Author: RJ Mataro

On December 23, Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best Actor awardee Cedrick Juan highlighted his research for his role in the highly awarded film GomBurZa. At the premiere night for GomBurZa, which LionhearTV covered, Juan remarked that he read articles about the history of GomBurZa. “Pinaka-pinaggamitan namin ng mga basis namin ay like sila. Ako personally, nag-research ako sa mga article na ginagawa ni Sir Ambet Ocampo, ni Prof Xiao Chua, nila Fr. Rene, Fr. Schumacher. And at the same time kung ano pang mga available na account sa social media. Siyempre nandoon ‘yung pagpa-fact check. “Pero, tama eh, for…

On December 27, director Zig Dulay joked that the number of cinemas for ‘Firefly’ would increase after their Best Picture Award. At the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, which LionhearTV covered, Dulay jokingly remarked about the possibility of increased cinemas for the GMA Pictures movie when the cast of Firefly accepted their Best Picture Award. “Umabot kami dito. Yehey dadami ang sinehan namin.” Earlier, Dulay admitted feeling puzzled by the low number of cinemas showing their MMFF 2023 movie. He then thanked the people involved in the production of the GMA Pictures film. “Unang-una sa lahat, maraming-maraming…

On December 23, actor-director Coco Martin hinted at what was in store for FPJ’s Batang Quiapo for 2024. During the visit of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo cast at the Blessed Family Elderly Care Facility and the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City, which LionhearTV attended, Martin appreciated the support their Kapamilya action series had with Pinoy viewers. “Natutuwa ako kasi kahit December ngayon, nakikita namin at nararamdaman namin na ‘yung suporta at pagmamahal ng mga tao hindi bumibitiw. Kasi talagang sinisigurado namin na hanggang matapos, dumerederetso, hindi kami bibitiw, hindi naman isho-short ‘yung mga tao.” He then promised a more compelling…

On December 21, Brilliant Skin CEO Glenda Victorio (Miss Glenda) looked back at 2023 and recounted the struggles they faced for the year. During the Brilliant Awards 2023 at the New Port Performing Arts in Resorts World Manila, which LionhearTV attended, Miss Glenda narrated how she and their beauty and wellness brand overcame the challenges they faced for the year. “Marami pong nangyari sa taong ito para sa ating lahat. Sinubok ang tatag, hindi lang po ako. Kung hindi ang tatag ng buong Brilliant family kasama na po kayong lahat doon. Nag-simula po ang 2023 na puno po ng tanong,…

On December 19, Kapuso stars Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega narrated their experience working on the set of their first Kapuso film together. At the media conference for ‘Firefly,’ which LionhearTV covered, Tanfelix highlighted his excitement for Ortega’s first movie project. “Unang-una, siyempre proud ako kay Ysabel kasi first movie niya ‘to. And nag-eenjoy ako na ma-meet ni Ysabel ‘yung isa sa mga favorite directors ko na si Direk Zig.” Ortega echoed Tanfelix’s excitement, noting how much she enjoyed working with her on-screen partner. “Ako, sobrang na-enjoy ko ‘yung experience na magshoot ng pelikulang ‘to with Miguel. Tulad nga ng…

On December 10, Kapuso actor Alden Richards highlighted the themes of his upcoming GMA Network period teleserye ‘Pulang Araw.’  At the Sparkle Fans Day 2023, which LionhearTV attended, Richards discussed ‘Pulang Araw’ set during World War II. “I’ve done quite a few. I’ve done my fair share of period projects. I did Illustrado. And I did Indio din at the same time.  “Pero parang nakukutawa kasi–ito trivia about Pulang Araw, so since it’s World War II, lahat po kasi ng kamag-anakan natin, back in the day. ‘Yung mga lolo ng mga lolo natin, one way or another, experienced World War…

On December 22, actress-director Gina Alajar shared her views about the current working hours for actors and the ‘Eddie Garcia’ bill. At the media event for ‘Pieta,’ which LionhearTV covered, Alajar cited her experiences as a filmmaker and actress regarding her opinion about the working hours of film and TV productions. “Magkaiba ‘yan eh. Oo, kapag director kasi you are pro-production, so kailangan– sa GMA kasi, they follow the 18-hours, sa ABS yata, 16-hours lang ata, hindi ko kung bakit sa magkaibang istasyon, magkaiba ng working hours. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganon.” She then expressed her hopes of having the…

On December 27, actress Eugene Domingo remarked that she felt shocked by Becky and Badette’s Best Theme Song Award in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Gabi ng Parangal. At the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Gabi ng Parangal, which LionhearTV covered, Domingo excitedly accepted the Best Theme Song Award for their film’s soundtrack ‘Finggah Lickin.’ “Diyos ko, Diyos ko, Diyos ko po. Naku, maraming salamat po. Diyos ko, pasensya na po, nagulat talaga ako kasi sa totoo lang, sanay po akong tumanggap ng award or ma-nominate bilang artista, pero never po sa Best Song, nakakaloka. Diyos ko nakakaloka talaga.” She…

On December 23, filmmaker Pepe Diokno (Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best Director) emphasized his hopes for GomBurZa’s box-office success rather than awards. At the premiere night for GomBurZa, which LionhearTV covered, Diokno clarified that he was not considering the possibility of getting awards when they made the film. “On my mind, sana lang po tanggapin ng tao ‘yung pelikula, sana po ma-enjoy nila, sana po ma-move sila, sana ma-inspire sila. That’s what I’m really hoping for. I’m not thinking about the rankings or the awards. I’m really just thinking na sana tangkilikin siya ng mga Filipino.” GomBurZa won several awards…

On December 23, actor-director Coco Martin highlighted how meaningful it was for him and the cast of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo to help out senior citizens. During the visit of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo cast at the Blessed Family Elderly Care Facility and the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City, which LionhearTV attended, Martin referred to his grandmother when talking about how fulfilling it was for him to conduct an outreach for senior citizens. “Lalo na ako, laki ako sa lola eh. Iba ‘yung nararamdaman mo, di ba, iba ‘yung happiness na kahit sa maikling oras eh mapaligaya mo sila, makamusta mo…

On December 1, actor Mark Anthony Fernandez detailed his weight loss journey. At the media event for ‘Ganti-Ganti,’ which LionhearTV covered, Fernandez remarked that he aimed to remain physically fit, especially when taking on sexy roles. “Siguro kasi may side-effect na kahit gusto ko maghubad, di ba tumaba ako, so nakita nila akong mataba, ‘yung nakita akong fit ngayon.  “Ito talaga ‘yung weight ko, feeling ko nga ‘yung ibang artista kahit mag-overweight sila, gwapo pa rin sila. Ako ‘yung artistang hindi nasa proper weight, feeling ko wala akong dating.” He then revealed that he started working out at 18, which…

On December 19, actress Alessandra de Rossi reacted to the number of cinemas assigned for their Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 movie, ‘Firefly.’ At the media conference for ‘Firefly,’ which LionhearTV covered, de Rossi highlighted how their film fits the holidays, especially with their child-centered themes. “Ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata, ang pelikula namin ay para sa mga bata.” She also discussed what made her accept the project, citing the quality of the story focusing on a mother and her child. “Maganda ‘yung kwento, tsaka ano talaga siya, kwentong nanay. So pagka-nakabasa ka ng ganong script na alam…

On December 18, Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards addressed whether he would be open to working with Maine Mendoza again. At Alden Richard’s Thanksgiving Party, which LionhearTV attended, the Kapuso actor surmised that Mendoza was currently focusing on her family life after tying the knot with Arjo Atayde. “Parang si Maine po kasi, based on how I– hindi na rin po talaga kami kasi nakakapag usap ng madalas. And hindi na rin po ako masyadong nakakanood ng TV, but now, right now, as I can see, mas okay si Maine na mag-settled sa family life niya. And we respect that.…

On December 22, actress-director Gina Alajar highlighted how Nora Aunor continued to take on roles despite her health condition. At the media event for ‘Pieta,’ which LionhearTV covered, Alajar said she prayed for Aunor’s recovery while praising how the Superstar continued making films. “I’m sure– oo siya naman nahihirapan and I’m sure, siguro nag-iisip na rin siya na kasama na rin siya. Pero I always pray na bumalik naman ‘yung lakas niya. And you know, nakakatuwa nga dahil ilang pelikula pa ang nagawa niya after this nakailan siya. She also emphasized how Aunor powered through her health condition to continue…

On December 4, Former Vice President for ABS-CBN Films-screenwriter Enrico Santos revealed that the creative team of ‘Rewind’ waited for Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.  At the media conference for ‘Rewind,’ which LionhearTV covered, Santos disclosed that Star Cinema had been dreaming of a ‘DongYan’ (Dingdong-Marian) project even before the pandemic. He recounted separately pitching the script of ‘Rewind’ to the couple. “Siyempre, Star Cinema was dreaming of a DongYan movie na pwede ba tayong gumawa ng kwento, so when we pitched it to Dingdong separately from Marian, parang nagustuhan, pero siyempre poker face, so kinakabahan kami. Then Marian naman,…

On November 25, new Vivamax star Calvin Reyes reacted to their director calling him the ‘male Jaclyn Jose.’ At the media event for ‘Haslers,’ which LionhearTV covered, director Jose Abdel Langit compared Reyes’ depth in acting in one scene to the award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose. “So noong una naming ginagawa ‘yung eksena niya, tinutukan ko siya, and then ‘yung ginawa namin niya sa lamay, you will see a different Calvin. Kung mayroong lalaking Jaclyn Jose, siya ‘yun. He’s good, it’s not an exageration, pagkatapos ni Calvin doon sa lamay, noong pagpasok ng bangkay– you should see him there, that quietness,…