The GMA Artist Center (GMAAC), headed by Ms. Isa Ramos-Henares, gave birth recently to a unique, one-of-a-kind film project, a trilogy entitled "Puso 3." This is a remarkable digital film by three talented directors: Peque Gallaga, and Soxie Topacio and Rahyan Carlos, who makes his full-length feature film debut.
The trilogy, done in the tradition of GMAAC’s pioneering digital films last year ("La Funeracia Toti," "Silip," and "Kilig...Pintig...Yanig"), is in fulfillment of the Kapuso Network’s premier talent development groups’ promise to dish out more impressive projects this year. "Puso 3" is being shown at the Robinson’s Movieworld Galleria Cinema 2.
"Puso 3" is a compilation of three masterpieces by three brilliant minds: "Lost and Found," helmed by Peque Gallaga; "Siklo," by Soxie Topacio; and "Kulam," by Rahyan Carlos.
"Lost and Found," written by Wanggo Gallaga (Peque’s equally son) is an off-beat, out-of-the-ordinary story about a unique journey and surreal realizations. It’s a quirky comedy about missing persons, "accepting the bizaare and discovering the nature of the people close to you during stressful moments."
"Siklo," on the other hand, is an inspiring tale of optimism written by Rahyan Carlos. It tackles domestic violence, with the victim joining a support group whose leader the victim becomes close to, sharing her heartaches and desires with her. A striking twist will make the victim realize that her life need not end in despair, knowing that after each love lost, life goes on.
"Kulam," written by the director himself (Rahyan Carlos) is a mystic and intriguing story about love and black magic. In the cast are LJ Reyes, Mike Tan, Ryza Cenon, CJ Muere, MC Montinola, Michael Garcia, Jonalyn Viray, Neil Ferreira and 91 actors from GMA Acting Workshop for Film and TV with the special participation of Mark Herras.
The story goes: "Just as Edwin and Tinay begin their journey of love, a long-time feud between their families is revealed by Tinay’s overprotective father, Luis, who despises Edwin’s family because of the dark secret of Edwin’s mother. After catching the two lovers in a tryst even after having been warned by Luis to discontinue their relationship, Luis threatens Edwin by almsot beating him to death.
"To seek vengeance, Edwin’s mother, Julieta, uses witchcraft to bring suffering on Luis and Tinay. Tinay’s family seeks the aid of a witch doctor who battles fiercely with Julieta on the supernatural plane. Luis survives and discovers an even darker secret revealed by Julieta. Will these revelations finally end the feud? Amidst all the conflict, will dwin and Tinay’s love for each other triumph in the end?"
Other notable personalities who’re part of "Puso 3" included Chanda Romero and theater couple Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez. By the way, the premiere of "Puso 3" was supported by Robinson’s Movieworld, Robinson’s Galleria, Liveraide, Taheebo, Fitrum, and Popy’s Grill.
Previous directors who have also worked with the GMAAC, supporting the center’s main thrust and vision that is to deliver the full experience of what an acting workshop is, are outstanding directors Mark Reyes and Carlitos Siguion Reyna.
The GMA Artist Center also launched (during the premiere of "Puso 3") their five 8minuter digital films, for which the workshop participants manned the entire production process, from conceptualization, and scriptwriting to directing the entire film.
The talent development group of GMA will also embark on a bigger endeaver in the coming months. Starting this April, the GMAAC will be targeting schools with the workshop caravan that will cover different educational institutions.
Toprating Asianovelas
Incidentally, GMA 7’s two primetime Asianovelas continue to dominate the ratings. These are "Jewel in the Palace" and "My Name is Kim Sam Soon," Korea’s No. 1 dramas for 2004 and 2005, respectively. These two Asianovelas has also taken by storm other parts of Asia (not only the Philippines) and the US as well.
It comes as no wonder for more and more viewers are getting hooked to Jang Geum’s (Lee oung Ae) compelling and inspiring life story and Kim Sam Soon’s (Kim Sun Ah) hilarious antics and wisecracks. So many viewers have also fallen in love with the love story of Jang Geum and Captain Min Jung-o (Ji Jin-hee) and the funny budding romance between Kim Sam Soon and her boss, Cyrus (Hyun Bin).
There are a lot more events to look forward to in the succeeding episodes of these two unbeatable Korenovelas. In "Jewel in the Palace," while Jang Geum has succeeded in returning to the palace as a nurse this time, a lot of people continue to doubt her abilities since she is still new to the job. This is why people found it hard to believe her when she said that there is still an infant in the queen’s womb, especially since the more superior and renowned nurse in the palace, Yeul-Yee (Lee e Eun), thinks otherwise. The two of them observed the queen together to determine who has better skills in healing people.
It did not take long before a dead infant came out of the queen’s womb which proved that Jang Geum was right; the queen did in fact carry twins in her womb. Yeul Yee apologized to the palace officials, but she angrily accused Jang Geum of humiliating her.
Meanwhile, in "My Name is Kim Sam Soon," will Kim Sam Soon finally fall for Cyrus? Watch out for it in forthcoming episodes.
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Jeffrey Hidalgo, Company at Pavilion’s Boulvar Lounge
Singer-actor-chemical engineer Jeffrey Hidalgo is the chosen solo celebrity performer for the month of March at the new Boulvar Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel. Loyal fans may catch this Grand Prize Winner of the Kenny Rogers Music Song Festival and Bronze Awardee of the Shanghai Music Festival on March 17, at 8:30 pm. at this much-talked about lounge at the corner of Ma. Orosa St. and UN Ave.
A most versatile artist-being a television and theater actor and recording and live concert artist all in one, Jeffrey is also one of the most intelligent performers around. Atty. Dot Gancayco, entertainment manager of the Boulvar Lounge, proudly says of his friend, "Jeffrey is one ery intelligent and excellent performer who has remained humble in spite of all his achievements. Unknown to many, Jeffrey Hidalgo is a Philippine Science High School Graduate who went on to take up B.S. Chemical Engineering at the University of the Philippines as a DOST scholar. In May 2003, he ranked 11th in the Philippine Chemical Engineering Licensure Examinations. All these he accomplished while garnering awards and rave reviews in the performing arts circle. Jeffrey is a gifted performer who has valued good education and is role model to aspiring young talents," Atty. Dot declares.
On March 31, at 8:30 pm., the celebrity group for the month, The Company, goes back on stage, by insistent demand, at the Boulvar Lounge. Composed of equally versatile, talented and intelligent members, The Company has won over 35 music industry awards and is the country’s loungest running vocal harmony act. Front act for booth shows is the Time Machine.
Other performers at Boulvar Lounge are: The alluring Myla Galang (Sundays); singer-commercial model Suzy Unas (Mondays); singer-actress Margarita (Tuesdays); singer-model-host Miss Eskinol Girl Jeli Mateo (Wednesdays); new recording artist and MTV Supahstar winner Sitti Navarro (Thursdays); the versatile performer April Ramos alternates with the retro group Time Machine (on Fridays); and, the captivating Jennifer Palor alternates Saturdays with the hottest acoustic group in town, Sandilea.
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‘Never Again’ concert for press freedom at UP Sunken Garden
"To speak, to utter, to word and to sound off is a right and when taken away from me, I would feel disconnected with my very spirit and body. What is ours we shall recover," said singer Cynthia Alexander, one of the ten women leaders protesting the continuing moves by the government to stifle press freedom and civil liberties even after the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017.
Isis International–Manila, a women’s communication and information NGO, is spearheading the campaign called "Free4All: Keep the Media Free."
With Alexander and actress Chin Chin Gutierrez in this cause are community leader Lina Bacalando, academic and formerchair of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women Aurora de Dios, psychologist and academio Sylvia Estrada–Claudio, columnist Rina Jimenez–David, homemaker Mavic Diy Lee, student Erika Sales, journalist Olive Tripon, and lawyer Riza Faith Ybanez.
The ten launched the campaign to add their voices against moves to stifle press freedom in the country.
Calling themselves ‘advocates,’ the all–women group expressed their disapproval over the police’s takeover of the national broadsheet Daily Tribune and the threats to take over other media organizations that would not follow "standards set by the government."
"We cannot allow the repression of free and independent media and consequently deny the very freedoms of people to participate in proactive decision making. We cannot claim to exist in a democracy when its potent ally and protector in the form of free and independent media are stifled," said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez will perform the opening number of the "Never Again! Concert for Freedom" today, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the UP Sunken Garden.
The concert is organized in response to efforts by the government to suppress not just the freedom of the press but the people’s civil liberties as well.
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The JB Soul Music Specialists at Ratsky Morato
If you haven’t watched them yet, the new evangelists of soul music in the country bring their act to Ratsky’s along Tomas Morato, tomorrow, Friday, March 17. Mark that date and venue as The JB, Soul Music Specialists, transports the Jack Daniel’s Soul Music Bar Tour to Quezon City.
Before this, The JB sang for capacity crowds at Captain’s Bar of Mandarin Oriental Manila, Strumm’s Jupiter, Aruba Bar and Restaurant at Metro Walk, and Serendipity Lounge of Discovery Suites. Brand manager Emil Liwanag and on premise manager Awee Ramirez, both of Premier Wine and Spirits, Philippine representative of sponsor Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, see in The JB the ideal product endorser, besides being an appropriate vehicle for its music advocacy. Jack Daniel’s, the topselling American whiskey, continues to fortify its links to music, musicians and music lovers through its support of The JB.
Recently, the band went on a provincial tour and performed at the Atmosphere’s Bar of Metro Centre, BQ Mall, JJ’s Seafoods Restaurant, Bohol Tropics and CMM Gym.Jack Daniel’s Soul Music Bar Tour with The JB visits Manila Pavilion’s Alegria Bar on Friday, March 24 and Chef & Brewer along Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center on Friday, March 31. Be there!
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 16, go to pop diva Kuh Ledesma, Becca Godinez, Eloisa Nicolas, Frederick "Butch" Liwanag, Mary Grace Tan, Marie Bernabe, Charlene Tabora, Josie Bernardo, Ma. Lourdes M. Estanislao, Abe Florendo, Abraham S.D. Gumatay, Ariel G. Antonio and Paw Diaz...Plaza Fair’s treat to the graduates this March is the chance to avail of a Buy One-Take One promo or as much as 20% discounts on department store items from March 16-19. The four-day big promo sale is available in all Plaza Fair branches in Manila, Makati, Cubao, Angono, Baguio, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. After their graduation promo, Plaza Fair will also launch very soon its summer appliance raffle draw.
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