Carlos fulfills his directing passion in “Wild Boys”

Carlos Morales (Carl M. Woodruff, Jr. in real life) became known for starring in sexy films in the 2000s. 

In fact, he was nominated for best actor at the Gawad Urian for the film “Laro Sa Baga” by Director Chito Rono where his potential as a thespian was noticed. 

He also won the best actor award at the PMPC for the aforementioned work by Edgardo Reyes. 

Some of his other acting credits include “Babaeng Putik”, “Red Diaries”, “Bigasan”, etc. 

He also ventured into directing in 2015 via “Piring” where he won the best screenplay and second best picture awards at the 2nd World Premieres Film Festival.

He also studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in 2016. He also won best actor at the 7th International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in 2017. 

In 2020, he decided to venture abroad due to the uncertainty brought by COVID-19. Since he graduated in nursing from Olivares College in Paranaque, he was able to use his degree to go to America. 

He took the nursing licensure exam in the US where he passed with flying colors. 

“I felt like nothing was certain at that time. We didn’t know the extent of COVID, so we went to the States, then took the exam,” he recalled. “Fortunately, I passed and then, my mom died. I also felt depressed, so I had to stay there for a bit before I came back,” he added.

Even though he is a licensed nurse, Carlos is thinking about returning to the country once in a while. 

“Of course, filmmaking is also my passion as well as showbiz. So, if there are projects, I will just, you know come back and forth,” he said.

For now, Carlos will once again show off his skills because he has finished his dream project “Wild Boys” with a target playdate of July or August. 

“It’s a dream project for me. When I was in my teenage years, I was a dancer and I really wanted to make a film where I could show my other side, which is dancing,” he said. 

Before becoming an actor, Carlos was a member of Exclusive Dancers, the dance group that regularly danced on German Moreno’s defunct youth-oriented television show That’s Entertainment. 

He also had the experience of working as a hip-hop dance tutor at Slimmers World, a fitness center where he won the aforementioned fitness gym’s Great Bodies contest.

"Dancing is my real passion," Carlos said. 

He also proudly shared that the original tracks used in the film were his concept. 

“Through the movie, I was able to incorporate my passion for music. The tracks in the film, all of them are original. Then, we really improved the conceptualization of the music with the help of beat makers and other artists,” he said. 

Since the movie is about raining men, the male cast underwent fitness training and observed a strict diet, all of whom are oozing with machismo. 

“I salute my cast and crew. They are very professional and collaborative. During the shoot, we made sure to set aside our egos to be able to focus on the film,” he explained. 

He added that the film brings a unique excitement. "Wild Boys is a unique blend of Magic Mike, Step Up, and Stomp the Yard. It's one-of-a-kind, and we're confident it will bring joy, excitement, and inspiration to our audience," he concluded.

“Wild Boys” stars Aljur Abrenica, Vin Abrenica, Martin Escudero, Kristofer Garcia, Nico Locco, Hashtag Jimboy Martin, Arwind Santos, Christian Ty, Billy James, Christian Singson, Rash Flores and Pedro Red. Also included in the supporting cast are Rolando Inocencio, Cataleya Surio, Mariposa, CJ Garcia, Krista Miller, Ina Alegre, Atak Araña, Inday Garutay Paul Alvarez and others. 

Aside from “Wild Boys”, he has also finished the film “Rolyo” which he plans to submit to prestigious film festivals. 

“Latay”, a film about hazing featuring Paul Salas, Buboy Villar, Lance Serrano and others, is also in the production stage.

Sepak Takraw Film Review

Directed by Mes de Guzman 

Starring Enzo Osorio Ruby Ruiz Acey Aguilar Nicollo Castillo Arnold Reyes

Article by Mars Callo

As the title suggests, one would think that most of this film's running time would dwell on the very sporty sepak takraw, the native sport of foot volleyball. 

Featuring award winning actors Enzo Osorio and Ms Ruby Ruiz together with Acey Aguilar, Arnold Reyes (in a special cameo) and Nicollo Castillo, the film also tackles the conflict of two long lost siblings as they face and struggle family matters in their young lives. 

From the success of young actor Enzo as Cinemalaya 2024 Best Actor for the film, The Hearing, his role in Sepak Takraw shifts from good character to a lead bully to long lost half brother Nicollo Castillo. A little taller now, Enzo always does his very best in roles he plays. With more training and acting workshops and exposure to various characters given his way, Enzo is on his way to pursuing the dream roles of his bright career in the acting industry. Same goes to Nicollo, this kid deserves a cool spot in showbiz as future dramatic actor inspired by the greats in Allen Dizon, Jericho Rosales or John Lloyd Cruz. 

What we liked about this movie is the cultural side of the Isinaya tribe of Nueva Ecija, the birth province of director Mes. He fittingly gave us an immersion, of regardless as a disappearing tribe, the indigenous folks have interesting practices when it comes to death, healing and cleansing as depicted in the film. The movie also notes the downside of losing ancestral domain to rich capitalists providing jobs and tourism in the guise of a natural resort for profit. 

Hall of Famer award winning actress Ms Ruby is a cinematic gem and treasure. She does her characters so well it just comes out of her so naturally. Truly an actor's actor. She is a regular favorite actress to cast in the many film festivals here and abroad. 

Sepak Takraw is more than a sports themed film and the challenges that go along with dominating the sport can also be compared side by side with life's thorns pertaining to handling and resolving sensitive family issues or matters that eventually lead to forgiveness and acceptance in the end.  

Jerald Napoles and Nicco Manalo, Mananakot at Magpapatawa sa Pagpag 24/7

Sina Jerald Napoles at Nicco Manalo ang BFFs at comedic duo na bibida at aabangan sa pinakabagong horror-comedy movie ng Viva Films – Pagpag 24/7, in cinemas this March 20, 2024  

Ito ay tungkol sa matalik na pagkakaibigan na binuo ng matibay na samahan, at kung paano nila kakayaning lampasan ang kahit na ano, kahit pa ang pagharap sa mga nakakatakot na multo. 

 

Mula sa direksyon ng up-and-coming director na si JR Reyes, ang PAGPAG 24/7 ay hango sa isang pamahiin ng mga Pinoy na “Pagpag.” Isang paniniwala na kapag galing ka sa isang lamay, kailangan mo muna magpunta sa ibang lugar at hindi diretsong umuwi sa bahay. Sa paggawa nito pinaniniwalaan na malilito ang espiritu na sumusunod sayo at hindi ka na nito masusunduan pabalik ng bahay. Kadalasang nagpapagpag ang mga tao sa mga 24-hour fast food places at mga convenience store dahil ito ang mga lugar na bukas kahit na alanganing oras o madaling araw. 

Sina Mitoy (Jerald Napoles) at Boying (Nicco Manalo) ay mag best friends na magkaiba ang ugali. Si Mitoy ay matino, masunurin, at mabait, samantalang si Boying ay ang matigas ang ulo na gagawin ang kahit na anong gusto. Kahit na malaki ang pagkakaiba, madalas magkasundo ang magkakabata at alam nila na lagi silang nandyan para sa isa’t isa. Pero lahat ‘yon ay magbabago nang mahuli si Mitoy at Boying na nagnanakaw sa isang convenience store, si Mitoy lang ang madadampot at makukulong, kahit na si Boying ang nagpasimuno ng plano. 

Magkakalayo ang loob ng dating magkaibigan, at si Boying ang sisisihin ni Mitoy sa lahat ng mga kamalasang dinanas niya. Muli silang magtatagpo nang makalaya si Mitoy at naging magkatrabaho sa isang punerarya. Ikagugulat din ng lahat na para bang nagkapalit na ng ugali ang dalawa, si Mitoy na ngayon ang maraming alam na kalokohan, habang si Boying naman ay nagpapakatino na sa buhay. 

Sa isang gabing hindi inaasahan, matatagpuan na lang nina Mitoy, Boying, at ilang mga minalas na tao na hindi sila makalabas sa isang convenience store, ang parehas na lugar na nagdulot noon ng matinding bangungot sa buhay nina Mitoy at Boying. At kahit na bago at moderno na ang itsura ng tindahan, nasa loob pa rin nito ang mga multo ng nakaraan at iba pang mga kaluluwang ligaw na gustong maghiganti at naghihintay lamang sa susunod nilang biktima. 

Kasamang bibida nina Jerald Napoles at Nicco Manalo sa pelikula sina Wilbert Ross, na gaganap bilang Jimboy, isa sa mga kaluluwang pinagpag sa convenience store, si Nikko Natividad naman ay gaganap na Pio, isa sa mga customers na natrap sa loob ng tindahan, at si Danita Paner bilang Leah, kasama ni Pio na hindi rin makalabas, long time crush rin ni Mitoy. Makakasama rin nila sina Dindo Arroyo bilang ang mapagmalupit na si Mang Kanor, sina Janet Dancalan, Butchoy Ubaldo, Cherry Malvar, at Jyra De Guzman. 

Sabay-sabay tayong tumawa, matakot, at sama-samang magpagpag. PAGPAG 24/7 - in cinemas nationwide ngayong March 20, 2024.