Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017
Paolo Valenciano adds another achievement in his resume as he directs his father's "Love In Motion" concert
PAOLO
VALENCIANO makes musical magic in Gary V’s ‘Love In Motion’
Rising stars Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert
Seasoned actor Elizabeth Oropesa plays a pivotal role in the Gil Portes movie
‘O Maliwanag Na Buwan’ lights up ‘MOONLIGHT OVER BALER’ ISAH V. RED
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VERY romantic film needs a theme song to set the mood, move the narrative forward, convey the characters’ feelings and capture the audience’s hearts.
Moonlight Over Baler, rated B by the Cinema Evaluation Board and the newest film from T-Rex Entertainment, tells the story of Fidela, a retired schoolteacher in Baler who is still pining for her lost love Nestor, a World War II soldier. Fidela’s world turns upsidedown when she meets Kenji, a Japanese photojournalist who eventually seeks her help to court Roryė Moonlight Over Baler, still showing in cinemas, is based on the experiences of the aunt of director Gil Portes. His aunt was so loyal to her former fiancé who did not come home after the war. She remained single and in her middle age met a young man who had a striking resemblance to her lost love. Portes opened up about his aunt to screenwriter Eric Ramos. Immediately, the latter had the song “O Maliwanag na Buwan” in mind. “I included the song in the script. Angkop na angkop sa situation ni Fidela,” says Eric. The noted writer had learned the ballad from a grand uncle. Eric reveals, “He taught it to me when I was only five years old.” “O Maliwanag na Buwan” is the Tagalog version of the Ilokano folk song “O Naraniag O Bulan.” National Artist Levi Celerio translated the Ilocano lyrics to Tagalog. Asia’s Queen of Song Pilita Corrales recorded the song, which became one of her signature tunes. As fate would have it, producer Rex Tiri, the big boss of T-Rex Entertainment, is a genuine Ilocano. Rex tells more about the ditty. “Lahat ng llocano alam ang kantang ‘yon. Sinasayaw sa mga fiesta. Hindi
Film producer and director Gil Portes
Screenwriter Eric Ramos with "Moonlight Over Baler" lead star Ellen Adarna
puwedeng mawala ang ‘O Maliwanag na Buwan’ sa mga importanteng okasyon sa Ilocos. Mula bata hanggang matanda kabisado ito. Malawak ang appeal ng song.” Eric and Rex hope that like them viewers of Moonlight Over Baler will also be captivated by this lovely song. Musician Francis de Vera made a modem jazz arrangement exclusively for the film soundtrack. Moonlight Over Baler stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Ellen Adarna, Vin Abrenica, and Sophie Albert, among others. For updates, check out the movie’s FB page where a videoke video of “O Maliwaneag Na Buwan” is posted. *** TOFARM ushers 2017 with two grand events that celebrate the lives of farmers in a non- conventional yet highly artistic way. The 2nd TOFARM Filrp Festival is set to light up the silver screen once more with a new batch of entries. Following its successful debut in July 2016, this year’s edition of the TOFARM Film Festival promises to be another bountiful harvest of cinematic excellence. “We were overwhelmed with the turnout of last year’s festival,” says Festival Director Maryo J. De Los Reyes, “The festival was warmly
received by the movie industry, and a lot of independent producers and directors expressed their interest to join this year.” He also notes that the number of script submitted doubled this year. This only proves that filmmakers are tremendously interested to participate in a festival that revolves around the farming industry and, at the same time, provides a venue for them to showcase their craft,” adds the award-winning television and film director. With this year’s theme, “Planting the seeds of change”, a total of six films were chosen to be this year’s official entries. In addition to the film festival, TOFARM also announces the list of entries that qualified for the first ever TOFARM Songwriting Competition. Launched in May 2016, the competition is open to both amateur and professional songwriters whose task is to come up with an original composition about agriculture, with the central theme, “Planting the seeds of change.” Noted musical director Ria VillenaOsorio is at the helm of the competition, together with the selection panel composed of Josefino Chino Toledo, Luchie Roque, Olivier Ochanine, and Jed Balsamo. “I am excited to work on this new
project under TOFARM. This is the first time I will be heading a competition that celebrates farmers and farming,” Osorio enthuses. Again with this year’s theme, “Planting the seeds of change”, a total of ten songs were chosen to be this year’s official entries. The finals night is slated on April 9 at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier. Both TOFARM Film Festival and Songwriting Competition are under the patronage of Dr. Milagros O. How, TOFARM Chief Advocate and Executive Vice-President of Universal Harvester, Inc. Her vision is to give due recognition to the selfless contribution of farmers to the nation. “Our farmers have been diligently working in the field to make sure we all have food on our tables. It is high time that we celebrate their hard work through popular media so that more people can appreciate their valuable role in our lives,” explains Dr. How. Aside from these undertakings, TOFARM is also behind the Search and Award for Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines, an internationally acclaimed awardgiving body that recognizes the achievements of farmers, fisherfolk, livestock raisers, cooperatives, and local government units in the advancement of the agriculture sector. “We are greatly indebted to our farmers, and we at TOFARM can only do so much to make them feel that all their efforts are sincerely appreciated,” says Dr. How.
CONCERT aficionados are sure to have a blast on the opening night of Gary Valenciano’s Love in Motion—Gary V’s first solo Valentine concert in Manila in over a decade—tonight and tomorrow at the grand ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, The Fort. The concert is expected to be both nostalgic and spectacular as it aims to present the multifaceted Gary V in a whole new light as he performs with a big band in the dinner-concert fundraiser under the direction of his equally talented son Paolo Valenciano. Paolo Valenciano is a chip off the old block. His resume as a director consists of indie efforts and mainstream ventures, winning accolades along the way. Paolo co-directed Arise: Gary V 3.0 with his father and the event won Concert of the Year at the 2015 PMPC Star Awards for Music. Also, the music video of Bamboo’s “Firepower” which Paolo directed romped off with the Favorite Rock Video nod in the 2016 Myx Music Awards. Paolo has also helmed the major concerts of popular artists like Sharon Cuneta, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, Spongecola, and Sam Concepcion. He also directed Next Attraction – a concert featuring himself together with the children of his parents’ colleagues Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kuh Ledesma and Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, namely Karylle, Isabella Gonzalez, and Robin Nievera. That didn’t however stop him from making time to direct indie bands like December Avenue and his own rock band Salamin. Paolo also squeezes into his schedule corporate shows for big corporations like the Ayala Malls, and high profile events like special shows for the APEC heads of state that happened at Green Sun and the Mall Of Asia Arena last year with US President Barack Obama in attendance. But then again, Paolo who is also a singer like his parents Gary V and mom Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano. Paolo was a former mainstay in ASAP and is the front man of Salamin and was nominated for Best Rock Song in 2015. As a solo artist he recorded a fulllength studio album under Star Music titled Silence/Noise. Apart from Love In Motion and Arise 3.0, Paolo has collaborated with Gary in co-directing other previous concerts – On Higher Ground, Tuesdays With Gary, and Gary V Presents. “It is always an honor and quite an experience to work with my dad,” says Paolo. “I appreciate most of all the exchange of ideas. I get to bring something new to the table and he is receptive to my ideas but I also learn a lot from him being the seasoned performer that he is. My dad occupies a singular, irreplaceable spot in the local entertainment hierarchy.” Love In Motion resonates with a lovefilled, dance-inducing vibe as Gary performs with special guest Anna Fegi, the Manoeuvres, and the 19-piece AMP Band under the musical direction of Mel Villena, choreography by Nancy Crowe, and vocal direction by Mon Faustino. To the uninitiated, big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and became popular during the Swing era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. Love In Motion is a chance to experience a very different Gary Valenciano as his admirers and concertgoers have never seen and heard him before. Proceeds of 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. For ticket inquiries or table reservations, please call +639175399584 or TicketWorld (8919999).