believes in moomoo. “We have one at home, in fact, in my room,” she said. “I feel their presence very often,” she added.

“We have an excellent bonding,” William said of the cast. “Masaya kami palagi!”

Watch “Moomoo & Me,” and you’ll be lucky to feel the presence of a ghost!

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Libya opens up to the world

From the pigeonhole:

Coming out from decades of isolation, Libya has opened its doors to the rest of the world. With a small population, it is one of the largest and wealthiest countries in Africa. Libya now welcomes foreign tourists, professional and skilled workers, and business investors – as the nation fervently embarks on the development of tourism, modernization of industries and infrastructures, and opening up to global economy.

“It’s a very exciting time to live and work in Libya because it’s a time of change. So many opportunities and possibilities with the modernization projects and new government policies,” enthused Ms. Belen M. Al-Humayed, president of Bison Management Corp. With over 20 years of solid experience in the recruitment field, Bison Management has started deploying Filipino workers in various construction companies in Libya this year. She said that Filipino workers are very much sought-after because of the quality of work they deliver. It’s an opportunity Filipinos should seize.

Abundant in cultural and historical heritage, Libya has been reinforcing its tourism infrastructure.

Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Arab influences abound in Libyan culture and history. The unique blend of the ancient and the modern makes Libya a new destination for foreign tourists eager to explore both worlds. City hubs pulsate with renewed energy as the ancient ruins lull the tourists into nostalgic centuries. Libya’s coastal cities are laced with alluring beaches and the Sahara desert is mottled with enigmatic dunes.

Libya’s wealth not only lies in its colorful heritage and significant oil reserves, but its own people, too. Ms. Belen M. Al-Humayed also observed that “as a Filipino doing business with them, I find the Libyan people fair, warm, and hospitable. Also, having a diverse cultural inheritance makes them an enduring and uniquely interesting people.”

Libyans are very highly literate. Education and healthcare are free. With its considerable petroleum revenues, the government has also managed to provide subsidized housing, transport services, and other basic necessities. 

From the discovery of oil reserves in 1959, the bloodless revolution 10 years later, and the subsequent decades of isolation, to the 40 years of remarkable governance of the Great Leader and Father of the Revolution Muammar al-Qaddafi, Libya has reinvented and catapulted itself from a poor country to a wealthy and welcoming nation.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Tuesday, Sept. 1, go to former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, Ariel Rivera, Dr. Jazmine V. Gongora, Azenith Briones, Philip Cruz, Dennis Mendiola, Edd Baluyot, Emma Borja, Minda Reyes, Ramon Astete, Flora Gutierrez, Engr. Armando A. Villarojo, Peachie Naidas Abacan, Evita Bunyi, Jacqueline S. Fernandez, MB graphic artist Marco Bermejo, Alex Pili and  Jon Avila and Michelle Carbonell of Star Magic...