Monday, December 31, 2012

Anomalya Ni Andres De Saya : Part III




**** Production Company: Bukang Liwayway Films ****

Third episode of Andres love story, this proves the strength of his marriage with Matilde after the storms.

The story was even challenged by the 10 million pesos which was accidentally put under Andres custody and made him sneak out to liberate himself and be a master even for a while.

But his being Andres de Saya doesn't talk about money, it talks about Matilde's power over him.

**** Directed by Carlo J. Caparas ****


Andres De Saya 2 : Mabagsik Na Daw




**** Production Company: Bukang Liwayway Films ****

Andres De Saya 2 as portrayed by Vic Vargas is a depiction of quite a few husband who happen or perhaps preordain to live under their wife's skirt.

Believing that his life will change when his wife Matilde (Gloria Diaz) left him to work overseas, he started his so-called new identity being a real man to the point of marrying another woman Viviana (Carmi Martin).

The return of Matilde put his enjoyment to a pause... letting him think either to rewind his life being Andres De Saya or to fast it forward and move on to a new day.

**** Directed by Carlo J. Caparas ****


Andres De Saya




**** Production Company: Bukang Liwayway Films ****

A depiction of a husband who is not typical in Filipino culture.

Andres de Saya featured Andres (Vic Vargas) who, after their marriage vow choose to submit himself totally to his wife Matilde (Gloria Diaz).

Is it a matter of choice or a matter of fate?

Andres and Matilde will answer it as they unfold their funny and exciting story!


Mga Mata Ni Angelita




**** Production Company: Larry Santiago Productions Inc. / Aquarius Records ****

A star-studded film featuring a blind orphan named Angelita (Julie Vega) who was found unconcious by the groups of nuns after Belen (Gloria Sevilla) attempted to kill her by letting her walk straight ahead on the edge of the cliff.

In the monastery, she started her deep devotion to Virgin Mary in the convent which was last seen missing her pair of eyes.

Angelita started to search for her parents and along her way, touched various lives both poor and rich until she found her mother, Janet (Helen Gamboa).


Batch 81




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

Seven guys. Seven lives.

One batch. One fraternity.

Initiation time once again and Alpha Kappa Omega listed 7 different guys within the university to be the Batch '81.

Together, this group must stick with each other until the end of the initiation.

But it was harder than they expected and soon they felt like giving up.

Batch '81 examines the lives of seven neophytes as they strive to enter a Greek letter fraternity through a difficult hazing process.

The entire experience is seen through the eyes of Sid Lucero, one of the neophytes.

**** Directed by Mike De Leon. ****


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Syempre, Ikaw Lang - Ang Syota Kong Imported




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films / Ivory Music and Video ****

Pepito works as bellboy at a 5-star hotel along with his friend and together they save money to support their studies.

All went well for him until a beautiful regal looking lady Soraya stayed in the hotel.

Smitten by love, he desperately found himself doing almost everything possible to woe the woman of his dreams.


Friday, December 28, 2012

Lab en Kisses




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films / M-ZET Films / Cinemax Studios Inc ****

This is the story of an odd couple, Labrador, a woman hater and Kisses, a stubborn stow away from Cebu, who is trying to escape her uncle who pushes her to marry a man she doesn’t love.

A love and hate relationship brew between the two until they found themselves facing the same odds…

but this time, together.

**** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes ****


Batang X (1995)




**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

Batang X is a movie in the Philippines in 1995 under Regal Films. It is about 5 children with superhuman abilities. These 5 children were kidnapped by the alien Dr. Axis to help her steal energy sources for her spaceship.

**** Directed by  Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes ****


Spirit Warriors 2: The Shortcut




**** Production Company: Regal Films / MAQ Productions / RoadRunner Network Inc ****

Taking from where they last left off, the Spirit Warriors stumble upon a black hole to the Netherworld in their search for an ancient mystical and powerful amulet.

Now that they found a way in, comes the problem of how to get back.

Especially as the Netherworld’s dark denizens spring into action to give the spirit warriors a taste of their gruesome neverland hospitality.

**** Directed by Chito S. Roño ****


Spirit Warriors




**** Production Company: Regal Films / MAQ Production Inc / RoadRunner Network ****

A group of high school friends get themselves deep into ghost-hunting where they met Ulanaya, a malevolent spirit who can take many forms.

***** Directed by Chito S. Roño *****


Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington




**** Production Company: Origin8Media *****

Remington is in love with Hannah but she finds him lazy and uncouth.

Then he starts to change.

Suddenly he is becoming neater, nicer, more sensitive.

Is he doing it for her?

Or is something beyond his control changing him into someone he is not?

He discovers that his gradual transformation is tied to something he did long ago, to childhood transgressions and curses uttered in graveyards.

Hannah falls for the new and improved Remington, but he starts falling for someone else.

As the ghosts of Remington’s past come to haunt him, so do the the Zombadings.

Comes with Bekimon subtitle feature.

Undead, fabulous, they threaten to rock this sleepy town to death.

**** Directed by Jade Castro. ****


Spirit Of The Glass




**** Production Company: Canary Films ****

An aborted plan to fly to Boracay for the Lenten break brings a group of young people to horrors they never imagined.

What started out as fun and games brought by boredom opened doors to secrets they never wish they'd discover.

Kelly and her boyfriend, Choppy, decide to bring their friends to the young woman's ancestral house in the province.

There, together with buddies Anton and Cecille as well as Drue and Myra, the group rappled with the boredom of an isolated home in the tranquility of the far-flung areas of the city.

But it was Kelly's brother, Aries and his friend TJ who decide to play the Spirit of the Glass much against the warnings of the old caretaker, Mang Anduy.

What followed was unspeakable.

A spirit appears begging for their help. When all hell broke loose, the group decides to end the spiritual encounter unable to control the forces that they opened.

They were mistaken to think that the experience ended with the ritual. Now, Kelly and her friends are being individually haunted by the spirit.

In their final encounter, more secrets are revealed- that involves the brutal kidnapping and murder of the spirit that haunts - and the woman, who even as a spirit, he seeks to reconcile to prove his love.

**** Directed by Jose Javier Reyes ****


My House Husband, Ikaw Na!




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films ****

Nothing prepared ROD (Ryan Agoncillo) and MIA ALVAREZ (Judy Ann Santos) for the major changes that took place in their lives. ROD worked as a manager of a bank while MIA opted to remain a housewife taking care of their two children — MIGO and KAYE — with an occasional sideline of selling insurance. MIA gave up her promising career in sales because ROD wanted to be the padre de familia. For ROD, it was the role of the man to provide for his wife and children … in the same manner that there was a clear cut delineation as to what are the duties of a husband from that of the wife.

But when a larger bank merged with ROD’s employer, he found himself out of work. Overqualified in a scarce job market, ROD’s pride forbade him to reveal the truth immediately to his wife. Eventually, when he could not find employment, he had to agree to take care of the house and the two kids most especially after their trusted housekeeper had to leave for an emergency vacation.

In the process, ROD learns to do the housework — as he begins to adjust to a life of domestication which he thought was unthinkable for a man like him to find interest. And as he learned the ropes in running a household, MIA’s career in selling insurance begins to blossom. MIA was surprised to find out that all the unfulfilled potential she had in her suddenly emerged for the appreciation of her bosses in the insurance company.

Trapped at home, ROD befriends their next door neighbor named AIDA (Eugene Domingo) who everybody knows is a kept woman of a rich man who would occasionally visit her and her son to spend the night. Despite the scathing opinions hurled against AIDA, ROD discovered a completely different woman — over and above all the moral charges set against her. She was simply looking for someone who could take care of her, provide her and her son a good sense of the future. More so, she was led to believe that all women were meant to be cared for by men… and, in return, the woman sacrifices everything for that sense of belonging.

Slowly AIDA teaches ROD that there is nobility in being the caregiver of the family as well as the manager of the household. ROD, in turn, slowly opens the eyes of AIDA that she cannot depend on anybody except herself to fend for survival. AIDA was not too bright to realize that her material comforts were all too temporary because her benefactor could not provide her with a good future. As ROD and AIDA’s friendship intensifies, MIA felt all the more suspicious about their neighbor’s intentions.

But the longer it took for ROD to find a job, the sooner it was for MIA to find a new definition to her life as well as a far more impressive level of confidence. Although the couple kept the situation a secret to the rest of their clans, ROD felt even more belittled when MIA’s arrogant brother-in-law HENRY and sister CYNTHIA began to offer help . ROD did not see this as an act of sincere help but as his wife’s family making him feel all the more inferior and helpless. It also did not help that MIA’s career advancement was most impressive — so much so that ROD realized that indeed there was a role reversal in their household. Now he had become the house husband while his wife became the successful provider.

Finally ROD decides that all this must come to an end. He decided to go abroad –to try his luck in Canada. MIA willingly agreed to give up her work and prepare for the family to move elsewhere. ROD was surprised to discover that his wife was willing to give up all she had ever wanted as a career fulfillment to become a housewife again in a foreign land. In the same vein, ROD made AIDA realize that she too had to take a hold of her life and work on her own.

But as fate would have it, their luck finally changed. ROD finally found a job and he decided that if it would make MIA happy to keep her work in the insurance agency, then she should be given the chance to look for her own identity. Even AIDA, now abandoned by her benefactor, has found greater self-assurance and worth when she stopped depending on the kindness of others to give meaning to her life.

**** Directed by Jose Javier Reyes. ****


Ben Tumbling - A People's Journal Story




**** Production Company: Viva Films / AMAZALDY Film Productions *****


Story of a man who was forced to go against the law in order to fight for his own rights.

**** Directed by Diego Cagahastian ****


Babangluksa




**** Production Company: Creativeminds Films / International Productions ****

A year after the death of her friend Beatrice, Anna starts seeing things that others can't.

Fearing that Beatrice has not yet forgiven her for being the one that Carlo loves, Anna tries to communicate with the ghost of her friend.

A visit to a spirit questor reveals that Anna has opened a portal where restless spirits can enter their world.

Lives will perish unless they found out what will bring them peace.

**** Directed by Yuan Santiago. ****


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Honey Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako?




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

They are looking forward to spending a lifetime together.

A lifetime of blissful marriage. A lifetime full of love.

But their romantic tale is not meant to have a happy ending: the soon-to-be-bride dies in an accident a few days before the wedding.

All of a sudden, the once-happy groom finds himself alone, his world and his dreams shattered.

Will the grieving groom be forever haunted by the tragedy?

Or will the faithful departed come back as a ghost--- and help him go on with his life?

**** Directed by Edgardo Vinarao ****


Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi (2011)




*** Production Company: Star Cinema / OctoArts Films ****

Precy Matias a hard-working and diligent mother of two, is finally fed up with her husband, Ben's, irresponsible handling of their finances.

The money Precy had been saving was her only way to pay for a new house in Carmona to be able to get away from her condescending mother-in-law, Ursula Matias.

But that she has reached her final straw, Precy declares that she is leaving her husband.

Despite Ben's protests, she walks out of the house with her belongings.

As Precy runs to her parents' comforting arms, they hear news of her favorite cousin, Belay's return from Japan.

After 3 years as a cultural worker there, Belay has now come back to fulfill her engagement with her long-term boyfriend, Oca, get married, and settle down in the Philippines.

Close cousins Precy and Belay are reunited once more. But whilst Belay is happily dreaming and planning her wedding, Precy is seeking for a legal annulment from her spouse to be legally free from her mother-in-law.

As Precy and Belay go through the journeys of their relationships, will they truly realize what it means to be love and find the true meaning of two hearts coming together and two hearts coming apart?

**** Directed by Jose Javier Reyes. ****


Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

Director: Ben Feleo ****

Writers: Ben Feleo (story), Reynaldo Castro (story) ****

Release: 1994 ****


Tulak Ng Bibig, Kabig Ng Dibdib




**** Production Company: FLT Films International / Viva Films ****

After spending a couple of years behind bars, Lando (Robin Padilla) wins back his freedom. But his prison record has incapacitated him from landing a job. Fortunately, a friend of his knows someone who needs a driver and a bodyguard desperately. But that someone turns out to be Mariel (Maricel Soriano), the very woman whom Lando has had an encounter with. Desperate for a job. Lando agrees to work for Mariel despite his negative impression of her. As expected, their working relationship is as stormy as it can get. But love works in mysterious ways-- even the rowdiest of enemies can become more than friends.

**** Directed by Joey Del Rosario ****


The Road




**** Production Company: GMA Films / Freestyle Releasing / Jalan Distributors ****

~~~Prologue~~~

Luis (TJ Trinidad) is a successful policeman who was recently awarded for his skill in investigations despite his track record of being reckless and not following Protocols. After his award ceremony, the chief of police is approached by a woman asking for new information about her daughters who went missing 12 years ago. Luis asks the name of her daughters so he can try and find them. The woman tells him that their names are Joy and Lara Luna. Asking his partner to retrieve the missing persons file and despite his colleague, Greg, telling him not to give the woman false hopes, he sets out for his investigation.

~~~~ Story 1: 2008 ~~~~

Ella (Barbie Forteza) snuck out at night with her cousin Janine (Lexi Fernandez) and Brian (Derrick Monasterio), Janine's boyfriend to take the car belonging to Janine's mom so that the three could find somewhere quiet to learn to drive better. Ella and Brian are on bad terms because of Brian's alleged cheating on her cousin and are thus always arguing. Brian was teaching Janine how to drive for her driver's test. As the three of them drive on the highway they spot a patrol car. They panic because they don't have drivers licences. Brian tries to make a U-turn, but he accidentally drives into a fence blocking a dirt road. He gets out to check for damage and notices a gate which he opens and then gets back in the car and continues to drive down this isolated road, thinking it would be the perfect spot for them to learn to drive. As the three switch places in the car, they notice a red car which keeps on overtaking them although they never overtook it, they can't work out how it keeps getting behind them. What's worse is they notice that the car doesn't seem to have a driver. Panicking, Brian tries to get them out of the road but are in an endless loop, passing by the same tree again and again. Finally, the car stalls and Brian and Janine gets out of the car but Ella stays behind in the car. Janine tries to convince Brian to go back for her cousin but Brian refuses to do so and instead promises Janine that they will go back for her with help. As the two walk through the woods, they spot a crashed red car. Meanwhile, finally panicking, Ella leaves the car and manages to catch up with the two. Ella manages to call her father and begs for help but are then forced to leave the location and crash site that she told her father about because the car they were waiting beside suddenly bursts into flames. The three run but the two girls are separated from Brian. They manage to get back to their car but a ghost scares Janine, who was behind the wheel. Ella, in a panicked state of mind, accidentally opens her car door and falls out of the car while Janine loses control and hits her head on the wheel. As Ella opens her eyes, she screams upon seeing the ghost of a burned woman looking down at her.
A few hours later, Ella's father, Luis and some officers, appear at the same road. They find Brian dead by the corn fields and it is revealed that Janine died when she hit her head on the wheel but they are unable to find Ella. Luis and Officer Allan finds a house deep within the woods. Officer Greg tells them that he already searched the house and tells them that Ella isn't there. They also find the crashed car that the three teens passed by earlier. When Luis opens the backseat door, he sees a skeleton wearing a heart shaped locket.
The next day, they take the three bodies to the morgue. It is revealed that the skeleton corpse that they found is Lara Luna, whom her mother

~~~~ Story 2 : 1998 ~~~~

Lara (Rhian Ramos) is driving with her younger sister Joy (Louise delos Reyes) on the same dirt road. As they drive, they pass by a teenage boy walking along the road(Alden Richards) and a few feet away from him, their car overheats. They get out and then ask him where they can get water and the boy tells them that he'll give them water by his house, which is the same house Luis and the others found years later. As they wait for him outside his house, Lara senses that something is wrong and tells Joy that they should leave. As they try to, the boy comes out and hits them with a wooden stick.
Lara wakes up a few hours later, with her foot chained to a bed post. She hears Joy's screams for help and begs him to let her and her sister go. The boy takes Joy down to the basement and proceeds to savagely beat her. A few minutes later, he returns Joy to her room beside her sister's. Lara apologizes to Joy that she couldn't protect her but Joy tells her that it's not her fault. As the boy comes to take Lara, she puts up a fight and scratches his neck. For now, the boy leaves her alone. Lara notices that he dropped the keys to her chains and proceeds to take it. She tries to search for Joy but notices that she's no longer there. She manages to sneak out of the house and falls into a pit which has corpses dumped in it. She sees that one is Joy. As she cries, she apologizes once again and finally leaves. The boy, meanwhile, has taken their car and proceeds to chase Lara with it. Eventually, he gently runs her over. As Lara tries to crawl away, The boy knocks her out and wraps a plastic bag around her head and ties a belt around her neck and her hands. As he drives back to his house, Lara suddenly awakens, causing the boy to crash. He leaves the car and watches it and Lara burn.
Back to the present day, Luis takes the officers back to the same house to look for Ella. As he and Officer Allan scope around, they find a picture of the old owners of the house. As Officer Allan goes to search someplace else, Luis finds Ella, who wasn't noticed by Officer Greg. She keeps yelling at him to 'let us go home' and finally passes out as Luis holds her in his arms. Luis takes her to the rendezvous point and takes her to the ambulance. As Ella's father tries to talk to her, she says that their car stalled due to overheating and tells him that they asked a teenage boy for water, revealing that Ella is possessed by Lara. Luis and Officer Allan decide to return to the house.

~~~~ Story 3 : 1988 ~~~~

A young boy (Renz Valerio) lives with his family in the house deep in the woods. As he looks out of his window, he notices a girl named Martha (Ynna Asistio) looking for his mother. The girl was there to see if the family needed their laundry doing. It is revealed that the boy isn't allowed to come out of the house and his abusive mother Carmela (Carmina Villaroel) tells Martha to come back tomorrow morning. Mistaking her son's conversation with Martha as an attempt to go out, Carmela locks him in a cabinet. During the evening, the boy's father (Marvin Agustin), who is a preacher, comes home and lets him out of the cabinet. The reason behind his isolation is because his parents believe that the outside world is full of sin. The reason behind Carmela's bitterness is because the family is struggling financially and her husband refuses to ask money from his congregation. The next day, the boy spots Martha doing their laundry. As he comes down and watches her by the door, she invites him to come out to play but he tells her that he's not allowed to come outside. Wanting him to experience some fun, Martha comes inside with a bucket of soap and they blow bubbles. Carmela comes down and is enraged at the sight. As Martha tries to stop Carmela from hurting the boy, Carmela accidentally knocks her into the door post and Martha dies. As the boy tries to wipe the blood away, he faints. Later that night, the boy wakes up and sees his mother hugging another man. As he comes down, his father tells him to wait upstairs so he and his mother can talk. It is revealed then that Carmela plans to leave her husband and the boy for the man. The boy's father tries to convince her not to do it, but she is stubborn and decides to go through with it. As the boy was listening, he passed out by his bed. The next morning his mother woke him up to have breakfast. When he came downstairs, his father tells him that Carmela left them and his father starts to throw up due to drunkenness. The boy adamantly insists that his mother is still there and in a fit of rage, his father shows him Carmela's corpse, revealing that his father killed Carmela. Frightened, the boy locked himself in the cabinet where he sees Martha's corpse. His father tries to get him out of the cabinet but when he sees Martha's corpse, he is shocked and has a breakdown. The next morning, the boy comes out of the cabinet and when he enters his parents' room, he sees that his father hanged himself. It is revealed that the boy didn't go out of the house until he became a teenager and that the boy was the one who killed Joy and Lara Luna.

~~~~ Epilogue ~~~~~

Back to the present, Luis and Officer Allan arrive at the house and when Allan finds a room bound with a new padlock, Luis orders him to beat the door down. When he does so, he sees that the room is a bed room. As they look around, Officer Allan notices Luis' medal. Luis knocks him out, wraps his head with a sheet and seals it with a belt around his neck, revealing to the audience that the boys in the second and third parts of the movie was none other than Luis himself. He walks back to the rendezvous point as other cops search the house. As he walks, he keeps on muttering 'I'm sorry, Mama. It won't happen again.' Back at the rendezvous point, Ella's father asks her who was the boy and Ella, still possessed by Lara, points at Luis. As the Chief of Police calls out to him, Luis shoots the chief two times in the chest. He gets in his car and drives away but his car stalls. As he tries to get out, the ghosts of Joy and Lara are with him in his car. He reaches for his gun and it is shown that Lara is forcing his hand to point his gun to his chin. As he mutters 'Mama, I'm sorry', Lara forces him to shoot himself. A few minutes later, the other cops find Luis in his car, dead.
The film ends with Luis as a young boy, finally able to go outside of his house and be free from his mother.

**** Directed by Yam Laranas ****


Hitman




**** Production Company: Viva Films / CM Films ****

Seven years after his failed assassination and the murder of his family, Ben seeks revenge on Mando, master of a drug syndicate and white slavery.

Mando has ordered Tomas to silence Ben after the latter quit from being his hired killer.

Now, after waking up from coma, Ben meticulously plans his move.

Along the way, he meets Gina, who stirs warm feelings in him despite his wrath.

But Gina happens to be the daughter of the very man he wants to kill.

**** Directed by Cesar Montano. ****

Carnap King - The Randy Padilla Story




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

The story of the most delinquent of the Padilla brothers. Randy was a problem child to his father. This conflict led him to leave and stay with his mother who love him so much. His reputation as a bad boy was stuck when he stole a car to impress a girl. When it became a habit, a notorious crime group later approached him. This led him to gain power, money, influence and unfortunately, his demise.

**** Directed by Deo Fajardo Jr ****


Maruja (1996)




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

Maruja and Gabriel were madly in love with each other but Maruja's parents disapproved of their relationship because of their class differences. Maruja was forced to marry Rodrigo, the captain of the civil guards, to ensure their fortune. But right after the marriage, the same night, she took her own life with a promise to Gabriel that they would be reunited someday. One hundred years later, Maruja was reincarnated as Cristy. She sees flashes from the past, memories that are not hers. She connects all the pieces together and was finally reunited with an aged and dying Gabriel.

**** Directed by Jose Javier Reyes ****


O Ha! Ako Pa? (1995)




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films / Ivory Music and Video ****

This is a story about the tenants of an exclusive village and the security force hired to protect them. Ryan is a stupid but honest security guard while Enchong is a clever country boy who comes to the big city to live with his cousin Stefen.

When Enchong arrives, things will never be the same again for Ryan and the community but romance fills the air and love conquers all.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films ****

Ramon is a successful restauranteur and musician.

He lives alone with his son after the death of his wife.

In the same condominium lives Donna, a single mother and night club singer.

She asked her cousin Myrna to live with her to be her child's babysitter.

When Ramon and Myrna met, they both felt something for each other.

***** Directed by Laurice Guillen ****


Mano Po 6 (A Mother's Love)




**** Production Company: Regal Films *****

Melinda Uy is a billionaire widow whose life is a rags-to-riches story.

The daughter of a Chinese immigrant and a Filipino small businessman, Melinda had been a victim of discrimination in the local Chinese community, being only half-Chinese.

Melinda was only in her late teens when she got married to Alfonso Uy, the scion of the wealthy Uy clan.

But Alfonso’s parents frown upon the marriage, believing that it is cursed.

Disappointed with Alfonso’s choice of wife, they disinherit him.

The couple strikes out on their own, starting a small business from scratch as they raise a family of their own.

But, as Alfonso’s parents predicted, a string of misfortunes hounds the marriage.

The business they put up enjoys only a brief period of prosperity before it goes bankrupt.

And just when they are slowly recovering from their financial woes, fire breaks out in their residence, wiping out everything they own.

But the worst is yet to come.

By this time, the couple already have four children, namely Carol, the eldest, followed by Stephanie, Audrey and Walden.

But the kids would not enjoy the company of their father for long.

Unexpectedly, Alfonso dies of a massive stroke.

A widow at a young age, Melinda along with her children is compelled to live with her in-laws who maltreat her.

One day, Melinda, along with eldest child Carol, returns to the house of her in-laws from a visit to her mother.

Melinda is shocked to find out that she is no longer welcome.

She is driven away after a failed attempt to take Carol away from her.

Little Stephanie, Audrey and Walden are left behind in the house of the in-laws.

Melinda’s efforts to take custody of them come to naught as her in-laws manage to hide the children from her.

Melinda goes through hell in her attempts to take back her children.

But Melinda’s determination is no match to the power of her in-laws.

Short of giving up, Melinda vows to someday take back her children as she channels her efforts to succeed financially, while continually monitoring the condition of her three children from afar.

Growing up away from her mother, Stephanie learns to hate Melinda, thanks to the constant brainwashing of Aunt Olive who finds pleasure in demonizing Melinda.

Melinda experiences a good turn of fortune in the years that follow.

She becomes one of the most wealthy and powerful women in the business community.

At about this time, the fortunes of her once powerful in-laws are on the decline.

But Stephanie, now a young adult who’s already taking over the businesses of her aunt Olive and grandparents, is about to get married to a shady character, the dashingly handsome Daniel Chan.

Melinda is now ready to revive her claim on her three children, but years of separation make it seem impossible for her to win back their love. But the news of Stephanie’s marriage to Daniel Chan alarms Melinda, forcing the powerful widow to act, thus putting her on a collision course with Olive and the in-laws.

This time, Melinda is determined to succeed in having back her grown-up children. And this time, events transpire to make Melinda prove to her estranged children how much she really loves them.

**** Directed by Joel C. Lamangan. ****


Mano Po 5 (Gua Ay Di) (2006)




**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

A culinary romance set in Binondo, where Chinese traditions are still very much observed, Mano Po 5: Gua Ay Di is a touching story of how a young Chinese woman fights for the man she loves.

She is doomed by strict family traditions to only wed someone of pure Chinese descent.

But Charity (Angel Locsin) finds love where she was not supposed to find it... at least according to her cold hearted mother.

Despite being met with resistance by her traditional Chinese family, most especially her mother, Charity continues her relationship with Nathan (Richard Gutierrez).

Nathan, on the other hand, proves himself and his love to her by making an effort to learn about her background, culture and language resulting in various mishaps, some comical and others just plain disasters.

Charity finds solace in the kitchen, her cooking interwoven with the story of her ill-fated romance.

Will true love prevail in the end? And will she come up with the perfect recipe for love?

***** Directed by Joel Lamangan *****


Mano Po 4 (Ako Legal Wife) (2005)




**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

A winning adult comedy about mistress and a desperate housewife! Poor Chona Chong (Zsa Zsa Padilla).

On the surface, she seems to have everything a chinoy woman would want: a wealthy husband named Elton (Jay Manalo) who dotes on her and three attractive children.

There's handsome Hamilton (John Prats); ultra-modern teen Hibiscus (Julianne Lee); and precocious Anthurium (Ella Guevarra).

After 22 years of marriage, however Chona's world is turned upside down when she finds out that Elton is keeping not just one, but two mistresses on the side!

There's Chinese Visayan business wiz Patty (Cherry Pie Picache), with whom Elton has a handsome son named Nixon (JC De Vera).

Then there's the young and athletic Gloria (Rufa Mae Quinto) whose active lifestyle Elton has been trying to keep up with.

These schocking revelations almost drive the insecure Chona to the brinx of insanity.

But rather than confront Elton about his other women, Chona realizes that the only solution is to make herself younger and sexier through her breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures.

But will it work?

Ako Legal Wife: Mano Po 4? takes a humourous look at the weird and wonderful world of love in Manila, Chinoy style.

Enjoy the company of the desperate wife and scheming mistresses as they fight one another for the rights to take home the man they all love!

**** Directed by Joel Lamangan. ****


Mano Po 3 (My Love) (2004)




**** Production Company: MAQ Productions ****

Anti-crime crusader Lilia Chiong Yang seems to have everything a woman could want and need: a husband who pampers her; children whom any parent would be proud of; and the respect and admiration of the most powerful people in the land.

But just as Lilia prepares for her 25th wedding anniversary celebration, a chance encounter in Thailand with her first love Michael throws Lilia's life into chaos.

So begins the resumption of a relationship that threatens to unravel the delicate threads connecting Lilia to the other people in her life.

"Mano Po 3" is a heartfelt tearjerker which was declared Best Picture at the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival Philippines.

Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon also won well-deserved awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, in this moving film about the choices we must make for the sake of those we love.

**** Directed by Joel Lamangan ****


Mano Po 2 (My Home) (2003)




**** Production Company: Regal Films *****

Antonio Chan, a successful Chinese businessman, has three women in his life: Sol, a Filipina; Lu Shui, a Chinese; and Belinda, a Filipino-Chinese.

Antonio has children with all three women.

A crisis shakes up the over-extended Tsinoy family prompting all the members to re-examine their values, their relationships, and confront issues that they have refused to face all these years.

With Mano Po 2, My Home, Regal Entertainment’s continues the tradition established by the critical and box-office hit Mano Po.

Features strong dramatic performances from a stellar ensemble cast, lush visuals, a reverberating musical score, an unforgettable theme song, and a heart-warming screenplay that eloquently captures the rich Tsinoy culture.

Laugh, cry, and be touched by this family story about forgiveness, healing and undying love.

**** Directed by Erik Matti ****


Mano Po (My Family) (2002)




**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

During the Chinese Revolution in 1949, young Chinese copra trader named Fong-Huan marries Elisa, a young and pretty Filipina.

The couple’s children, Daniel and Linda, were raised in a mixture of Chinese and Filipino-Hispanic tradition.

These richly cultured people are the ancestors of a dysfunctional third-generation family whose daughters tell their own stories of joy, struggle, and the complex realities in the life of Filipino Chinese families.

**** Directed by Joel Lamangan ****


Segunda Mano




**** Production Company: Star Cinema / AGOSTODOS Pictures / MJM Productions Inc *****

Mabel Domingo (Kris Aquino), the owner of a high-class, but creepy, antique shop, only wants herself and her mother to move on from the tragic past of losing her sister as she carries the guilt of causing her death.

She meets Ivan Galvez (Dingdong Dantes), a rich and successful architect who only wants to find the perfect wife and mother for his young daughter Angel to finally have a complete and happy family after his ex-wife left for him for another man.

Since Ivan's proposal, Mabel is haunted by an unknown ghost who seems to endanger everyone around her.

As the terror escalates, she discovers an unexpected twist that will test her love for Ivan.

**** Directed by Joyce Bernal. ****


Puto (1987)




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

Herbert Bautista plays a puto vendor. He sells cakes everyday after school to help his widowed mother. And for this, all the kids in school call him Puto. He is the constant butt of jokes but he remains good-natured, helpful and kind to everybody. Taking pity on him, a dwarf decides to give him special powers. This gives Puto the chance to realize his dream of winning the track and field race.

**** Directed by Leroy Salvador ****


Enteng Ng Ina Mo




***** Production Company: Star Cinema / OctoArts Films / M-ZET TV Productions / APT Entertainment *****

Enteng Kabisote (Vic Sotto) wants to retire as the perennial hero of Engkantasya and have a normal life with his family without the magical elements.

Ina Montecillo (Ai-Ai delas Alas) longs to have the right partner to be with her for the rest of her life.

One day, Enteng is placed under a powerful evil spell by Engkantasya’s evil fairy Satana to fall in love with another woman. And when he meets Ina, he exerts all the effort Ina to fall for him. Ina, on the other hand, slowly opens her heart for this new opportunity of love.

Enteng then tries his best to be a father to Ina’s children even if they are not fully supportive of him. But when their relationship gets serious, Ina discovers the truth – Enteng already has a family.

Will it be a happy or a bitter ending for Enteng & Ina?

Enteng Ng Ina Mo tells of a story of 2 iconic characters of the Philippine cinema who both long for love & affection. But in the end, they both find love in that one thing they value the most – their family.

**** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes. ****


Ang Tanging Ina N'yo




**** Production Company: Star Cinema ****

With three dead husbands and twelve children to take care of, what is the modern day working mother supposed to do? Ina Montecillo (Ai-Ai de las Alas) is completely clueless on how to be an income provider and a homemaker at the same time given her dwindling finances of her household. As she desperately hides from her children her efforts to make all ends meet, her children grow resentful of her as she becomes a part of their own problems, but it seems that her best is never good enough. Funnily yet, Ina rallies her cause with all the courage she can muster- to be the best mother she knows how.

***** Directed By Wenn Deramas *****


Zuma (1985)




**** Production Company: Cine Suerte, Inc ****

Zuma is a Filipino comic book character created by Jim Fernandez that has a two headed snake (one head on both ends) that rests on his shoulders. As told in the Comics, Zuma was a demigod, and the son of the Aztec serpent god Kukulkan ("Plumed Serpent", "Feathered Serpent"). He had been entombed in a buried Aztec pyramid until he was unearthed by an archaeological expedition team. Unleashed into the modern world, Zuma went on a murderous rampage.

There have only been two Philippine Zuma movies to date, Zuma and Anak ni Zuma, both starring actor Max Laurel in the title role. Snooky Serna played Galema, Zuma's daughter, in the first film only; the role was played in the sequel by a lesser-known actress named Jenny Lyn. Max Laurel appeared in other films, but primarily as a character actor.
(from wikipedia.org)

**** Directed By Jun Raquiza ****


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Juan & Ted (Wanted)




**** Production Company: Viva Films ****

Fugitives Juan and Ted have tried to mend their ways after they bolted jail to escape execution from the hands of Hepe and Langku.

They found work as school bus driver and conductor. They developed special bond with their bus riders who have problems of their own.

One day they went out of town to ease their worries. But the parents of the children panicked and called up the school administrators.

And just when they least expected, Hepe and Langku showed up to reveal their true identities.

**** Directed by Al Tantay ****


Jologs




**** Production Company: Star Cinema *****

Jologs is a narrative that plays with the concept of time and allows the audience to glean how life can be seen in different ways, depending on which point of view one takes.

It reflects a modern sensibility that shows that in order to survive and prevail, we just have to live our lives --- and try to live it the best way we can… often with love.

***** Directed by Gilbert Perez *****


Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat




**** Production Company: ABS-CBN Film Productions / Star Cinema ****

The most famous mother is back for the sequel of the highest-grossing comedy movie in the Philippines.

With the one, big happy family that she has, any woman would admire Ina Montecillo as the embodiment of a perfect mother.

But after more than 40 years of doing everything for her family, she feels that her children don't need her anymore.

Ina then embarks on a journey of once again making her children proud of her that surprisingly lands her as the President of the Philippines.

Ina revolutionizes Philippine politics by running the country not as a serious and an uptight leader but as a hilarious and caring mother because of this, she gained the trust and the support of the Filipino people.

But just as she starts to become the president that everyone loves, she also changes and becomes the mother that her children hate.

In the end, Ina has to make the hardest choice of her life- becoming the mother of the nation or becoming the mother of her own children.

***** Directed by Wenn Deramas. *****


Enteng Kabisote 4, The Beginning Of The Legend




***** Production Company: OctoArts Films / M-ZET TV Productions *****

Enteng Kabisote 4... Okay Ka Fairy Ko The Beginning Of The Legend, starring the tandem of Vic Sotto as Enteng Kabisote and Kristine Hermosa as Faye Kabisote is the fourth of this fantasy-comedy series.

The story goes back in time when Enteng Kabisote, gets kidnapped by his former rival to Faye, Inok, the enchanted prince (Michael de Mesa), and erases his memory.

Enteng becomes childlike and innocent of things that are happening around him.

Meanwhile, as the Kabisote clan including Ina Magenta, the Queen of Engkantasya (Giselle Toengi) search for Enteng, a series of wicked events occur involving him.

Follow the thrilling and comic adventure as the Kabisote's together with the enchanted fairies join forces to fight the pestering villains.

**** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes ****


Enteng Kabisote 3, The Legend Goes On




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films / M-ZET TV Production ****


In this sequel, Enteng re-opens his Enteng Butingting Everything Business with Jose as associate and consultant.

Jose, being a little shrewd, injects lending and pyramiding into it.

Enteng easily makes a lot of money and becomes greedy.

Problems start to ensue between him and Faye.

Ina Magenta has her own problem when she turns into a comic character after undergoing her usual youth face lift.

Meanwhile, a lizard-looking fugitive alien named Zarkov from the planet Zerkah crash lands unto earth.

Zarkov has the power to clone.

Satana together with her newly found cohorts, uses Zarkov to clone Enteng and totally ruin his relationship with Faye.

They also try to get the powerful Medalyon ng Kabutihan from Ina through the clone Enteng.

With the ruined relationship and Enkantasya in peril, Enteng and Ina finally realizes their mistakes.

They again join force to fight the evil four.

***** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes *****


Enteng Kabisote 2, The Legend Continues




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films ****

The Kabisotes are expanding!

Faye is again on the family way, but Satana also undergoes a rebirth.

When conflicts arise, Enteng and the rest of the family, including children Aiza, Benok, Ina Magenta plus her two sisters, join the fight against Satana, who has Drago, Kidlat, and Clawman on her side.

**** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes *****


Enteng Kabisote, Okay Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films / M-ZET TV Productions *****

Enteng Kabisote, is Tagalupa married to Faye, a lovely fairy and the only daughter of Ina Magenta, Queen of Engkantasya, an enchanted kingdom.

The couple has 2 kids, Aiza and Benok. The family is living peacefully and happily until the day Satana, the evil queen of Kadiliman brings chaos to earth by sending Romero, Lucy and Fer to poison the water of the dams.

But Venuz and Aries, armor fairies sent by Ina Magenta stopped them.

Satana turns her ire to Enteng's family. She sends Itim to spy on Enteng and Faye.

But because of the family's goodness to him, Itim deceived and lied to Satana.

In turn, Satana transforms herself into a young girl named Tanny who seduces and possesses Benok but Enteng manages to stop her evil deed in time.

Burning with anger, Satana kidnaps Faye. She demands that Ina Magenta surrenders her good powers so she can rule the earth.

Instead, Ina sends Enteng and Benok together with Itim (transformed into talking flying horse) to fight Satana.

***** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes *****


Tween Academy Class of 2012




***** Production Company: GMA Films *****

Kara (Barbie Forteza), George (Bea Binene), and Enzo (Elmo Magalona) are 3 best friends who have been constantly been bullied at school and nicknamed the Imba Trio. On the night of the school dance Enzo gets carried out of the dance by Maximo (Derick Monasterio) and his crew because he accidentally bumped into Chloe (Lexi Fernandez) while dancing. And while Kara and George try to help him they also get dumped in the trash along with Enzo and are helped by Christian (Alden Richards) and Diego (Kristofer Martin). After the prom the 3 decide to make a list to do that help them be popular so they won't get bullied and pranked anymore by the date of the prom, and they make the list a dare.
The next day at school Enzo learns that he has to retake a class again. And after trying to go to the bathroom but is stopped by the janitor who is still cleaning the bathroom. So Enzo decides to use the women's restroom hoping no one will notice. But he bumps into the new teacher, Maddie (Sam Pinto), and develops a crush on her. Meanwhile, George and her best friend Jepoy (Jake Vargas) is back in town. And Kara is at a comic convention where she helps Robin (Joshua Dionisio) when his backpack gets snatched, and unknowingly sells him the #1 issue of Metal Man online. Later that night, Enzo helps Maddie get her car out of a tight parking space and locks himself out of his car. Kara later becomes friends with Robin online without knowing his true identity. George later hangs out with Jepoy who sings his new song for her and starts to think he has a crush on her and she starts to develop a crush on him.

***** Directed by Mark Reyes *****


Walang Matigas Na Buto Sa Gutom Na Aso




**** Production Company: Ultimate Films International ****

This is a hilarious movie about an uncle and his nephew who both tried their luck in Manila to find a job.

They ventured in the city because of the perception of their townsfolk that in Manila, money is everywhere.

Unfortunately, they come face to face with a group that peddles illegal drugs.

Palito's talent as a great comedian truly shines in this entertaining movie.

**** Directed by Alexander "Boy" Sevilla ****


My Super Fan Girl




**** Production Company: Otso Productions ****

Yung mahal mo na kaso may iba na. Yung handa ka nang sagutin siya kaso napagod na siya kakahintay.
Yung sa sobrang dami mong iniintindi sa buhay nakalimutan mo nang may taong naghihintay sayo, yung
laging nagmamahal, laging umaasang mapansin mo. Yung humihiling na sana makasama ka habang buhay.
Ito ay isang kwento ng paghanga at pagmamahal.
Kung hanggang saan ang limitasyon sa pagitan ng paghanga sa isang inidolo at sa taong tunay na minamahal.

***** Directed By Marcelo Santos III *****


Lola




**** Production Company: SWIFT Productions / Centerstage Productions Philippines / Viva Records

Two elderly women bear the consequences of a crime involving their respective grandsons.

Lola Sepa's grandson is killed by a cellphone snatcher, and Lola Puring's grandson is the suspect.

Lola Sepa files a formal complaint to the police and wades through the bad weather to collect money for the burial and court hearing.

Meanwhile, Lola Puring is advised by a pro-bono lawyer to work for an amicable settlement since the criminal case is non-bailable.

In the midst of a storm, Lola Puring solicits money to offer Lola Sepa, hoping that the grieving woman will accept, and that her misguided grandson will eventaully reform himself.

***** Directed by Brillante Mendoza. *****


Mag-Ingat Ka Sa Kulam (2008)




**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

Mira survives a car accident, and awakens without a memory of her past. As she is regaining pieces of her life with husband Paul and blind daughter Sophie, her business associate Dave convinced her to leave her husband as what she promised her before the accident. However, the situations go more weird as strange things start to occur in her home. Mira is forced to confront her past and discover the real story.

***** Directed By: Jun Lana *****


Oh My Ghost! (2006)




**** Production Company: OctoArts Films ****

A horror comedy story, Oh My Ghost! is about Trixie (Rufa Mae), a beautiful and sexy ad agency executive who focuses on her career and less of her lovelife.

Even her bestfriend and partner in the agency Alvin (Marvin Agustin), tries to make moves on her but just doesn't work.

Meanwhile, three young egoistic guys - Dennis (Paolo Contis), Jeff (Carlos Agassi) and Buboy (Uma Khouny), meet Trixie in the gym who get so attracted and madly in love with her.

Because of their arrogance and conceitedness, Trixie turns each one down that makes the three angry at her.

To get even with her, they attempt to rape her that lead to a fatal accident.

So sudden and untimely.

Trixie's ghost cannot accept it and decides to take revenge.

Horror-comic situations follow as she haunts the three to obtain justice.

***** Directed by Tony Y. Reyes *****


Aswang (2011)




Production Company: Regal Films

Aswang is a reimagining of Peque Gallaga and Lore Reye's 1992 film.

The new version tells the story of two kids who witness the murder of their parents and who escape unwittingly into a town plagued by a subspecies of aswangs called Ab-wak (Aswang-Bayawak-Uwak).

Terrorized by the monster and assassins running after them, the two kids are helped by a beautiful mysterious woman who's part of the Ab-wak clan named Hasmin.

Things get complicated when Daniel, one of the assassins, falls in love with Hasmin and decides to help her in her plan to escape her fate as a queen of the Ab-waks.

Will their love be enough to save them or will it destroy them?

**** Directed by Jerrold Tarog. ****