As Gabbi Garcia turned 18 on Dec. 2, stars aligned for a magical night filled with fun and spontaneity.
The GMA Artist Center’s teen princess stepped into the limelight as the sweet girl who brought her fresh charm and undeniable grace onscreen. From portraying teenybopper roles alongside screen partner Ruru Madrid, Gabbi transformed herself into a fierce and sophisticated actress when she took the role of Sang’gre Alena in the remake of the iconic telefantasya of GMA Network, Encantadia.
In barely three years, she was able to make a name in the industry by being herself—bubbly and fun, yet sultry and refined. Now that she is celebrating her coming of age, she will be spending an enchanting night with the people who left a significant mark in her journey through life.
Gabbi shared a part of her that people have never seen before, and did it with elegance as she donned three dresses created by Mark Bumgarner and Martin Bautista. Meanwhile, fellow Kapuso stars close to Gabbi’s heart did special performances to revel on her becoming a woman.
Tagged as #SincerelyGabbi, the actress wanted her debut to be everything out of the ordinary, and she promises to steer clear of tradition.
“I want it to be a night where all my loved ones are present. Pero ayaw ko ng masyadong traditional,” said Gabbi. “I want to have the typical 18’s but not strictly going by the rules. I just want to spend a fun night with all the special people in my life.”
★★★★★
VIVA Films’ Working Beks gave the audience wider understanding of the different things gay persons deal with, not just romance. Chris Martinez said this was in line with the other Working movies that have preceded it –Ishmael Bernal’s classics Working Girls (1984) and Working Girls 2 (1987), and Joey Reyes’ star-studded hit, Working Girls (2010).
Playing the “Beks” (short for “beki”) are TJ Trinidad as Tommy, John Lapus as Gorgeous, Prince Stefan as Jet, Joey Paras as Mandy, and Edgar Allan Guzman as Champ.
The story revolves around a day in their intertwined lives. Each of them has to make a crucial decision that can change the course of their career, love life, health, finances, and destiny.
Tommy (TJ Trinidad) is a respected marketing director up for a promotion as Senior VP. He is well loved in the office, and, at home leads a healthy family life with his longtime partner and their two teenage daughters. But to his and everybody’s surprise, his most coveted position is no longer his for the taking. Now, Tommy is about to raise hell.
If there’s anyone else entitled to raise some hell, that’s Gorgeous (John Lapus).
Already the breadwinner of his family, his mother even asks him to extend financial help to their relatives. Worse, when his estranged and abusive father returns, his mother readily welcomes him back. The only way Gorgeous escapes this harsh reality is “fangirling” over the matinee idol, Champ.
Rumors have it that Champ (Edgar Allan Guzman) is gay, especially after a kissing video of him and another man circulated on the Internet. He’s been in hiding for days, but luckily, his mother is there to support him. Now, he finally agrees to an interview on primetime TV.
Meanwhile, one of those affected by Champ’s video scandal is Mandy (Joey Paras). It is his wedding day, but he is having cold feet as his sexual desires for men have been reawakened. Mandy’s fiancée seems to understand, but urges him to contemplate if his life would be complete without her.
Another one experiencing an anxiety attack is Jet (Prince Stefan), the promiscuous call center agent who learns that the guy he recently hooked up with committed suicide because he had HIV. It’s about time Jet gets himself tested for sexually transmitted disease, but the memories of his recklessness are already killing him.
Working Beks is a realization of a longtime dream project for Martinez. He said in one of his interviews, “This is my tribute to the gays. I’ve been writing since 2004…I’ve been directing for 8 years, I think sa mga pelikula na sinulat ko makikita na parang meron siyang mga characters na gay or gay sensibility, pero wala pa talaga akong pelikula na para or tungkol sa gays…gusto ko talagang gumawa ng ganito. Dream project po siya talaga.”
Martinez emphasizes that this is a movie about love, respect, and gay empowerment. “Lumalaban po ang mga bakla dito, hindi po sila nagpapaapi. (The gays here fight back, they don’t let themselves be oppressed).’’
But even if that’s the case, it is not an outright activist film. Martinez said, “So it’s still a heartfelt light comedy drama and entertainment…Hindi siya mabigat, pero most probably, mata-touch kayo. (It’s not heavy drama, but most probably, it will move you).’’
Starring in a supporting role is Bela Padilla who plays Joy, the love team partner of Edgar Allan’s character.
★★★★★
2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten bagged the best picture award at the Cinema One Originals film fest 2016.
Kapampangan filmmaker Petersen Vargas’ coming-of-age drama led the winners with three, including Best Picture.
The movie also won the Best Supporting Actor Award for Hashtags member Jameson Blake and Best Cinematography for Carlos Mauricio.
“Thank you, Kapampangan cinema, which has given me the opportunity to tell stories,” said Petersen in his acceptance speech. “It has always been Kapampangan cinema that I’ve been inspired of and inspired by.”
The film depicts the story of Felix, a hard-working but friendless student, whose life changes when two half-American brothers get into the school he is attending. The story takes place in Pampanga as Vargas paid tribute to his Kapampangan roots.
Samantha Lee’s millennial LGBT love story Baka Bukas, also wong three awards – Best Actress for Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Best Sound for Andrew Milallos, and the Audience Choice Award.
Keith Deligero’s Lily took home the most number of awards that night, with Best Director, Best Editing, Best Actor (Rocky Salumbides), and Best Supporting Actress (Natileigh Sitoy).
Jules Katanyag’s geriatric action film Si Magdalola At Ang Mga Gago, bagged the Special Jury Prize.
Cinema One Originals is an annual film festival that allows talented Filipino storytellers to showcase their stories through film. It is a local independent film festival of Cinema One, one of the cable channels of Creative Programs, Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.
This year, it celebrated its 12th year with the tagline “Anong tingin mo?” to highlight different ways of looking at movies and the multi-layered diversity that has been the hallmark of the festival.
★★★★★
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