Kate Valdez stars in action-fantasy series adaptation ‘Dreamwalker’

LAUNCHING the title for the regional market, London/ Singapore-based international content investment studio 108 Media will produce a live-action television multi-series adaptation of the chart-topping young adult Fil-Am action-fantasy graphic novel Dreamwalker by pop culture blogger Mikey Sutton.

Sutton assembles a creative dream team of the 2022 Content Asia Award Best Director winner Treb Monteras II (Cinemalaya’s Respeto) as showrunner/director, the indemand Mikhail Red (Birdshot Eerie) as series director, who is just coming off his mega box-office Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 horror Deleter

Completing the dream team are Los Angeles-based genre maven Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan as headwriter, with GMA 7’s popular actress Kate Valdez in the much coveted lead role.

Based on an original concept by the Filipino American Sutton with his Manila- based artistic director Noel Layon Flores, the Dreamwalker graphic novel about a monsterslaying vlogger reached the top of the local Filipino comics charts with 108 Media emerging as the eventual winner of the option to produce a premium series adaptation for regional and international audiences in mid2023 towards an early Q2 2024 delivery. Executive Producers for the series are Justin Deimen (President - 108 Media), Treb Monteras II, Kirstie Contrevida (Creative Producer – 108 Media), Abhi Rastogi (CEO – 108 Media) and Michael Sutton.

On seeing the potential of the series as a new touchpoint for Southeast Asian genre fare, executive producer Justin Deimen says: “The moment we heard about the concept, we knew how far this could travel. The project will be a focal point for Filipino talent across the globe and delivers cultural storytelling in a fresh and commercial way to young adult audiences locally and internationally.

“Mikey and Noel’s concept coupled with Treb and Mik’s vision and Kaitlyn’s scripts blends fantasy, horror, humor, and high-end action in a way never seen before in regional television,” Deimen added.

Season 1 will focus on the origin story of our Fil-Am protagonist Kat who returns to the Philippines under mysterious circumstances and survives a bus crash to find herself gifted with the ability to enter dreams of others and being able to extract weapons temporarily to wield against supernatural beings from Filipino folklore as she investigates the source of the monster wave while attempting to help those affected by the looming threat.

Sutton, who conceptualized and wrote the comics, is ecstatic about the attachment of Kate Valdez as his “Dreamwalker,” who is currently starring in the local sci-fi drama Unica Hija on GMA. “I randomly discovered Kate Valdez in 2018 while recovering from a near-fatal stroke. I saw her on the GMA drama, Onanay, and her emotionally rich performance and timeless beauty made me declare her the Next Big Thing. I modelled and named ‘Dreamwalker’ after her. I am also thrilled and honored to work with 108 Media. They’ve been incredibly supportive and wonderful to me. They’ve chosen a top-notch crew to put this project together,” remarks Sutton.

Upon finding out that the ambitious screen adaptation was moving forward with 108 Media, Valdez leaned into her excitement.

“When Mikey told me that Dreamwalker would become a TV series and that I was chosen to be the one who will also portray Kat on screen, I was pinching myself because I had no expectations that I would be able to extend my role into a medium that I’m so passionate about in my life.

“I’m honestly so excited, nervous, and grateful to Mikey and everyone in the project for believing in me to do this major ba ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan?” she said.

TV project for the Philippines so global audiences can be more exposed to our culture and stories,” shares the Kapuso star.

108 Media recently struck a co-financing deal with BritBox International on “Inspector Singh” (3 episodes) that is currently in production and announced a showrunner partnership with horror maestro Neil Marshall on “Nightshade” (6 episodes), his first TV Series since Netflix’s Lost In Space reboot.

Adding to their local-international Fil-Am content stack, 108 Media is in pre-production on their feature adaptation of the hit novel Mango Bride with megastar Sharon Cuneta attached to executive produce and star.

As part of its integrated expansion in 2022, 108 Media acquired the formerly AIM-listed DCD Rights and its subsidiaries; invested in Singapore-based animation IP specialists Robot Playground Media.

The company also recently secured a majority stake in one of Asia’s top scripted production companies Revolution Media and purchased management control of one of the UK’s most prominent Film/ TV financing firms Piccadilly Pictures.

Fortunately, Therese assures everyone the younger generation uses technology and other available resources to discover the truth about Philippine history. Since working on the film, the young actress considers fighting disinformation as personal because of how it affects and polarizes society.

Directing the film is Joel Lamangan the visionary behind Himala, Mano Po, Rainbow Sunset, and many more. Oras de Peligro premieres in theaters on March 1, Wednesday.

THE epic culinary adventure never stops as GTV's Farm to Table marks its two years of discovering sustainable farms and sharing healthy food options by Filipino chef JR Royol

As part of its anniversary celebration, the program airs four special episodes beginning February 19.

Join Chef JR in another fun journey as he visits their ancestral home in the picturesque Barlig, Mountain Province. Together with his wife, son, and relatives, Chef JR will commemorate the traditions of their Igorot clan and explores the strong farm-to-table culture of the Barlig communities.

Learn how to prepare tapuey, the Igorot traditional rice wine, and etag, the well-known delicacy in Mountain Province that can be used in everyday cooking.

Chef JR and his family will also gather to prepare pinikpikan and perform the pattong, an Igorot expression of thanksgiving through gongs and dances.

Moreover, viewers will witness some of the best tourist spots in Barlig including the Karanag Falls and Lake Tufob.

Chef JR will also give the audience a taste of Mountain Province’s coffee culture and a glimpse of the famous Lias Ponkan. Tune in as he incorporates these in unique dishes like coffee chocolate chicken, coffee-rub barbecue, and braised citrus duck.

The exciting trip will continue as the host dives into one of the nearby streams to catch local fish and prepare kachiw salad, chalet rice bowl, and amti chalet soup.

Lastly, this anniversary special acknowledges the most precious produce of Barlig, which is rice. Chef JR will take the audience on a quick tour of his family’s rice terraces in Al-long and share more about the heirloom rice variety called chor-chor-os

Amid these appetizing food adventures, the host will meet various likeminded people with stories about their own farming journeys. It is indeed a meaningful experience to be surrounded by inspiring people, a relaxing environment, and hearty meals.

Farm to Table airs every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. on GMA Network’s GTV channel.