Marvin Agustin won't cave in to pressure

Clearly, Marvin Agustin is one of the most durable among his contemporaries. Introduced in 1996 as part of the Star Circle's Batch 2, he became one of the hottest matinee idols then. His teen flicks opposite Jolina Magdangal were all certified hits. Now on his 10th year in the "biz," his career is still going strong though it has undergone some major changes. These include having a new manager in the person no less of OctoArts big boss Orly Ilacad.

While it is only this year that he became a talent of Boss Orly, for the past three years, he had been working with OctoArts for all of its Metro Manila Film Festival entries. The last was "Kutob" which won for him the Best Actor trophy.

The win was a happy event for Marvin but he doesn't want to be pressured just because he snagged an acting award. That's the reason he opted to do a comedy in "Oh My Ghost" where he is reunited with Rufa Mae Quinto, whom he first worked with in "Super B."

"Actually, 'Oh My Ghost' is an answered prayer for me. After doing 'Kutob,' I wanted to do light projects where viewers can sit back, relax and enjoy themselves. It came at a right time. I was very glad to learn I'd be working opposite Rufa Mae in this horror-comedy. It was really a fun experience," says Marvin.

Interestingly, the talented actor reveals that how he wishes to become another Vic Sotto someday. "That's true. Ever since, I've admired Vic's style. His comedy is intelligent and shows good Filipino values. That's the path I'd like to take. 'Oh My Ghost' is a good start for me and I hope the people would support our movie," he added.

'Kubrador' to compete in more int'l film fests

Producer Atty. Joji Alonso would like to thank all those who sent emails and texts regarding "Kubrador's" little victory in Moscow and India. The favorable response she got serves as a constant reminder that those who support fellow indiemakers in their struggle to survive in this industry run aplenty. She had been working really hard to reach out to as many festivals as she can for the movie to somehow get noticed and hopefully, to fare well during its commercial run locally.

She's very happy to share the good news that "Kubrador" has been officially invited to the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 to 16 and to the Vancouver International film festival on September 28 to October 13.

"What really made me scream with glee was when Cameron Bailey, programmer for Toronto, described Kubrador "as a powerful, beautifully observed film with a very affecting lead performance". "I never imagined that a project like this, which will never fit the tab of a "big" film, will get noticed abroad," says Atty. Joji.

Sadly though, the bigger question that now arises is whether or not Filipinos will watch this film when it is finally released locally. It is in this light that she appeals to everybody that we tell our friends about the movie "Kubrador" which will begin its commercial run on AUGUST 16, at selected theatres, namely: SM MALL OF ASIA, SM MEGAMALL, GATEWAY CUBAO, GLORIETTA 4, ROBINSON's ERMITA and CINERAMA RECTO. She is still awaiting word if they can show the film in one or two more theatres apart from those mentioned above.

ENPRESS awards

The highly esteemed Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS) is set to hold its Golden Screen Awards for 2006 on August 30 at the Music Museum, in Greenhills, San Juan. ENPRESS, formed in 2004 and is composed of well respected columnists and entertainment writers in the print media, has created an award giving body that honors the exemplary work that the Philippine cinema has produced throughout the year.

The Golden Screen Awards brings with it the integrity and credibility that is embodied by ENPRESS and its members, in its mission to recognize the Philippine movies on a deeper level. The major acting categories and the best films were further divided into two divisions, the drama and the musical/comedy category to further pave the way for more recognition on different genre.

The staging of the Golden Screen Award marks the first joint venture between ENPRESS, event organizer X Zone Entertainment, Inc., and the country's newest state of the art post-production house Larger Than Life, Inc.

X Zone Entertainment has vaulted itself into one of the country's top events groups today. Having handled major events in venues such as the Araneta Coliseum, the Music Museum and numerous cities across the country, the partnership between the two established groups made perfect sense.

'Sukob' premieres overseas

"Sukob," the latest movie from Star Cinema, is doing very well at the box-office. The movie, directed by Chito Roño and stars Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto, is packing crowds in cinemas since it opened last July 26.

It had successful premieres with Kris, Claudine, and direk Chito in attendance in Los Angeles last July 29, and in Honolulu last July 30. Regular screening schedules are as follows: August 4-10 in San Francisco/Las Vegas/Virginia Beach/San Diego; August 11-17 Los Angeles/New York/New Jersey/Chicago/Honolulu; August 18-24 in Seattle/Toronto, Canada/Vancouver/ Surrey, Canada.

It will have a premiere night on August 18 (Friday) in Greater Union Cinema in Paramatta in Sydney, Australia.