Baby F. Go, whom the local entertainment media has labeled as queen of indie films after the movies she produced in the previous years had earned accolades in international film festivals, is back on the grind.
Last week, she called her media friends for a small gathering at the Marco Polo in Ortigas Centre to announce her production outfit’s latest project, a horror film to be megged by Joey Romero who said it will be filmed mostly in Baby’s home city Dumaguete. The Romeros are also from that famous Visayan city.
The project goes under the working title Hipnotismo and comes right after the completion of another BG Productions International project titled Latay with Allen Dizon and Lovi Poe. Ralston Jover directed the now in post-production film.
Also present during the mediacon were the film’s lead players like the Kapamilya lead actress and star of the series Kadenang Ginto Beauty Gonzales and fellow Kapamilya, Enzo Pineda. Introducing in the film is Mr. World Philippines JB Saliba.
Also presented to the media was Polo Ravales who will also play an important part in the movie. Although she wasn’t there, Miss Universe 3rd runner up Ariella Arida was also mentioned that she is in the cast as one of the many interesting characters of the gothic film written by Eric Ramos.
BG Talents that also play important roles in the films include Kate Brios, Wayne Calderon and Winter Calderon.
The story of Hipnotismo revolves about newlyweds played by Beauty and Enzo who decided to spend their honeymoon in Dumaguete.
They live in an old house replete with tales that will later make their honeymoon a nightmare.
Joey Romero is the son of filmmaker Eddie Romero, a “national artist for film.”
Joey had directed horror films in the past including Vampira starring “diamond star” Maricel Soriano. It was voted the best film by the YCC (Young Critics Circle). Romero collaborated for the screenplay with award-winning Eric Ramos who also wrote the forthcoming Rainbow’s Sunset, an official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
“It has been always my passion to produce movies. And that passion will always be part of my company. I have always wished that I could produce a “horror film’ and I am glad I am now. I am also happy that it will be shot where I was born and the film will explore the beauty of Dumaguete, “ Baby Go told me before she ended the mediacon.
* * *
Globe produces content for cinemas as well
A phone company is also a film company. With Globe Studios (a part of Globe Telecom), the leading mobile service provider in the Philippines has crashed onto the entertainment scene producing content, not only for the mobile phones but also for cineplexes across the archipelago.
Last Wednesday, the Globe Studios produced Hintayan sa Langit opened nationwide.
The film is about Lisang and Manolo, (played by movie icons Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia, respectively), who meet in a place they call “hintayan sa langit,” or what is generally known as purgatory.
Lisang has overstayed in her waiting room, occasionally causing other souls trouble for her own entertainment. Now, she is set to cross over and her room will be occupied by a new tenant, Manolo. It turns out Manolo is her ex-boyfriend. Lisang and Manolo get a second chance to know each other again and, in the process, begin to realize what it really means to be “alive” again. As Lisa and Manolo look back in retrospect and they examine the decisions they made in their lives, they can’t help but ask what if….
The feature film is written by spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo based upon his one-act stage play for The Virgin Lab Fest.
Hintayan ng Langit is a co-production between Globe Studios and Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects, a film production company owned by top filmmakers Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone. The movie adaptation is directed by Dan Villegas for QCinema and premiered in October. It won the Best Actor and Audience Choice awards.
While #HintayanNgLangit is trending on social media for its gripping theme and excellent production values, the film is also the latest commitment of Globe Studios in delivering heartfelt but top-quality films not only for its customers but among all Filipino film buffs as well.
Villegas and Jadaone join the roll of A-list of filmmakers that include Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz who have collaborated with Globe Studios for their original video and film productions.
* * *
More stories of these kinds at www.isah.red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred and Instagram (@isahvred).
