Many say that we are now in an age where the folklores about supranaturals are becoming nothing but a thing for computer games.
But not in the movies where the characters from the other sphere of the universe seem to be dominating the screens.
Take for example the story of a woman from the Visayas. It has now become an urban legend.
Urban legends have a way of affecting us, and for a long time now, that of Maria Labo has elicited terror and repulsion especially in the Visayas where her story is said to have taken place. She is believed to be the aswang from Iloilo (others claim Capiz and Sorsogon) who butchered her own children and fed them to her husband after she herself feasted on them. To this day, many believe that she is still out there looking for victims to satiate her cravings. Intrigued by this blood-curdling story, Roi Vinzon turned it into a movie. This month, Maria Labo is set to put viewers on the edge of their seats and stir emotions other than fear.
Maria, played by newcomer Kate Brios, is a loving wife and mother who wants to help her husband Ermin (Jestoni Alarcon) make ends meet. Encouraged by her friend Emily (Sam Pinto), she grabs the opportunity to work as a caregiver in Dubai despite her husband’s hesitation. She finds a friend in a fellow OFW, Nanay Leng, but falls prey to cruel, drunken foreign men. Now mentally disturbed, Maria is sent back to the Philippines. Worse than being insane, she has turned into a monster who devours human flesh. As her husband looks for answers about her mysterious transformation, the town is in serious danger as she remains at large.
“Labo”, which means “to hack” in Ilonggo, is attached to Maria’s name because of what was done to her face. The movie took the liberty in changing some details, like making Maria an OFW in Dubai, while the original tale says that she worked in Canada and it was her employer who passed on the supernatural powers to her. Another version has it that Maria was killed by a Spaniard and it is her ghost that’s prowling the town.
Though this is Kate Brios’ first film, Vinzon praises her sensibility as an actress and she is able to hold her own in the company of seasoned actors, like Jestoni Alarcon, Baron Geisler, Mon Confiado, Dennis Padilla, Rez Cortez, Sam Pinto, and Rey ‘PJ’ Abellana.
Maria Labo premires on Nov.10, 7 p.m. at SM Megamall, Cinema 7.
It opens on Nov.11 natiowide. Viva Films distributes the film.
★★★★★
The Player, exclusive on RTL CBS Extrme HD
The Player, the action-packed Las Vegas-set thriller will premiere first and exclusive on RTL CBS Extreme HD 10 p.m. on Nov. 10.
From the executive producers of The Blacklist, this new TV series co-stars Wesley Snipes as a pit boss and Charity Wakefield as the dealer for a high-stakes game where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on the ability of former military operative-turned-security expert Philip Winchester to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out.
“We’re delighted to have acquired The Player for RTL CBS Extreme HD, our male-skewed action entertainment channel,” says Jennifer Batty, EVP Programming, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network. The series compliments the channel’s strong programming that audiences in the region appreciate.”
John Rogers serves as writer and executive producer. Patrick Massett, John Zinman, John Davis, John Fox and director Bharat Nalluri also executive produce. The Player is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Davis Entertainment and Kung Fu Monkey.
GMA Network widens lead in nationwide ratings in October
Riding on the momentum of its first place finish in nationwide ratings in September, GMA Network further strengthened its dominance in National Urban Philippines in October, according to data from the industry’s most trusted ratings provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
In October (with the dates of Oct. 25 to 31 based on overnight readings), GMA doubled its lead over ABS-CBN in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) to 5.3 points from the previous month’s 2.5 points with a 39 percent total day household audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 33.7 percent, as well as TV5’s 8.8 percent.
GMA spiked up its lead over ABS-CBN in the morning block with 37.1 percent, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30.2 percent by 6.9 points. GMA also reinforced its solid performance in the afternoon block with 47.8 percent, 19.7 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 28.1 percent. GMA rated higher than TV5 across all day parts in NUTAM.
The Kapuso Network also continued to rule over competition across all day parts in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 77 percent and 59 percent of all urban TV households in the country, with double-digit margins in the morning and afternoon blocks.
GMA registered a 43.9 percent total day average in Urban Luzon, remarkably ahead of ABS-CBN’s 29.1 percent by 14.8 points and TV5’s 7.8 percent by 36.1 points. GMA also remained undisputed in Mega Manila with a dominant 46.1 percent, up 20.5 points from ABS-CBN’s 25.6 percent and up 38 points from TV5’s 8.1 percent.
Moreover, GMA led in the top programs list for October in NUTAM, Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.
Eat Bulaga continued to break records as it emerged as the most watched program in Urban Luzon and Manila, while leading the list of Kapuso programs in NUTAM. The program’s Oct. 24 episode, featuring the sold-out “Tamang Panahon” concert at the Philippine Arena, posted an overwhelming 42.9 percent household rating in NUTAM and 51.3 percent in Mega Manila (based on official data). It is now the most-watched single episode on Philippine TV so far.
Pepito Manaloto, Ismol Family, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, 24 Oras Weekend, Magpakailanman, and Vampire Ang Daddy Ko also had high ratings in their respective timeslots, and were in the top programs list.
Also included in the list were 24 Oras, Sunday PinaSaya, Imbestigador, Karelasyon, Wowowin, Marimar, Beautiful Strangers, The Half Sisters, The Ryzza Mae Show Presents: Princess in the Palace, Celebrity Bluff, My Faithful Husband, Juan Tamad, Kapuso Movie Festival, Buena Familia, Wish Ko Lang, Destiny Rose and GMA Blockbusters.
★★★★★
Glaiza de Castro’s Dreams Never End in SNBO
Kapuso fans will have a free access to Glaiza de Castro’s first major solo sold-out concert, Dreams Never End, in GMA’s SNBO tonight.
Glaiza, considered as one of the most-respected actresses of her generation, will give us a glimpse of her artistry in her heartfelt renditions of songs from her sold-out album like “Waiting Shed,” “Barcelona,” “Memo” and the hit “Dusk ‘Til Dawn.”
In the concert, she shares the stage with music industry’s best and iconic figures, including 90s female rock icon Kitchie Nadal, Asia’s Golden Voice Cooky Chua and the one and only Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.
Glaiza revealed that it has been her dream to perform live with these musical women who have inspired her to write and perform original Pinoy music. “Masaya po akong nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makasamang mag-perform ang mga hinahangaan ko sa isang entablado. It’s really a night to remember.”
Aside from her musical idols, Glaiza will also be joined by her friends in the industry to perform pop-rock songs including Kapuso leading lady Rhian Ramos, director Quark Henares, actor Ketchup Eusebio, Kapuso leading man Gabby Eigenmann and the King of R & B, Jay-R.
★★★★★
Unbeatable Kapuso weekend primetime comedy shows
What fares well with Kapuso fans, apart from the slew of drama series, is the string of comedy shows on weekend.
Proof of that is when Pepito Manaloto and Ismol Family eased into the Top 10 programs nationwide with the highest ratings in October.
This could mean the network will continue to support programs that not only entertain but also gives valuable lessons to the network’s audience.
★★★★★
Dennis Trillo wants to star in a romantic comedy
If given the chance, Dennis Trillo would like to be in a romantic comedy with My Faithful Husband co-star Jennylyn Mercado.
“Para naman maiba,” the actor said, “Considering na napakabigat ng My Faithful Husband."
Meanwhile, the actor had a good time with Solenn Heusaff when they were shooting Lakbay2Love, an indie movie. He said they enjoyed the scenes they did together because they were mostly what they enjoy off screen, like biking.