A movie about two people in love always has an audience and majority, if not all, most likely hope for a happy ending.
How the story unfolds and the major characters’ emotions in a roller coaster kind of love makes the strongest impact to the audience.
In the newest Viva Films presentation, the push and pull of feelings are among the things you can expect.
12 is the story of Anton and Erika, a couple who have been friends for five years and eventually found themselves in a relationship lasting for seven years. In total, they have known each other for 12 years.
Anton is a director of TV commercials, while Erika is a former band member who becomes his stay-at-home partner, lovingly and happily devoting her time taking care of her man. Finally, the day comes when he asks her to marry him… will they end up getting married and stay together forever?
Fresh from the tremendous success of Kita Kita, Alessandra de Rossi plays the role of Erika with complete abandon, just like she is known to do in every performance. This film is an assurance that this award-winning actress really loves her craft despite her statement before about wanting to quit showbiz, which hopefully will not be anytime soon.
Playing Anton is newcomer Ivan Padilla who was seen as Hunter, Bela Padilla’s boyfriend in 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, another blockbuster from Viva Films. Ivan is related to the famous Padilla actors, but he’s excited to show everyone in the Philippines that he deserves to be recognized for his own talent in acting. Just like Alessandra, he asserts that he has really put his heart and soul in playing his character.
In an interview, Ivan revealed that he won an award in a film festival. His acting experiences include American TV shows Dexter, CSI:Miami, CSI:New York, and The Closer and movies like Here Comes The Boom, with Salma Hayek. He is also adept in martial arts, particularly Jiu-Jitsu.
The chemistry between Alessandra and Ivan is something to look forward to in this romantic drama that is surely relatable to couples of today.
12 is showing in cinemas nationwide starting Nov. 8.
★★★★★
The Hunk. The Actor. The Singer. The Gentleman. The Ultimate heartthrob.
That’s Piolo Pascual for you. His name alone is guaranteed to make you jump off your seat in excitement.
He’s had box-office records, certified music hits, innumerable endorsements, and he’s “Papa P,” the Dream Boy that every single ladies and certified mommies would want to spend a day with. But, behind all that glamour and fame, there’s also the Piolo Pascual that prefers a more laid- back life every once in a while.
“I’ve learned not to take my work home. Iniiwan ko sa set. Pagkatapos mag-trabaho, uuwi ako sa bahay. Wala akong stress. Hindi ko ini-stress ang sarili ko.”
It’s easy then to understand why when he is at home, he prefers the easy life and the taste of nakasanayang comfort food like corned beef. “Pag nasa bahay lang ako, comfort food ko ‘to. Yung nailuluto ko. Gisa-gisa, konting sibuyas.”
A certified foodie, he is not afraid to try something new. That’s why Piolo considers it a blessing to be the face behind Highlands Gold Corned Beef. Just like the many young wives and mothers today who have made the switch from their old corned beef brand to Highlands Gold Corned Beef with Angus Beef, he is well-pleased. “I’m happy when I tasted it. It is so good!” Piolo adds.
“It is something familiar yet new. And what I like best is that it’s not only made from 100 percent pure beef, it is also made with Angus beef.”
“This is the only corned beef with Angus beef. I love its natural and superior beef taste!”
“Hindi malitid ang Highlands Gold Corned Beef at hindi matabang. This is definitely my kind of comfort food.”
And Piolo shares, “Walang bawal sa akin. I can eat anything. Malakas akong kumain, sobra. Kaya malakas akong magwork-out. Ayokong i-deprive ang sarili ko. For me, eating is a reward.”
He clarifies, however, how particular he is with things that he does and the food that he ingests,
“Food intake and the kind of life that I live, it resonates with the brand of Highlands Gold because it gives the rich taste of corned beef.
“And it’s something that when you hear it, it’s a reward. So parang for me, I treat myself to a
reward. Something that is precious,” he expounds. “It’s the same thing with Highlands Gold.
Talagang they made sure that what they’re offering to the public is a brand something that people will enjoy.”
As an endorser, Piolo has proven many times how effective he is, “Based on social media, people see what you eat, what you do. I try as much as possible not to hard sell and let the product speak for itself. Kasi when I believe in a product, I’d like the people to see it, try it.
With Highlands Gold Corned Beef with Angus Beef, I’m very proud of it.”
The Pambansang Papa P also believes he has a responsibility to his public and now with social media chronicling his every moment, it is recorded for everyone to see. What you see is what you get.
“People nowadays like it raw, like it real,” he shares. “Me as a host, a singer, an actor. It’s different characters.”
“But what you put out there, it’s you, yourself. It’s private but it’s personal. I wanted to share my life. I want people to identify with me.”
And that is exactly why people love Piolo Pascual. Real. Honest and never afraid to try something new.
★★★★★
Regal Entertainment recently signed several stars and talents to its enterprise. And, the mother-daughter tandem – Lily Y. Monteverde and Roselle – are glad they did as the new members of the Regal family would add to the star-studded film studio they have been running for decades.
First on the step board is Janella Salvador. The 19-year-old Star Magic artist got her first big break into the movies via Regal Entertainment in the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Mansion, and again in 2016 with Mano Po 7: Tsinoy.
One of the most popular teen actresses in the biz today, Janella recently signed a four-movie contract deal with the 55-year-old movie company.
“She’s a jewel,” said Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde as she joined the talented Janella who looked stunning in an auspicious red dress for the big day. Typhoon Maring was ravaging the metro that very moment but the actress’ youth and energy lit up the room.
Indeed, Janella is bound to shine with Regal’s latest movie project for her, My Fairy Tail Love Story, where she plays a mermaid.
“I really enjoyed Mermaid school and all the diving we’ve been doing for the shoot,” she enthused. “The only hard part is dealing with the sun burn—masakit talaga.”
Charming as a mermaid character may sound the role is quite daring for Salvador who has to don a sexy suit in the fantasy movie. Paired again with Elmo Magalona for the project, her girlishness resurfaced when she confessed she couldn’t look at her leading man when he has to go topless for their scenes.
“What can I say? Hindi ko siya matignan! Wala, nahihiya ako. Pag may damit na siya, tumitingin na ako!” she said between giggles.
If this girlishness has been caught on camera, then it is safe to say it works, because this early, short online teaser has already stirred up the huge ElNella fan base on social media, ensuring Regal Entertainment a hit in their hands.
“Didn’t I tell you she’s a jewel?” smiled Mother Lily. Indeed she is.
★★★★★
Then, Regal signed the Miss World Philippines 2017 winners – Miss World Philippines Laura Lehmann, Reina Hispanico Americana Filipinas Winwyn Marquez, Miss Eco Philippines Cynthia Thomalla, Miss Multinational Philippines Sophia Senoron and 1st runner-up Glyssa Leian Perez.
Laura is now in Sanya, China where this year’s Miss World pageant will be held.
The coronation night will be on Nov. 18.
Winwyn Marquez, meanwhile, is now in Sta. Cruz, Bolivia for the Reina Hispanico Americana, the first time the Philippines is participating in the South American-based beauty pageant.
Wynwyn said she is excited to be the country’s first representative. “Di familiar sa atin ang pageant but it has been going on for 28 years and now lang sila nag-invite ng Asian candidate and I’m flattered na ako ‘yun,” she says. “Lahat ng mga Latina na nanalo sa ibang beauty pageants dumaan and it’s like a training ground for them before they join other international competitions. Ang winner nila last year was Miss Colombia with Miss Mexico as runner-up.”
★★★★★
Actress, television host and commercial model Janine Gutierrez at first could not believe it when her mom, actress Lotlot de Leon, told her that she had won her first acting award.
For her performance in Dagsin, Janine won the Best Supporting Actress trophy from the Urduja Heritage Film Awards. For the same project, she also received an Urian Award nomination.
Being the daughter of actors Lotlot and Ramon Christopher comes with high expectations, and in Janine’s case, having such luminaries as Pilita Corrales, Eddie Gutierrez, Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor as grandparent makes it doubly high.
However, Janine has managed to breeze through it all with quiet confidence and a real desire to learn and hone her craft.
Many would agree that she has gone a long way after having top-billed drama teleseryes such as Legally Blind, Once Again and Dangwa. Janine expresses her deep gratitude to GMA Network for giving her the break, and continuously building her up.
Recently, this Ateneo graduate of European Studies completed a horror film, The Spirit of the Glass 2, which opens on Nov. 1. She is also taping for a digital series entitled Unbroken Hearts, produced by lawyer Joji Alonso and Planet A Media.
Janine wants to achieve more of her dreams as an actress and wants to do more films, and she looks forward to new opportunities under her new management company, LVD Management, under talent manager Leo Dominguez.
One of the newest experiences for Janine was music recording. According to the actress, she was tapped to sing the theme song for the digital series, which she recorded in Los Angeles as produced by RedOne, the same producer of Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. She recorded the song both in English and Tagalog, and says she enjoyed the experience immensely.
★★★★★
AiAi delas Alas was renewed her contract as endorser of Hobe (Chinese for “good noodles,” a brand of bihon) with Hobe boss Bobby Co.
We congratulated Ai-Ai for being a popular endorser and her friends attributed it to good karma. You see, on her way to the top, Ai-Ai hasn’t stepped on anybody’s toes and she continues to exude good vibes.
Why be negative when you can be positive?” said Ai-Ai “If you are positive, tuloy ang blessings.”
Aside from Hobe (it’s her third year with Bobby Co who disclosed that sales have been going up 50 percent every year), among Ai-Ai’s other products she’s endorsing are Country Bankers, Maggie, Handy Picks and The Belo Clinic’s “tightening” procedure.
Asked what other products she wanted to endorse, Ai-Ai said, “Yung pambahay, pang-linis. Ngayon, karamihan sa endorsements ko ay food. Talagang pang-housewife.”