Baby Go Expands Her Indie Queendom by Launching BG Showbiz Plus

           

            “Ngayong nandito na ako sa showbiz, susulitin ko ang paglilingkod sa industriya,” she exclaimed with her usual grace and candor. Dubbed as the “Queen of Indie Films”, businesswoman-philantrophist Baby Go is no stranger to taking risks. In fact, the first film she produced under her company BG Productions International, Lauriana, was part of the first Sineng Pambansa All-Masters Edition. The tickets were just priced modestly since the festival was aimed at sparking the interest of the audience in works that deviate from the usual mainstream fare.

            Her new venture is BG Showbiz Plus, a magazine that would focus on the local independent film circuit. It would also have sections dedicated to business and politics. This will be helmed by Maridol Bismark of the The Philippine Star and The Woman Today as editor-in-chief. She is joined by Robert Requintina of the The Manila Bulletin as the Associate Editor. Jean Go-Marasigan as the VP of the company will also be overseeing the magazine. Some veterans of the entertainment press like Pilar Mateo, Danny Vibas, and Mell Navarro were said to be onboard as writers. Part of the proceeds from the magazine’s sale will go to PC Goodheart Foundation International, Inc.

Having experienced success as a real estate agent, she dabbled eventually in entrepreneurship and struck gold. Aside from promoting film workers internationally, she also aims to harness undiscovered talent via the publication. She views the magazine also as a way to entertain OFWs since there will also be copies sold abroad. The support of Filipino expats are being sought so her representatives are already making negotiations with different embassies.

Photo by Michelle Co Huertas

            2017 is just Baby Go’s fourth year in the business, but, the film outfit has already garnered numerous awards both here and abroad. Last May 6, Area garnered three awards from the 2017 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA). This was held at Kuching Amphitheater, Sarawak, Malaysia.

            Gawad Pasado, on its 19^th year, awarded Iadya Mo Kami as the Best Film of 2016 (Pinakapasadong Pelikula ng Taon) along with four other films. This award-giving body is comprised of academics, hence the name Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro). Other awards that BG Productions got for the same film were the following: Best Director (Mel Chionglo), Best Actor (Allen Dizon), Best Supporting Actress (Aiko Melendez), Best in Cinematography (Mycko David). This was held last April 25.

            On the same day, Baby Go received three special awards from the 15^th Gawad Tanglaw, namely: Presidential Jury Award for Best Film (Area), Presidential Jury Award-Student’s Choice Award for Best Film (Laut), and Presidential Jury Prize for Best Children’s Film (Child Haus).

            The critically acclaimed Area as well as the abovementioned film were screened as part of FDCP’s Cine Lokal and were shown in eight SM Cinemas.

            Film titles that are in the works include Balatkayo, Nuclear Family, and Maruming Hangin. “In every venture that I go into, I really study it well. I want to succeed in whatever project like being an indie film producer. Now that I am embarking into publishing a showbiz magazine, I would like to request for everyone’s support,” she said. Profitable or not, there is just no stopping her overflowing desire to do so much for the industry.

            BG Showbiz Plus will be available at newsstands starting July.

Photo from Pilar Mateo