Lily’s fans may run amok as she will soon bid goodbye to her millions of followers when Wildflower ends on Friday.
ABS-CBN’s hit primetime series, after a whole year on the hotly contested pre-primetime timeslot finally ends its run with the wildest ever conclusion.
With Raul (Wendell Ramos), Helena (Zsazsa Padilla), and Arnaldo (RK Bagatsing), out of the picture, Lily (Maja Salvador) appears to have the upper hand in her mission to get the Ardientes off their high horses and finally set the people of Poblacion Ardiente free from deception and abuses. But Julio (Tirso Cruz III), together with Emilia (Aiko Melendez), will not give up without a fight and will make sure Lily will pay for everything that she did.
After publicly putting the blame of Arnaldo’s death on Lily, the Ardientes humiliated her in public and forced her to walk around town with a signage that says she is a killer, while Emilia lashes her back with a whip. But just when the odds are seemingly back in Ardientes’ favor, the people of Poblacion Ardiente discover a mass grave of bodies suspected to belong to their loved ones who had gone missong, causing a massive public outrage.
More than just a story of revenge, Wildflower, produced under the business unit of director Ruel Bayani, is a story of a woman’s courage, determination, and resilience to find justice for her family and for the people of one town. Driven by hope and love, main protagonist Lily Cruz fights for what is right without putting the law in her hands.
Since its premiere in February last year, Wildflower has been a consistent top-rater on primetime and a consistent trending topic on social media. It reached an all-time high national TV rating of 35.2 percent in its Oct. 10 episode – the highest rating earned by a program in the 6 p.m. timeslot in recent years. It also ranked 13th on Kantar Media’s list of most watched programs in 2017 and was also among the most watched program on iWant TV last year.
From a bride in black walking down the aisle to a fierce lady in gold making one unforgettable entrance, Wildflower’s many show-stopping scenes became memes that went viral online. It is also one of the most talked about shows by netizens.
The show also received various recognitions from award giving bodies such as PMPC Star Awards for TV, LionhearTV Rawr Awards, GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards, and even the Asian Television Awards where Tirso Cruz III was finalist in the best supporting actor category.
***
National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal may have long been gone but his story remains. ABS-CBN Publishing and Friends of Bernal published Pro Bernal, Anti Bio, an uncensored memoir that refuses to be a tribute based on the late director’s personal writings as well as accounts from his friend Jorge Arago and pop historian Angela Stuart-Santiago.
The book features the meaningful life of the multi-awarded filmmaker who died in 1996, his works and struggles, the showbiz system that he adored and hated equally, the political landscape during his time, his activism and homosexuality.
According to project director and producer Katrina Stuart-Santiago, Ishmael talked candidly about his journey. “What it became is really Bernal speaking for the first time about the kind of life that he lived – as a cultural worker, as a filmmaker, as an activist, and primarily as the icon that we all know him now,” she said during the screening of documentary film “Ishma” held recently in Trinoma during the Cinema One Originals Festival.
It was in 1992 when Ishmael first started writing a journal for what he envisioned as a biography that would tell it all. His biographer was constant collaborator Jorge, who named the manual “Pro Bernal, Anti Bio” and with whom would be left the taped conversations, photographs, and clippings upon his death.
Angela later worked with the materials left behind for the book when Jorge died in 2011. With new research and additional interviews, the final product is a memoir unlike any other in the Philippines — and especially unlike any we have seen from or about a National Artist.
The female co-author brings in a cast of characters of actors, scholars, colleagues, and peers who speak from the margins of the book, while Ishmael and Jorge tell this personal-political history in their own words, with an intellect and spirit ahead of its time.
Ishmael was one of the great filmmakers in the history of the Philippine cinema. Among his films include Nunal Sa Tubig (1976), City After Dark (Manila By Night) (1980), Himala (1982), Relasyon (1982), and Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989).
A new teleserye, a new movie, a new scholarship and a new Cherub endorsement, it’s a happy New Year for Hashtags member Ryle Santiago.
Ryle plays the role of Tantan, brother to Julia Montes’ character, Ana, in the new Kapamilya gold teleserye, Asintado. He becomes the breadwinner of the family upon the disappearance of his sister. Asintado airs weekdays after It’s Showtime.
With time management, Ryle is able to balance showbiz commitments and his studies. He is a film freshman at Meridian International College (MINT). He is also a full scholar this semester.
“I’m very thankful for all the blessings. I’ll work even harder to have more projects and finish my studies,” Ryle says.
A celebrity student with a charming and cheerful personality, it’s small wonder Ryle has been tapped to be the new endorser of cherub baby care products- Cherub Baby Wipes, Cherub Baby Soap, Cherub Baby Powder and Cherub Baby Cologne in sky, happy and sweet angel variants.
“I’m very happy. I’m very thankful. It’s an honor to be part of the Megasoft family. I’d like to promote Cherub the best way i can, starting by saying it’s not just for babies, great for you too!” He explains.
VP for marketing of Megasoft Hygienic Products Inc., makers of Cherub, Aileen Choi-Go sees the passion in Ryle both as an artist and a student.
“As an artist, he is very promising. As a student, he is dedicated. I’m sure as the new Cherub endorser, Ryle will exemplify the same passion for Cherub,” Aileen reveals.
On its 3rd year, Ryle is set to join the successful “Megasoft school is cool tour” that travels around the country providing entertainment, conducting inspirational talks and giving recognition to outstanding students and teachers.
“We would like to spread cherub love, our cherub advocacy, which is to promote a culture of love among the youth- love for oneself, family and country- by encouraging them to pursue their passion, their dreams while giving them recognition for their hardwork. Also to instill an atmosphere of positivity and productivity,” she shares.
A new segment added to the school tour is “earn ganern”, which features introductory talks about entrepreneurship for the students.
Another new portion is the “Megasoft squad: backstage pass”, where members get a chance to share up close and personal chill moments with any of the visiting Megasoft endorsers including Jolina Magdangal of New Super Twins Easy Wear Baby Pants, Myrtle Sarrosa of Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners and Ryle of Cherub Baby Care Products.
