Jake Cuenca on LUNGS and Why it Reminds Him of His Past Relationships

The weather is getting warmer, sea levels are getting higher, and the threat of the planet's eventual demise is growing closer. One couple is thinking of having a baby, but the world as it is, having children could mean the end of their world as they know it.

Jake Cuenca and Sab Jose star in Duncan Mcmillan's Lungs, a fast-paced, ninety-minute conversation revolving around the question of whether or not the central couple should be having children. Over the course of this one-act play, the two protagonists grapple not only with potential parenthood and the sometimes tenuous nature of their relationship, but also with the ominous anxiety brought about by the extremities of climate change.

Jake Cuenca is ready to make his bones in the Philippine theatre scene through his debut performance in Lungs. Having studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, the film and television star believes that his upcoming performance is a necessary exercise in his development as an actor. "It's my first play," says Cuenca. "What I like most about it is that it makes me feel nervous. I've been acting for a long time and not many things make me nervous, but this does." Not to be deterred by the task of performing a verbally dense, intimate play in front of a live audience, the film and television star leans in with his own experiences in attempting to flesh out his character, a patient but bewildered musician and would-be-father.

"The script is so contemporary...it reminds me of my past relationships. It's a great way to share those kind of experiences with everyone, says Cuenca of Macmillan's prose. "I came to this realization that the humor in the play really comes out not in my individual performance, but in the dynamic that I share with my scene partner."

His onstage partner, Sab Jose, graduated with honors from the Guilford School of Acting in London earlier this year and is fresh off her performance as Michelle in 9 Works Theatrical's Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! Having previously performed in musicals such as The Wedding Singer and Grease, Jose is ready to welcome the challenge of bringing her character, an intelligent but high-strung PhD candidate and potential mother, to life.

"Once you hit your thirties, the questions keep coming. When are you going to get married? When are you going to have kids? I can relate to the anxiety present in that phase of life," Jose says about the major issues that plague the play's central couple. She embraces her character's neuroticism and her tendency to ramble. "She's a really fun, scary character to play. With all the pressures of motherhood and what's happening to the world, she can't stop yapping about everything. From wanting to change the world to wanting to make the most of her time in it, she finds herself constantly examining the repercussions of having this child."

Director Andre Nikolai Pamintuan expresses his excitement for the unique pairing of Cuenca and Jose. "I think their dynamic is amazing. They come from the very different worlds of screen and stage," says Pamintuan, who has been overseeing the development of the two leads over the past few months of reading and rehearsals. "To see them coming together through these characters is always a great surprise. It is a great privilege to see them breathe life into Lungs."

Lungs is a play by Duncan Macmillan, with direction by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, assistant direction from Caissa Borromeo, lighting design by Miguel Panganiban, and set and costume design by Jodinand Aguillon. 

Heading the production team are Sandbox Collective managing artistic director Toff de Venecia, 9 Works Theatrical executive producer Santi Santamaria, Anna Santamaria as operations director, Maine Manalasansan as design director, Gian Nicdao as social media manager, GM Hernandez as marketing manager, Jonjon Martin as PR manager, Pauline Gaerlan as production manager, Anissa Aguila as stage manager, Luis Yatco as deputy stage manager, and Gabbi Campomanes as dramaturg. At certain performances, the role usually played by Jake Cuenca will be played by Gabs Santos.

Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs will be showing at the Power MAC Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati from September 22 to October 7, 2018.

Lungs is a production of The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical, together with Power MAC Center Spotlight as an official venue partner.

Official Hashtags: #LungsMNL
Facebook: TheSandboxCollective & 9WorksTheatrical
Twitter & Instagram: @thesandboxco @9WTonline

Cinemalaya 2018 Awards Night Winners and Happenings

Sandino Martin and Cris Villonco hosted the event which opened with a song number featuring Mandaluyong Children's Choir

Nespresso Vertical Shorts 2018 Winners

Patrick Basenco of Novacure was present along with he company's marketing manager to hand out the awards

The 2nd Runner Up was Jonel Revistual for his film Ako. He got a Nespresso Trophy. The 1st Runner Up was Kevin Tuason for his film Braveheart. He was able to take home a Nespresso Machine, 20,000 pesos, and a Nespresso Trophy.

The grand winner was Brian Spencer Reyes for his film SLN. He was able to take home a Nespresso Machine, 20,000 pesos, and a Nespresso Trophy.

> Shorts
- Audience Choice - Kiko by Jojo Driz
- Best Screenplay - Sa Saiyang Isla by Christian Candelaria
- NETPAC - Same as above
- Special Jury Prize - Si Astri maka si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez
- Best Director - same as above
- Best Film - Jodilerks dela Cruz Employee of the Month - Carlo Manatad
> Full-Length
- Jury - Peter Malone, Sabrina Baracetti, Cherie Gil Eigenmann, Mike Tuviera, Paul Soriano
- Top-Grossing Film - Liway by Kip Oebanda
- Audience Choice - Liway by Kip Oebanda
- Best Sound - Wildsound - Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma
- Best Original Music Score - Len Calvo - Pan de Salawal
- Best Production Design - Marielle Hizon - Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
- Best Editing - Mikael Pestano - ML
- Best Cinematography - Neil Daza - Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
- Best Screenplay - John Carlo Pacala - Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
- Best Supporting Actor - Ketchup Eusebio - Mamang
- Best Supporting Actress - Teri Malvar for Distance and School Service
- NETPAC - Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
- Best Actor - Eddie Garcia for ML
- Best Actress - Ai-Ai de las Alas for School Service
- Special Jury Award for Acting - Miel Espinosa for Pan de Salawal, JM Salvado for Musmos na Sumibol sa Gitna ng Digma and Pan de Salawal, Kenken Nuyad for Liway and School Service
-.Special Jury Commendation for Film - Liway by Kip Oebanda
- Special Jury Award - Pan de Salawal
- Best Director - Che Espiritu - Pan de Salawal
- Best Film - Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon by Carlo Enciso Catu

Festival director Chris Millado confirmed that this year's box office gross revenue was higher by 25% compared to last year's.

The Cinemalaya 15 / Cinemalaya 2019 finalists for the full-length category were also revealed. They are Josabeth Alonso, Maricel Cariaga, Theodore Boborol, Eduardo Roy Jr., Arden Rod Condes, Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chaves, Cheryl Rose Andes, Xian Lim Uy, and Christopher Charles Nazareno.

FILM REVIEW AND MUSINGS: SCHOOL SERVICE (CINEMALAYA 2018)

RATING 3.5/5
"I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let the lead the way," goes a Michael Jackson song. How can the children be our future when there are many with no bright spots to look forward to?

As if alluding to the children's world in this socialist drama, the film starts just before the break of dawn, as Maya (Celine Juan) wonders what the group led by Rita (Ai-Ai de las Alas) is going to with her after they made it plain that they abducted her and she will not be going home anytime soon. The school service our antiheroes are riding in is making its way through the pitch black of the night, akin to what they do whether it's night or day, deeds that must be hidden for it is illegal.

Louie Ignacio as of late has had interest in the downtrodden with the materials he chose to direct, be it the beggar Badjaos of Laut or the forgotten prostitutes of Area, the latter having had Ai-Ai as well in the leading role. Unlike the aforementioned films, this one focused on three point-of-views, that of Maya and the other children of the school service, Rita and her relationship with Maya, and finally Rita's brother Robert (played by the brilliant Joel Lamangan), as he makes a big decision involving his lover (Kambal Karibal's Kevin Sagra) which would make or break the future of all.

This triple focus gave us a 360 degree view of the all the character's perspective. It is good that even the smallest roles in the film are notable, especially the children whose physicality and nuances vary from one another. However, just as another review stated, it is better to have had the film focusing on Rita like what the director did with Area. The swift shift from one character arc to another kind of derails the drama but everything works out just fine if it's the type of audience who will just trust the film to take him/her along for the ride because it really puts you in the moment in a way that you will not be able to predict the ending, or guess when will it ever end. Another logical reason for this is that however good a comedy actress Ai-Ai is, she is 10 times better in a dramatic role.

Hindi ko alam kung saang minahan niya hinuhugot yung emotions niya but deeeeymmmmn, it's totally deep.

My favorite scene in the film was a portion in the trailer where it both has the aesthetic of Kubrick and the world of Teletubby combined. I know for a fact that if it is the goal of the film to make us look at children begging as human beings and not just some pests wanting to take our hard earned money away, it has succeeded.

Rain Yamson's camera work is impeccable as usual especially when shooting scenes in the dark without it being grainy or the shots with a lot of movement where the camera shakes just a little or not at all.

As I crossed the street to Harbour Square to eat a very late dinner after my first day of Cinemalaya, I passed by children, who, with or without a school service, is in similar dire straits as those characters in the film. As I reached into my coin purse to get whatever I can give them, I felt a lone tear creeping down my cheek. 

REMAINING SCHEDULES AND FACEBOOK LINK

AUGUST 7 (TUE): 
12:45 PM -- CCP Studio Theater 
7:00 PM -- Legazpi (Cinema 4)

AUGUST 8 (WED): 
2:00 PM -- Greenbelt 1 (Cinema 1) 
2:00 PM -- UP Town Center (Cinema 3) 
3:30 PM -- CCP Main Theater

AUGUST 9 (THU): 
2;00 PM -- Glorietta 4 (Cinema 4) 
2:00 PM -- Trinoma (Cinema 3) 
9:00 PM -- CCP Studio Theater

AUGUST 10 (FRI): 
12:45 PM -- CCP Main Theater 
2:00 PM -- Legazpi (Cinema 4)

AUGUST 11 (SAT): 
10:00 AM -- CCP Little Theater 
7:00 PM -- Glorietta 4 (Cinema 4) 
7:00 PM -- Trinoma (Cinema 3)

AUGUST 12 (SUN):
2:00 PM -- Greenbelt 1 (Cinema 1) 
2:00 PM -- UP Town Center (Cinema 3)

https://www.facebook.com/School-Service-cinemalaya-film-238739590236812/

KYLE ECHARRI: Former "The Voice Kids" contestant, now a Star Pop Artist

Kyle Echarri who used to be the top 6 contestant in "The Voice Kids" season 2 under Team Sarah, is now the newest recording artist to join Star Pop - Star Music's record sublabel for the younger market. The fifteen-year-old soloist is currently making waves with the successful launch of his single "Pangako" whose music video premiered on July 30, 2018 on Myx. 

"Pangako," composed by Gabriel Tagadtad, arrange by Theo Martel, and produced by Rox Santos, will be part of Kyle's upcoming album under Star Pop. 

Kyle's "Pangako," is now available for downloads in digital stores worldwide. Catch its music video on SKYcable channel 23. For more details on Kyle's upcoming album and mall shows, visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @StarMusicPH.

Article and photos by Francis Lumahan

Dancing Lizards, Blind Rodents, and More Later in the August 5 Episode of Amazing Earth

It’s another amazing Sunday as Kapuso Primetime King, Dingdong Dantes, takes you across the nation and around the world for more breath-taking adventures on “AMAZING EARTH”  - the Filipino version of the award-winning BBC nature  documentary, “Planet Earth II.” 

“In This Corner” takes us to the deserts of Nevada where two wild horses (mustang) come to blows in a battle to secure mating rights and exclusive access to the remaining water holes.

Be entertained by the unique behavior of the adorable shovel-snouted lizard in “Dancing Butiki”  - as it attempts to stay cool in the scorching desert sand.

In “Ano ang Nasa Dako Pa Roon,”  we are introduced to the golden mole, a blind, nocturnal rodent the size of a pingpong ball that hunts with speed and precision aided by its excellent sense of hearing.

Brace yourselves for a gut-wrenching battle between a desert long-eared bat and its venomous prey, a deathstalker scorpion in “Nanlaban ang Alakdan” set in Israel’s Negev Desert.

In “Mag-igib ay ‘Di Biro,” the head-standing darkling beetle of the Namib Desert will leave us all breathless as it climbs to the top of the dunes to ingeniously collect moisture from the mist that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Sand Dunes of Paoay offers several activities for thrill-seekers and adventurers. How do locals preserve this natural wonder? The leader of an off-road riders’ group who has put up measures to protect the environment will enlighten us all in a chat with Dingdong.

Learn more about the Philippine warty pig or baboy damo in the animated trivia segment. What does it eat? Where is it found?  How many of its kind are still left? Dingdong has the answers.

Directed by Rico Gutierrez, “AMAZING EARTH,” airs every Sunday after “24 Oras Weekend.” Make it a family habit to explore, enjoy and learn with DINGDONG DANTES about our one and only planet in “AMAZING EARTH!”

CCP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF GAWAD CCP PARA SA ALTERNATIBONG PELIKULA AT VIDEO

THE Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film and video competition in Asia, celebrates 30 years of discovering and developing cinematic talents in the country.

Established in 1987, the Gawad Alternatibo annually cites the best efforts of Filipino filmmakers in four categories – Animation, Experimental, Documentary and Short Feature. The 30th edition of the film and video competition will run on August 4 to 6, 2018 at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

On August 4, catch the Animation Program A at 3:30pm; Documentary Program A, at 6:15pm.

Short Feature Category entries are divided into seven groups. The first three groups of the Short Feature Program will be shown on August 4, starting with Short Feature Program A at 10am; Short Feature Program B, at 12:45pm; Short Feature Program C at 9pm.

Animation Program B will be screened on August 5, 3:30pm; Documentary Program B, which will run on August 5, at 12:45pm; Experimental Program A will be on August 5,
at 6:15pm. Short Feature screening continues with Short Feature Program D on August 5, at 10am, followed by Short Feature Program E at 9pm.

Don't miss Experimental Program B, on August 6, at 12:45pm; Documentary Program C on August 6, 3:30pm. Short Feature Program F will be screened at 10am, and Short
Feature Program G at 6:15pm.

There will also be an exhibition that highlights the 30 year history of CCP Gawad Alternatibo, on view from August 3 to September 23, at the CCP Main Gallery.

The awarding and closing ceremony will be on August 6, 8:30pm, at Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Screenings of the Gawad Alternatibo films and videos is free to the public, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Ika-30 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video is part of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, happening on August 3 to 12, at the CCP theaters
and Ayala Malls Cinemas. A project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Established in 2005, Cinemalaya is an all-digital film festival
and competition that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers.

For complete schedule, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph, www.cinemalaya.org or Cinemalaya official Facebook page. You may also call CCP Media Arts at 832-1125 local
1704 to 1705. For ticket inquiries, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.

Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros’ trending OOTD got netizens guessing who’s wearing bagong bili o bagong laba

What’s the worst thing that can happen when you are wearing your nicest OOTD? For showbiz stars like Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros, it’s bumping into each other, wearing exactly the same outfit and wondering who actually wore it better. But since these two ladies are not going to settle the score just like that, they both asked the bigger, more interesting question—are the outfits bagong bili or bagong laba?

The question confused the minds of everyone, going viral on social media as fellow momshies weighed in and argued whether their idol’s outfits was bagong bili or bagong laba. But even as the arguments rocked social media, no one could figure out the answer as both the outfits of Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros looked like new.

To solve the great mystery once and for all, Tide hosted “Bagong Bili o Bagong Laba Fashion Walk-Off”, an interactive fashion show last July 31 at White Space, Makati. Excited guests took part in a game that proved how brand new whites look no different from clothes washed with Tide.

Kicking off the fashion show were Luis Manzano and the Solomon brothers,  and celebrity kids Awra Briguela, and Mela Francisco. After all the models strutted to confuse the crowd even more. Alex and Melai graced the stage with a grand walk off and cheered on the audience to make their best guess --  “Bagong Bili or Bagong Laba?”.

Ending the show was a grand reveal of the models removing their tags to see who wore the bagong laba and the bagong bili outfits – astounding everyone in the audience because there was no difference in the whiteness of the clothes that the models wore!

“Sobrang nagulat ako sa fact na ako pala may suot ng bagong laba! As in wow, nakakagulat talaga kasi for me, feeling ko bagong bili suot ko! Totoo talaga na sa isang laba, mukhang bago, kapag Tide,” said Alex, whose bagong laba clothes definitely look brand new.

Melai, who turns out to have been wearing the brand new outfit, added that “Amazing ang whitening powers ng Tide. From now on, hindi na talaga kailangan bumili parati ng bagong damit para mag mukhang bongga ang outfits mo. With Tide, para ka na ring nakasuot ng bago.”

Just like everyone in the audience, it’s hard to tell the difference between bagong bili and bagong laba with Tide.  

“We know how important it is for Filipinos to have the best-looking uniforms and everyday wear, but we also know that with repeated use, clothes usually look dingy. That’s why we’re delighted to present Tide, which in one wash, keeps clothes looking like new.” ends Procter & Gamble’s Country Marketing Manager for Laundry, Jonn Terence Dy.

With its great cleaning power that removes dirt while brightening whites, your OOTDs can still have that “looks like new” look even after repeated usage, getting that surprising wow from everyone.

Sa Tide,  sa isang laba, mukhang bago!