Judy Ann Santos and Joey Reyes speaks out on rift with Alfie Lorenzo

http://www.push.com.ph/features/8282/judy-ann-santos-and-joey-reyes-speaks-out-on-rift-with-alfie-lorenzo/

8/18/2012 1:02 AM

by: Krissa Donida

Sa thanksgiving na ginanap para sa pagkapanalo ng Cinemalaya Entry na Mumunting Lihim sa apat na major awards kasama na dito ang pagkapanalo ni Judy Ann Santos bilang Best Actress, nakapanayam ang Queen of Teleserye tungkol sa relasyon nila ngayon ng kanyang manager na si Alfie Lorenzo. Unang napabalita ang away diumano nina Alfie at Judy Ann dahil sa hindi nito pagpayag na makatambal si Sam Milby. At ngayon ngang sinisimulan na ang shooting ng kanilang teleserye, naitanong namin kung kamusta na ang relasyon nila ng manager at ayon kay Judai, “Kami naman ni Tito Alfie parati namang ganun, hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman niyo yan. May mga moments at napapadalas angmoments na yan na may mga tampuhan sohindi naiiwasan at hindi ko naman din gustong iwasan yung mga ganyan kasi sa ganung mga paraan matututo ka rin. I am sure one way or another si Tito Alfie may natutunan din.”

Ngunit idiniin naman ni Judai na kahit napapadalas ang mga pinagdadaanan nilang hindi pagkakaintindihan ng kanyang manager, nag-uusap pa rin sila at bukas ang kanilang komunikasyon sa isa’t isa lalo pa at nung mga panahong nanalasa ang Habagat. “Tinawagan ko siya nung panahon na may Habagat kasi sa may Panay (Quezon City, isa sa mga lugar na apektado ng baha) siya nakatiraso nag-alala ako baka nabaha na siya eh si Tito Alfie naman parang may pagsa-lili pong ayaw niyang magpa-rescue, dun lang siya sa bahay niya so kinamusta ko.”

Isa din sa mga itinuturong dahilan din ng kanilang hindi pagkakasundo ng talent manager ay dahil sa pagpayag at paggawa ni Judai ng indie film ngunit ayon kay Judai masasabing maayos na sila ng talent manager. “Okay naman, nagtext siya sa akin. Tinanong niya kung nanalo ako ng Best Actress,sabi ko, opo.”

At sa panayam ng programang Cinemanews tungkol sa isyung ito sa direktor ng Mumunting Lihim na si Joey Reyes umamin ito na naipit din siya hindi pagkakaintindihan nina Judai at ng kanyang manager. “Ako nag-apologize, dahil inaamin ko naman pagkukulang ko yun. It was an oversight on my part, miscommunication and I apologized kasi inaamin ko naman na ako may mali doon. I know nagalit si Alfie with a reason, tinatanggap ko kung anong mga batikos niya sa akin dahil sa pangyayari na yun.”

Nais na din ng award-winning director na matapos na ang kaguluhang namamagitan sa kanila. “I hope at this point after all that is said and done, na tapos na, matagal din naman ang pagkakakilala sa akin ni Alfie at matagal ko na rin kilala si Alfie. Wala namang samahan na hindi merong kaunting hindi pagkakaintindihan, pero para sa akin tapos na yun, sana tapos na rin sa kanya kasi malaki ang respeto ko sa kanya.”

Natanong din kung nagkaroon na ba sila ng pagkakaton na magkausap ng manager at ang sagot ni Direk Joey, “Hindi pa. Wala pa namang pagkakataon na mag-usap kami pero I think when we bump into each other it will still be the same na magtatawanan kami, I hope so.”

Judy Ann Santos settles issue with manager Alfie Lorenzo after the floods

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/270082/showbiz/judy-ann-santos-settles-issue-with-manager-alfie-lorenzo-after-the-floods

August 16, 2012 8:48pm

Magkakaroon na ng commercial release ang Cinemalaya 2012 Directors’ Showcase entry na Mga Mumunting Lihim simula sa August 22.

Tampok sa pelikulang ito ni Jose Javier Reyes sina Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, at Janice de Belen.

Sa awards night ng Cinemalaya 2012 ay iginawad sa apat na aktres ang Best Ensemble para sa pagganap nila sa pelikula. Ibig sabihin, pinagsama ang mga kategoryang Best Actress at Best Supporting Actress.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagbigay ng ganitong klaseng parangal ang bumubuo ng taunang independent film festival.

Sa presscon ng Mga Mumunting Lihim noong Martes, August 14, sa Guilly’s Restaurant sa Tomas Morato, Quezon City, ay nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Judy Ann.

Ano ang pakiramdam sa napanalunan nilang award sa Cinemalaya?

“Alam mo, hindi ako makapaniwala… ‘Talaga ba ito? Nangyayari ba talaga ito? Sobra-sobra naman na ito!

“Cinemalaya, maraming salamat talaga.

“Yung validity ba na yung first Cinemalaya entry mo ay nakasungkit ka ng dalawang award, nakatsamba ka na naman, sobra kong thankful talaga," saad ng aktres.

JUDAY'S REACTION. Hindi naka-attend si Juday noong awards night ng Cinemalaya, at tanging si Iza Calzado ang tumanggap ng Balanghai trophy para sa kanilang apat.

Pero ano ang unang reaksiyon ni Judy Ann nang malamang sila ang nanalo?

“Si Direk Joey, siya ang nag-text sa akin.

“Sigaw ako nang sigaw sa bahay. Nasa kuwarto si Ryan [Agoncillo, her husband], nasa kusina ako, sigaw ako nang sigaw.

“Takang-taka mga kasamahan ko sa bahay, sabi nila, ‘Bakit? Bakit?’

“Sigaw ako nang sigaw na, ‘Oh, my God, nanalo ako ng Best Supporting Actress!’

“Tapos second text ni Direk Joey, Best Actress din.

“Alam mo yung ang taas-taas-taas na ng roller coaster ko… ‘Grabe na ito, ano pang susunod dito? Parang ang next nito, heart attack na!’ Yung ganun.

“Happy talaga ako.

“Tapos ngayon, nalaman ko na Graded A pa siya ng MTRCB, so mas maraming makakapanood talaga.

“Thank you talaga," tuluy-tuloy na sabi ni Judy Ann.

COMMERCIAL RUN. In-expect niya bang magkakaroon ng commercial run ang Mga Mumunting Lihim?

“Hindi, kasi, di ba, usually pag Cinemalaya, sa Cinemalaya mo lang talaga mapapanood?

“Pero kadalasan naman pag Cinemalaya entry at hindi mo napanood dahil nakaligtaan mo, aabangan mo na lang sa DVD.

“Sa pagkakataong ito, may second run para dun sa mga hindi nakapanood.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Cinemalaya kasi in-allow nila na ipalabas ito commercially."

May balak din bang isali ang kanilang pelikula sa international film festivals?

“Sana! Suntok sa buwan, pero sana.

“Malay mo naman, may mga simpleng pelikula na lumalaban talaga sa ibang bansa, di ba?

“Kung mabigyan ng pagkakataon, bakit naman hindi?

“Bilib na bilib ako kay Direk Joey, bilib ako sa pelikulang ito.

“Alam mo yung malalim na hindi malalim, yun siya, e—hindi ko ma-explain yung pelikula.

“Pero see for yourself kung anong meron na movie na ito."

ALL'S WELL WITH TITO ALFIE. Kinumusta rin ng PEP kay Judy Ann ang kanyang manager na si Alfie Lorenzo.

Matatandaang nagkaroon ng tampuhan ang dalawa nang tanggapin ni Judy Ann ang Mga Mumunting Lihim nang walang permiso ni Alfie.

Sabi ni Judy Ann, “Oo naman, alam mo naman kami, sadyang ganyan lang kami, alam niyo ‘yan."

Nung nanalo ba siya ng award sa Cinemalaya, yun ang naging hudyat ng pagbabati nila ni Tito Alfie?

“Feeling ko, kasi tinanong niya ako, ‘Best Actress ka daw?’

“Sabi ko, ‘Opo.’

“Tapos, ayun na. Kinumusta ko na siya nitong huling bagyo, tinanong ko kung okay siya.

“Kasi medyo nababaha siya rito sa Panay Avenue.

“Siyempre, siya rin yung isa sa mga taong pumasok sa isip ko nung baha. Maliban kay Gladys at sa mommy ni Beth."

Sina Gladys Reyes at Beth Tamayo ang dalawa sa pinakamalapit na kaibigan ni Judy Ann.

“Tsinek ko kung okay sila kasi nag-aalala rin naman ako. Inalam ko kung okay siya.

“Kasi ‘yang si Tito Alfie, may pagka-lilypad, lumulutang lang sa baha.

"Pero hindi talaga umaalis sa bahay niya. Kahit lumubog na bahay nila, hindi talaga siya aalis.

“Bilib din naman ako sa katapangan ni Tito Alfie pagdating diyan. Kalmado lang siya kahit yung ibang tao ay natataranta na sa baha.

“Yun, kinumusta ko siya, kasi ako mismo, kinakabahan sa kanya.

“Ayun, maayos kaming nag-uusap, I guess okay na kami," saad ni Judy Ann. -- Allan Sancon, PEP

2012 Cinemalaya Winners Hailed; Cinemalaya Chair On Film Fest’s Future

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

July 30, 2012, 8:27am

Mes de Guzman's 'Diablo' and Jose Javier Reyes' 'Mga Mumunting Lihim' are the 8th Cinemalaya's biggest winners (Stills courtesy of cinemalaya.org)

 MANILA, Philippines – Despite the controversies that Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has weathered through the years, Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. Chairman Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco affirmed that the eight-year-old event will go on.
“Cinemalaya will survive… It will live on in our budding and seasoned filmmakers, in our audience and in all those who have been exposed to Cinemalaya – its experience in one form or another this past eight years. The Cinemalaya spirit will invade the local film industry, the homes and media devices of our audience, and the Internet,” Cojuangco said in his speech during the festival’s awards ceremony held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Sunday night.
This came with his announcement that the foundation “[will] be inviting four to five of this year’s filmmakers to enter their films in the Rome Film Festival this November.
“Cinemalaya has agreed to foot travel expense as the Rome Film Festival will graciously take care of board and lodging,” he added.
Still on a positive note, Cojuangco stated, “We will dream Cinemalaya. The world will dream Cinemalaya. We all will live Cinemalaya. Mabuhay ang Cinemalaya.”
Winners
Mes de Guzman’s “Diablo” and Jose Javier Reyes’ “Mga Mumunting Lihim” under the New Breed and Directors Showcase categories, respectively, are this year's biggest winners with four Balanghai trophies each.
“Mga Mumunting Lihim,” Reyes’ independent film debut, won Best Editing, Best Screenplay, and both the Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress nods for the ensemble cast composed of Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Iza Calzado. On the other hand, “Diablo” clinched the Best Cinematography, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Film awards. It was also hailed one of the two NETPAC awardees this year, along with Jun Robles Lana's entry, "Bwakaw" which was part of the Directors Showcase category.
Still under the Director’s Showcase, “Mga Mumunting Lihim” is followed by Raymond Red’s “Kamera Obskura” and Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Kalayaan” with three awards apiece. “Kamera Obskura” took home the Balanghai trophies for Special Jury Prize, Best Original Musical Score and Best Director; while the other received those for Best Sound, Best Production Design and Best Cinematography.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Fajardo’s “Posas” received the honors for Best Supporting Actor and Best Film. Apart from the NETPAC award, “Bwakaw” also received the trophy for Best Actor, and was hailed the Audience’s Choice under this category.
As for the New Breed, Loy Arcena’s “Requieme!” and Lem Lorca’s “Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino” comes after “Diablo” with two awards each. These are Best Screenplay and the Special Jury Prize; and Best Production Design and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
Vincent Sandoval’s “Aparisyon,” Gino Santos’ “The Animals,” Emmanuel Quindo Palo’s “Sta. Nina,” Paul Sta. Ana’s “Oros” and Marie Jamora’s “Ang Nawawala” was given a Balanghai each for Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor and Best Original Musical Score, respectively. Jamora’s entry was also named the New Breed Audience’s Choice.
Conversely, Jarell Serencio won Best Film under the Short Feature category, while Sheron Dayoc was hailed Best Director for “As He Sleeps.” Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s “Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong” and Richard Legaspi’s “Manenaya” also got a Balanghai for Best Screenplay and the Special Jury Prize, respectively. Hannah Espia’s “Ruweda” was hailed the Short Feature Audience’s Choice.
In all, there were 25 competing films this year: five under the Directors Showcase category, 10 under Short Films category and 10 under the New Breed category. All the winners received the coveted Balanghai trophies and cash prizes.
Below is the complete list of the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival winners:
Short Feature
Audience’s Choice: “Ruweda,” Hannah Espia
Best Screenplay: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (“Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong”)
Special Jury Prize: “Manenaya,” Richard Legaspi
Best Director: Sheron Dayoc (“As He Sleeps”)
Best Film: “Victor,” Jarell Serencio
Directors Showcase
Audience’s Choice: “Bwakaw,” Jun Robles Lana
Special Jury Prize: “Kamera Obskura,” Raymond Red
Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila (“Kalayaan”)
Best Original Musical Score: Diwa de Leon (“Kamera Obskura”)
Best Editing: Vanessa de Leon (“Mga Mumunting Lihim”)
Best Production Design: Adolfo Alix Jr. (“Kalayaan”)
Best Cinematography: Albert Banzon (“Kalayaan”)
Best Screenplay: Jose Javier Reyes (“Mga Mumunting Lihim”)
Best Supporting Performance of an Actor: Art Acuna (“Posas”)
Best Supporting Performance of an Actress: Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Iza Calzado (“Mga Mumunting Lihim”)
Best Performance of an Actor: Eddie Garcia (“Bwakaw”)
Best Performance of an Actress: Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Iza Calzado (“Mga Mumunting Lihim”)
Best Director: Raymond Red (“Kamera Obskura”)
Best Film: “Posas,” Lawrence Fajardo
Full Length Feature Film New Breed
Audience’s Choice: “Ang Nawawala,” Marie Jamora
Best Sound: Mike Idioma and Addis Tabong (“Aparisyon”)
Best Original Musical Score: Mikey Amistoso, Diego Mapa and Jazz Nicolas (“Ang Nawawala”)
Best Editing: John Wong and Rona delos Reyes (“The Animals”)
Best Production Design: Benjamin Payumo (“Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino”)
Best Cinematography: Tristan Salas (“Diablo”)
Best Screenplay: Rody Vera (“REquieme!”)
Best Supporting Performance of an Actor: Joross Gamboa (“Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino”)
Best Supporting Performance of an Actress: Anita Linda (“Sta. Nina”)
Best Performance of an Actor: Kristoffer King (“Oros”)
Best Performance of an Actress: Ama Quiambao (“Diablo”)
Special Jury Prize: “REquieme!” Loy Arcenas
Best Director: Mes de Guzman (“Diablo”)
Best Film: “Diablo,” Mes de Guzman
Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award
Director’s Showcase: “Bwakaw,” Jun Robles Lana
Full Length Feature Film New Breed: “Diablo,” Mes de Guzman

Iza Calzado, Judy Ann Santos, Eddie Gutierrez, wagi sa Cinemalaya

http://www.bomboradyo.com/news/entertainment-news/122602-iza-calzado-judy-ann-santos-eddie-gutierrez-wagi-sa-cinemalaya

Monday, 30 July 2012 08:19

Naiuwi nina Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos at Agot Isidro ang best actress award sa ginanap na Cinemalaya 2012 Awards night na ginanap kagabi sa CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Ang apat ay bida sa pelikulang "Mga Mumunting Lihim" sa Directors' Showcase category.

Sina Iza, Janice, Juday at Agot din ang kinalalang Best Supporting Actress sa naturang kategorya.

Best actor naman sa nasabing kategorya si Eddie Garcia para sa "Bwakaw."

Sa Full Length category, nasungkit ni Ama Quiambao ang Best Actress Trophy para sa "Diablo" habang Best Actor si Kristoffer King para sa "Oros."

Ang "Diablo" ang kinilalang Best Picture para sa Full Length category habang ang "Posas" naman ang best film sa Directors' Showcase category.

Ang "Victor" ang kinilalang Best Picture sa Short Film category.

Narito ang mga nanalo sa 2012 Cinemalaya Awards:

Full Length Category (New Breed)

Best Picture: "Diablo"

Special Jury Prize: "REquime!" by Loy Arcenas
Audience Choice: "Ang Nawawala"
Best Director: Mes de Guzman, "Diablo"
Best Actress: Ama Quiambao, "Diablo"
Best Actor: Kristoffer King, "Oros"
Best Supporting Actress: Anita Linda, "Santa Niña"
Best Supporting Actor: Joross Gamboa, "Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino"
Best Screenplay: Rody Vera, "REquime!"
Best Cinematography: Tristan Salas, "Diablo"
Best Production Design: Benjamin Payumo, "Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino"
Best Editing: John Wong and Rona delos Reyes, "The Animals"
Best Original Music Score: Mikey Amistoso, Diego Mapa and Jazz Nicolas, "Ang Nawawala"
Best Sound: Albert Michael Idioma, "Aparisyon"
NETPAC Award: "Diablo"

Directors' Showcase

Best Picture: "Posas"
Special Jury Prize: "Kamera Obskura" by Raymond Red
Audience Choice: "Bwakaw"
Best Director: Raymond Red, "Kamera Obskura"
Best Actress: Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos & Agot Isidro (ensemble), "Mga Mumunting Lihim"
Best Actor: Eddie Garcia, "Bwakaw"
Best Supporting Actress: Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos & Agot Isidro (ensemble), "Mga Mumunting Lihim"
Best Supporting Actor: Art Acuna, "Posas"
Best Screenplay: Jose Javier Reyes, "Mga Mumunting Lihim"
Best Cinematography: Albert Banzon, "Kalayaan"
Best Production Design: Adolfo Alix Jr., "Kalayaan"
Best Editing: Vanessa de Leon, "Mga Mumunting Lihim"
Best Original Musical Score: Diwa de Leon, "Kamera Obskura"
Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila, "Kalayaan"
NETPAC Award: "Bwakaw"

Short Film

Best Picture: "Victor"
Special Jury Prize: "Manenaya"
Audience Choice: "Rueda"
Best Director: Sheron Dayoc, "As He Sleeps"
Best Screenplay: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, "Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong"

When Secrets Aren't Friendly Ghosts

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/367191/when-secrets-arent-friendly-ghosts

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

July 24, 2012, 3:02pm

Every friend has a secret. How long can one keep it? (Promotional photo)

At onset, “Mga Mumunting Lihim (‘Those Little Secrets’)” gives the impression of a “grand” film in that it boasts a stellar cast, primarily composed of mainstream thespians, and an esteemed director. But in truth, it’s an unassuming yet cleverly crafted story in homage to one of the most beautiful relationships in the world: friendship.

For a first-timer in the indie film scene, writer-director Joey Reyes brilliantly applies his expertise on storytelling and his keen sense of humanity to deliver a story that warms the heart and provokes the mind. He boldly presents his characters in their most human—they cuss if they're enraged, laugh as if it’s their last night on earth, work their arse off either for someone (including themselves), or they just had to because they feel lost in their own path.

 

Friendship tales may well be one of the most underutilized in cinema; well, at least locally—staples at the tills are usually the family-oriented, boy-meets-girl types of features. “Mga Mumunting Lihim” fills that void. Minute by minute, we couldn’t help but identify with Mariel (Judy Ann Santos), Carly (Iza Calzado), Sandra (Agot Isidro), or Olive (Janice De Belen). Are you the bossy type? The silent tiger? Dependant on others? Materialistic?

 

“Mga Mumunting Lihim” takes off unconventionally with a necrological service for the death of Mariel. As the film unfolds, Carly “inherits” Mariel’s box of journals. Little did she know that the accounts in the latter’s diaries would haunt them far worse than her ghost could ever have. Surprise, surprise: too much familiarity doesn’t guarantee a key to one’s deepest secrets or all-important trust.

 

Throughout the film, Direk Joey uses various storytelling techniques that takes viewers deeper into the intertwined lives of the four characters. He touched and tickled us in the right places and at the right time. The script brought to life no-nonsense women caught whether in moments of random musings, wild, public confrontations (the highlight of the film that will leave you laughing and applauding), or more poignant reflections on life, love, and loss.

 

In this film, we find Judy Ann, Iza, Agot, and Janice at their rawest and best. Four talented actresses with so much to give, yet there never was a moment that felt like we’re witnessing an acting showdown. And while it’s the first time we’ve seen them on the same frame together, their chemistry seemed so defined. It was as if they’ve been friends in real life since they were in kindergarten.

 

“Mga Mumunting Lihim” is part of the Director’s Showcase of the 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival which runs from July 20 to 29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Trinoma, and Greenbelt.

Cinemalaya 2012: Thoughts on Kamera Obskura and Mga Mumunting Lihim

http://wetalkaboutmovies.com/2012/07/22/cinemalaya-2012-thoughts-on-kamera-obskura-and-mga-munting-lihim/

In Kamera Obskura, Raymond Red seemed like he wanted to say something about the current state of Philippine politics, but he certainly didn’t say it well and I’m not even sure if he said it at all.

This silent film boasts of excellent cinematography, with Red showing his masterful eye for visual direction with the film’s great play on light, darkness and the shadows that mark their interactions. The opening sequence, in particular, was well-shot and featured a clever take on perspective. But the film is weighed down by the heavy-handed use of vague political metaphors and the film’s crutch on title cards. I spent a lot of time reading the long, verbose written dialogue instead of letting the action speak for itself, which is what makes silent films great to begin with. And the movie’s cast including Pen Medina and Joel Torre was surely more than capable of conveying thoughts and ideas without the use of words.

Furthermore, there was something very off-putting about the structure of the film itself. The silent movie is actually a movie within a movie. It is book-ended by scenes featuring the critics and archivists who supposedly found the reel hailing the film as a great piece of subversive art instead of the movie leaving it up to the audience to decide its merits. Because if you ask me, the film’s incoherent political message, unoriginal critique on government (yes, we know that Philippine bureaucracy is rotten and corrupt — what are you adding to the conversation?) and sense of self-importance make Kamera Obskura fall short of greatness.

Joey Reyes’ film is a refreshing dramedy that showcases fine acting from the film’s four actresses. Upon the death of Mariel (Judy Ann-Santos), she leaves behind a box of diaries to her best friend Carla (Iza Calsado) containing her thoughts and feelings towards her and their two other friends, Sandy (Agot Isidro) and Olive (Janice de Belen). This movie is about the purging and exorcising of the secrets that lay hidden in their friendship, and the catharsis that comes along with the unveiling of these truths that may be better left unexpressed.

What makes this movie work is its script that realistically captures the complications that normally come even with the best of friendships. The backstabbing, the competitiveness, the toleration of each other’s flaws — these are all ironically part and parcel of any barkada, especially those that have lasted for a very long time. The movie examines the underlying bases of real, enduring camaraderies and the extent to which we can take crap from the people closest to us.

Great care has been taken in the writing of the four main characters, with each of them having distinct personalities and faults. Janice de Belen definitely steals the show, with her character’s frank humor and moments of tenderness and genuine sincerity making her irresistible and entertaining to watch.

Where the film falls short is in its final act where you can feel the movie overextend its stay. There are lots of moments when the movie could’ve ended, but it just goes on and on even if its not progressing the story in any way. There are also some scenes that employ shaky camera work, perhaps to achieve a sense of realism or authenticity, but it makes the quality of those sequences amateurish. But overall, the film’s tight script and the way it reaches back to its characters’ personal histories and condenses it all in the present proves that if you have a good story, you just need to tell it well to make a good movie. If only mainstream Philippine cinema were more like this.

news Young superstar Judy Ann Santos and Thai actor Ananda Everingham topbill Director's Showcase entries in Cinemalaya 2012

 http://www.pep.ph/news/34652/young-superstar-judy-ann-santos-and-thai-actor-ananda-everingham-topbill-directors-showcase-entries-in-cinemalaya-2012/1/3

 ***snipped

-------------------
Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets). Sa panulat at direksiyon ni Jose Javier Reyes, ang Mga Mumunting Lihim ay masasabing may "pinaka-komersiyal" na lineup ng mga nagsiganap na artista.
Pawang so-called "mainstream actors" ang mga bidang artista ng obra: Janice de Belen, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, at Judy Ann Santos.


"Tungkol ito sa apat na magkaka-barkada," simulang banggit ni Joey sa PEP.
"Yes, it's about their quirks... but no, it's not feminist nor social realist story.

"It's about friendship. Iba ang role dito ni Judy Ann, dahil siya ang kontrabida or bida-kontrabida.
"Si Janice was a replacement for Eugene [Domingo]. Uge was the original choice for the role, but Janice did equally well, I must say. I'm so happy she accepted the role.
"Well, of course, Iza Calzado ang Agot Isidro are both fine actresses, ‘tulad nina Janice at Juday.
“With these people making up my movie's cast, what more is there to ask for?
"Grabeng blessing ito, sa casting pa lang!" overwhelmed na wika rin ni Direk Joey.
Sa pagiging super busy, especially ni Juday, paano napapayag si Direk Joey na makuha ang serbisyo nito?
Joey smiles, "Well, sinabi ko lang, 'Juday, puwede mo ba akong bigyan ng apat na araw ng buhay mo para sa Cinemalaya?'
"'Okey,' sabi niya. Ni hindi nga niya tinanong yung role. Ganun kami magmahalan!"
Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets) is Joey’s first Directors’ Showcase entry for the annual Cinemalaya Filmfest.
It's produced under his new film outfit called Largavista—which replaced Available Light Productions upon the death of one of its incorporators, the late production designer and director Don Escudero.
"We plan to do more indie films. I'm looking for young directors who I'll look for financiers so we can have their careers launched."
With Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets), Joey is happy that his entry was finished ahead of schedule given by Cinemalaya.
"Masaya kami at excited din ako sa mga kasama ko [sa Directors' Showcase category].

"For me, it's not a competition but more of a camaraderie.”