People would surely be talking about Ilawod, the exciting and much-awaited horror movie offering from Quantum Films, MJM Production, Tuko Films and Butchi Boy Productions. Written by Palanca award-winning Yvette Tan and directed by box-office director Dan Villegas, it brings together a potent combination of talented actors led by Ian Veneracion, Iza Calzado, and Epi Quizon.
Not to be dismissed by their adult counterparts are award-winning young actors Xyriel Manabat, the multi-awarded Therese Malvar and the new but equally competent actor Harvey Bautista, who is being introduced in the movie.
One of the most sought after leading men in various rom-com teleseryes, Ian Veneracion tries the horror genre in a role of a writer of an Internet website tackling supernatural phenomena. Accidentally, he brings home the water creature ilawod home wreaking havoc on his family.
In Ilawod, Ian gets to display his skills as a drama actor. He is playing serious role compared to his rom-com movies and in the teleserye Pangako Sa ‘Yo where his performance drew praise from critics. But here, he gets to display his mettle as a serious actor. After all, he was an award-winning child actor.
Perfectly cast as the successful mom who undergoes an agonizing experience in Ilawod is Iza Calzado. She has done several horror movies before like her award-winning role in Sigaw and the blockbuster Haunted Mansion. There is a mystique in Iza’s personality that fits her to a T in a horror film – it is in the way she looks, moves and speaks. And even in the quiet scenes, you feel the fire and fear in her.
Epy Quizon is also perfect in his role as photographer who witnesses, together with Ian the mystery of ilawod. Epy is an award-winning actor (a grand slam winner at that) and lends his superb presence in many eerie scenes.
Not to be left behind are the young stars led by Moscow Film Festival Best Actress Therese Malvar, the cute and award-winning child actress Xyriel Manabat in her first teen role, and the talented Harvey Bautista who is very natural in the film.
These formidable actors comprise the cast of Ilawod and they will take you into a different kind of horror experience in theaters now.
★★★★★
Across the Crescent Moon is a meaningful action-drama, tackling problems facing the country, including human trafficking and differences in religious beliefs. The crescent moon symbolizes the Islam faith, while the cross personifies Christianity. Human trafficking is rampant in the South – men women, and children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.
Matteo Guidicelli portrays the dedicated and brave Muslim soldier who fights criminality, married to an enlightened Christian girl, played by a theater actress (Alex Godinez who is introduced in the movie).
Also in the cast are Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong playing parents to Matteo’s character, and Gabby Concepcion and Dina Bonnevie as the Catholic parents of Alex.
Written and directed by Baby R. Nebrida, Across the Crescent Moon does not pass judgment on the Muslim and Christian religions but rather shows unity in diversity. That Muslims and Christians can live in harmony and peace, as exemplified by Matteo and Alex, who fight for their love and marriage.
Joem Bascon plays the sparring partner, the comrade in arms of Matteo as they face crime syndicates, showing their fine action forms in thrilling and suspenseful encounters on land and sea.
Across the Crescent Moon combines hard action and stirring drama, capturing the beauty of Tawi-Tawi and nearby undiscovered islands in Mindanao. Baby Nebrida says that the film is at once entertaining, enlightening, and inspiring. It’s an eye-opener for all Filipinos in their quest for lasting peace.
★★★★★
A fresh, fab and fun board game date awaits viewers of Taste Buddies tonight as the boys of the newest top-rating GMA show Meant To Be join hosts Solenn Heussaff and Rhian Ramos.
Ken Chan, Jak Roberto, Ivan Dorschner, and Addy Raj are set for an intense tournament with hot and sizzling consequences.
Aside from the more than 700 games to choose from, Onboard Game + Gastro Pub offers a mouthful of food selections. Japanese food lovers Solenn and Ken will definitely take this opportunity to learn how this resto prepares their best seller Nacho Hai—fried wanton chips with Japanese toppings and sauces.
Onboard Game + Gastro Pub also offers a wide selection of drinks from juice blends, mocktails, cocktails, craft beers and liquors by the bottle. But a must-try is their ‘Mega Milkshake’. The boys will see how they prepare their ‘Ferrero Nutella Landslide’.
Plus, who among the Taste Buddies will be chosen in the show’s “Guess Where” segment on Facebook and will have the chance to join in the sampling of these sumptuous dishes?
Catch Taste Buddies, Saturdays, 8:15 p.m. on GMA News TV.
★★★★★
Experience the best live music with the exciting line-up of Pinoy performers at Hard Rock Café this January.
Leading the pack is Area One in a special concert tonight.
Area One is the country’s premiere Beatles tribute band and hard rockers can look forward to an evening of the greatest hits of The Beatles and a selection of standard favorites and party anthems from the 60s and the 70s.
Other featured artists are Part 3 (Sundays and Fridays), Arpie & The Multivitamins (Mondays and Saturdays), Silk (Tuesdays), Kudos Love 80s (Wednesdays), and First Five (Thursdays). All shows start at 9:30 p.m.
★★★★★
Antoinette Taus and Archie Alemania are husband and wife on the brink of separation in today’s episode of Karelasyon.
Their problem stems from the series of text messages Arturo (Archie) sent to a certain “sweetie.” Outraged, Ofelia (Antoinette) not only resolvs to throw her husband out of their house, she even ends up destroying their marriage contract.
Helpless, Arturo can’t do anything to calm his furious wife.
Just as they are about to go on separate ways, their respective mothers drop by and decide to stay with them temporarily. Not wanting to hurt or involve their parents in their dispute, Ofelia and Arturo are forced to pretend they are living a happy married life, when in reality, they despise each other very much.
Will the couple really end up in splitsville? What will be the role of their moms in resolving their conflict?
Joining Antoinette and Archie are Nanette Inventor and Mitch Valdez, with Roanna Sarinas and April Tanhueco.
Karelasyon with Carla Abellana as host every Saturday, after #LIKE on GMA 7.
