Author: Jude Cartalaba

Sam Milby and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo’s new film has a “fear factor” element for both of them. First, The Diary of Mrs. Winters is a horror movie project. Its director Ryan Carlos stressed that the overarching theme of the story is conquering one’s fear. And the multi-awarded actress Santos-Agoncillo has fear of cold and snow, which she said stemmed from her time in Toronto, Canada when she was 14 years old. She was spending time with her mother who worked there during wintertime. Santos-Agoncillo said she can feel her ears because of the cold, which has made her fear the…

On Thursday, February 16, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued an official statement and signed by the Agency’s chair Diorella Maria G. Sotto-Antonio that read, “It is mindful that discriminatory and offensive portrayals of Filipino Muslims harm our Muslim brothers and sisters and also run counter to the call of President Marcos, Jr. for national unity.” The Honorable Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong found the depiction of Muslim characters in the action series Batang Quiapo, starring Coco Martin–is offensive. According to MTRCB, it is currently working on institutionalizing television and motion picture guidelines or policies to be responsive…

In response to Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s call to ban and condemnation of the film Plane, a Gerard Butler-starrer, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) stated today, February 16, that it will re-evaluate the Hollywood film after lawmakers claimed that it portrayed the Philippines in a “bad light.” Padilla in a manifestation seconded by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri noted that allowing a foreign film to present a negative image of the Philippines on the global stage is “unacceptable.” MTRCB wrote and signed by its chairperson Diorella Maria G. Sotto-Antonio, “We acknowledge the sentiments expressed by our honorable…

Multi-awarded actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo disclosed the GMA Network inquired regarding her status since her contract with ABS-CBN has already expired. She mentioned this on February 7, during the press conference for her upcoming film with Sam Milby, The Diary of Mrs. Winters. However, the Queen of Teleseryes also said she’s still weighing her options. “Me mga nag-i-inquire, (pero) kailangan ko muna kamaduhin kung ano ba talaga kaya ng powers ko,” she told the press. Santos-Agoncillo added that she still values and treasures her deep relationship with ABS-CBN. “If ever man me offer with GMA, I still have to communicate…

Actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo’s contract with ABS-CBN may have already expired, but she still seeks permission from her previous studio. She said she still informed her former bosses at the Lopez-owned media company regarding all her projects, she told the press on Tuesday, February 7, during a press conference about her upcoming film with Sam Milby, The Diary of Mrs. Winters. “I called Tita Cory (Vidanes, ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer), para ipaalam sa kanya para magsabi sa kanya na I gonna make something outside ABS-CBN. Pinaalam ko ng maayos. “Para man walang akong existing contract with ABS-CBN, pakirandam na mamemedeho…

On Tuesday, January 31, Mang Kanor producers got summoned by Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) over an Unauthorized Public Exhibition of the said film. MTRCB issued an official press release, in the exercise of its mandate under Section 7, Presidential Decree No. 1986 (PD No. 1986) issued Notices to Appear to the following entities concerning the exhibition of the motion picture Mang Kanor, and its related publicity materials: a) A&Q Entertainment and Prime Stream Inc. For causing the exhibition of the motion picture “Mang Kanor,” at Gateway Cineplex, Gateway Mall, Quezon City, without the required MTRCB Permit to Exhibit, in…

In December last year, the Original Pop Diva had a two-night reunion concert with the comedienne and the composer, in the person of Fe De Los Reyes-Mendoza and Odette Quesada. All About Love, the concert was held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Newport World Resorts, but come Saturday, February 11, Kuh Ledesma will be doing an intimate show with her daughter, Isabella Gonzalez at the Hacienda Isabella. Dubbed Hello Love, a Valentine Getaway affords its audience with love amid the cool breeze brought about by the ridges and forests of the scenic mountains and is treated with a…

The 71st Miss Universe concluded with a new winner, R’BONNEY GABRIEL of USA. The Filipino-American bested 82 other hopefuls on Saturday night, January 14 (January 15, Manila time). The 28-year-old Miss USA is an eco-friendly fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor with an excitement for life. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design with a Minor in Fibers in 2018 from the University of North Texas. She is currently the CEO of her sustainable clothing line, R’Bonney Nola. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Gabriel is the lead sewing instructor…

It took a while before coming up with a Top 16 forecast for the upcoming 71st Miss Universe coronation night on January 14. Among the 84 candidates for the 2022 Miss Universe, there are too many of them who could likely bring home the Force for Good crown created by Mouawad. https://youtu.be/SJsofXVwKTQ Speculations on the continental selection for this year’s competition don’t apply anymore to make up the first cut of semi-finalists. Thus all contestants have an equal opportunity to vie for the most prestigious title. The choices made are of one African, four South Americans, three Central Americans, a…

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Monday, January 9, the staging of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Summer Edition in April in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP). The festival will run for 11 days, from Black Saturday, April 8-18, in cinemas nationwide. According to Artes, nothing much is different from its December edition, but the distinction is that the entries could cater more to the vacationing students–the Filipino youth. Due to the “successful” return of MMFF 2022, the push for its summer edition has finally been set in place. Originally the plan…

Apart from the story concept, on which Juvy Galamiton based the story and screenplay, Toni Gonzaga also starred in the film with her husband, Paul Soriano as director for TEN17 Productions’ official entry to the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Gonzaga’s concept for My Teacher isn’t original. It has the semblance to Hilary Swank’s 2007 American film, Freedom Writers but only with a different take. Swanl’s film is from the story of teacher Erin Gruwell and her students, who compiled the book based on real-diary entries about their lives they wrote in their English class at Woodrow Wilson Classical…

(A Review) Mamasapano: Now It can be Told, is the second to the last film in my list of movies to watch during this Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2022 run. I intended this and My Teacher as my last-two films to watch. Despite the attempt to cloak it as something historical–it is clear that the intention is to push further the envelope of accusing the former commander-in-chief, the late Benigno Aquino III. The movie is a vehicle to paint the image that the late Aquino III was responsible for the tragic death of the 44 members of the Special Action…

My Father, Myself is probably one of the most controversial films to join the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The film director Joel Lamangan is known to create themes that challenge societal norms, where an adoptive father falls for his adopted son or vice versa. The story written by Quinn Carillo got a nomination for best screenplay and left out Mel Mendoza-del Rosario from the list of nominees. “Really,” was my reaction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yMbyzaIPPs 3:16 Media Network and Mentorque Productions produced this gay drama film, which stars Jake Cuenca as Atty. Robert Delos Reyes, Dimples Romana as Amada Delos Reyes, Sean…

The love story of Gabo and Trisha in Labyu with an Accent is a surefire formula for a box-office win, Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria’s entry to the ongoing Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2022. Why not? Martin had a successful ABS-CBN’s longest-running action-drama on television and via online platforms–FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Sta. Maria’s highly acclaimed victory at the recently concluded Asian Academy Creative Awards’ best actress recognition for The Broken Marriage Vow. Both stars’ successes got extended and translated into the flick’s performance in the festival’s first two days since its opening on December 25. Their movie…

Unexpectedly, the Rein Entertainment film Nanahimik ang Gabi came as a surprise to me. Although violent and all, the actors–the two leads and the supporting actor were phenomenal in their respective performances. Another thing that is impressive about this film–it managed to have a limited set of locations, yet it made its storytelling engaging. It kept the audience wanting more. Mostly shot at a secluded mansion owned by Ian Veneracion’s character’s father-in-law. Setting the story to be dark and violent, Shugo Praico’s Nanahimik ang Gabi is probably an easy favorite for those who love action with a little bit of…

The recently concluded 48th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) named Nadine Lustre and Ian Veneracion as the Female and Male Stars of the Night. Both stars also took home the top plums–the best actress and best actor awards on Tuesday night, December 27, at the New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City. Lustre won for Mikhael Red’s Deleter and Veneracion for Shugo Praico’s Nanahimik ang Gabi, respectively. Also, Viva Films’ entry took home the Best Picture award, while Rein Entertainment’s settled for third place. Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told was a surprise win as the second-best picture. The other highlight…