MANILA, Philippines – Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” has enjoyed a renaissance recently. The now-iconic dance sequence from the song’s music video is now at the center of everything from Tiktok videos to a Tala Dance Challenge to Christmas party performances.
At the height of the “Tala” craze, Sarah and the dance sequence’s original choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy of G-Force took to YouTube to thank people for the support “Tala” has gotten 3 years after its release.
Sarah gave a special shoutout to the LGBT community, who have been some of the most active proponents and participants of the dance craze.
“Sa LGBT community, talagang tinangkilik nila ’yung song na ’to pati ’yung choreography,” she said. (To the LGBT community, you really popularized this song, especially the choreography.)
She also thanked drag queen Bench Hipolito, a Sarah G impersonator who has performed “Tala” at LGBT nightclub O Bar, and has no doubt contributing to its revival.
Sarah and Georcelle also thanked the popsters (Sarah’s fans), and fans of G-Force – and teased that they may be doing a new version of the dance.
“Gawa tayo ng something new (let's make something new),” said Georcelle.
“New version? Version 2.0?” Sarah added, before saying, “Abangan ’nyo po ’yan (wait for it).”
In the meantime, here’s the official music video of “Tala,” whether you need a reference so you can join the dance challenge, or simply acquaint yourself with the Philippines’ new national anthem:
MANILA, Philippines – Among the films that premiered at the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Wednesday, December 25, is Mindanao– a movie where Judy Ann Santos plays a mother from Maguindanao who cares for her cancer-stricken child while waiting for her soldier husband to return from deployment.
Even before the film premiered at the MMFF, Judy Ann's performance in it had already earned her recognition – particularly the Best Actress title at the Cairo International Film Festival.
The film marks the actress' first time in a role as a Muslim woman from Mindanao. She told Rappler in an interview at the MMFF Parade of Stars on December 22 that the film's director, Brillante Mendoza, made sure they had Muslim consultants on set to make sure that the film was sensitive to the culture of Muslims in the Philippines.
"Si Direk Brillante naman made sure that there are our Muslim brothers and sisters on set that would help us relate to the role para siguradong pag may magawa kami, gawin namin ng tama (so that we would be sure that we were doing things right) especially the tradition of the Muslims," she said.
"Very careful kasi kami doon (we were very careful with that)," she added.
Allen Dizon, who plays the soldier/husband in the film, said that there were also soldiers and medics on set to make sure their portrayal was realistic.
He also said that beyond being a story specific to a certain region in the Philippines, Mindanao is something that most Filipinos could relate to – no matter where they're from.
"Makakarelate yung mga Pilipino. At least alam nila kung gaano kaimportante yung pamilya, gaano kahirap ang buhay ng sundalo, yung dedication ng sundalo sa bayan, sa bansa, pagmamahal ng isang ina sa anak (Filipinos will be able to relate. At least they know how important family is, how hard a soldier's life is, the dedication of a soldier to the country, the love of a mother for a child)," he said.
"Medyo dramatic yung storya pero alam kong makakarelate yung bawat Pilipino (the story is dramatic, but I know every Filipino can relate)," he added.
Mindanao premiered in Philippine cinemas on Wednesday as part of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Wendy, member of K-pop girl group Red Velvet, is being treated for several injuries, after she fell off the stage on Wednesday, December 25, during rehearsals for the 2019 SBS Gayo Daejeon, an annual televised music festival by the Seoul Broadcasting System.
According to a statement by Red Velvet's agency SM Entertainment published on Soompi, Wendy "sustained injuries to her face and fractures in her pelvis and wrist on the right side of her body."
She has been given emergency treatment and is waiting to undergo more examinations, the agency said.
"As her health comes first, we will focus on her treatment," SM Entertainment added, saying that it will announce updates on Red Velvet's schedule "once everything has been sorted."
According to Koreaboo, Wendy was slated to perform several songs with Red Velvet. She was also supposed to be part of a Disney soundtrack segment alongside other K-pop girl group members including Oh My Girl's Seunghee, GFRIEND's Eunha, and MAMAMOO's Solar.
Despite the withdrawal of Red Velvet from the lineup, the SBS Gayo Daejeon continued as scheduled on Wednesday at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Other K-pop acts performing include BTS, GOT7, SEVENTEEN, and NCT 127. – Rappler.com
WASHINGTON DC,USA – Allee Willis, who wrote the theme song for the hit television show Friends, has died at age 72, her partner Prudence Fenton announced Wednesday, December 25.
"Rest In Boogie Wonderland Nov 10,1947-December 24, 2019," Fenton wrote on her Instagram account in a post with a photo of Willis, referring to the 1979 hit she co-wrote for Earth, Wind and Fire.
Willis' Instagram account also included a screenshot of an article about her death along with the caption: "We are extremely shocked and devastated to share this news."
She died Tuesday of a "cardiac event," The New York Times reported, citing her publicist.
Willis, who penned "I'll Be There For You" – the theme for the long-running show Friends – as well as several hits by Earth, Wind and Fire, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
She won a Grammy in 1985 for her work on the soundtrack for Beverly Hills Cop, and was nominated for another two decades later for "The Color Purple," according to the Recording Academy's website.
Willis did not know how to play music, but learned to become a songwriter by listening to rhythms coming through the walls of Motown studios in Detroit, the city in which she grew up, according to the Times.
"I, very thankfully, have a few songs that will not go away," Willis told the newspaper. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Actress Max Collins and her husband, actor Pancho Magno, announced that they will become parents soon. On Christmas Day, December 25, they announced on social media their coming bundle of joy.
"The more the merrier!! Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours," Max said, posting a photo of herself holding their two dogs and Pancho holding sonogram photos of their baby.
Pnacho, meanwhile, wrote: "The more the merrier-er Christmas from our growing family to yours. Thank you Lord our God for giving us the gift of love and Life on your birthday!"
MANILA, Philippines – It's called a Super Show for a reason.
After a year of waiting, Super Junior fans – better known as E.L.F. – got to see the Korean boy group perform live again at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, December 15.
Minutes before the concert began, the arena had already become a sapphire blue (the fandom's official color) ocean as fans lit up their lightsticks in excitement and anticipation.
Known for their all-out opening performances, Super Junior headlined their three-hour concert with "The Crown,""A Man in Love," and one of their most famous songs, "Bonamana." Unfortunately, Heechul was absent during the Manila concert due to a leg injury.
Shortly after their opening number, the group took the time to greet their fans individually. Here are some notable phrases the members said during their ment:
Shindong: "Whenever we come to the Philippines, it's always so nice" "Screams are so loud compared to other concerts (we've had)."
Ryewook: "When we got to the Philippines, I ate mangoes right away." "Really missed you guys."
Donghae: "I was really surprised fans came to greet us at the airport." "I couldn't sleep because I was so excited."
Donghae also asked fans to join him as he sang his rendition of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" with the line, "Donghae is coming to (the) Philippines."
Yesung: "It's so nice to see you guys again. I hope you guys will make good memories until the end."
Yesung managed to tease Siwon for his beard, saying that they brought the real Santa Claus with them. Siwon was able to clap back, telling fans, "How fast my beard grows shows how much I love you."
Kyuhyun: "Kamusta po kayo?" "Today is (a) meaningful day" "We together (will) have a good time!"
Kyuhyun, loved by most for his humor, tried to utter English lines for his fans. The other members joined in on the fun.
Ryeowook: "This is the last super show for 2019. Let's make it the happiest 2019 tonight."
Leeteuk: "It's already been 15 years with the E.L.F." "Super Junior will always be with you guys and we're going to show you that we're going to be together forever".
As the members left the stage to get ready for their second segment, a short video was played. The video was dedicated to the fans, assuring them of the bond Super Junior has with them.
Super Junior returned to the stage with the song "Heads Up" from their most recent album Time Slip.
The group continued with a mix of their new and old hits, going as far as their 2011 album, Mr. Simple.
Super Junior also performed one of their most popular ballads ever released, "She's Gone." They also sang "Believe," which gave them the chance to show their playful side.
The group also took the time to just sit down and connect with their fans. Sure enough, the comedic skills of the group, especially Kyuhyun's and Eunhyuk's, had fans laughing out loud.
Fans got even more excited when the group sang "No Other," one of the songs that really solidified Super Junior in the K-pop industry.
Unlike most groups, there is a clear division between the rapper line and the vocal line in Super Junior. Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung performed their dance numbers while the rapper line sang a more comedic version of "Devil."
Performing songs from their more recent albums, the group sang "Devil," "Shirt," and "Mamacita."
As they marked the concert's finale, each member gave their goodbye speeches to the fans. Super Junior's leader, Leeteuk, surprised their fans as he revealed that they are currently working on their 11th album.
He also promised the fans there will be a Super Show 9 in 2020. It was a promise many fans are surely excited for. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – 2019 was a lot of things – not least of which a year where the private drama of public figures was brought out in the open one way or another, distracting us from our own personal kalat.
Whether it was a siblings' spat at their own father’s funeral, a dramatic falling out that turned into a legal battle between boss and employee, or an ill-timed tone deaf post on social media, each scandalous showbiz moment reminded the world that no matter how perfect these stars look on screens, billboards, or Instagram, they are, at the end of the day, just messy humans like the rest of us.
Here are just some of the most makalat celebrity moments of 2019:
Kris Aquino v Nicko Falcis
This mess began in late 2018, but with two especially fiery parties involved, the messy tale took many legal twists and turns before it was resolved a year later.
After being on the receiving end of qualified theft complaints in 7 cities from Kris Aquino in 2018, her former business manager Nicko Falcis came out swinging in 2019 as he submitted his counter-affidavit on the theft charges and filed a grave threats case against Kris in January.
What followed was a rollercoaster ride of wins and losses for both camps. In February, Kris’ theft complaints against Nicko were junked by the Makati and Pasig prosecutors, but the Taguig court OKed the charges, and ordered Nicko’s arrest in March. At the same time, Kris withdrew her theft complaint against Nicko in Mandaluyong. In April, the Quezon City court dismissed Nicko’s grave threats case against Kris.
Through all this of course, Kris, and Nicko’s outspoken brother Jesus Falcis, would publish their own shady posts against each other on social media.
In October, however, the issue seemed to be put to rest as Kris’ legal team released a statement saying that the two parties “have fairly settled all financial issues and amicably worked out all personal differences.”
Kalat rating: 12/10, Kris Aquino definitely met her match
Tony Labrusca’s airport outburst
The Glorious actor started the year on the wrong side of public sentiment– he had an outburst at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) immigration desk after only being given a 30-day stay after landing in Manila.
The Bureau of Immigration released a statement (but withheld Tony’s name) shortly after the incident, saying that the celebrity, an American passport holder, shouted expletives and was furious at immigration for giving him a hard time.
Tony later apologized for losing his temper, but denied that he had called airport officials stupid, or bragged about being a celebrity.
Kalat rating: 7/10, we all have our bad days especially after long-haul flights
Yeng Constantino and “doctor shaming”
In July, singer Yeng Constantino’s Siargao getaway turned stressful when her husband Yan Asuncion got into an accident while cliff diving in the tourist hotspot’s Sugba Lagoon. After being transferred between two hospitals and waiting for hours to get appropriate care, an enraged Yeng did as many disgruntled people do, and aired her frustrations on social media and on her vlog.
Yeng decried the lack of appropriate facilities and equipment in Siargao – a concern that many tourists before her (including broadcaster Karen Davila) had already raised in the past.
The singer, however, took her rant a step too far, and named the doctor who attended to her husband, saying that the doctor lacked compassion and urgency. That was where netizens drew the line, calling Yeng out for “doctor shaming.”
The singer later apologized to the doctor and medical staff, saying that her rants came from a place of “high emotions” when she thought her husband’s life was in danger. She then said she would do her best to be more responsible with her posts.
Kalat rating: 8/10, we get you Yeng, but maybe don't mention names of non-public figures who were only trying to help?
The ghost of Gerald Anderson
Ghosting became a hot topic in August, when rumors of a breakup between Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo came to a head after Bea said in an interview that Gerald, her boyfriend of several years “just started not talking” to her.
The explosive news came after Bea had shared cryptic posts on social media implying that she had been betrayed. This led her followers to go down an Instagam rabbit-hole – where they found that Bea had liked a stolen shot of Gerald and his Between Maybes co-star Julia Barretto walking together outside a party they had both attended.
The "like" – which may very well have been innocuous – led netizens to speculate that Gerald had cheated on Bea with Julia. At the time, Julia had just broken up with her boyfriend and love team partner Joshua Garcia – making people even more sure of their speculations.
Bea’s fans rallied against Julia, but the young actress did not take it sitting down (she is, after all, a Barretto). On Instagram, Julia posted a throwback photo of her and Bea, back when Julia was just a child. In her caption, Julia denied being involved in Bea and Gerald’s breakup. She also dragged Bea for allegedly “bullying” her, saying that by “liking” the photos of her and Gerald, Bea “put malice into the minds of many” and led her fans to “destroy” Julia for Bea.
The issue was so big, even other celebrities got involved. Julia’s own aunt and the Philippines’ unparalleled queen of petty Gretchen Barretto sent Bea flowers and claimed that Julia hired a ghost writer for her Instagram post.
Kris Aquino also weighed in– defending Julia, expressing support for Bea, and calling Gerald out for not breaking up with Bea properly. Now, we know it’s a scandal worthy of The Buzz when Kris Aquino becomes the voice of reason.
The issue eventually died down, and Bea, Julia, and Gerald all attended the ABS-CBN Ball months after the controversy without dates for the first time in years.
Kalat rating: 12/10, the Star Magic control room is still in recovery mode
The Barretto family drama
No list of 2019 showbiz kalat would be complete without arguably the biggest celebrity scandal of the year: the dormant feud among the Barretto sisters erupting once again.
At the start of the year, it seemed that the family would be whole again when estranged sisters Gretchen and Claudine finally reconciling in February.
The olive branch, however, would not extend to their other sister Marjorie, with whom they've also had a historically strained relationship. (TIMELINE: The Barretto family feud)
The tension between Marjorie, Gretchen, and Claudine exploded when Gretchen attended the wake of their father Miguel Barretto, who died in October. Gretchen, who was not with the family when Miguel was hospitalized, turned up at the wake on the same night that President Rodrigo Duterte attended. He encouraged Gretchen and Marjorie to shake hands – but Marjorie refused because she felt that Gretchen was being insincere.
Following the incident, Claudine said in an interview that Marjorie had taunted her, leading to a physical altercation between the sisters. She also said that Julia had been involved in the fight. Marjorie then took to Instagram to decry "the very disturbing news" going around in the wake of the incident, promising to address all of the issues in a tell-all interview. In a particularly shady move, the photo she posted was of a quote about narcissists.
The Barretto tiff brought to light a host of other issues as the sisters aired their own sides of the story. The issues included a supposed molestation incident involving Marjorie's partner Recom Echiverri, and Gretchen's alleged relationship with businessman Atong Ang, despite being the longtime mistress of tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco. Oh, and Atong Ang was apparently in a relationship with the sisters' 20-something niece Nicole for 5 years.
Kalat rating: 13/10, only The Buzz could have untangled this mess
Oh God, Lolit Solis
We now live in a world where a two-word tweet is now considered cruel, Salve.
Bong Revilla's talent manager Lolit Solis called actress Janine Gutierrez just that, for tweeting "Oh God" in reaction to the news of the Senator returning to television – even before he returning P124.5 million in relation to a plunder case as ordered by the Sandiganbayan.
In a December 20 Instagram post, Lolit said "The nerve na mag-negative comment siya sa TV comeback ni Bong Revilla (the nerve of her to make a negative comment on Bong Revilla's TV comeback)."
She then launched into a lengthy rant to try to prove that Janine's comment was ungrateful and disrespectful, at the same time saying it's okay because according to Lolit, she isn't a box office queen and can't help or hurt Bong's career anyway.
Janine, however, did not indulge Lolit's post with a direct response, only expressing gratitude and happiness for the projects she got to work on this year. A true class act, if you ask us.
Kalat rating: 12/10, ok boomer
With all the complicated showbiz drama that came to light in 2019, it was indeed a year that made us wish The Buzz was back on air – but we do have social media, which may be an altogether more powerful and dangerous PR beast, and when it comes to entertainment kalat, certainly the gift that keeps on giving. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray returned to Tonight with Boy Abunda where she answered questions on life after Miss Universe and what's up on her plate.
In the two part interview, which aired on December 24 and 25, Catriona answered questions on what she thought about the new Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Gazini Ganados' performance, being linked to Sam Milby and Alden Richards, and whether she is in love again.
Here's a summary of the interview:
On her farewall walk
It was really a mixture of emotions. It's because this journey has represented so much. It wasn't just a pageant anymore. It became so much more than me, it became not just about my family or about my team but for the whole of the Philippines, for mga kababayan (our fellow countrymen) na abroad when I would be able to go visit in their home countries like Dubai. Being able to sense the source of pride that would erupt in being able to bring the crown home and to look back on the year on how much I've grown as a person.
One of the "best" Miss Universe titleholders
I am very very flattered because I always wanted to be just myself during this whole journey. And I wanted to be creative and I want to represent our country and I want to bring something new to the table.
Gazini Ganados' performance in Miss Universe
I would have loved to be a fly in the wall within the closed door interview cause I feel like that's when the judges get their first... it's their first impression of the girl, it's their first impression of their personality...that's the first time the judges see the girls. And I am unfortunately don't know how that went.
Gazini did really really well [on the preliminary competition]. She was sultry and her performance was really strong I felt on the ramp.
I heard it first when it came out on the internet actually because it was always heresay... I actually really think it marks an end of an era because I felt so supported with Binibini, with Madame Stella [Araneta], they gave me such guidance and they really trusted in my creative vision of how I wanted to represent myself and the Philippines at Miss Universe. And I'm so so thankful for them and that 50 plus years they've protected the brand and re-lifted pageantry to what is today.
A new chapter after Miss Universe
It's an unchartered territory and my life has changed and I have dozes of it every year but I still feel like a simple girl. So I feel like coming back home to the Philippines, it's even more evident on how much my life has changed and I know there will be times that I will be a little bit overwhelmed but I feel like it's such a great blessing also. (READ: Catriona Gray to write about pageant journey in upcoming book)
Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi
She's very very eloquent. And I was so proud watching backstage because I was liek a fan before my little segment. When the top 10 was announced and all have spoken their opening spiels I'm like wow, what an eloquent batch of women. And I'm so so proud that it was being reflected in Miss Universe.
On her bare face photo posted during the #AsSheIs challenge on Instagram
I feel like it's a very human experience to feel insecure. But I also feel that there's this preconceived notion that once you reach a certain level of success or certain likeability, that all those insecurities disappear. And I wanted to post something like this to say no it doesn't, that not matter who you are and what level of success or walk of life you are in, there will be moments that you'll feel down or insecure or unsure because it's normal.
On being linked to Alden Richards and Sam Milby
I feel like the fans are like shipping which I guess it's [what] fans do. I never met Alden before.
And then Sam naman, we go to the same church, we are under the same management so friend naman siya.
Does she block her bashers on social media (part of the segment Yes, No, Maybe)?
I do. It's a very empowering thing for me to do because I feel like I take away their power and I take away the negativity with a push of a button.
Is she in love again (part of the segment Yes, No, Maybe)?
I am in love with the possibilities of the new chapter.
SHANGHAI, China – A company run by Bruce Lee's daughter is suing a Chinese fast food chain for allegedly using an image of the late martial arts film star without permission.
Shannon Lee's Bruce Lee Enterprises accuses restaurant chain Kungfu Catering Management of having used her father's image for 15 years in a logo without paying intellectual property rights.
The food chain responded Thursday, December 26 by saying the logo had long been authorized by Chinese authorities.
"We're confused that we are prosecuted many years later. We're actively studying the case and preparing to respond," the company said in a statement posted on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform.
According to the Chinese internet portal sina.com, Shannon Lee asked the food chain to immediately stop using her father's image, clarify for 90 consecutive days that it has nothing to do with Bruce Lee, and pay compensation of 210 million yuan (US$30 million).
The Guangzhou-based restaurant chain known as Real Kung Fu (Zhen Gongfu in Mandarin) was founded in 1990. Since 2004 its logo has featured image of a dark-haired man in a kung fu pose who looks like Bruce Lee.
The founder of the chain said it has more than 600 stores across the country, with a total asset value of over five billion yuan, according to Chinese media.
It ranked among the top 10 fast-food companies in China last year on a list issued by China Cuisine Association.
Bruce Lee Enterprises in Los Angeles handles merchandising and licensing of Bruce Lee's image and aims to keep the martial artist’s energy alive, its official website showed.
Shannon Lee, who has taken over the company from her mother, has been involved in the preservation of her father's legacy for around two decades. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Ellen Adarna and son Elias flew to Germany with her family for the holidays.
Ellen's sister Mika posted a family photo of them wearing colorful Christmas outfits with the caption: "Merry Christmas from my crazy family to yours!!"
Actor John Lloyd Cruz was not part of the photo. Ellen and John Lloyd have have reportedly split up early this year. The two actors have never actually confirmed their relationship status in the past. Both are still on hiatus from showbiz, althought John Lloyd does appear in the MMFF movie Culion. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Maria Letizia "Zia" Dantes, daughter of actors Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, is now a Bench endorser. On Friday, December 27, owner Ben Chan confirmed that Zia is the endorser of a cologne called Babylicious.
"Say hello to the newest and most Babylicious #BabyBench, Zia Dantes," the caption read.
Both Dingdong and Marian have modeled for the Filipino brand in the past and have appeared in its fashion shows.
Zia, who was born in 2015, is one of the most followed showbiz kids online. She joins the Baby Bench family which include Baby Baste of Eat Bulaga and Julia and Talia Concio, grandchildren of Charo Santos-Concio. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – For many, the holidays is a chance to spend time with family and friends and our favorite celebrities are not exceptions – many took it as a chance to take a break from their crazy scheduless.
Before she left for Australia to take a maternity leave, Anne Curtis spent time with her family and husband Erwan Heussaff's family for the holidays. In between, she also took time out to promote her Metro Manila Film Festival movie The Mall, The Merrier, where she co-stars with Vice Ganda.
MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2019 Gabi ng Parangal was held on Friday, December 27 at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta City.
Brillante Mendoza's Mindanao won the top awards winning Best Picture, Best Actor for Allen Dizon, Best Actress for Judy Ann Santos, and Best Child Performer for Yuna Tangog.
MANILA, Philippines – It was a big night for Judy Ann Santos and the cast of the movie Mindanao as they won the top awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night 2019 on Friday, December 27. (FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2019 awards night)
Judy Ann and co-star Allen Dizon won the Best Actor and Best Actress awards while director Brillante Mendoza won Best Director. The movie also won Best Film.
This is the second acting award Judy Ann has recieved for the movie. She won the Best Actress Award at the Cairo Film Festival last November.
In her acceptance speech, Judy Ann said: "Matatagal ko din hindi nagawa ito. Medyo na miss ko ito. Salamat po ng maraming-marami sa bumubuo ng MMFF, MMDA at sa lahat po ng cast an crew sa likod ng Mindanao. Direk Brillante, thank you so much for sharing your talent with me. Habang buhay ko po itong i-tretreasure. Isa itong experience na hinding-hindi ako magsasawa ikuwento ng paulit-ulit."
(It's been long since I've done this. I kind of miss it. Thank you so much to the people behind MMFF, MMDA and to the whole cast behind Mindanao. Direk Brillante, thank you so much for sharing your talent with me. I will forever treasure this. This is an experience I will never get tired of sharing over and over again.)
"Sa lahat po na kasama sa festival na ito, thank you so much dahil napakaganda ng mga pelikula na nahanay sa amin. It's a privilege na mapabilang sa 45th Metro Manila Film Festival.
(To all the movies that are part of the festival, thank you because all films that are part of the festival are beautiful. It's a privilege to be part of the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival,)
"Direk, pwede naming pagsamahin ni Allen yung P200,000 pwede na ba natin... kikita na siguro tayo kahit papaano. Merry Christmas. This is such a wonderful end to my 2019. It's a beautiful year. To God be the glory."
(Direk, I guess Allen and I can use the P200,000 already and hopefully the movie earns already. Merry Christmas. This is such a wonderful end to my 2019. It's a beautiful year. To God be the glory.)
Following her win, Judy Ann posted a message on Instagram saying: "Wooohhh!!! Lord! Grabe ka sa akin this year! I am beyond grateful ! Maraming maraming salamat sa bumubuo ng mmff , mmdf sa parangal na ito.. to the whole team of mindanao congratulations for bagging 11 awards!! @brillante_mendoza direk.. maraming salamat sa pagkakataon na makatrabaho ka.. buong buhay kong ipagpapasalamat sayo si Saima."
(Lord this year has been great. I am beyond grateful. Thank you so much to the people behind MMFF, MMDA for this award. To the whole team of Mindanao, congratulations for bagging 11 awards. Direk Brillante, thank for the opportunity to wokr with you. I will be forever grateful to you for the role of Saima.)
MANILA, Philippines – After winning the Best Actress award during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2019 awards night on Friday, December 27, Judy Ann Santos made a rather strange quip.
"Direk, pwede naming pagsamahin ni Allen yung P200,000 pwede na ba natin... kikita na siguro tayo kahit papaano," she said, referring to Best Director winner Brillante Mendoza and Best Actor winner Allen Dizon. (Direk, maybe Allan and I can bring together our cash prized. The movie will earn that way.)
As funny as the actress' wisecrack was, Mindanao faced a less than hilarous problem: It was not getting the distribution it wanted.
As of Saturday, December 28, only 38 cinemas around the country were screening the movie.
"Ang hiling lang po sana namin ay madagdagan po kami ng sinehan bukas. At sana itong award na ito, magpatuloy at mapanood natin ang 'Mindanao.' Ginawa namin ito para sa inyo," said Brillante after recieving the award for Best Director.
(Our only wish is for us to get more cinemas tomorrow. With this award, we hope you'll be able to see Mindanao. We did this for all of you.)
"Bilang kaunti lang po ang sinehan namin, pakidamihan naman po pakisabi na lang," said Judy Ann.
(Since we only have a few cinemas, can we please have a bit more.)
The MMFF is a yearly festival that begins on Christmas Day, December 25. In the duration of the festival, only MMFF entries are allowed to be screened in Philippine cinemas. There are 7 other films in this year's MMFF roster.
Aside from the acting and best picture awards, Mindanao also picked up several special awards including the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award, and Gender Sensitive Award. – Alexa Villano/Rappler.com
LONDON, United Kingdom – The sister of the late British pop icon George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day, three years to the day after the singer-songwriter passed away, the family and police said Friday, December 27.
Melanie Panayiotou, 55, was found dead by her sister Yioda Panayiotou on Wednesday at her home in north London, according to reports.
"We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly," the family's lawyer John Reid said in a statement.
"We would simply ask that the family's privacy be respected at this very sad time," he added, noting there would be "no further comment".
George Michael died from natural causes at his home in central England on Christmas Day in 2016.
The former Wham! star, who enjoyed a 35-year career punctuated by years of drug-taking, was 53.
Michael, whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, sold more than 100 million albums throughout his career, producing hits including "Last Christmas" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".
He was reportedly close to both his sisters, leaving millions of pounds and parts of his sizeable estate to them in his will.
With the third anniversary of his death approaching, the family shared a statement on Michael's official website heralding the love still shown for him by fans.
Melanie Panayiotou was a hairdresser and makeup artist, who reportedly used to travel with her brother on tour to cut his hair.
London's Metropolitan Police Service said it had been called by an ambulance crew at around 7:35 pm (1935 GMT) on Wednesday to "reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s".
It added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious by police. A report will be compiled for the Coroner into the circumstances." – Rappler.com
LOS ANGELES, USA – Female directors look set for a breakthrough year in Hollywood in 2020, according to a survey published Friday, December 27 that found the four most anticipated films of the year are all helmed by women.
It is a rare trend in a town which has only ever nominated 5 women for the best director Oscar, and whose sometimes ambivalent attitude toward misogyny was laid bare by the #MeToo movement which brought down Harvey Weinstein.
Wonder Woman 1984, the Gal Gadot-starring sequel out in June, was selected as the year's most anticipated film by more than 2,000 moviegoers polled by Fandango website.
Patty Jenkins returns to direct after the first film, based on the DC Comics' Amazonian heroine, took a spectacular $820 million worldwide in 2017.
The next two on the list are also superhero movies.
Black Widow, which kicks off a new phase of Marvel movies, gives Scarlett Johansson's popular recurring character her own film. Out in May, it is helmed by Cate Shortland.
It is followed by Chloe Zhao's The Eternals, which in November will introduce a host of new Marvel characters played by a star-studded ensemble cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Kit Harington.
The new year's fourth-most anticipated film isMulan from Niki Caro, the latest in Disney's string of live-action remakes of cartoon classics, out March.
Another female-directed superhero movie Birds of Prey, a spinoff from 2016's Suicide Squad which sees Margot Robbie return as Harley Quinn, also appears on the list, in seventh. Cathy Yan oversees the February movie.
Other 2020 films piquing interest include James Bond title No Time to Die, Pixar's otherworldly jazz animation Soul and Fast & Furious 9 – the latest in the evergreen petrolhead franchise. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Comedian Pokwang called cinema owners out for supposedly prioritizing profit in pulling out movies like Culion and Mindanao, both entries to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) because of low ticket sales.
"Nakakalungkot naman ang asal ng karamihan ng sinehan sa Pinas," she said in a Facebook post on Friday, December 27. "Huwag naman tayo puro sa pera lang kasi di naman natin madadala sa hukay yan!"
(The way many cinemas in the Philippines operate is frustration. I hope we don't only focus on money, since we won't be able to bring that to the grave.)
She called on the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which organizes the MMFF, to hold a dialogue with cinema owners.
"Magkaroon sana kayo ng dialogue with mga sinehan or agreement na sana yung mga pelikulang kagaya ng Culion at Mindanao ay bigyang prioridad din at wag alisin agad sa sinehan para lang mas kumita kayo! Wag nyong alisin at burahin sa isipan ng henerasyon ngayon ang kwento ng ating lahi!"
(I hope you will have a dialogue with cinema owners or an agreement to give priority to films such as Culion and Mindanao and to not pull them out early in cinemas just because they want to earn money. Don't remove the stories of our race in the minds of the current generation.)
The comedian, whose real name is Marietta Subong, is part of a different MMFF entry,Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity, which stars Vic Sotto. Pokwang's partner Lee O'Brian, meanwhile, is part of the cast of Culion.
In his speech during the awards night on Friday, December 27, Mindanao director Brillante Mendoza said he hoped more cinemas would screen their movie. On December 28, only 38 cinemas nationwide screened Mindanao.
"Ang hiling lang po sana namin ay madagdagan po kami ng sinehan bukas. At sana itong award na ito, magpatuloy at mapanood natin ang 'Mindanao.' Ginawa namin ito para sa inyo," said Brillante after receiving the award for Best Director. (FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2019 awards night)
(Our only wish is for us to get more cinemas tomorrow. With this award, we hope you'll be able to see Mindanao. We did this for all of you.)
Actress Judy Ann Santos also appealed for more cinemas to show the movie.
Mindanao won 11 awards, including top acting honors for Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Pamana ni Lola, a 5-minute short film directed by students Bradley Jason Pantajo and Regin De Guzman from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa (PUP Sta. Mesa) was awarded the Best Student Short Film at the recently concluded 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal at the New Frontier Theater on Friday, December 27. (READ: FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2019 awards night)
With the theme “Philippine Mythology and Regional Stories," Pamana ni Lola tells the story of Alissa, a teenager who is slowly discovering what it means to grow up into a woman in their household. Belonging to a family who still subscribes to old-fashioned beliefs, Alissa is torn over whether to live on her own terms or abandon her family altogether.
Pontajo said that he needed not to look far to find inspiration for their MMFF entry. The idea for the film came to him in the summer of the 2019 as he thought about his hometown in Rodriguez, Rizal.
“Marami pong nababalitaan na mga aswang at manananggal [sa amin]. And naisip ko what if hindi lang sila maligno? [What if] hindi lang sila kumakain ng tao – na kahit sa isang pagkakataon, at some point in their lives, naging tao talaga sila na may nararamdaman at marunong magmahal?” Pontajo recalled.
(There were stories about aswang and manananggal in our hometown. I thought – what if they aren't simply monsters? What if, at one point in their lives, they lived a normal human life, feeling regular emotions like anyone else.)
The freshman performing arts student also shared that what made the production more difficult was the script, which was lengthy for a five-minute video.
“Dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom, ginawan talaga namin ng paraan lahat. Sobrang hirap kapag shoot kasi ang iba sa amin ay may part time job na at hindi pa kami magkakaklase. Maging finalists lang dito ay sapat na. Ito ang alay namin para sa sining at mamamayang Pilipino,” he shared.
(We went through several challenges and we made sure to find ways around them. The shoot itself was challenging because some of us had to maintain part-time jobs and we are not always classmates. For us, simply to qualify for this festival was enough. This is dedicated to our craft and to all Filipinos)
Pamana ni Lola partnered with Mindanao, an official full-length entry in this year’s MMFF starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon, directed by award-winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza
Other finalists include "Dating App" (University of Makati), "The Lost Sitty" (Adamson University), "Tabako" (University of Saint La Salle - Bacolod), "Huling Kembot ni Fernando" (Centro Escolar University - Manila), "Hipos" (Sagay National High School - Negros Occidental), Manggagalaw (Centro Escolar University - Manila), and "Bronze, Silver, Gold at Anting-anting" (De La Salle University - Integrated School Manila). – Rappler.com
John Philip Bravo is a a Rappler Mover from Manila. He is currently studying in University of Makati
MANILA, Philippines – The 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night was held on Friday, December 27, with Brillante Mendoza's Mindanao winning 11 awards including, Best Picture and top acting plums for Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon. (FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2019 awards night)
The film festival, which celebrated its 45th year, paid tribute to the veterans in the industry with the Hall of Fame awards. Among those who were honored include Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Amy Austria, Nora Aunor, Cristopher de Leon, Cesar Montano, and directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Joel Lamangan, Jose Javier Reyes.
The organizers, led by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), also gave special citations to stalwarts of the film festival led by former president and Manila mayor Joseph Estrada and actress Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo.
The awards night was hosted by Marco Gumabao and Bela Padilla.
MMDA chairman Danny Lim said summer film festival will happen in 2020, as announced early this year.
