Direk Joel Lamangan on a roll

After its successful premiere night and special screenings held at Robinson’s Galleria last December 23, Joel Lamangan’s highly-charged drama, “Sagrada Familia,” receives a grading of A from the Cinema Evaluation Board. The CEB has cited “Sagrada Familia” for its “powerful adaptation of classic Greek tragedy transposed into local setting, the potentially explosive proceedings threatening to destroy everything in its path until the director reins in the bathos in the nick of time.”

Kudos were also given to the “very strong cast all around, from Lovi Poe to Snooky Serna to Emilio Garcia and Gloria Diaz.” At least one CEB suggested that Garcia’s performance as the deranged father should earn a nomination for this cautionary tale about the sacredness of family and the extremes it can lead to...it brings back memories of Vic Silayan in ‘Kisapmata’.

Director Lamangan is definitely on a roll with his third straight ‘A’ graded film after “Mano Po 6” and “Dukot.”

Other reviewers have also cited the film. Manila Bulletin has called it “powerful and suspenseful.” Ethel Ramos of Malaya has written: “One word that best describes Emilio Garcia’s performance: Great! Snooky Serna and Gloria Diaz are both in their element.” And Juaniyo Arcellana of Philippine Star has cited that Lovi’s performance as “lovely, as usual.”

“Sagrada Familia,” which stars Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Lovi Poe, Robert Arevalo, Jim Pebanco, Rico Barrera, Felix Roco and Ms. Gloria Diaz, is the initial venture of Legalas Entertainment Production, and is rated R-13. It will be exhibited in selected theaters nationwide on January 20.

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“Katorse” stars Erich Gonzales, Ejay Falcon and Enchong Dee plus the hit love team of Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks will face a new acting challenge as the Philippine television welcomes their new show “Tanging Yaman” come January 11.

The love triangle of Nene, Gabby and Jojo, in particular, has caught the hearts of the public in their series “Katorse.” As 2010 starts its way and fuels a brand new show, an additional conflict tests the said trio as Melissa Ricks and Matt Evans also enter into the scene. How will these young ones conquer the screen this time?

Erich and Melissa are both excited to work with each other since this will be the first time that the two teen actresses will work in one soap opera. How are they going to portray their opposite roles in the story and make show relevant enough to grasp the attention of the viewers?

On the other hand, it is a known fact that “Katorse” has created a rivalry between Ejay and Enchong. Will the competition in their previous series continue in this story? How will Matt handle the pressure brought on by Ejay and Enchong’s hit characters from their recent soap opera?

“Hindi naman ako kinakabahan makipagsabayan sa kanila. I am excited to work with all three of them. I am sure I will enjoy working with Erich and her two leading men,” said Matt.