After almost two decades, the most-trailed horror trilogy franchise is back with another set of spine–chillers—"Shake, Rattle & Roll 2K5’s" "Poso" by Uro de la Cruz, "Aquarium" by Rico Ilarde and "Lihim" by Richard Somes.
The men behind the terror all claim that they are fans of the suspense-horror genre. Although Uro de la Cruz is known for his unfailing comedy in TV’s "Bubble Gang," he has directed the hit "Bahay ni Lola" and doesn’t mind making another successful outing in "Poso" which stars Ai Ai de las Alas and Gloria Romero.
For his part, director Rico Ilarde honed his scare tactics on Regal horror flicks like "Dugo ng Birhen" and "Babaeng Putik" as well as the hit docu-horror series "Nginiig." Rico now tackles the wicked plot of "Aquarium" starring Ogie Alcasid and Ara Mina.
The director said he was inspired by Academy award-winning director Roman Polanski’s classic horror "Rosemary’s Baby." He tells, "In ‘Aquarium,’ the creature attacks a family whose members are all paranoid. Ogie’s character who is Ara’s husband is worried that his wife will discover he’s having an affair with a younger woman. On the other hand, Ara is scared that her husband is cheating on her. Meanwhile, their son, played by Paul Salas, is convinced that there’s something scary in the aquarium but no one believes him. I tried to heighten the fears by putting lots of shadowy areas in the condo, and making it claustrophobic."
In the episode "Lihim," Richard Somes writes and directs a classic tale of aswang as he confessed that one of the scariest episode of "Shake, Rattle & Roll" he’s ever seen was "Aswang" starring Manilyn Reynes, Aljon Jimenez and Anna Roces. "It was so scary. The thought of being trapped in a remote town where everybody else could be an aswang is really something," the director said.
In "Lihim," Mark Anthony Fernandez and Tanya Garcia play husband and wife trapped in a secluded village inhabited by, you guessed it right, aswangs! Other than the general idea of the story, the fear in the film and the characters, Richard promised, will be unpredictable.
Mark said that the challenge of his role is playing a husband whose efforts never seem to be enough to protect his pregnant wife against the aswangs. Mark compliments his director by saying "He’s one of the few directors who will shout after a good take. He doesn’t hold it back when he’s happy about the outcome and that makes an actor feel good."
"Shake, Rattle & Roll 2K5" is Regal Entertainment’s official entry to the December Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
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Rico J. Puno holds
Xmas shows at Coriks
US-based musical director and cancer patient Toti Fuentes returns to Manila for "Rico J. Puno & Freinds," 9 p.m.; at Coriks Bar, Dec. 14, 21 and 28. The three-night event will launch his Rico J. Puno and Friends Christmas album project, exclusively distributed by Vicor Music Corp., produced by Bibsy Carballo with all tracks arranged by Toti.
Performing will be Rico J. with Toti on the keyboard and artists featured in the CD –Ivy Violan, Jenine Desiderio, Ricky Davao, Tosca Puno, Jacqui Magno, Tirso Cruz lll, Jackielou Blanco, Ranne Mallari, Richard Merk, Kim Diaz, Bodjie Pascua, and Miguel Castro who will also host the events.
The CD project which benefits children similarly afflicted with cancer, is an all-star album of traditional Christmas carols in duets and trios. All performers donated their fees to the cause. The songs include "On Holy Nights," "We Three Kings," "Go tell it on the Mountain," "Away in a Manger," "Angels we have heard on High," "Oh Little town of Bethlehem," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The First Noel," "What Child is This?" Other performers are the CY Voice, and the St. John’s Chorale backing up some numbers.
Coriks is located at Kingswood Arcade, Vito Cruz ext. corner Pasong Tamo, Makati.
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Three noted artists launched
their Christmas album
The Christmas album of Juan Rodrigo, Marri Nallos and Christian was recently launched at SM Manila via a mini concert. The album contains original songs composed by pop guru, Raffy Amaranto of POPPSINC. The album of OPM songs is certainly a good gift to the industry this Christmas. It will be a valuble addition to the growing list of OPM Christmas songs.
The "Original Crystal Voice of Asia," Marri Nallos’ inimitable interpretation of "Anniversary Natin Muli" is predicted to replace the blockbuster Christmas song for the past 10 years now, "Pasko Na Sinta Ko," in the charts and in the hearts of every Filipino. Juan Rodrigo, the movie-TV and stage actor turned recording artist was a big surprise in his suave and romantic interpretation of "Ang Christmas Carol Nating Dalawa."
A relative newcomer, Christian who interpreted "It’s Christmas," showed great promise with his remarkable voice in his first attempt to penetrate the pop world. Christian is student of UST’s Conservatory of Music and POPPSINC under Raffy Amaranto. The Whispering Hope/Silver Bells Medley interpreted by Juan Rodrigo, Marri Nallos and Christian is a showstopper number.
The Christmas album was designed to be a Christmas gift, as produced by ADC Entertainment and Music Publishing. Executive producers are Nelia Lim and Raffy O. Amaranto, creative director is Benjo Laygo as arranged and mixed by Ferdie Marquez at Freq. Stations Foundation.
The Christmas album promo will also be a part of the ongoing project "The Crystal Voice of Asia Mall Tour" of Marri Nallos with Juan Rodrigo as special guest and introducing Christian.
The Christmas Album is now on sale in all Radio City outlets and Musikland in Araneta Center’s Farmer’s Plaza and Ali Mall. For delivery within Metro Manila call up 252-1560 and look for Ms. Amy dela Cruz.
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Studio 23’s ‘Baybreak’
party drew thousands
The recent party along Roxas Blvd. billed as "Baybreak 2005" and hosted by Studio 23 was a big success, drawing between 80,000-100,00 people in between three concert stages, according Manila City Hall estimate, Leo Katigbak, head of Studio 23, excitedly related to us. The event was in celebration of Studio 23’s ninth anniversary.
Held in cooperation with the City of Manila, "Baybreak 2005" featured top artists and bands like Erik Santos, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almalbis, Rivermaya, Hale, Orange and Lemons, Mojofly, Juan Pablo Dream, Brownman Revival, Depression and Sandwich among many others.
Hosts were Ryan Agoncillo ("Y Speaks"), Asia Agcaoili ("PBB"), Angel Aquino, Dapne Osena and Amanda Griffin ("F"), Bam Aquino, Wacky Valdes, Patty Laurel, Atom Araullo, Angel Rivero and JC Cuadrado ("Breakfast"), Jhong Hilario ("Nginiig") and the hosts of other Studio 23 programs.
The studio hosted the first "Baybreak" party last year and it attracted about 40,000 over six concert stages. The success of the "Baybreak" parties clearly illustrates the ever growing popularity of Studio 23 with its target audience which is the young. Actually, their programs appeal to all audiences both male and female but "our core demographic is the young, between 1625," Leo said. "It’s important that we stay connected to the young , the future of the country, since Studio 23 aims to be the voice of the young." He also announced that they’re gearing up for more shows next year.
Among Studio 23’s top shows today is "Pinoy Big Brother," a 30-minute version hosted by sexy Asia Agcaoili.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 12, go to Honorary Consul Bobby Joseph, Pops Fernandez, Carlos Agassi, Fe Ng, Joan Roncan, Emil Venus, Jr., Roger Begre, Isabel T. Baluyut, Lilli-Anne Pajaro, Winnie Noriega, Lilian B. Cruz, Rogel Velasco, Lulu Vasquez Velasco, Gil B. Ortiz, Ben Martillo, Maria Paz C. Peñaflorida, this section’s lay-out artist Dante ‘Danz’ A. Lagana, and Paula J. White... Belated b-day greetings to Damaso D. Lopez of St. Joseph Academy-Valenzuela Karuhatan (Dec. 11).
