TV5 original movies succeed in unique experiment

MANILA, Philippines - It is obvious that what started as a TV5 speculative project in made-for-television movies in February has been a roaring success. When we first heard of the series aired every Tuesday night at 8, we felt that it was a big expensive risk. But then how will one succeed if he doesn’t take any risks?

Dubbed the Studio5 Original Movies, the collection of weekly stories is given a theme that would bind them together for the month. The last of the love-themed series for the love month was aired today titled Bawat Sandali and gives us a story of devotion and understanding difficult to find these days. Angel Aquino is a housewife, whose husband Yul Servo has been too occupied with making a living to attend to his wife’s needs. When she meets handsome Derek Ramsay who pursues her although aware of her married stature, she gives in to this moment of passion resulting in an accident that lands Derek in a ravine given up for dead.

The plot thickens when someone finds Derek, who is brought to the hospital, and is diagnosed with amnesia. Investigators led by Phillip Salvador get into the picture to solve the crime. Characters are introduced like Mylene Dizon to whom Angel has confessed her crime, and still others like Perla Bautista, Mon Confiado, as well as numerous extras in street scenes, storied mansions and locations that show off the beauty of the Philippine landscape. Who is responsible for the crime? Is it Derek for pursuing her unrelentlessly if only to satisfy his machismo? Is Yul just as guilty for being overly obsessed with success as a businessman to attend to his family?

It is a wonderful plot, given a carefully selected cast perfect for the roles they play. It has the makings of a Pinoy never-ending teleserye with its twists and turns and revelations at every corner. With Joel Lamangan and Eric Quizon holding the reigns as co-directors, we are no longer surprised. The concept is such, however, that makes Studio5 Original Movies overly difficult to achieve, much more difficult than a teleserye.

We hunt down Wilma Galvante of the Television Production Division for details on what is to come. For sure, she says, the Studio5 Original Movies will continue with a theme of Mother’s Month in May, plus other movie specials in August and November. After the originals of Lady Next Door with Alice Dixson and Mark Neumann; When I Fall in Love with Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III; The Replacement Bride with Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Daniel Matsunaga; and Bawat Sandali as initial successes, that should be a cinch!    

Aegis music proves lasting popularity

It was the first time for us to get to watch the full musical Rak of Aegis at the PETA theater and we were astounded by the audience that attended. We had been invited to the press preview that announced its start on Jan. 31, and while it sounded interesting enough with actors in Aegis T-shirts, we never found the crowd this packed, not with the usual students brought in by school buses, but with adults of various shapes and ages. And certainly not on a matinee. We know for a fact that matinees attract less audiences. But this matinee was different. We couldn’t classify the people we saw that afternoon as the usual musical theater kind. What brought them in droves? We wondered. It could only have been due to creditable word of mouth. It could only have been curiosity at what Aegis music was all about.

When we first heard of the Aegis band whose music had been utilized for the musical, we scoured the Internet for samples of their songs. We asked many friends if they knew of them and the answer was always negative. Perhaps, it was because we were asking friends from a different sector in society — the Engliseros who had lived in Manila all their lives to which we belonged. We tried again, with friends who lived in Manila but went home regularly to their provincial hometowns. Success! They not only knew of the Aegis Band but proceeded to sing their most popular songs to us.

It was a touch of genius for writer Liza Magtoto to pick Aegis songs as the music for a story she had written. As we watched the crowd in full attention; as they responded to jokes that included now familiar names as Cedric, Deniece and Vhong, it is clearly obvious that PETA shall continue being the leading exponent of Filipino theater, song, music, dance and whatever celebrates the Filipino spirit.

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