A different kind of road trip in "Biyaheng Lupa"

Biyaheng Lupa (Soliloquy),” the debut film of multi-awarded film writer Armando “Bing” Lao had an advanced screening at Cinema 3 of SM City The Block last Wednesday with producer Atty. Joji Alonzo of Quantum Films and direk Bing in attendance.

The film won the Special Jury Prize at the Cinemanila Film Festival. “Biyaheng Lupa” tells the story of a bus trip from Manila to Bicol with 10 major characters as passengers, each one with a story to tell.

“The only film who would do this film is a person who is brave enough and who has balls,” said Atty. Joji before the screening of the film. “All the people who were part of this film did it because of love and friendship and because they are here for Bing Lao. And I am one of those who treasure him as a friend over the years and who really believe in his talent so that’s why I took that very big risk of producing this material.”

“I really, really hope that you would help us, that you would write about the film, bad or good that’s fine. We are finally screening on December 2 in at least seven theaters—SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Ermita, Gateway and Glorietta 4. We also have a screening in SM Cebu. We are hoping that a lot of people will get to watch the movie so that we can recoup our investment and hopefully produced more films next year,” added the lady producer.

“For me, the more important one is for you to see the film and share this experience because this is very Filipino from start to finish. Like I’ve said, it’s a different experience all that together. Saka para naman maranasan nila ang ganitong klaseng pelikula.”

“Biyaheng Lupa” has a stellar cast that includes award-winning actors Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Angel Aquino, Susan Africa plus Isabella de Leon, Carlo Guevarra, Archie Adamos, Mercedes Cabral, Jess Evardone, and Andoy Ranay, among others.

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Coinciding with the Grand 15 Year Anniversary Celebration of premiere movie cable channel Cinema One, today’s hottest celebrities will grace the Cinema One Originals Awards Night on November 15 at the ABS-CBN Dolphy Theater.

The awarding ceremonies will be hosted by grand slam winning actor and Drama Prince Piolo Pascual and new box-office star Eugene Domingo. Some of today’s hottest and most watched celebrities will present awards in different categories. Winning filmmakers like Danny Zialcita and Cannes Film Festival director Brillante Mendoza plus blockbuster directors like Joyce Bernal and Cathy Garcia Molina will also be at the event. Sam Milby will render a must-not-miss intermission number!

Now on its 5th year since its inception in 2005, this year’s Cinema One Originals does not follow any theme to encourage entries with novelty or more out-of-the-box plotlines. This makes five Originals finalists vying for top awards to be more surprising than ever. They are the sweet comedy Maximus & Minimus by directors Na Jamir and Jimmy Flores and stars Cai Cortez, Baron Geisler, Mikel Campos, Liza Lorena and Malou Crisologo. The thriller Wanted: Border by director Ray Gibraltar stars Rosanna Roces and Raffy Tejada. Bala Bala is a mystery-fantasy of writer-director Melvin Brito and stars Richard Quan, Glenda Resureccion, Jao Mapa and Angel Jacob. The romantic comedy Paano Ko Sasabihin starring Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee is directed by Richard Legaspi. The children’s film Si Maymay Si Baning at ang Asong Si Bobo of writer-director Rommel Tolentino that stars Rio Locsin, Simon Ibarra and Gene Karley Largueza.

This year’s jury alone already makes the digital film festival an unforgettable event in Philippine Cinema. It’s headed by none other than 4-time grand slam winning actress and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, award-winning filmmaker Khavn dela Cruz, screenplay writer Armando Lao, ABS-CBN Creative manager and award-winning writer Ricky Lee, and member of the Manunuri ang Pelikulang Pilipino and Dean of the College of Mass Communication in UP Diliman Rolando Tolentino.

The Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival is produced and owned by Cinema One and the Creative Programs, Inc through the annual Cinema One Originals project.

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There is no doubt that the combination of Pepe and Tiago’s power is proven to be unbeatable because it conquered last Saturday’s airwaves.

Based on the reports of TNS National survey, the back-to-back episode of Agimat garnered a 31.6% rating, the highest among all of the Saturday shows. It featured Gerald Anderson’s final journey as Tiagong Akyat and premiered Jolo Revilla’s new adventure as Pepeng Agimat.

Gerald was not surprised for this result because he believes with the persuasive power of Jolo’s charm. “Sobrang thankful ako sa mataas na rating na ibinigay nyo po sa amin. I can’t express my happiness. I wish I could personally thank everyone. Alam ko naman kasi na iba talaga ang hatak niyang si Jolo. Nagmana ata yan sa Agimat ng dad niyang si Sen. Bong.”

Tiagong Akyat director Dondon Santos was very proud of Gerald for performing the action scenes without the help of a ‘double’. “Yung mga nakita nilang breath-taking scenes ni Tiagong Akyat, totoo yun. Ayaw talaga ni Gerald na magpa-double. Kaya nga na-addict siya sa parkour.”

Meanwhile, Jolo was also happy to know that his show is well-loved by the youth. “Syempre, masaya ako hindi lang dahil sa mataas na ratings kung hindi sa magandang kinalabasan ng serye. Masaya din ako na nagiging magandang ehemplo sa kabataan yung role ko as Pepe. Kung maraming nanood ng aming pilot episode, sana tangkilikin pa nila yung mga susunod.”

Jolo will not only be mentored by his father Sen. ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. in real life, but also in the new Agimat series as well. The original successor of the Agimat plays as Pepe’s long-lost father. On the other hand, Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai delas Alas’ character is Pepe’s mother.

In the upcoming episodes of the new edition of Agimat, Pepe faces more trials as an ‘Aswang killer.’ His interest challenges him. Which is more worthy for Pepe? His mission as the town hero, or the love he feels for Lora (Melissa Ricks)?

Watch Agimat, every Saturday, after TV Patrol, on ABS-CBN.