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.
Painting it with light to a beautiful drama is what all Filipino TV series lack but not until a dazzler found its way artistically to the human form of Alfred Vargas.
As the veteran actor Eddie Garcia enters the church in his priest character, the wonder of the place establishes a unique set up never before seen in other past Filipino TV series.
In fact, to be specific, all mini series on GMA have the same lighting, production set and smell even without smelling it physically.
In the action-fantasy drama Darna, starring Marian Rivera and Iwa Moto, gorgeous actor
Alfred Vargas plays the role of Gabriel. The scenes of him with Sir Eddie Garcia totally glow as the perfection of lighting reaches a new level of standard on our local boobtube.
Forgiveness if I have forgotten how amazing the special effects are.
This is the beginning, I strongly believe. The artistic shots of Gabriel in the church; his washed out face, physical human body sitting in one corner, looking outside through the window, mystery in the room, the smell by just watching it, ray of light to gather all the details of such magnificent picture on a primetime TV series.
I do not understand why the photographer of the show only gives this lovely work of art to the mentioned character in the story. Others deserve to have it likewise, I suppose.
I'm not talking about the word drama like the endless whining crybaby-like acting of actors Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and all those male stars on ABS-CBN.
It is hilarious in my level of truth that a great number of Filipinos think that a real actor must have the skills to shed tears any moment in a so-called dramatic sequence.
The drama in this subject matter is all about the painting with light on television and in films.
I can tell that there is hope and that finally, the director of photography in the show Darna is putting the beautiful drama; particularly, in the scenes of Alfred Vargas inside the church of Eddie Garcia. Very nice.
Aside from that, the tall, dark and handsome player of Gabriel in Darna has improved his
acting skills after some years.
To the lighting director of Darna:
"YOU'RE THE MAN!"
Seen physically as human bodies of a woman and a man, the conscious mind seeks infinitely to separation of atoms, tagged with the names Ruffa Gutierrez and John Lloyd Cruz aka JLC.
The extension of these two eternal beings exists in the world of showbiz. Enduring, enjoying and loving every single moment of it.
As translated in earthly drama, some of our human friends in the department of media came up with so much more than being colorful. Controversial items.
Not so many months ago, the local entertainment sites were swamped by the rumored May-December love affair of Ruffa and John Lloyd.
And they just let us believe what we want to believe. Or probably they’re silently saying, "It's none of your business."
Being a member of the showbiz world means being everyone’s property. So you need to master the art of exaggeration and denial.
Kill or be killed are the options you have in this world of make believe.
Although the extremely hyperactive fans, those of John Lloyd's to be specific, hurt themselves in a way they want the actor to think and feel.
Maybe they should go back to school and make a recap about the things they've learned in Science, particularly in sixth grade or in sophomore high.
Aside from that, the loveteam system in this local showbiz has been poisoning the minds of many people inside its circle. The producers must come up with new concepts on how to entice people without tormenting the actors, in my opinion.
The disturbing negative vibrations of these tweeny little viruses on the worldwide web, posting nasty stuff about John Lloyd Cruz betraying the fans and his love Sarah Geronimo, is utterly pathetic, every angle, every inch.
I want the readers to understand that the reason why these physical beings are very dramatically attached to their loveteam balderdash, is because they go against the flow, unwanting changes in the system, containing themselves in a box of pretention, resulting in pain – chemically released by their own minds.
In other words, holding back or paddling against the spin of your system is like getting knuckle sandwich from Manny Pacquiao.
John Lloyd is a healthy young man. He is no robot of your own programmed software wherein you get to press any button and command him to do as you wish. While Ruffa is a healthy young woman. Fully aligned with her vibrational match, enjoying life the way she wants to live it.
As humans continue with their evolution, a wide range of selection has caused the birth of rockets of desire and its endless journey that allowing oneself to go with the flow of the river instead of paddling against it is an effortless choice, not upstream. Downstream.
Due to this, change has been delayed to a group of physical human beings labeled "Filipinos".
Judgmental, selfish, hypocrites most of us are.
The electric youth, as recorded by Debbie Gibson, belongs to the future itself. Thus, if this deteriorated system in local showbiz gets a bigger share in the circle of our existence, its influence to our children will deliver them to a prison wherein impossibility is always the platform. Limits set by their mentors will keep them from knowing that there's more out there. Becoming fearful and powerless as life goes on.
If you think Ruffa Gutierrez and John Lloyd Cruz are two people engaging in immorality, what are you?
In my level of truth, I believe that there is no such thing as one world but rather many worlds as each and everyone come together with the great purpose of co-creating in this wonderful common illusion of time space reality.
Lovi Poe fans have been receiving text messages from their idol regarding wonder, thrill, adventure, joy, love and finding happiness.
According to the actress-singer, who has recently returned to GMA network, each one of us can find happiness everywhere. It only depends on how we see and appreciate things. It's a matter of choice. If you want to be happy, it's all up to you.
The only daughter of FPJ was rumored to have been harassed by actress Rosanna Roces on the production set of "Lipgloss"—a television series on TV5.
Despite of everything, Lovi kept her cool.
A very down to earth person is one of the best qualities of this young girl. Even if she is showbiz royalty, it never got into her head. Magnanimity gives her peace of mind.
Just like our human friends who know exactly what they want, she focuses on it, aligning herself to where she is vibrationally matched. The physical extension of Lovi on earth seeks positively.
The fans are very proud of their idol not only because they get to read sweet reminders on their mobile phones sent by this amazing girl.
Unlike other young actresses, Lovi Poe likes to share or talk about other subjects outside showbiz.
I was very impressed when one of the fans told me that Lovi was sending text messages to her about stars and planets and that there are bigger things out there.
Making each day a better day than yesterday might be the essence of our existence. To focus on the things we like and practice the art of allowing. Difficult as it may seem, giving it a try is worth it.
Life is a river continuously moving forward. If one resists the flow and try to paddle against it, it will not feel good.
Learning on how to focus on good thoughts will definitely make a person feel better instead of something else. You keep up with the spin of your system like this journey that never ends, you will become that joyful person you are always meant to be.
Eternal beings we all are. The way one perceives the universe creates a sort of channel in this time space reality.
Lovi Poe is totally connected to the energy source of this common illusion projected by our minds and she is keeping up with the spin.
Although living in the world of make believe, the 20-year-old co-star of Marian Rivera (a local actress in the Philippines) in the sitcom "Show Me The Manny" chooses to be happy and appreciate the beautiful things in life.
The fifth installment of the reality TV show to train young people wanting to enter showbiz is back on primetime television. StarStruck—Batch Five.
It all started in 2003 when GMA 7 opened its nationwide search for new talents to become exclusive contract stars of the network. Having sex appeal, talent, charm and all the way to X-factor are the must requirements to make it to the competition. But to stay in the show will depend on text votes and of course, people behind the search, particularly the producers because after all still all about selling. Show business.
Up to this point, the only StarStruck alumnus to have made it to a promising career in local showbiz is no other than Aljur Abrenica. The unstoppable swell of his fans everywhere levels the likes of Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz. In fact, he became the sexiest man on Starmometer in 2007 and was given by YES Magazine 'The Next Big Star' in 2009 award.
The mini series "All My Life" only proves how GMA 7 has been building up his career to superstardom.
This is due to Aljur's oozing charisma, boyish singing voice, improving acting skills and the matinee idol stardust below his eyebrows.
Reminds me of Kate Jackson, who once stated in her interview for the documentary of Charlie's Angels, when she entered the office of the late Hollywood TV producer Aaron Spelling, the man said that she had a stardust below her eyebrows.
It means that she was going to make it big in showbiz.
Charlie's Angels is all about the late Farrah Fawcett. But Kate Jackson also added spice to the show. Allow me to include Jaclyn Smith in this paragraph. Respect.
As for Aljur Abrenica, who is very proud of his roots in Pampanga, making it big in local showbiz will never be difficult at all if given the right projects.
Whatever happened to the first batch of StarStruck male finalists like Mark Herras, Rainier Castillo as well as Dion Ignacio.
The thing is it's not just about having good-looks like what Mark Herras offers, Rainier Castillo with his nice set of teeth or even Dion Ignacio's height.
It's all about sex appeal and I think it won't hurt if some of us will say that Aljur Abrenica has it all.
The 20-year-old actor/singer will have his first album released this year and a movie in Regal Films wherein he is the lead. He is also the newest male endorser of Bench.
In the fifth installment of StarStruck on GMA 7, will the producers get to discover someone like Aljur Abrenica or will it just be like one of those?
That we have to find out.
The Philippine movie industry today is polluted by queer digital indie films, some of them have bagged prestigious international awards.
Misinformed Filipinos, however, stick with the idea that when it comes to independent films, it is always about gay human beings fighting for their share in this world in a very complicated and poignant circumstance some of us who got attached to this so-called standard believe to be very different from being normal.
The blame is within you, you and you since it is only delivered to you by your own perception just the way you wanted it to be.
In my own reality, I believe that an indie film is from the word 'indie' itself, which is a shortcut for independent. Being independent means being able to express one's thoughts, emotions, ideas and vibration without no one to fear. This is for the artists if I must say so.
A movie shot on negative film like the passé style and a movie shot using professional digital cameras can be considered independent film if it is low budget and done artistically without trying to please the audience.
It is effortless in every sense.
Therefore, once again, in my own reality, I would like to vibrate to my co-creators in this time space illusion that independent films is about freedom without thinking of how it's going to attract money. It is just the way it is.
But this physical world we live in is controlled by some bankers; therefore, we have this thing called money that limits every move all of us want to make. It conflicts the great potential every artist has. Caging these magnificent creators in prison. Some find ways to escape while others reach death without having their names remembered and be told to the next chapter of this awesome universe.
I pray that today, other great artists will dare escape from their prison and find a way to get aligned with their vibrational match and focus on it.
Independent films are not just about gay love scenes, dramatic stories of poverty, rough sex and violence but rather everything there is and more than every physical human being could ever imagine.
Without a doubt, some viewers who had seen the pilot episode of Darna on GMA wonder how Angel Aquino would look like if she wore the superheroine's red costume.
A village attacked by four female monsters seemed old school for a scenario since the writers wanted to base it on the story from the comic book. Francine Prieto, Nadine Samonte, Maggie Wilson and Ehra Madrigal were the beautiful actresses to play the villains. This was the first part of the pilot episode.
Caught in the middle, Angel Aquino had transformed to Darna even if it was in the open air. Her enemies witnessed everything but viewers never got a glimpse of Angel wearing the sexy red outfit.
As the story goes on, I'm not sure if many of us have noticed Angel's new outfit. Well, she is somewhat the caretaker of the magical white stone. I don't know if her dress is meant to make her look like a white lighter or if I'm not mistaken, she is Queen Hippolyta's rip-off.
By the way, to those who are not familiar with DC superheroes, Hippolyta is the queen of the amazons and the mother of Diana Prince (Wonder Woman).
Darna, now played by Marian Rivera, will have to regain all the white stone's powers stolen by her four enemies. Like Diana Prince in Wonder Woman, unable to fly but was later on given the powers of it by the gods. The writers of Darna just changed some tidbits.
We can also sense a touch of Spider-Man in the show. It's funny how Raymart Santiago (a Filipino actor) tries on making himself effective for his role, obviously a Jonah Jameson rip-off.
As most of us know, Darna is a copycat of Wonder Woman with a little bit of "Thor" and "Captain America" ingredient. However, I don't want to dwell so much on that since there's nothing we can do about it anymore. Darna is already Darna.
The show is undeniably impressive not only because of its 24P TV mode format, upgraded special effects; specifically, when Darna flies up, up, up and away, and of course, the director of photography whose lighting technique brandishes more drama. Cool.
Personally, I love some of its visual presentation like the scenes wherein audience gets to see the actor's silhouette, camera shots making you feel like you're lurking or eavesdropping. The rest is still improving.
Finally, GMA 7 is now keeping its promise unlike those deceptive teasers past shows had before.
One of the worst nightmarish TV series on GMA 7 back in year 2007 was "Zaido"—a Filipino Hikari Sentai wannabe loaded with pathetic drama provided by yours truly; Lorna Tolentino and Dexter Doria.
Angel Locsin's Darna was a mess with freaking aliens invading third world countries. Unbelievable.
Now, Marian Rivera's Darna is earthly and many still hope that the writers will keep it that way. Please don't ever come up with amazons, gladiators and gods later on.
Actress/model Angel Aquino is also busy doing independent films these days. Check out her movie "Only God Knows" on YouTube.
She also starred in the movie "Crying Ladies" with Hilda Koronel.
