Neophytes get star turn in ‘Bakwit Boys’

The box-office champion at last year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) was the Jason Paul Laxamana film “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” which starred JC Santos and Bela Padilla.

 They are reunited in “The Day after Valentine’s,” which is an entry anew to the PPP so the big question is, will they top the film festival once again? If the unofficial gross receipts of the first day of PPP are to be believed, then “The Day after Valentine’s” seems poised to emerge number one anew.

“We are hoping for the same kind of support for our movie. But it’s hard to expect because we didn’t stick to the formula. We wanted to offer something different. That’s why we don’t want to sound confident about our movie’s chances at the box office. It doesn’t follow that since ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ made money, then ‘The Day after Valentine’s’ will also do so,” said JC at the press conference of their movie.

 Direk Jason has two entries in the festival. Aside the JC-Bela starrer, also an entry in the PPP is the feel-good musical movie “Bakwit Boys” from T-Rex Entertainment.

 The director asked which of the two movies he wanted to be the festival top-grosser.

 “That question is like asking a parent which of his children he loves most. The two movies have different themes and attack in terms of treatment and different message. I really want them both to make good at the box-office and be appreciated by the viewers,” he said.

 Direk Jason said that compared to the newbie stars of “Bakwit Boys,” JC and Bela are definitely the more established stars and they will surely draw the bigger audience. That is why he is requesting the audience to support the stars of “Bakwit Boys,” namely Vance Larena, Nikko Natividad, Devon Seron, Ryle Santiago and Mackie Empuerto who are acting neophytes and were lucky to be given the chance to be lead stars of the film.

 “Let us give them the chance to be known and appreciated for their work,” said Direk Jason.

 “The Day After Valentine’s and “Bakwit Boys” as well as the other entries in the PPP are now showing in theaters nationwide.

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Jake Cuenca had his long hair cut for his kontrabida role in the “The Blood Sisters” which ends tonight.

 The actor said he has a big crush on Erich Gonzales. When he learned about “The Blood Sisters,” he approached ABS-CBN TV executive Cory Vidanes to include him the in the project. He was not part of the original cast when the show was conceptualized and he only came midway in the story.

 When he heard that Erich wanted him to have short hair, he did not hesitate to have it cut.

 “I’ve already done my dream as Lizardo with me sporting my long hair so it was fine with me to cut it. I’ve also done a new movie with my long hair so it’s just fine to cut it and have a new look for my next project,” the actor said. He can now move on without his long locks.

 Jake is very happy to have worked with Erich and that the character he played in “The Blood Sisters” had an impact with the audience.

 “I am thankful they gave me the responsibility to play the villain but at the same time I am also thankful to the viewers because they embraced my character. I can feel the impact my character had with the viewers. I know they hated me so much because I am so bad. But more than that, I am truly glad to have worked with Erich.”

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ABS-CBN is presenting another classic and great love story titled “Ngayon at Kailanman” starring the box-office tandem of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto. But while they want to present something classic and familiar, they also want it will appeal to the new generation.

The characters played by Joshua and Julia are very “now” – how millennials fall in love, how they dream, how women of influence think. They also want to make the show enduring.

 Aside from Joshua and Julia, also in the cast of “Ngayon at Kailanman” are seasoned actors Alice Dixson, Iza Calzado, Yna Raymundo, Dominic Ochoa, Ronnie Lazaro, and #Hashtag member Jameson Blake.

 This is an acid test for the JoshLia tandem since the teleserye is banking on their popularity and star power.

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Carla Abellana and Alyana Asistio are the guest stars in “Bubble Gang” tonight. Among the featured segments ay Delivery Gags, Hapitot, Basa Basa Pik, Atlit, Tekkie Quotes, Sundo’t Balita, Dora Baradora (featuring Chariz), Angna Angna (featuring Boy 2 Quizon), Mahiwagang Bracelet (featuring Michael V), Uncle Jak, Pepeng Saksi, Purita, Pls Wag Nyo Kunin, at Patoktaktiks (featuring Paolo Contis).