Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017
TIMELESS BEAUTIES IN
‘Moonlight Over Baler’ “Moonlight Over Baler” is a timeless love story encompassing two important events in the Philippines. It stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Ellen Adarna, Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert.
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WO beautiful actresses, one represents an older generation of beauties in the celluloid and the other a contemporary swan in both the big and small screens, share stellar billing in what is probably the most romantic film this Valentine season.
ISAH V. RED
Senior actress Elizabeth Oropesa in a scene from the romantic movie helmed by Gil Portes
FOR the very first time in over a decade, Gary Valenciano returns to the Valentine concert scene in a big band dinnerconcert fundraiser titled Love In Motion on Feb. 14 and 15 at the grand ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, The Fort. With an awe-inspiring career that spans over three decades and with his artistry and genius cutting through changing musical climes and trends, it is easy to presume that there is nothing that Gary has not done yet. Gary has waxed top selling and award-winning albums, written popular hits, serenaded fans with unforgettable ballads and won the Awit Award Best Male Performer trophy twelve times. If these credentials aren’t enough to merit him the status of musical icon, you can start counting the number of times Gary lent his voice to sing the theme songs for ABS-CBN soap operas and Star Cinema, Regal Films, Viva Films and Seiko Films movies. Gary has also been receiving numerous offers during the Valentine show season but the last solo Valentine show that he did was
actually more than a decade ago and for this season he decided to mount a fundraiser specifically targeted for the victims of Typhoon Nina. A Bicolano, Gary last visited the region with UNICEF during the Typhoon Reming aftermath. One of Gary V.’s proudest moments as a celebrity philanthropist was in 1998 when he became UNICEF Philippines’ first National Ambassador. In 2008, he marked his tenth year as a UNICEF Ambassador with a visit to Sitio Avocado, a former war zone in Negros Oriental. All proceeds of Gary V Love In Motion will go to the Shining Light Foundation, Inc., Operation Blessing Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of victims of the recent Typhoon Nina and UNICEF for special causes of children. But fans and admirers of the human dynamo that Gary is will be expecting a Valentine treat like no other. He is not known as Mr. Pure Energy if it weren’t for his impeccable knack for unleashing energy, creating the groove, and providing rhythm to his original songs and to covers as well.
Elizabeth Oropesa and Sophie Albert – two of the most beautiful women in Philippine show business today – star in the romantic film, Moonlight Over Baler, a pre-Valentine presentation produced by T-Rex Entertainment and directed by Gil Portes from a Palancawinning screenplay by Enrique “Eric” Ramos. Moonlight Over Baler opens in theaters nationwide on Feb. 8. It tells the story of Fidela, a retired schoolteacher who encounters a young Japanese photojournalist who is surprisingly a doppelganger of Nestor, her boyfriend in the 1940s who was killed during the Japanese-American war in the Philippines. The Japanese photojournalist, Kenji, is covering the events in Metro Manila in February 1986, known popularly as the Edsa Revolution. His arrival in Baler, Fidela’s hometown, triggers bittersweet memories in the former teacher. It even disrupts Fidela’s life as well as the community’s. Moonlight Over Baler is a romantic comedy-drama about a broken promise, a timeless love and the song that could
Fall in love with Gary V in
‘Love In Motion’
Mr. Pure Energy Gary V stages a Valentine concert
warm even the coldest of hearts. Portraying the young and senior versions of Fidela are young actress Sophie Albert and seasoned award-winning actress Elizabeth Oropesa, respectively. In the 1940s segment of the film, Sophie plays Fidela, in love with USAFFE soldier Nestor, played by Vin Abrenica. She says ‘yes’ when he asks her to marry hi. Unfortunately, two weeks before their wedding, World War II breaks out and Nestor disappears. Fast forward to the 1980s, Fidela has grown elder and in this segment of the film, Elizabeth or “La Oro” as she is fondly called, now plays Fidela whose hope that Nest could be alive is awakened when she sees the charming but mysterious Kenji. Elizabeth was cast as Fidela first. The production team met certain challenges in casting the young Fideal since not many of today’s young female stars could pass for Elizabeth’s young version. Sophie Albert was tapped as she is about the same height as Elizabeth. Writer Eric had seen her work in the youth-oriented Cinemalaya film, #Y and vouched for her talent to director Gil
Some might ask, “Why perform with a big band?” Gary Valenciano, by himself, is enough to entice concertgoers to troop to his show. It is because Gary is a performer who believes in collaboration. He is as generous with his talents and gifts as he is adventurous, always wanting to embark on a new challenge. In a few words, Gary is one who never rests on his laurels. In Gary V Love In Motion, expect a love-filled, fun, dance-inducing time as Gary performs with the 19-piece AMP Band. Chill on the big band vibe with a twist that only the complete artist that Gary Valenciano is can provide. “I am excited for this two-night show,” says Gary. “It’s my first time to perform with a big band and I am looking forward to surprising the audience and being surprised as well with the kind of show we will come up with.” To the uninitiated, big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains
Portes. Eric’s recommendation was spot-on as Sophie delivered an inspired performance. Moonlight Over Baler marks the major return of La Oro to the big screen. Not many seasoned actresses get to play leading roles in films nowadays. But as Elizabeth’s excellent characterization of Fidela eloquently demonstrates, she still strikes gold and truly deserves the “La Oro” moniker. Incidentally, the classic war film Apocalypse Now by director Francis Ford Copolla is mentioned in Moonlight Over Baler and is duly cited as having started the surfing culture in the famed town. Elizabeth was originally cast to play Marlon Brando’s wife in that film but the unconventional American actor reportedly found her too pretty for the role, which landed eventually on Gigi Dueñas’ lap. The showbiz industry can be very fleeting; the careers of a number of stars simply come and go. But the fine talent and awesome inner and outer beauty the likes of Sophie Albert’s and Elizabeth “La Oro” Oropesa’s are definitely here to stay.
saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. During the war years, big band music lifted people’s spirit. That feeling of being overwhelmed while knowing that you are witnessing a wonderful and dynamic show with a heart is what awaits longtime Gary V believers. “We have also asked Anna Fegi who has just undergone a major trial to join us in this cause. She lost her baby on her ninth month last November and we want her to bounce back as we want Bicol, Marinduque and the rest of the Philippines that suffered from the typhoon to bounce back,” stated concert producer Angeli PangilinanValenciano who is mounting the event with her Manila Genesis team. Musical director for Gary V Love In Motion is Mel Villena, vocal music director is Mon Faustino while stage direction is by Paolo Valenciano. For more information follow @GaryValenciano1 (Twitter) and @therealgaryv (Instagram) and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook. For inquiries or table reservations, please call (+63917) 539 9584.