LINGUA FRANCA - more to life of a transwoman

QCinema 2019 offers Lingua Franca, a journey in the life of an undocumented transwoman in the US - featuring Isabel Sandoval as producer, director and the lead actor (as Olivia) for the said movie.

More than just the usual LGBT-themed movies nowadays, Lingua Franca was able to represent not just the LGBT community but also taking us along in her struggles under the political landscape and its effects to undocumented immigrants. Her story mirrors each Filipino's lives and makes us immersed in their emotions and how they wrestle life in search of greener pastures.

Aside from the green card that many immigrants are longing for in the US, Olivia had her share of ups and downs in love and job working as a caregiver to another elder immigrant.
 Lingua Franca is one of the international entries in the QCinema Film Festival 2019 and showing from Oct 13-22 2019 in leading cinemas within Quezon City.

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BABAE AT BARIL

Cignal Entertainment hosts the Rae Red's directorial debut film Babae at Baril featuring Janine Gutierrez in the lead role. The film was an official entry to the 2019 QCinema Festival competing with other full lengths and docus from here and abroad.

Cast and Creative Team with Cignal Entertainment Execs for Babae at Baril

At first I thought that it was as an action-packed film, as we have been missing these kind of movies from the 70s to the early 90s. But instead, Babae at Baril had been more of a mirror of life's situations as experienced by a simple department store saleslady who somehow "acquired" new "powers" by a gun. Janine's take on the role is quite believable -- her innocence and retaliation to those who wronged her made her appear very strong and empowered. She showed that every lady should be able to defend themselves and be very vigilant.

I also liked how the put out a backstory on the gun. How an object could transform a person with just a trigger. This has put very theatrical concepts with a few dialogues that is presented good in the film.

Babae at Baril is an official entry to the QCinema International Film Festival 2019. Playing in major cinemas around QC from October 13-22, 2019. Cast includes Felix Roco, Alan Paule, Elijah Canlas, JC Santos, and Sky Teotico with special participation of Ruby Ruiz and Archie Adamos.

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How to schedule Instagram posts through Facebook Creator Studio?

This is the greatest update yet for Facebook page managers! If you are a digital marketer and manages numerous pages, you can definitely take advantage of this latest feature. Facebook recently rolled out that you can now SCHEDULE INSTAGRAM POST through the Facebook Creator Studio.

First, you have to have a business profile or a Facebook page. You can set it up by logging in to business.facebook.com or creating a page.

Next, go to Creator Studio. Connect your Facebook page or pages. There's a pop-up to the Instagram page via desktop where you have to enter your log in credentials. Your page and Instagram account should be both on BUSINESS PROFILES to be able to activate the Instagram scheduler.

 Then, there's a new pop-up that you can only click OK.

If you've successfully logged in through Instagram, the Creator Studio dashboard will refresh and your IG account will appear in the list.

To post, you can choose from IG feed or IGTV and the Instagram accounts will slide from the right. Choose the account where you'll schedule your next post. The content fields will expand, write your caption, add location, drag down to select the media (photo/video) and a button will turn blue at the right corner of the browser.

Select your date of posting with the date and time you desire and click Schedule. That's it!

To verify, check the Content Library to know the status of the posts if Published or Scheduled.

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Why watch Himala: Isang Musikal again?

Aside from it's one of the greatest stories ever told in cinema, the iconic "Walang himala!" cry of Nora Aunor on screen, Himala: Isang Musikal is a masterpiece that still very relevant and moving. Combining the great achievement by Ricky Lee and music by Vince De Jesus, seeing it for the second time at Power Mac Center Spotlight, I was still in awe of the spectacular story and performance of this exceptional cast.

The mystical plot while you're immersed in the black box theater where you get to experience how Brgy. Cupang turned from "cursed to blessed" is a one-of-a-kind experience. The cast, led by Aicelle Santos as Elsa, (with Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Sheila Francisco as Nanay Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Floyd Tena as Pari, Vic Robinson III as Pilo) I was more drawn into the emotions and the story than the first time I saw it. Himala is something that makes you appreciate more and more every time you see it.

Sheila Francisco gives great emotions with just a stare of the eye. The depth of her performance is quite felt. Vic Robinson III is a stronger Pilo than of Sandino Martin and I think they have more chemistry than Neomi Gonzales.

 

Collectively, the whole cast did an amazing job reliving this timeless piece and still worth another award and should not be missed. The story needs to be retold again and again, to wake us from blind beliefs and put faith where it's due. And our Filipino artistry deserves your applause.

The Sandbox Collective's Himala: Isang Musikal is playing (September 20 - October 20, 2019) at the Power Mac Center Spotlight. Tickets are sold at 1000, 1300, 1700 and 2300 via ticketworld.com.ph

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IT CHAPTER 2 movie review

The Losers Club is back in Derry in Stephen King's It: Chapter Two are about to bring us the creeps from childhood and bring them back in a more terrifying way.

In 27 years, every one has separated and moved on with their lives to forget the horrific clown. However, Mike has summoned them back as more persons go missing and Pennywise (Bill Skarsgaard) might return soon. This has started when a man was disbodied after he was tortured by a bunch of homophobic boys at the beginning of the movie.

Now back to the Losers. It's amazing to see that they had huge resemblances to their adult selves. And to know that every child has specifically pointed who will portray them in It: Chapter Two is uncanny. Bev grew up to be Jessica Chastain, Bill to James McAvoy, Richie to Bill Hader, Mike to Isaiah Mustafa, Ben to Jay Ryan (some coin him as Ben Handsome), Eddie to James Ransone, and Stanley to Andy Bean. You can find the perfect casting in the adult versions of the Losers Club.

Isaiah Mustafa, Bill Hader, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Jay Ryan for It: Chapter 2

If you've seen the first trailer of It: Chapter Two where Bev returns to her old home and met an old lady named Mrs Kersh, there are more horrors in store for each member of the Losers as they all went back to remember their childhood days in Derry. There are also a lot of Easter Eggs that you might discover especially when you've read the book which has more details of scary stuff. I was actually covering under the sheet, thanks to my seatmate who offered to share his blanket so I can cover, aside from that the Powerplant Cinema is cold.

Easter eggs and a good cameo would not be enough for It fans especially if they read the book. But if you're in for Pennywise's evil laugh and sharp teeth and some mystery findings, you'll enjoy this flick that's playing in theaters now. It's a 3-hour horror ride so you better pee before anything else.

It: Chapter Two is based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Andy Muschietti under Warner Bros. Pictures.

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DANI GIRL rerun - more emotional the second time around

The Sandbox Collective brings back the musical about hope, Dani Girl, which I felt more attached and the emotions are more intense despite its injected humor and musical elements in this masterpiece.

I have to commend the cast, Becca Coates (Dani), Lorenz Martinez (Raph), Shiela Valderama-Martinez (Mom), and Luigi Quesada (Marty) for a heartwarming and . Also kudos to Toff De Venecia, who dedicates his directorial talents on this necessary production.

I love the set even better on this rerun. When at the first run it allowed us to imagine na imagery of Dani and Marty's journey in battling cancer, now we are more visual and the journey has materialized. It is even more touching that Becca and Luigi gave more heart to the characters as far as I can remember.

Photo by Gian Nicdao

It's more hurting to feel Shiela Valderama-Martinez's sorrow as a mother as she assists on the fight and even when she accepts Dani's fate. Can't miss a tear with her on Act 2.

Lorenz Martinez as Raph, gives the entertaining angel companion as always. As an angel, or even a friend, it is essential to give hope and uplift the spirit to anyone who needs it. Raph is very comforting, as well as Marty, in Dani's life.

Photo by Gian Nicdao

Dani Girl: A Musical About Hope runs until September 1 2019 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. You should also stay after the show to listen and participate in the forum in how to spread hope or help cancer victims cope with the disease.

For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. #DaniGirlMNL

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Tanghalang Ateneo's DOLOROSA - how a religious image solves mysteries encompassed multiple generations

As Tanghalang Ateneo opens its 41st season with theme Ecriture Feminine that revolves around women, its first production focused on the wonders of a prominent Catholic figure, the Mater Dolorosa in Peter Zaragoza-Mayshle's "Dolorosa." This is directed by Jenny Jamora.

The 3-act play narrative showed generations with a complex history starting from the Spanish colonial period until the current time when the family is already dysfunctional and broken. You won't recognize the length of this 3-hour production as the playwright gave a very interesting development of the characters and also the mystery of the main figure, the Dolorosa.

The first act, starting with the creation of the image puts the imagination to be inspired on how the image would look like. Similar with the stories of history of what our ancestors have endured under the friars and we are greatly influenced of indulgences and spiritual factors.

While on the 2nd act, when the Filipinos still has a young perceptive of the modern world, we are still impacted with the supernatural. The 2nd act is very interesting though, a certain scene wherein the young Pilar (Zoe de Ocampo) has traveled to an unknown dimension where she meets the various titles of the Virgin. Parts of the Litany depicted in a mind-opening scene that was indeed memorable. Whether it's a fictional world or not, this ignites you to think of your belief. A thing that I would have not expected to come from a Catholic-run institution.

The 3rd act presents the drama and the humor of the whole play. It was a roller-coaster machine brought by the collective of the three generations of the family including the grown Pilar (Bibeth Orteza). Here we face some realities and confronts our own judgments and even our own evils. The characters turn into a redeeming stage which leaves you your own judgment and conclusion.

Cast of Tanghalang Ateneo's Dolorosa

Tanghalang Ateneo's Dolorosa runs until August 31, with shows at 2:30PM and 7:30PM at the Doreen Black Box Theater, 3F, Arete, Ateneo De Manila University.

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