Rhap Salazar

"Galing ng Pinoy,” a music video, hails the Filipino, either here or abroad, as one “who stands shoulder to shoulder with anyone.” Produced by Western Union Company, it is a song that celebrates the “can do” spirit of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Twelve-year-old Rhap Salazar, a junior grand champion at the World Championship of the Performing Arts, performed the song which is uplifting and heart warming. The music video was directed by GB Sampedro, a recipient of the best director award at the recently-held Cinemalaya Film Festival. Jonathan Manongdo wrote the lyrics and the music.

Patricia Riingen, senior vice president, Pacific and Indonesia, Western Union Company, said of the song:

“Our gift of music, ‘Galing ng Pinoy,’ is another way to connect OFWs and their families. Uplifting and inspiring, the anthem reminds OFWs of their loved ones, the reason for their sacrifice and the fuel that keeps them moving forward. In three minutes and four verses, the song transports OFWs back to the Philippines, a place where – no matter how successful they become elsewhere – they can always call home. Through ‘Galing ng Pinoy,’ we pay tribute to Filipino migrant workers, reminding them of their achievements and encouraging them to continue on their journey toward a better life.”

Miss Riingen added that “Galing ng Pinoy,’” which was launched through a press conference, added that the song/music video will be “rolled at grassroots events and at Filipino celebrations sponsored by Western Union. It will also be released to radio stations so that all Filipinos can enjoy this song.”

The music video director, said: “In this video, we see the struggle of a family and that their Filipino values remain through any problem. Whatever happens, the family is complete!”

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Club Mwah turns 5

The dazzling Club Mwah along Boni Ave. in Mandaluyong City marks a milestone this month of November, its fifth anniversary. Yes, for five solid years, the renowned club has been providing quality and world-class shows to discriminating audiences coming from a cross section of Philippine society – showbiz luminaries, art and beauty connoisseurs, the so-called Manila’s 500, diplomats, businessmen, socialites, fashion models and designers and even balikbayans who came to know of Club Mwah through the Net.

In his five years of existence, Club Mwah has garnered various awards and recognitions from various award-giving bodies here and abroad as an affirmation of its upscale excellence and high standard of artistry that is comparable with those of Las Vegas, New York, and Paris. The club is accredited by DoT.

“It’s no joke to be able to maintain this artistic pursuit just to live up to the expectations of our guests!,” says Club Mwah VP and Executive Producer Pocholo Malillin. “We have to be always aware of what’s happening in the biz. We always have to continue to be creative and artistic!”

The club’s fabulous shows are at par with Broadway-type performances of Las Vegas, New York and Paris with different influences from movie musicals that represent Indian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Thailand, Korean, and Chinese cultures.

Club Mwah’s success is brought about by the hard work of its executive producer and vice president, Pocholo Malillin and his partner Cris Nicolas, the choreographer, director, costume designer and set designer all rolled into one.

Pocholo and Cris are the real trailblazers in this kind of entertainment business.

Pocholo, by the way, informs that starting October until their anniversary month, Club Mwah will come up with three different shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. A dazzling dance number a la-Vegas opens the “Moulin Rouge” and Broadway shows which will feature fabulous showgirls. The repertoire each night will include reinvented versions of past production numbers which clicked with the crowd, like the Egyptian Tableau, Show Girl, African Dance, Sakura Flower Festival, Miss Saigon, Spoof, Diamonds are Girls’ Best Friend, Phantom of the Opera, Titanic, Masquerade, Little Mermaid, Madam Butterfly, and Cats among others.

Next year, Filipiniana goes Broadway at Club Mwah as it presents Philippine folk dances billed as “Follies Piniana.”

Club Mwah is also a favorite venue for parties – weddings, debuts, birthdays, anniversaries, product launches, fund-raising shows, awards events and other special occasions. For inquiries, visit www.clubmwah.com.

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Joel Torre’s ‘Ang Beerhouse’

Another promising indie (digital) movie is “Ang Beerhouse,” produced by Joel Torre, written and directed by Jon Red.

“The movie is an actual marriage between an independent and main stream,” Jon Red, the director said. The 90-minute movie took almost two years in the making. As its title suggests, it evolves from among the stories of people who often frequent a beerhouse.

“The story in ‘Ang Beerhouse’ does not necessarily mean it is true in all beerhouses,” Joel Torre explained. “The stories are only particular in ‘Ang Beerhouse.’”

“Ang Beerhouse,” with special appearances by Joel Torre, Ronnie Lazaro, and Ronnie Cruz, stars Ryan Eigenmann, Jeffrey Quizon, and Gwen Garci with Kalila Agilos, Che Ramos, Catherine Racasag, Hector Macaso, Jun Ureta, Herbie Vetus, Raul Morit, and Tado.

Noynoy (Ryan Eigenmann) runs a barbeque stand with his friend Brad across the Red Light Beerhouse. This is where he sees and eventually falls for the bar girl Jewel (Gwen Garci). Although Noynoy is afraid to cross paths with Harry (Jeffrey Quizon), Jewel’s pimp, he proceeds to come up with an escape plan to “save” her.

“Ang Beerhouse” is a satire and black comedy set in a carnivalesque bar filled with colorful characters not far from our contemporary society – the corrupt but anonymous boss, his power-hungry henchmen, seductive sirens, low-lives… together with a dreaming and struggling underdog… and the alluring muse. Sexy and funny, yet insightful. “Ang Beerhouse” is intoxicating.

“Ang Beerhouse” is now on its regular exhibition.

With English subtitles, “Ang Beerhouse” will also be making the rounds among film festivals worldwide.

Jon Red also said that with the movie, “we also experimented on ideas. It is a light comedy, and the comedies are situational. It covers a typical love story, street smart, very humane.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 31 go to Annabelle Rama, Christopher de Leon, Tessie Tomas, Mrs. Imelda Aguilar, Francisco Gomez de Liano, former QC Vice Mayor Connie Angeles, Liza Lorena, Conrado Giron, Rene Bisquera, Marites Sapigao, Willy Narvacan, Marie Pantojan, Atty. Ed Gaddi, Boyet Pasco, Andre Freiderick T. Alisuag, Grace Tamayo, Manny Zamora, Luz Sanchez, and TV/movie director Rory B. Quintos.