Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo Star in the Film Adaptation of Stanley Chi's Best-Selling Book

MarVen fans, save a seat in the cinemas! Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo, two of today's hottest Gen-Z stars, and 1/3 of the Uni Love Squad, team up for a new movie that showcases their undeniable and incomparable chemistry. Men are from QC, Women are from Alabang will be showing nationwide starting May 1, 2024.

Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Stanley Chi, Men are from QC, Women are from Alabang tells the story of a couple who struggles in their relationship as they deal with growth, assurance, security, and the distance between Quezon City and Alabang. It tells the love story of Tino (Marco Gallo) and Aica (Heaven Peralejo) from both their points of view.

Tino and Aica are total opposites who met at work and fell in love. Despite their personal problem and differences, the young couple meet halfway and make it through together in the "real world".

But when Tino moves to another job, their relationship goes through a rough patch. The distance between them increases, the demands at work get bigger, and finding the time and energy to spend together becomes harder.

How long can a relationship with emotional unavailability and lack of time for each other survive before they eventually fall out of love? Will Tino and Aica find a way to make things work despite the challenges, or is their relationship meant to fall apart?

A film by the director of hit Viva One series Safe Skies, Archer, the award-winning director Gino M. Santos, Men are from QC, Women are from Alabang is another lead role project for Marco and Heaven's team-up. The two previously starred in a movie directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, The Ship Show, and in the hit Viva One series The Rain in España, where their already popular tandem since their reality TV days even gained more following. Get ready to feel the "kilig" and the heartbreak. Will you be willing to fall in love and try again despite it all?

Sar-Sari Network, Inc. presents a Viva Films production in cooperation with Mediaquest Ventures and Studio Viva, Men are from QC, Women are from Alabang, in cinemas May 1, 2024.

Wide to Close-up Love Abroad: A "Hello Love, Goodbye" Review

Because Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards are trending nowadays, I became curious about Hello Love, Goodbye. Based on the photos and videos, Kathryn and Alden have really good chemistry and there are also rumors that the materials going around are just for the advanced promotion of Hello Love, Goodbye 2.

The film is about 2 Filipinos in Hongkong who are in the adulting stage. Kathryn is Joy Marie, a domestic helper looking to get enough money to apply to become a nurse in Canada. Because it's not allowed to take up other jobs in Hong Kong when you're categorized as a domestic helper, one time she had to run from the police while racketeering and that's how she met Ethan, who is a bartender about to become a Hong Kong resident.

I like how they used the camera shot type to show the closeness of the characters. The first encounter of Joy Marie and Ethan, the shots are separate for them. Then, they have a long talk but since they are not close yet, a wide shot is used. As they develop deep feelings for one another, they gradually had close-up frames.

I commend Alden because this role is quite different from the obedient characters he played before. However, it is noticeable that Kathryn's acting has more layers compared to him. Kakai Bautista and Maymay Entrata are underused here while Jerome Ponce and Anthony Jennings who just had cameos were able to make an impression.

I rate this 2.5 out of 5 stars. There are times when it becomes dragging especially during the heavily dramatic scenes between the two leads and there are unnatural blockings like Kath hugging Alden's back. It's weird because I wish they had more "PDA" (public display of affection) before. However, many great lessons were posited here like balancing self-love and sacrifice as well as letting go and trusting the person you love.

Director: Cathy Garcia-Sampana
Screenwriters: Carmi Raymundo, Enrico C. Santos

YC2 GRAND WINNER AIMS TO INSPIRE CHANGE THROUGH CREATIVE WORK

Renowned physicist Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” Sanny Villafranca, also known as AJRAVII, a film student at the Asia Pacific Film Institute, aims to do so through his graphic novel “The Girl and The Tamaraw”. He said, “This project is inspired by the Indigenous Peoples and the Tamaraws. As creatives, we tell stories with the purpose of effecting change or inspiring it. My aim is to raise awareness for the protection of our endangered species and their natural habitat, and to showcase how culturally rich our nation is.”

Sanny’s graphic novel was the grand winner for the Graphic Novel Category of the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2), which held its grand finals and awarding ceremony last March 21, 2024 at BGC, Taguig City, Metro Manila. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos and the Philippine Creative Industry Development Act (PCIDA), YC2 is a competition that showcases the creativity of the Filipino youth. It was created to inspire, recognize, and showcase Filipino talents in the fields of songwriting, screenwriting, playwriting, graphic novels, animation, game development, and online content creation.

Asked about how his graphic novel “The Girl and The Tamaraw'' was conceptualized, Sanny stated, “In 2018, during a workshop led by Direk Surf Reyes, a Mowelfund founder, we were tasked with creating emotionally resonant stories that promote our culture. This narrative was born from that challenge and serves as a tribute to my mentor, who supported it while involved with the NCCA.” The Quezon City resident also shared how his path to creativity began. “I remember when I was six, we lived near the PNR train tracks. My grandma had comics that she rented out to our neighbors. I read almost all of them. They made me love making up stories and drawing. Grandma helped me learn to draw, too. She really helped me grow creatively since I was little.” “In elementary school, I started joining various organizations like the music club, art club, and journalism club. I became more involved in school extracurricular activities and gained experience through inter-school events. My passion for the arts continued into my high school years,” Sanny added.

Currently, Sanny is working as an account director at an advertising agency, while also overseeing Sanny Istudyo Productions, which he established as a creative platform to pursue his passion for storytelling through various art forms such as music, film, and illustrations. “To refine my storytelling abilities, I am currently enrolled in a Film course at the Asia Pacific Film Institute. I am in the process of developing a screenplay for my finals. ‘The Girl and The Tamaraw’ is currently being prepared for publication, and we are also working on another story that promotes our culture,” he said. What makes Sanny’s win in the Young Creatives Challenge even more inspiring is that he is a PWD (person with disability). Though he has hearing impairment, this has not deterred Sanny to pursue his creative passion. With heartfelt gratitude, he exclaimed, “I want to share this honor with my fellow creatives, especially those who have disabilities or facing doubts while pursuing their passions despite challenges. I'm grateful to my late mentor, Surf Reyes, as well as my late mother, to my family, and friends. A big thank you to DTI, YC2 judges, and Senator Imee for supporting programs that empower Filipino creatives. Thank you to the support of Hana Creative, Asia Pacific Film Institute, Meisner Studio Manila and to the Sanny Istudyo Team. We continue to dream of a nation that celebrates and highly values arts and culture. Mabuhay ang katutubong kultura at sining! Mabuhay ang malikhaing Pinoy! Maraming Salamat sa Diyos!”

The Real Villains Appear after Hide Episode 4: A Korean Drama Review

Hide is a new Korean drama series airing on JTBC. It is in the mystery and thriller genre. Starring Park Bo-young, this series centers on a prosecutor turned housewife who unveils secrets in connection to a powerful group of people while looking for her husband Cha Sung-jae (played by Lee Mu0Saeng) who's an attorney and CEO of their company.

As usual, this is an acting showcase for Bo-young, starting off as a caring mother, then turning into a grieving wife hounded by her husband's secrets, and finally as she regains her confidence and sharpness while squaring off with the devious Ma Kang, her seemingly harmless neighbor Ha Yeon-joo (played by Lee Chung-ah) turns out to be watching her every move and might be part of the shadow organization manipulating the string of events.

The teaser for episode 5 shows Yeon-joo threatening Chung-ah with a video of her husband beaten up and kidnapped. Apparently, she's supposed to take over her husband's unfinished task.

I recommend watching this as there is a new piece of the puzzle to unravel every episode. The series also stars Lee Min-jae as Do Jin-woo, a rough fellow who's willing to do anything for money but can be a royal friend.

This Korean drama is an adaptation of the Welsh series which aired on BBC, Keeping Faith. Hide streams on Viki and Coupang Play.

K-drama elements present: money laundering though foundation, unexpected villain, prosecutor