I’ve been besieged by queries via text, email and messenger asking when’s the playdate of EERIE here in Toronto. Don’t worry, EERIE is definitely coming our way through NETFLIX soon. EERIE was exhibited in the recent Far East Film Festival (FEFF), the Asian cinema event held in Udine, Italy with its Director Mikhail Red in attendance. It was however Star Cinema creative adviser Malou Santos who graced the EERIE screening last week at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. After these 2 events, EERIE will no longer be available to watch in the entire US, Canada and Europe. But you can still see it only on NETFLIX (they just bought the exclusive rights!) – when? Probably by July! However, EERIE will still be shown theatrically in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and Hongkong.
As you have heard, Eerie is a very clever “exercice de style” on the familiar theme of strange phenomenons happening in a (Catholic) school for girls. As Direk Mikhail Red says himself: “The school setting is fascinating, serving as a parallel world of adult society that comes after it.” Caught between the real and supernatural world, in a religious and austere surrounding, the film constantly gets back and forth from reality to the imaginary, on a carefully balanced scale.
Using the main actresses’ abilities (with Bea Alonzo as Pat, and Charo Santos as Sor Alice) at their best, and with a stylish cinematography by Mycko David, Mikhail Red succeeds in giving us the creeps, and almost makes us believe in some kind of neighboring inferno…
“Eerie is of the horror genre but it tackles issues that are very relevant to the world today such as depression and mental health. The mystery which will unravel as the story develops creates the most tension. It is much more than a scarefest,” Charo said.
As I write, Charo is now in Los Angeles and will fly to New York to attend a series of meetings. Is this about a new film assignment? “As soon as everything is ready, you will be the first to know,” Dear Charo promised me.
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PSSSSSST – Listen, are you ready for a FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL here in CANADA, right here in Toronto? As we sat at Mother Tongue resto a few nites ago, feasting on the humba pork belly, sea bass, beef rib, etc. (thanks to the Filipino chef called Francis), we all were motivated as this bright neon-lit idea popped up in the air. Did I hear it loud and clear?
Ooops. First things first. This dinner was a welcome treat to our VIP guest, Ms. Liza Diño-Seguerra, Chairman and CEO of FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines). Our female lead in the Canadian side is Ms Nini Alvero, the topnotch head of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. FDCP and DTI merging? Oooh la la la! I hear bells, poetry, success at the tills like dancing emoticons of glee.
Liza thinks that “If the DTI sees the potential of the creative sector and they include us in their investment priority plans, this is a gigantic help to the Pinoy cinema. From tax breaks to incentives and policies to support our industry, this is huge! We have found allies inside DTI who are helping us realize this vision. This 2019, DTI is making a landmark leap and heading towards a direction of championing the creative industry. Mechanisms of support will inspire us to make better content high in production values and ready to compete with the world. I see upgrading of technical skills through Toronto Film School, getting into international co-production through a PH-CANADA treaty, creating a culture of watching documentaries in the Philippines and empowering docu filmmakers through Hotdocs, creating Filipino-Canadian content for Toronto’s Filipino TV, exposing Canadians to PH CINEMA through Reel Asian Film Festival, accessing funds and grants for Filipino filmmakers through Telefilm Canada and Canada Media Fund, to a possible FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL!”
Also present that evening were Roselle Corro, ABS-CBN’s bigwigs Kerwin Du and Rosary Escaño, Francis Remontilla and Motzie Dapul, a writer, artist, animator/picture editor, based in the GTA and currently studying at Sheridan College, former staff of Top Draw Animation in the Philippines.
“I think that any filmfest which showcases movies that are not mainstream Hollywood will do great for the enrichment of Filipinos, both youths and older audiences,” added Motzie.
DTI’s Nini Alvero says maybe 6 to 8 films maybe good to go to be in synch with the coming TIFF by September. I am soooo excited – it’s like all of us singing, “Ako’y Isang Pinoy, sa puso’t diwa…” For love of films, for love of the industry. For love of our Pinas. Mabuhay! Watch for further details. Thanks Liza and Nini. This is only the beginning.
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We are happy to note that our good friend David Farmer, President of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) in Hawaii is getting so fired up by this news. David is ready to take the first flight in if and when our pinoy film festival opens. Right now, David is busy directing for EVOLVE Theatre Company which is thinking of presenting as part of their second season, the Hawaii premiere of David Harrower’s Blackbird (negotiations are underway). Scheduled showing is at Ong King Arts Center. EVOLVE considers Blackbird as its most challenging and provocative piece of theatre to date. The script examines an illicit relationship, its downfall, and aftermath. Is it abuse, a love affair, or both? Blackbird affords no easy answers as shades of grey overlap in this dark and damning tale. David’s directing credits include work for Manoa Valley Theatre, Kumu Kahua, and TAG. He has performed with all of Honolulu’s theatre groups since 1976 and has been honored with five Pookela honors and three nominations for his acting and directing. His national and international television and film credits include appearances in an indie film shot in the Philippines, the original and current Hawaii Five-0, A&E’s Biography, and a featured guest on two Filipino comedy television series.
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Wow, we had a cheerful gabfest with Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby and Yen Santos (some off the record, sorry) at the back stage of Toronto Pavilion last week. Remember they were here for the Hearthrob Concerts which actually was inspired by the tremendous success of the recently concluded HALIK by the RSB (Ruel S. Bayani) drama unit of ABS-CBN.
Jericho was so embarrassed as we barged into his dressing kind of tent room which he shared with Sam. “OMG! My socks, my socks,” he exploded as he grabbed his pair of what looked like Adidas shoes to cover his feet. I said it’s okay but this gentleman side of him reacted with, “No, it doesn’t seem proper,” he added and we let out a laugh telling him “Cowboy din kami.”
No Book 2 for HALIK?
Sam: No, how could I – I am locked up, am a murderer!
Jericho: Puede, but baka iba na ang bida! SI CJ (his son in the teleserye!)
People are saying the ending is “Bitin. Dapat may wedding scene!”
Jericho: That’s what we avoided actually. No wedding!
Sam: True, we talked it among ourselves – the cast. We chose that ending.
Jericho: We didn’t want it to look soapy! It really was better fror the audience to decide what the scene meant, and we nailed it. People talked about it and gave different views/opinions/interpretations.
Next teleserye?
Sam: I have one coming up in July. Will do it with a famous lead actress (secret pa). For DreamEscape – Deo Endrinal’s group.
Jericho: When the survey showed on I Watch TV (sayang wala niyan sa Canada) that it reached the 2M mark, we knew we had a hit!
From the boys’ room, we moved to Yen’s.
Yen: HALIK is life-changing. HALIK changed my whole being. I am no longer the plain YEN. I am now JACKY. What i mean is I finally realized that I succeeded portraying my character realistically. People now call me Jacky. Before i became a star, I wished to have a character na kapag lumabas ako yun ang itatawag sa akin. It happened! What a beautiful dent! My heart skips a beat when I am seen in public places and I am addressed as Jacky.
Did she like the ending – which some said BITIN?
Yen: I heard that comment a lot of times.
At this point, Jericho joined in by talking from the other side of the tent (Yen and Jericho’s tents were just separated by a cloth) making funny remarks.
Which made me ask – Is Jericho nice?
Yen: Oh yes, pag tulog! (We heard guffaws from Jericho in the other room).
Yen’s reaction to what Yam Concepcion said in her interview with Boy Abunda that she and Yen are not really that close – that they’re more of acquaintances than friends? Was Yen offended?
Yen: No problem, Yam spoke the truth. TUTOO naman, okay kami but hindi kami nagkaron ng time para mabuo ang closemess. We’re not actually together when shooting/taping. HALIK had two units and most of our scenes were taken separately.
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Enjoyed chatting with his brain-and-beauty Maine Mendoza. Hear this.
The minus and plus in your life both as a celeb and a private person?
Maine: When it comes to my personal life, the minus and plus are the things I learn (about life) as I grow old and the things (and people) I let go of as time passes. As a celebrity, basically the same thing. The lack of time and privacy (sometimes) etc. are only secondary, it’s still manageable. Biggest plus in both personal and career are the blessings I am given by Our Lord. I am thankful for every single one of it!
What you would have become if you did not succeed in the limelight?
Maine: I’d probably pursue being a flight stewardess. That was my original plan, I didn’t know God has way bigger plans for me.
Are there times when your intellect contradicts your decisions, plans and preferences as a celeb?
Maine: I believe it’s inevitable. Though it’s not really the intellect that contradicts, but the intuition. It’s always a battle between what my head thinks and what my heart tells. You gotta find balance to it in times of decision-making. When I have a hard time deciding, my family and management are always there to help and guide me. I am blessed to have a family and management that always think and go for what I want instead of what they want.
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A reactivated Maricel Soriano, known then as the Diamond Star has revealed to us that “I have become wiser and more grateful. At my age, I have gone through all the complicated stages of life. Now, I have learned to love myself more and it does feel good. When you love yourself first, life will take care of the rest. I learned that I need to take care of myself so I could take care of the people I love.” Maricel is busy with The General’s Daughter and another film for Mother Lily’s outfit.
By BABY K. JIMENEZ
Tidbits: A new Pinoy eatery called REPUBLIKA (naiiba, mas masarap daw and you can easily say, “Ubos na, gusto mo pa” in the Bathurst-Wilson area will open on June 1. Congrats to Jannie Luz-Benico and company…Canada’s First Full Rizal Monument is all set for June 9 Unveiling in Markham. Speaking of MFFC (Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians), they are busy rehearsing special dance numbers for the coming Independence Day celebration…We are featuring 2 throwback pictures here of reelectionist Senadora Grace Poe. All the recent surveys show that she is no. 1 in the race.