KC Concepcion stars in action film with ER Ejercito

Jodi Sta. Maria expressed sadness when she learned that Star Cinema pulled out “Be Careful with My Heart” as official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December. But the actress understood Star Cinema’s decision since they might not be able to finish the movie and miss the deadline for the filmfest.

When asked if it’s possible to have the movie shown at a later date, Jodi said they are unaware of the plans of Star Cinema but they are not closing doors on the possibility of the movie making it to the filmfest after all.

Despite the appeal made by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to Star Cinema not to back out, ABS-CBN is determined to back out of the MMFF 2013 and remove the film which also stars Richard Yap.

Benefitting from this development is Scenema Concepts and Viva Films’ entry “Alyas Boy Golden” which stars Laguna Governor ER Ejercito and KC Concepcion as his leading lady. KC wants to do an action film and the offer of Gov. ER came in handily for KC who made heads turn with her kontrabida role in the recently concluded soap opera of ABS-CBN starring Judy Ann Santos.

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Jerrold Tarog, best director winner at Cinemalaya’s Director’s Showcase for the love story “Sana Dati,” said he did not expect the movie would win big awards at Cinemalaya. “It was a very overwhelming feeling,” said the director.

“Sana Dati” was an old script that was written by Jerrold about seven years ago but it was only now that the project finally got off the ground. It is a love story about a woman whose wedding is thrown into disarray when a mysterious person arrives and reminds her of the man she really loves.

He says he has a dream cast in Lovi Poe, TJ Trinidad, Paulo Avelino, Benjamin Alves and Ria Garcia.

“Sana Dati” bagged most of the awards in the Directors Showcase. Aside from Best Film and Best Director, TJ Trinidad also won Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound (Roger TJ Ladro), Best Original Music Score (Jerrold Tarog), Best Editing (Pats Ranyo), Best Production Design (Ericson Navarro) and Best Cinematography (Mackie Galvez).

The movie’s triumph at Cinemalaya was a fitting ending to a worthy project. “Sana Dati” is the third part of Jerrold Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after Confessional (2007) and Mangatyanan (2009). The film has been unanimously given a grade of “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.          

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The race to the much-anticipated grand finals of “The Voice of the Philippines” is set as its top 8 artists fight for their survival to win a coveted slot in the top-rating singing-reality show’s much-anticipated grand finals.

The competition heats up in the last two weeks as “The Voice” airs four Live Shows on Sept. 21, 22, 28, and the grand finals on Sept. 29. Viewers can also vote during Saturday’s Live Shows.

This Saturday (Sept. 21) and Sunday (Sept. 22), the two remaining artists of the teams of Apl de Ap, Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, and Lea Salonga will finally face off to determine the top 4 artists who will battle for the “The Voice of the Philippines” title.

The viewing public and the coaches have an equal say on who will advance to the grand finals, as determined by the combined percentages of the public votes on Saturday’s and Sunday’s Live Shows, as well as the coaches’ scores.

Competing for Team Apl are four-chair turners ‘mighty’ Thor and Janice Javier, who will bring years of professional performing experience to the stage. Whose voice will win the hearts of viewers and coach Apl’s?

For Team Sarah, meanwhile, divas Morissette Amon and Klarisse de Guzman will try to outperform each other to remain in the show. Both are young, passionate, and singing competition veterans, but in “The Voice,” the two will be pushed to their limits for their dream of becoming the next singing superstar.

For Kamp Kawayan or Team Bamboo, the competition is down between singing heartthrobs Paolo Onesa and Myk Perez, who seem to have captured the hearts of the public, as proven by their consistent top ranking in the previous Live Shows’ poll results.

Fighting to represent Team Lea in the finals are singing pros Mitoy and Radha, who are expected to turn in an explosive battle of powerhouse vocals. Will Radha get her second shot at fame or will Mitoy secure his place in the limelight? Who will be declared as the top 4 artists to compete in the grand finals?

We had the chance to talk to Radha and Thor. Both expressed confidence and excitement as they look forward in giving their all to the contest. Both of them said that a big factor in winning the coveted handsome prize is “the will of God.”

“We will both work hard but the power of prayers will also play a hand in deciding who will be declared as the winner,” said Rhada and Thor.

Don’t miss “The Voice of the Philippines” every Saturday, 9 p.m., and every Sunday, 8:15 p.m. on ABS-CBN.