The Legal Wife

Many of us may be wondering why after giving all the love that one can give, some relationship still fall apart. Oftentimes, we would hear stories of falling out of love and infidelity... And we would always why...

Why one is being caught cheating his/her partner? Why he/she has fallen out of love? Why someone would settle to being the number 2 and enjoy that ample amount of attention being given to a kabit? Why the one who was left behind would still hold on and try to bring his/her partner back? Who should be blamed?

These are the questions I hope the latest ABS-CBN Teleserye, The Legal Wife, would answer. Opening this January 27, 2014, starring Jericho Rosales, Maja Salvador, JC De Vera and Angel Locsin, after Got To Believe.

Finally, the long wait is over. :)

photo cto

Four Sisters and A Wedding

                 As a kick-off to their 20th year anniversary, Star Cinema started their celebration by releasing a Drama-Comedy Family-Oriented film ... the Four Sisters and A Wedding ... And just last Friday, on its 3rd day of showing, I was able to finally catch the movie on cinema. Well ... I guess I truly enjoyed the movie because for the second time, I watched it again and dragged my family to check out Four Sisters and A Wedding in cinema last Sunday ... Starring Toni Gonzaga, Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Shaina Magadayao and Enchong Dee, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the film was about the four sisters who all gathered and went back home trying to come up with a plan in order to protect their youngest sibling, their baby brother from getting married. . .

The eldest among the siblings was Teddie Salazar. She was their mother's favorite, the leader among the sisters, and was working hard in Spain. Teddie was effectively played by Toni Gonzaga. Almost all of her jokes and funny lines and scenes were executed very well. Pasok sa banga! And after being able to watch her previous movies, I can say that she performed best in this film. I was finally moved by her acting during the confrontation scene with Coney Reyes, the mother Salazar. Toni seemed to have given her co-stars the kind of acting that would level to the other's capability.

Teddie was followed by Bobbie Salazar. Bobbie was the achiever, the smartest, most proper, working in New York, USA and was in a relationship. Bea Alonzo portrayed the role of Bobbie. I guess, Bea was a perfect fit for the role. She spoke fluently with the English language and with good diction. This is also the first time she made me affected again by her portrayal since her being "Basha" in One More Chance. She executed the right amount of acting in their confrontation scene. In this movie, Bea Alonzo gives that kind of impression that she really is a dramatic actress, that she is already Bea Alonzo ...  


The third sibling is Alex Salazar. The least to have school recognition, black sheep of the family, the rebel and most pasaway. Angel Locsin took the role of Alex Salazar. Being known for her tough attitude, Angel seemed to be the right choice for the role. Watching her as Alex made me forget she is being played by Angel. Her role was totally different from her movies before like, One More Try and In The Name of Love. She too moved me during her conversation with Bea. Although I like her character and Angel was good, I was somehow disappointed because her part was kinda bitin. I think it is in the script or on how her part was written. Alex has a strong character, and being the black sheep of the family, she must have given a better highlight in the story. Her role could have been stretched so that Angel could have given more, after all, she is a 4-time Best Actress awardee for this year ...

The youngest sister was Gabbie Salazar. The one in charge of taking care of their mother, the neutral among the siblings, the teacher. Gabbie was played by Shaina Magdayao. Maybe because Shaina is not as big star as her three elder sisters, she doesn't seem to have much highlight in the story. I must admit that I was not able to watch most of Shaina's movies or maybe I just wasn't paying much attention on her, but acting as Gabbie, I appreciate Shaina in this film ..


CJ, the youngest sibling, was the most charming, the baby brother, and the one who was about to get married. Enchong Dee as CJ was a good choice. He performed well as the "bunso" in the family. He was able to carry out well in that scene where he was yelling at his sisters. Enchong on this movie was just so cute! 


All in all, I love the movie and really enjoyed sitting for almost 2 hours twice watching the movie. It has the perfect mix of drama and comedy for a family-oriented film. Coney Reyes played that typical mother but showed the flaws of being a mother of five children. Carmi Martin was able to show that her humor doesn't fade even in her "serious" face or moment. For me, this movie is far much better compared to previous comedy family film, Ang Tanging Pamilya and the likes. I highly suggest and recommend to watch this movie especially for people who wanted to have a good laugh and at the same time learn a lesson. Four Sisters and A Wedding is truly worth to watch ... :)

One More Try: A Review

          Family drama has been a favorite genre by Filipino moviegoers. That probably is the reason why every year, a movie theme like this has been included as an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival along with fantasy filled movies of Vic Sotto. I remember in previous years, movies like Tanging Yaman and the Mano Po Saga were Box Office hits during the period of the festival. And for this year, Star Cinema brought us this kind of film with their movie entry, One More Try.

 

          On its third day, I was finally able to catch One More Try in cinemas. It stars four of the brightest stars in our generation; Angelica Panganiban, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angel Locsin. 

          It is a family drama filled with romance as it focuses on a sick child that brought up complications from the past among his parents, Grace (Angel) who is already in a relationship with Tristan (Zanjoe) and Edward (Dingdong) who is already married with Jacq (Angelica). Grace and Edward had to reconnect in order to save their son.

          Angelica Panganiban’s portrayal as the loving wife who has everything except from bearing a child suits her well. The balance of being a kontrabida and a wife who had to sacrifice just to see her husband happy was perfectly executed. Although I really find her scene with Agot Isidro talking in a straight English awkward.

          Zanjoe Marudo, who I’m used to see in a comedy film, showed he can also do drama. With the interpretation of his character, I felt how full of insecurities Tristan is. 

           Dingdong Dantes, who is already known as a good actor, was just okay. I thought he was able to perform exactly what was being asked from him for his character. I also love how he and Angelica dresses pretty good throughout the movie.

          And for Angel Locsin, with a very ideal role from the script, I believe she stood out from the rest. Coming from movies like In The Name of Love and UnOfficially Yours, Angel showed another side of her versatility as an actress. With this, her latest film, I can say Angel just keeps on getting better and better. As a mother of a dying child, she flawlessly delivered her character. I love how she pulls off the right emotion to every situation in her scenes, Nakakadala. That scene where she has get on her knees and beg without saying any word, was rightfully made.

          What I also love about the film is its cinematography. I like how every scene and even their location was perfectly shot. It showed a western-like part of Baguio which we rarely see in Filipino movies. 

         Although I didn’t cry even a single tear (Ako na may problema doon), the movie was really good. It offers moviegoers something new. I just hope, they didn’t include some of those MTV-like-scenes, where the lead stars have to shed tears while the music was playing. I thought it wasn’t essential or needed anymore.

  Feminist, that's how the story has had me oriented with Angelica and Angel's characters; one who is willing to give everything for her husband's happiness and one who's going to do anything for her sick child. Both being firm with their decisions, they dominated the male characters in the story. And with their portrayal, I can say Angel and Angelica deserve to be recognized with an acting award.

 

UNOFFICIALLY YOURS

            Since I was single and working during the Valentine’s Day, my family and I celebrated this occasion only last Saturday, February 18. So what did we do? Being an Angel Locsin fan and pretty excited about her latest movie, where else would I invite my family? In cinema and watch UnOfficially Yours definitely!

            The movie is about a guy, Mackie, who came from failed relationships but considers falling in love again and a modern-day woman, Ces, who doesn’t believe in commitments. Then they met in a very strange event. What happens if the other wants to take it into the next, serious level and the other still finds it for fun?

            I think, John Lloyd who played the role of Mackie Galvez, has mastered the art of making pa-“kilig” in his movies. He may not have the sexiest body, but he has captured every girl’s heart. There was this particular scene where he said to Angel (Ces), “Naghihintay lang ng inspirasyon… Uy, nandyan ka na pala…”, then started to type really fast on his keyboard/PC. It was funny but really felt that “kilig”. I’ve seen JL’s movies since One More Chance and this must be his most daring film – well, in terms of baring too much skin.:p

            As an Angel Locsin fan and having been able to watch almost all her movies, I can say she truly has grown as an artist. Playing the role of Ces, she was able to sustain that level of maturity of an actress she has already showed in In The Name of Love. For me, Angel was very effective with her character that I nearly forgot it was her and dama ko siya talaga! Feminism in the film is quite evident in Angel’s character as she portrays a very strong and independent woman. Since The Promise, I think Angel just keeps on becoming bolder in her movies. And here in her latest, without a doubt, she really is Philippines’ Sexiest Woman/Celebrity – deserve na deserve!

            At lot of people have perceived this movie as a rip-off of Hollywood’s Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached, but director Cathy Garcia-Molina did it great by making a not-so-old-not-so-new concept appear fresh. These movies may have similarly tackled casual sex relationship, but UnOfficially Yours differed by having a story with a very pinoy approach; like how families affect with the two main characters and how involved friends are in this situation. It is also nice that an old Filipino custom like Harana has still become a part of this very modern love story done in a modern way.

            As I’ve said, I was with my conservative family including my mom and lola, when I watched this. Although it was very sexy, they never find it bastos or anything like that. The director perfectly made those love making hidden in a very hilarious scene. I was laughing so hard specifically in that wild, “kalabugan” scene where Mackie’s friends were just waiting for them outside his room.

Overall, I completely enjoyed the movie. I find it amazing how a light romantic-comedy film took me into their world and captured my attention all throughout. I also love how they all seem to be so fab with their outfits especially Angel. It shows that no matter how toxic the workplace is, anyone should still look fashionable. 

UnOfficially Yours is not your typical love story where boy meets girl then someone comes along that gives conflict to the story. Here, it teaches us that there are relationships that start in an unconventional way; that it is the couple themselves that complicates everything; that sometimes, relationship doesn’t really need an official status but understanding; and, that we should never easily give up and surrender in love. At the end, it made me think why I still stay single. Am I like Ces who is just afraid of commitments and getting hurt? Or, am I just waiting for someone like Mackie who would do such effort and make me believe in love again? Choss!

           UnOfficially Yours is definitely a Must-See movie for people who are in love, got hurt and wants to try and fall in love again!

MMDA vs. Billboards in the Metro

           The removal of billboards in Metro Manila had been a week long issue. Shortly after taking Bench's billboard featuring the Philippine Volcanoes along Edsa-Guadalupe down, MMDA ordered to roll down tarpaulins of Anne Curtis and Angel Locsin wearing bra and "offensive".

        This order from the MMDA last July 11, Monday, made people and fans of these celebrities to quickly react. The next day these two ladies released their sentiments via twitter. Angel first asked Anne regarding that matter, “Kelan tayo nagka-ad na naka-bra lang anita?:p" with a photo of the news attached to it. Later Anne replied, "No billboards in a bra. The most bikinis! Pero walang billboard now as they have claimed na pwede tanggalin ngayon. So i think MALI ang statement from the @MMDA.. The only billboard I have along Boni-Edsa is SMDC yata at naka GOWN ako dun!!! Saabeh!!"

Angel's follow up tweet was already aimed at MMDA, "if u think offensive our BB's na in a DECENT Bathing Suit & Gown po, fine☺ don't use our names na lang 2 promote whatever u r doing"

On the hand, MMDA already gave a statement that they would also include in pulling down billboards that have no permit. According to reports, Anne's SMDC and Angel's Century Tuna (with Phil Younghusband) billboards lack permit which was the reason why it was removed.

For me, MMDA should always be very careful in releasing an announcement of such order. Wearing of bra as a ground is way too different from lack of permit. I think they should also show consistency in implementing laws under their agency.

 I wonder if they would have done this if Bench Body's sexy billboards have not caught everyone's attention. And if they would get rid of billboards due to its content, what would be the function of Outdoor Advertising Association Of The Philippines (OAAP) now? Shouldn't they just leave it to them since there are more problems in the metro that they have to fix? Lastly, MMDA must STOP using celebrities and/or popular names to make "pabango" or "papogi" with their campaign and just do their job properly.