As technology offers more than what people during the ancient times had never imagined, the world of internet continues to expand, creating a new place of real time and bytes—cyberspace it is.

Since the limited timeslot that can be blocked on television has remained dominated by the same group of people, the multiple orgasmic experience internet TV has opened to us completely wiped out the borders that had kept many great artists contained and unseen.

I am one of them.

But now, the infinite expansion of cyberspace has provided amazing opportunities, independence and freedom.

Cybervision is television on the internet. Allowing netizens to post write-ups on blogs, comment or even upload videos in order to share it to the whole world, indeed, has embraced the new era. Not too soon, paid reporters and writers will no longer have the access in manipulating the minds of those considered meek. Overhyping a celebrity will lose its energy for each and everyone knows what exactly is going on.

‘Sawsawan’ is the very first Filipino reality cybervision talk show in the Philippines. Created by yours truly.

After coming up with this idea, I have become more positive and hopeful that other great artists will show up and bring it on cyberspace or even cyber cinema.

The reality CV talk show ‘Sawsawan’ does not flash people like Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda, Ruffa Gutierrez, Lolit Solis, Joey de Leon, Alyssa Alano, Butch Francisco, Ricky Lo and those other TV hosts. In every episode, a different person or group of people is featured to discuss any topic.

Be it showbiz, politics, current events, daily life, arguments, trivia, music, fashion, business, social gatherings, the latest invention and anything in this universe.

No cuts. No scripts. Pure reality cybervision talk show.

‘Sawsawan’ is for everyone. Everybody can join in.

It could be the talk of the town.

Regular people serve as hosts-guests and they get to talk about their favorite celebrities, hated celebrities, something they notice or even things we haven’t heard yet.

This CV entertainment has already released six episodes on cyberspace.

Episode 1 featured Ruby Rose Nevado of Caloocan City. She expressed her thoughts about Marian Rivera.

Episode 2 has Rowena Manlapaz of General Santos City. The negative effect of Filipino adaptations of Korean TV dramas is on this.

Episode 3 exposes the corrupt fat ass of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by Bernardino Pascual of Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Episode 4 will surely have you laughing with a group of youngsters discussing safe sex, abortion and priests into masturbation.

Check it out on my official YouTube channel - JuliusRoden

If you think you’re a match to this vibrational experience, do not hesitate to come over and enjoy the show.

It is truly an amazing experience to see an actress from doing cheesy soap operas and corny romantic comedy movies to a relaxing artistic film—“Ploning”.

Actually, I planned to write a story for Ryan Agoncillo’s better half with her international movie nominated in the Oscar Awards for Best Foreign Film. But since we are all in this common illusion of time space reality, access granted for a certain task became limited in my part.

Thankfully, GMA 7 had its premiere telecast a couple of weeks ago.

Every adroit filmmaker can tell this masterpiece was shot in High Definition using a professional digital movie camera. The 16:9 widescreen was not converted by the

broadcasting network for television format. The crystal clear scenes had brought more relaxation to each and every human eye focused on it as well.

I remember before the premiere night of my debut film Kasambahay, the staff of Cine Adarna was preparing for the screening of Ploning. The posters were all over the place and it looked so artistic. It was a tremendous Judy Ann Santos transformation.

Aside from that, she happens to be the producer of this twenty million budget project.

After shooting all the scenes on digital camera, the final cut was transferred to celluloid or 35mm reel for a nice blow to the big screen.

About the movie, the plot is very simple.

Based on a true story, it features a young lass named “Ploning.”

In their village, a woman who remains unmarried at mid 20’s is considered an old maid. Reminds me of this girl I know who desperately wants to get married believing that every woman should have a husband at the age of twenty-five.

Seeing Judy Ann Santos walking calmly on the seashore is a scene in the movie included in my favorites. The will of the wind caresses “Ploning’s” tropical skin, enamored, full of hope, deeply thinking, allowing the beautiful sun to witness circumstances on a paradise island in Palawan.

Martyrdom at its best.

Actresses Mylene Dizon, Tessie Tomas and Eugene Domingo contributed more colors in the perfection of its painting with light.

It’s like watching “Nunal Sa Tubig” (Mole In The Water). Starring the beautiful Ms Elizabeth Oropesa.

Though most Filipino moviegoers were not into this film, international award-giving bodies had it nominated and screened in many theaters abroad for the world to see.

Reaching thousands of views from different people on the internet, I was so surprised that several Kapuso fanatics around the world share the same perception with me, regarding the shameful failure of the Filipino adaptation of Rosalinda on GMA 7.

Before the remake was shot for broadcasting, I came up with the idea of creating and uploading a fan-made video of Lovi Poe and Aljur Abrenica for the lead roles. Photos came to life on slideshow with the song “No Me Ames” by Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. This visual demo is on my YouTube channel—Julius Roden.

Uploaded in 2008 for public viewing and continues to get more hits.

The fast-paced conversion of a huge six-month running Latin telenovela to a shortened cheap miniseries totally proved its weakness to keep the audience following the show. Major flop as blogged by hundreds of netizens all over the internet.

In my level of truth, there was really something wrong with the casting; especially, the lead stars. In addition to that, most of the scenes were shot at night, taking each viewer to cloud boredom.

Telenovelas are filled with burning passion of love, that it makes it easier for the human eye to see more colors during daytime. Therefore, it turned out to be some sort of suspense-thriller miniseries. Making it worse, some close-up shots used a slow-motion effect as if it was going to take each viewer to “Oh no! What’s going to happen next?!” kind of feeling.

The theme song was disgusting as well.

Has anyone noticed Carla Abellana’s hairdo during the early episodes? It was just like Marian Rivera’s in the remake of Marimar. Aside from that, the women in the series were not like those hot Latin Telenovela stars in high-heeled shoes and perfect make-up. This GMA 7 remake lacked creativity, preparation and passion. All they did was to serve the audience with silly storylines.

Despite of its huge production as hyped by the media, it didn’t look like one. Quite in fact, the network could have saved much money if 90 percent of the scenes were shot in the morning since practical lights are available. Wake up sunshine.

Just my two cents:

If we want to come up with a real telenovela, we must realize that Latin telenovela studios have followers all over the world. Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States of America.

Therefore, halting the motions of corny and pathetic 80’s style ingredient for remakes would be the best idea to embrace change and accept evolution.

I guess Carla Abellana can do better in her next soap. There is always a room for improvements.

And to those who sent me private messages to my YouTube channel, those Kapuso fanatics that voted Lovi Poe and Aljur Abrenica before the remake came to production, just keep supporting your idols, hope that GMA 7 will give these two talented young actors their own soap opera in the future.

Well, not as a loveteam but rather two actors working together as lead stars in a telenovela with a very nice storyline.

In the meantime, to the solid fans of Lovi Poe and Aljur Abrenica, enjoy this picture I Photoshopped for my own novelization of Rosalinda Filipino remake.

The 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival will showcase many Filipino independent films refreshing the whole world’s perception about our talent, and what we can offer.

Christopher Gozum unleashes the very first digital full-length feature film in Pangasinan language with the title “Anacbanua” (Child of the sun). A producer, director and scriptwriter he is. We, Filipinos, should be very proud of.

Decades ago, veteran actress Aurora Sevilla made Visayan movies as well as Cesar Montano with his hilarious “Panaghoy Sa Suba,” totally expanding the horizon of Philippine cinema.

Aside from that, Pampanga has begun aligning its vibrational match by producing Kapampangan soap operas and short films like “Anak Ning Kapri”.

This time, Pangasinan takes the scenario, dazzling the painting of light with its amazing mixture through the artistic cinematography of Joni Gutierrez.

The movie preview on cyberspace has attracted so many netizens and believe it or not, it is more than just any other art film.

Visual poetry so to speak.

The scenes will absolutely take the viewers to this new world welcoming the new era of digital cinema at its best.

It levels the likes of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” minus those wires, swords, flying kicks and Kung Fu stuff all over the place. In other words, the discovery manifesting in our minds will let us understand more about the beauty of our rich and mysterious culture.

“Anacbanua” will have its World Premiere at Market Market Cinemas in Taguig for the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival.

9:00 p.m. on the 17th of October 2009.

Be there.

Before our local silverscreen catered overrated crybaby exclusive Star Cinema actors, there were tough and hard men John Regala, Philip Salvador, Monsour del Rosario, Raymart Santiago, Jestoni Alarcon, Keempee de Leon and Ronnie Ricketts.

Having their films shown on buses on pirated DVDs, Pasay/Cavite vice-versa trips, serves as time killer to some rush hour energy-drained passengers.

It felt like my soul needed some spoonfeeding for the know-how reason why our mainstream action movies are still under chemotherapy.

As a matter of fact, it has elevated the excitement of joyride despite of the terrifying random robberies that happened a couple of months ago; particularly, buses
in Makati and Pasig.

I saw the movie “Ikaw Lang” of Ronnie Ricketts and Vilma Santos. It was a very hilarious action movie in the early 90’s.

Surely, many moviegoers want to see something new in Ronnie Ricketts aside from his classic action flicks. I strongly believe that he has more to offer than being just a rough macho man, reloading his guns, ready to shoot those bad guys that will surely act as if they got electrocuted and then, fall from a building or veranda.

The lack of innovation and resistance to evolution are the main problems of our recent Pinoy action movies. Thus, it only contributes annoyance and boredom to “born again” moviegoers. There is no excuse for this subject matter if I must say.

Some netizens opined Filipinos only want cheesy romantic love stories on the big screen.

Then how come foreign films like Harry Potter and Iron Man gathered a throng of moviefreaks?

Better yet, these moviefreaks are Filipinos.

Global crisis my ass!!!

No wonder action stars have disappeared several years ago.

Would you shell out a hundred and fifty bucks to see the same plot?

Like the main character enters a nightclub, wearing black or brown leather jacket, rugged jeans, tough look with a gun and then, the next thing you know, some dorky morons played by small actors get pissed off, with these classic lines:

“Anong tinitingin tingin mo?!?”

or even

“Pare, huwag mong bastusin yang babae!”

“Hoy! Huwag ka makialam dito!!! Sino ka ba!?!”

What’s next? It’s called

“The nightclub with flying San Miguel Beer bottles” and commotions all over the place.

How you wish for a well-engineered pristine quality sound.

As for now, popstar Sarah Geronimo is the drop of hope in this local entertainment industry.

Given the right material and perfect repackaging, Ronnie Ricketts will soon return to the silver screen to flame up that hardcore sex symbol in him… again.

After the successful screening of the controversial film “Walang Hanggang Paalam” (Endless Farewell) at CCP during the Cinemalaya-Netpac 2009, the next project for Lovi Poe is “Familia Sagrado” (Sacred Family).

Unlike the past roles she did on television, a more daring Lovi Poe will be seen in this movie. “Endless Farewell” was some kind of prologue for Lovi in becoming a real actress.

As the filming went on, the beautiful actress/singer got into a mess when her car wouldn’t start. She immediately called her manager Leo Dominguez and asked for help. As most people in showbiz know, Joel Lamangan is a monster when one provokes him to be so.

To make the story short, Lovi didn’t make it on time causing the volcanic eruption of the multi-awarded film director.  But FPJ’s talented daughter kept her cool since she knew that it was her fault in the first place.

Certainly, Lovi learned her lesson about time management.

I’m not really familiar with Joel Lamangan nor have I seen any of his movies but I’ve heard so much about him. Many people in showbiz feel proud when they get the opportunity to work with him. In fact, some actors take acting lessons with the veteran director to improve their craft.

According to a reliable source, Joel Lamangan never thinks of limitations when it comes to his actors. He believes that an actor must do what the script requires.

Other cast in the film are local actors in the Philippines like Snooky Serna, Gloria Diaz and Felix Rocco.

This Joel Lamangan masterpiece is yet to be seen on the big screen. Its dark story could be the reason why many indie film viewers are interested in watching it.

The Filipino pop music scene is ready to take off as bootylicious Sarah Geronimo kicks major ass in this awesome track “Record Breaker”.

When Lovi Poe released “Everything You Wanted” in her debut album, we thought she was going to give a boost to the Philippine music industry, penetrating international music scene the way South Korea and Japan do. Well, it looks like it needed some “Mason Remix” to keep us begging for more. Her second album may have delivered catchy songs but ballad’s majority caused boredom in all.

In 2009, it’s time for change as the Filipino pop princess Sarah Geronimo returns with her bitchy ass-kicking song “Record Breaker”.

Although it was composed for a TVC, I’m very ecstatic some radio stations play it on air. When I saw Sarah in her SunSilk shampoo commercial, I wasn’t really into what she was doing but rather what the background was vibrating in music form.

On the said TVC, the very pretty Sarah walks, changes and sets the stage on fire. I knew that the song rocked and she could level South Korea’s Boa, Japan’s Kou Shibasaki or even those synthesized playback-lipsynching western girls: Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Ashlee Simpson and of course, so much more of  those talentless female popstars in America and in U.K.

The star of the box-office hit movie “A Very Special Love” has proven enough of how great she is in belting those high notes. She actually almost phased out in the industry when the trend was always about singing those revived songs in an earsplitting manner. In my level of truth, we feel that many of us want something new since the style of Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera only diverts our attention to the west.

Not to mention how dim-witted the Sunday musical shows we have in the Philippines.

If you watch SOP, you get to see stars sing onstage even if they can’t sing. Plus this suffocating loveteam thingy on national television paraded all the time. Duff notes at best.

As for ASAP, some Kapamilya freaky fanatics would say it’s better than SOP because you get to see champions. I don’t know really know what it means but all I know is that SOP and ASAP both suck.

There was this one time, I got a glimpse of ASAP because my housemaid was into it. Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Angelica Panganiban and

Shaina Magdayao were singing a Lady Gaga song. They all looked so retarded in their costumes and they sang it so badly. I thought Bea Alonzo and Anne Curtis were into a career as serious actresses. Guess not.

Aside from that, ASAP gives this number wherein singers sing together, belting high notes, overlapping each other with the hope that it could make them even more famous.

SOP doesn’t offer this production. However, you’ll feel like you’ve heard the same stuff over and over again for over six years—it’s timeless. Timeless yet boring.

Air freshener was Sarah Geronimo’s live performance of “Record Breaker” on ASAP. God bless this child as she brings this new energy deep within, posing sexy with her backup dancers, catwalking high-heeled shoes in a very tight outfit, flipping her flirty hair and pouting her kissable lips. Indeed, Sarah Geronimo is wet, supple and hot.

Just like what most netizens post on cyberspace, many Filipinos hope that this will rejuvenate our deteriorated music industry. Then, let’s all keep our heads up high and ready ourselves to compete globally.

Spice Girls once quoted: “Say You Want A Revolution”.

Well, “Record Breaker” is not a foreign song. Filipino.

It’s Britney Spears? No.

It’s Sarah Geronimo, bitch!

When Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes used to be queens of soap operas on Philippines television, Thalia Sodi came and changed everything.

Mesmerizing the entire nation, Thalia was the individual form of Spanish wave second invasion to the Philippines. Although Hispanic she is, the aura she exudes captured the hearts of many Filipinos who had seen the beauty of Latin telenovelas - passionate and sensual.

Televisa could be the biggest TV network in Mexico that broadcast worldwide smash hit telenovelas. Europe and Middle East purchase the rights to run the show in their respective countries. Be it dubbed or subtitled.

Thalia brought Philippine soap operas to the next level. From the phenomenal Marimar on RPN 9, then followed by Maria Mercedes on ABS-CBN 2 and closed the 90’s with Maria la del Barrio. Actually, “Maria Mercedes” was her very first telenovela of the Maria Trilogy but Marimar was first aired in the Philippines. It caused a Latin fever all over the country. RPN 9 got loaded with commercials as advertisers wanted to get seconds to endorse their products in between breath taking scenes in “Marimar.”

Then, a throng of hyperactive Filipinos felt stupid cupid made them fall in love with the multi-awarded Mexican actress/singer, the one and only star of “Marimar.”

But not only that, Filipinos kept begging for more. When Y2K virus was bogus, the next thing we saw on television was the beautiful face of Thalia coming back to the small screen via “Rosalinda.”

The huge success of Marimar is due to its powerful ala Vilma Santos/Nora Aunor classic movies of vengeance, from rags to riches, Sampaguita Pictures’ smell in all of its scenes and of course, the sex appeal of Thalia and her acting prowess.

Many Filipino TV goers miss her. But she is enjoying life now as the mother of Sabrina
Sakae, a fashion designer, a recording artist and a business woman.

In 2007, GMA 7 had bought the rights of Marimar not to rerun the show but rather produce a Filipino remake. A local actress named Marian Rivera got the role. It made her famous because many Filipinos had missed Thalia so much. The Filipino fans know and feel that Rosalinda was, indeed, Thalia’s last telenovela and if ever she comes back to making telenovelas, she may no longer do those inspiring highly-spirited Cinderella roles.

In 2009, GMA 7 tried to create a big star with the use of Rosalinda. Overhyping its lead stars Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann didn’t even help to surpass the remake of Marimar—starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

This is because Rosalinda is not about its story but all about the return of Thalia and her pretty face we love to watch on television over and over again.

Until now, many countries in Europe, Latin America and Middle East still have reruns of Marimar, Maria la del Barrio and Rosalinda. This only proves that Thalia is yet to be replaced as the Queen of Telenovelas.

The recent Cinemalaya-Netpac films in competition had paraded several local independent movies that many Filipinos can be proud of.

The usual scenario just like any other film festival was to bestow awards to the directors, writers, cinematographers and actors. A very tremendous event so to speak.

Local Filipino actor Dennis Trillo in his entry film “Astig” (Boys In The Bronx) was given special awards that surely made his lead actress Glaiza de Castro feel better since some slight discomforts came in upon watching the prolonged rough but fake sex scene she did with the main actor.

To my non-Filipino readers, “Astig” is a street language for Tigas which means “hard”. See the “tig” and “as” separated and changed position, giving you the slang “Astig”.

This word can be used by someone who is very much impressed by something or someone. It could be a gadget, fashion sense, idea, story, technique, plan and everything that is like it.

Therefore, “Astig” can mean cool, awesome, amazing, impressive, nice, hot or great.

This project is, by the way, the first indie film of Mr. Trillo who was very reluctant at first as other filmmakers enticed him to try becoming a producer.

He also did a very unique infomercial with actress Angel Aquino for the Cine Cinco Film Festival.

It is not certain if the 28-year-old actor decided to act in indie films for the sake of art or for the sake of joining the bandwagon just like how most mainstream actors perceive digital independent films.

Either way, it’s nothing less than his prerogative.

Screened in several international film festivals in Europe and America, award-winning movie director Brillante Mendoza brings “Serbis” on home video.

As the evolution of filmmaking leaps forward, better disregard critics with bad reviews, failed attempt to bring back trophies from Cannes, huge production set. Unleash creativity and witness a new technique to refresh the movie world that is, instead.

On cyberspace, promotional pictures of indie film actor Coco Martin spread like a disease including citizens on the internet with comments, of course. Be it as it may, constructive, nasty, off-topic, none of the above, it attracted many Filipinos to discuss thoughts and opinions that magnetized more and more netizens, just the way the producers wanted it to be.

Perhaps, you are one of those who think that this movie is another Filipino indie film loaded with a lot of nudity and rough sex coming up with an excuse that it is for the sake of art. May I include the very controversial movie poster that obviously wanted to expose sexual favors catered in old movie theaters in various cities in the Philippines?

As for me, I watched “Serbis” on home video. It was in high definition so I totally enjoyed every scene. Simple as that. I don’t want to talk about why most netizens posted insights that indie films
are just about gay people, lewd scenes, sex and violence because I know that I can make my own perspective, focus on my own thoughts and reach manifestation without affecting other people’s own creation.

Brilliant is Brillante Mendoza with all due respect.

Resembling some shots of “Serbis” like artistic Chinese films is something that made me stay on my seat when I was watching it.

Though the sound of local vehicles like pedicabs in the background was a little bit annoying at the beginning, I realized it was part of the ambiance so viewers could absorb the detailed information in every scenario.

A very nice picture without holding back.

As a filmmaker, I want to produce and direct a film like this one. Not the story but rather the beauty of it all. The color of pictures, lights, sound, emotions, smell and the vibrational human beings driven with its drama deep within oneself, solidifying per say in this common illusion of time space reality.