‘RPG Metanoia’ is First 3D Animated Film in RP

Star Cinema and Ambient Media are producing the first ever 3D animated film in the Philippines.

RPG Metanoia is an official entry to the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) jointly produced by Star Cinema and Ambient Media.

Director Louie Suarez revealed that the film took 4 years in the making. It is said that 26 animators worked in this film and that they are done with the animation process. They are now in the dubbing process.

Lending their voices in the animated film are Zaijian Jaranilla, Mika Dela Cruz, Aga Muhlach, Eugene Domingo & Vhong Navarro.

RPG Metanoia is about a young boy name Nico (voiced by Zaijan Jaranilla) who is obsessed in playing online games. He is influenced by his OFW father (voiced by Aga Muhlach) but his mother (voiced by Eugene Domingo) is not sure if Nico’s passion for video games will benefit his future.

Vhong Navarro lends his voice as the Internet shop owner in the film. Child stars Jairus Aquino, Aaron Junatas, and Basty Alcanses play the role of Nico’s friends.

The groundbreaking film is set to premiere on Christmas day (December 25) as one of the 8 entries for the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival.


Source: Starmometer.com

Lea Salonga Excited of Upcoming Movie with Aga Muhlach

Fifteen years after their last movie together — the romantic comedy “Sana Maulit Muli,” international singing icon Lea Salonga and the country’s top leading man Aga Muhlach are set to do a reunion film this year. Lea said she is very excited to do a movie with Aga, pointing that the shooting of the new film will start this November.

She furthered she wants to do something like the Hollywood movie “It’s Complicated,” topbilled by Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin.

“I was on the plane coming home when I watched ‘It’s Complicated’ and I was like, ‘He’s older and they are sexy. If they can think of something like that, it’s already a good one,” Lea said.

The singing superstar also shared that Aga and her husband (Robert Chifusanaben) were already talking about the upcoming movie.

“Whenever my husband sees Aga in the gym, Aga (would) say ‘Okay, we’re gonna shoot on November. We’re gonna shoot on November. We’re gonna do this movie for sure.’ So medyo kinukulit yata ni guwapo (Aga) yung asawa ko,” Lea said.

She downplays the possibility of cropping jealousy from their respective domestic partners as they were both good friends.

She said she is a good friend of Aga’s wife, Charlene Gonzales; while Robert and Aga are gym buddies.

Lea will be doing a concert in the US this June. After that, she would not be traveling much this year because of the movie.

However, she said she will be performing in the Broadway musical “Cats”. which will be shown at the Cultural Center of the Philippines this July.

Source: AccessPinoy.com

Star Cinema's LOVE IN HEAVEN - ANGEL LOCSIN & AGA MUHLACH

Finally, Star Cinema confirmed that Love Me Again had been very successful on its box office result especially on its first day of showing because it grossed more than 15 Million. Angel Locsin was very ecstatic with the result of her first movie under Star Cinema. Then, she gladly says that after this movie she will be having a movie with Aga Muhlach, entitled Love in Heaven. It is expected to be shown on theaters this late 2009 under Star Cinema.

Aga, excited kay Angel
By: Nel Alejandrino
MORE Christmas wishes.

Aga Muhlach – In a recent conversation with him, we asked Aga what he would want most for Christmas.

Ang sagot niya: “For the years, yes, years, I feel so blessed na so much so, whatever other blessings na dumarating sa akin at sa aking pamilya ngayon, I considered bonuses na lang.

“Napakabait sa akin ng Diyos. Sa aking pamilya. Every day na lang, ’di ko siya nakakalimutang pasalamatan.

“OA man itong ituring. Pero ang pinaka-utmost wish na puwede kong hilingin for Christmas ay for the much-talked about financial crisis sa buong mundo ay ’di gaanong makaapekto sa ating mga Pilipino. Lalo na sa ating mga taga-industriya. As it is, hirap na nga tayo.

“Sana, for the year, 2009, makabangon tayo. Lalo na ang industriyang mahal nating lahat.”

Told that in an interview with Angel Locsin, during the one-on-one interview with her after the presscon of Love Me Again, her first movie with Star Cinema with Piolo Pascual, Angel expressed excitement over the prospect of doing a project with him, ani Aga: “Tell her, the feeling is mutual.”

As it is, Star Cinema has already told Aga they want him na gumawa ng two movies in 2009.

“Sagot ko sa kanila, game ako,” tugon ni Aga.

Source: http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?s=a4abf36c3fa5f7f00525501e72822e15&t=380799

‘A Love Story’ Tops 26th Luna Awards

The “local academy awards”, Luna of the Film Academy of the Philippines, released their winners for movies shown in 2007.

Here is the complete list of winners in the 26th Luna Awards:

Best Picture:
A Love Story (Star Cinema)

Best Director:
Maryo J. de los Reyes (A Love Story)

Best Actor:
Paolo Contis (Banal)

Best Actress:
Maricel Soriano (Bahay Kubo)

Best Supporting Actor:
Dante Rivero (A Love Story)

Best Supporting Actress:
Angelica Panganiban (A Love Story)

Best Screenplay:
Vanessa R. Valdez (A Love Story)

Best Cinematography:
Renato de Vera (Ataul for Rent)

Best Editing:
Jess Navarro (Silip)

Best Production Design:
Rodell Cruz (Resiklo)

Best Sound:
Ditoy Aguila (Ouija)

Best Musical Score:
Carmina Reyes Cuya (Ouija)

Golden Reel Award:
Former President Joseph Estrada

The Manuel de Leon Award:
Cirio Santiago (producer-director)

FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award:
Ms. Boots Anson-Roa (actress)

Lamberto Avellana Award (posthumous):
Juanito Clemente (sound engineer)

The Film Academy of the Philippines will hand out the awards on January 26, 2009.

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2009/01/11/a-love-story-tops-26th-luna-awards/

‘Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat’ Hits P102.5 Million

January 3, 2009 by cd | 1,037 Views
Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” rakes in a whopping P102.5 million on its 8th day run in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival to be the year’s 4th biggest movie after “A Very Special Love”, “Caregiver” and “For the First Time.”

Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After, on the other hand, entered the Top 10 with a haul of P72.6 million on the same period.

2008 MMFF BOX OFFICE GROSS
(as of January 2, 2009)

1. Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat - P102.5M
2. Iskul Bukol… 20 Years After - P72.6M
3. Shake Rattle and Roll X - P45.7M
4. Desperadas 2 - P27.3M
5. Baler - P24.5M
6. One Night Only - P5.7M
7. Dayo - P4.1M
8. Magkaibigan - P1.6M

Video Link: MMFF 8th Day Gross

TOP 20 PINOY FILMS FOR 2008
(As of January 2, 2009)

1. A VERY SPECIAL LOVE - P179.23 million
(Star Cinema/Viva Films)

2. CAREGIVER - P139.54 million
(Star Cinema)

3. FOR THE FIRST TIME - P134.7 million
(Star Cinema)

4. ANG TANGING INA N’YONG LAHAT - P102.5 million*
(Star Cinema)

5. MY BESTFRIEND’S GIRLFRIEND - P101.24 million
(GMA Films/Regal Films)

6. DOBOL TROBOL GET REDI 2 RAMBOL - P90.51 million
(Octoarts Films)

7. WHEN LOVE BEGINS - P89.38 million
(Star Cinema/Viva Films)

8. MY ONLY U - P79.18 million
(Star Cinema)

8. MAG-INGAT KA SA KULAM - P76.6 million
(Regal Films)

9. ISKUL BUKOL…20 YEARS AFTER - P72.6 million *
(MZET/APT)

10. MY BIG LOVE - P68 million
(Star Cinema)

11. SUPAHPAPALICIOUS - P66.98 million
(Star Cinema)

12. ONE TRUE LOVE - P62.47 million
(GMA Films/Regal Films)

13. SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL X - P45.7 million *
(Regal Films)

14. MANAY PO 2: OVERLOAD - P30.4 million
(Regal Films)

15. MY MONSTER MOM - P 29.2 million
(Regal Films)

16. DESPERADAS 2 - P 27.3 million *
(Regal Films)

17. SCAREGIVERS - P 26.07 million
(APT Entertainment)

18. IKAW PA RIN, BONGGA KA BOY! - P 24.66 million
(Viva Films)

19. BALER - P24.5 million *
(Viva Films)

20. I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and Love You) - P 23.7 million
(GMA Films)

Star Cinema’s 2009 Line-Up

ABS-CBN’s film outfit, Star Cinema, has released their movie line-up for 2009.

Apparently, this line-up was shown during the premiere screening of Land Down Under in the US. Please take note that titles, cast and schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

JANUARY

Love Me Again (Love Down Under)
Starring Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual

FEBRUARY

You Changed My Life
(A Very Special Love Part 2)
Starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo

MARCH

Estrella
(teen horror movie)
Starring Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, Jake Cuenca, Geoff Eigenmann

APRIL

And I Love You So
Starring Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay

MAY

Amnesia
Starring Bong Revilla and Toni Gonzaga

JUNE

The Man I Loved
Starring KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual

AUGUST

T2
Starring Maricel Soriano and Mika dela Cruz

SEPTEMBER

A Mother's Story
Starring Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz

OCTOBER

Priest
Starring Angel Locsin and Aga Muhlach

NOVEMBER

A Love Affair
Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales and Carmen Soo

The following projects have no tentative date and/or working title yet:

1. RPG - first 3-D animated movie
2. Claudine Barretto movie
3. Judy Ann Santos romantic drama movie
4. Angelica Panganiban/Gabby Concepcion movie

Source: http://www.starmometer.com/2008/12/27/star-cinemas-2009-line-up/

When Love Begins

Benedicto “Ben” Caballero (Aga Muhlach) is an environmentalist who founded the Mother Earth Movement, an NGO committed to educating Filipinos about the protection of nature. Michelle “Mitch” Valmonte (Anne Curtis) is a marketing assistant who works for his father’s company. She decides to take a vacation with fellow rich friends in Boracay. When Michelle accidentally steps on a sea urchin, she meets Ben, who suggests that someone should pee on her foot to relieve her of the pain.The two instantly hit it off despite their apparent differences. Ben is a vegetarian while Michelle is a carnivore. Ben doesn’t have any vice while Michelle loves to intoxicate herself with alcohol. But their passionate personalities bring them together that they learned to love and accept each other.

But love isn’t always too good to be true. Ben’s involvement in his NGO pushes him to come face to face with Michelle’s father. In the end, Michelle has to make the ultimate decision of choosing between the two men she loves the most.

A Love Story

As you already know by now, A Love Story is about successful but emotionally scarred businessman Ian Montes (Aga Muhlach) who is torn between two women: Joanna (Maricel Soriano), a doctor, and Karyn (Angelica Panganiban) a flight attendant. Who is the wife and who is the mistress? I watched the film without knowing who’s who and that definitely helped me appreciate the unfolding of this mystery in the film. In spite of all speculations, you wouldn’t know until the middle of the film when one of the women refers to Ian as her husband.

The film begins with immediate tension in medias res when the two women agree to meet up. Karyn wants to know why Ian can’t seem to leave Joanna. Joanna wants to know how Ian met Karyn. After this exchange of flashbacks reality catches up with the trio: Karyn is pregnant. It is only then when the audience finds out who exactly is the wife. But that’s not important now, what’s more important is the question, “how is this going to end?” The three are broken, and they try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

The plot from the official site states “Ian faces a difficult choice.” but it is not just Ian who is forced to choose. The women choose as well. As a teaser, I’ll give you a peek: Karyn tells Ian to let go– they both have to grow up. The next scenes are framed by these words onscreen:

FIVE YEARS AFTER

Then Joanna and Karyn accidentally meet, but you wouldn’t know exactly what the ending is until the final scene. At that point knowing how the film ends is only secondary to the question of why the film ends that way. I believe “five years after” has a lot to do with this story that explores unconditional love and forgiveness.

Dubai (2005)

Pinoys are in every corner of the world, toiling as nurses in the US, maids in Hong Kong, caregivers in Canada, entertainers in Japan, factory workers in Taiwan, engineers and construction workers even in war-torn Iraq. Wherever there is work and good pay, there you will find him, leaving his home for the promise of a better and brighter future for his family. The Pinoy diaspora has given rise to this question:Where is home for the Filipino? The answer is simple. Home for the Pinoy is where he builds it, though it be in a dangerous place such as Iraq or in a haven such as Dubai.