E4
Showbiz
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com
PHOEBE WALKER FROM MYSTERIOUS NUN TO SINFUL BOMBSHELL sion was set in lensman Artu Nepomuceno’s tranquil abode, where the whole team and Phoebe Walker’s entourage converged at a little before mid-noon,” the article says. “Going for an eerie feel in some of the layouts, we had to wait for the sun to go down before carrying on with the session,” another article adds. The cover story also touches on Phoebe’s “unexpected win” at last year’s edition of MMFF playing the role of Sister Cecilia, who in the film had daring bathtub and rape scenes. She’s asked to give comments on critics and hater who thought she did not give much to win any award for playing the character.
5 MOST
ANTICIPATED CLASSIC FILMS DURING LENT IN THE Philippines, the Lent is the most reflective and solemn week where the dominantly Christian population celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And while regular TV broadcasting halts to observe the religious events, classic movies aired on analog TV in lieu of the channels’ standard programming. Films featured are normally a mix of thought-provoking and culturally significant films taken anywhere from the 70s to the late 90s and beyond. This Holy Week, we list down some of the most anticipated locally made films that easily make their way to the list of TV programming each year.
“So far, bashing is what I cannot stand, because it really gets on my nerves when people think they can say something about you, but then it’s part of the job because you’re a public icon, right?” she says adding that she broke down upon seeing people’s comment on Twitter a few days after she won the award.
Phoebe Walker as a mysterious nun in Erik Matti's acclaimed opus, Seklusyon
By Nickie Wang
T
WENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Phoebe Walker is winning another game. She’s not using her acting skill or her ability to come up with a sound game plan to win a race. This time though, she’s just using her charm in front of the camera.
Nevertheless, wouldn’t be able to stop Phoebe from making a name and making it big. The year 2017 is treating Phoebe tremendously kind. After bagging an acting award, and now being on a magazine cover, she is set to headline the sequel to the 2011 Cinemalaya romantic sex comedy, Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me. Additionally, she is currently busy being one of the cast members of HaPi House, a sexy come d y series shown on cable.
Dubbed as the “next big thing” in the indie filmmaking scene, Phoebe welcomed the summer heat gracing the April cover of the popular men’s magazine, FHM Philippines, in a rather eerie yet seductive way. On the cover, the Filipino-British actress, who topped The Amazing Race Philippines, with former flame Matthew Edwards in 2014, and who won Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 for her portrayal of an enigmatic nun in Erik Matti’s devil-infested film (Seklusyon), is pictured in a chest-baring black bodice. In the feature article, the magazine says it took the actress and the crew 15 hours to finish their shoot. Not that the indie actress was acting prima donna but the photographer wanted to compose photos that would match Phoebe’s alluring personality and the magazine’s theme for the month. “What the FHM crew didn’t expect that waiting meant a record 15 hours, in the case of our April 2017 cover girl’s photo shoot. The ses-
‘BUBBLE GANG’ HEATS UP SUMMER BUBBLE Gang regulars Valeen Montenegro, Chariz Solomon, Solomon Denice Barbacena, and Arny Ross put on a cheeky display as they shared a sizzling photo of them holding on a railing while having fun under the blazing sun.
BEHIND THE SCENES. Arny Ross, Denice Barbacena, Valeen Montenegro, and Chariz Solomon while taping for Bubble Gang's summer special
This year, lead cast member Michael V, Antonio Aquitania, Sef Cadayona, Paolo Contis, and Diego Llorico headed to a wakeboarding park in Pampanga. Cast members Kim Domingo, and Jackie Rice gamely posed in colorful bikinis while Jak Roberto, Mikoy Morales, and special guests Sinon LoTheir photo, which gave viewers a reason resca, Ivan Dorschner, Ken Chan, and Addy to stay at home for two consecutive Friday Raj gave the show a Baywatch feel. nights, was taken during Bubble Gang’s shoot for its two-part summer special. Preceding the two-part special were clips and photos of the cast that flooded social meEach year, viewers anticipate the country’s dia and entertainment blogsites giving the longest running gag show’s summer special audience a glimpse of what to expect. mainly for three things: the top summer destination they are going to feature; the comedy Bubble Gang is known for its staple segskits the cast will perform while under the ments like the “hugot” skits and sketches that blazing sun; and of course, the cast members give national, pressing issues, and current in their sexy summer outfits. events hilarious twists.
Oro, Plata, Mata (Peque Gallaga, 1982) Set in the province of Negros during World War II, the movie traces the changing fortunes of two aristocratic families coping with the changes brought by the war. Written by Jose Javier Reyes, it starred an ensemble cast including Sandy Andolong, Cherie Gil, Mitch Valdes, Kuh Ledesma, Ronnie Lazaro, and Joel Torre, to name a few. The film was digitally restored in 2013 and premiered at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival in the same year.
Himala (Ishmael Bernal, 1982) Often regarded as “The Greatest Filipino Film Of All-Time,” the film is the story of Elsa, played by Nora Aunor, a barrio lass whose supposed visions of the Virgin Mary changes her life, turning her into an overnight sensation and causing mass hysteria in a poor, isolated northern Philippine village suffering from a drought. The film is centered on the issues of religious faith and faithlessness, morality, and truth. Up to this day, the film is remembered for the iconic line “Walang himala” delivered by Aunor. Magnifico (Maryo J. de los Reyes, 2003) The multi-awarded drama, with 31 plaques and trophies under its belt, talks about a special boy who changes the lives of everyone he meets. Known to all as Magnifico (Jiro Manio), his name is Pikoy, a child of an impoverished family. His world is filled with a cast of characters in need of his special gifts of hope, determination, and love. He seeks nothing for himself, with his undaunted dedication to bring joy to everyone. Continued on E3