Yam Laranas' directing style draws praise

There’s no question that Bubble Gang is the most successful and most popular gag show in the land. Proof is the long list of unparalleled gags and commercial spoofs, plus other original characters that the show created and made popular in the past 14 years.

This October, the longest running and number one gag show in the land is celebrating its 14th anniversary. A special primer and three made-for-TV comedy films will be showcased in Bubble Gang’s episode on October 23 and 30.

The primer, titled “14 Going Steady,” will present behind the scene footages in the making of these three made-for-TV movies that will be shown on October 30.

Aside from this, the primer will also look back into the 14 years of Bubble Gang—from the time it was conceptualized in 1995 until it became the leading gag show in the land, the choice trends and craze that it made popular, and how the show influenced the pop culture of the Philippines.

The show will also feature the interesting trivia regarding several segments of BG and commentaries from popular stars, viewers and former “Bubblers” about the show.

Serving the highlight of the night is a “funny” and “kinky” interview done by “14 Going Steady” host Paolo Bediones with the BG cast headed by Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Wendell Ramos, Antonio Aquitania, Rufa Mae Quinto, Francine Prieto and Maureen Larrazabal.

The three movies topbilled by the BG cast and the celebrity guests Dennis Trillo, Iza Calzado, Julia Clarete, and Ms. Regine Velasquez will be shown next Friday, October 30. A horror movie, a Koreanovela remake and a sexy comedy, all these were written by the BG creative team and pioneer cast member Michael V.

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Director Yam Laranas was not at the presscon of “Patient X” last week that’s why he didn’t hear the words of praises showered on him by the stars of the film, led by Richard Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes, Miriam Quiambao, TJ Trinidad and Paolo Avelino.

Miriam said she enjoyed working with direk Yam Laranas on the set of “Patient X.” She said that direk Yam is a fast-worker that’s why work got finished early and the stars have ample time to rest, same with the production staff. Since work wasn’t stressful, the stars were able to give what was needed in their roles. She also added that direk Yam is good in motivating his stars, that’s why their acting came out well.

For his part, TJ hopes that the system being used by Direk Yam in directing could also be applied by other directors and other film outfits. He believes employing said system could improve the quality of film production.

According to Cristine, direk Yam works very systematically and everything is followed right on schedule.

On the part of Richard, who plays the male lead aside from being the producer of the film, he finds his director very organized, adding that direk Yam brought out the best in all of them. He also credited him for using different lighting equipment, some of which he had seen only now. Richard said his director made sure he’d use the best equipment to come up with a good texture in cinematography and lighting.

“Direk Yam is very focused in the movie. Even his camera shots are very good and seems to tell a story,” he said. “The other elements of the film, not just the stars, make the story move forward.”

“Patient X” will have a premiere on October 25 at SM Manila and will start its regular showing on Oct. 28.

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Yes, it’s true. Rachelle Ann Go and Gabriel Valenciano have called it quits. Rachelle herself confirmed this when we got to talk to her at the presscon for several Viva Artist Agency talents last Tuesday. But we feel though that she is feeling sore at former boyfriend Gabriel Valenciano since the guy seems to have immediately taken a new girl that fast.

We kidded Rachelle that Gab probably didn’t want to linger on the sad part that they’ve parted ways. Besides, he’s a man, and men are not really that emotional when it comes to matters of the heart.

Rachelle was rehearsing with Jed Madela for their concert titled “True Champions” (to be at Skydome of SM City North EDSA on Oct. 24) at the studio owned by Gab’s family. Gab dropped by with a girl in tow, something that shocked, not really Rachelle, but her companions.

When the press tried to ask her the identity of the girl, Rachelle declined to give her name but she said that the girl has appeared in ASAP, although she did not say if she was a mainstay. She’s not even sure if the girl is already Gab’s new girlfriend although she has heard that the two were dating already.

But Rachelle’s not ready to fall in love, well, not at the moment at least. She’s obviously hurting from the breakup and seeing Gab with a girl, she felt that it was probably for the best that they didn’t end up together. But she’s trying to move on and trying not to be bitter about the situation.

After her True Champions show with Jed at Skydome, the singer said that Viva Concerts is planning to bring True Champions on tour to the United States. There is also a plan to do a provincial concert tour here in the Philippines.

We were really surprised when we learned that Gab and Rachelle broke up because the last time we talked to Gab (only about a month ago), he professed his love for Rachelle, saying that they are so in love and that he doesn’t see them separating any time soon. Oh well.