Nessa Valdellon appointed Senior VP for GMA Pictures

GMA Network announces the appointment of Nessa Valdellon as Senior Vice President for GMA Pictures effective July 1. Valdellon, who is the Network’s concurrent

First Vice President for Public Affairs pivoted a department of documentary and news magazine producers to become creatives and producers of top-rated soaps, romantic comedies, historical dramas, and drama anthologies. Under her leadership, GMA Public Affairs has broadened its messagemaking to a wider audience through a diverse lineup of formats and titles including a slate of films under GMA Pictures.

Valdellon currently heads the production of the following films: the edgy romance The Cheating Game, the fantasy drama Firefly, the horror movie Penthouse 77’ the science fiction romance Version 2, as well as 4K documentary film The Lost Sabungeros. Prior to venturing into filmmaking, she was production head for over 30 GMA Public Affairs programs, including the multi-awarded news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, the blockbuster series Lolong, the George Foster Peabody awardees Reel Time and I-Witness, and the New York Fest multi-medalist Reporter's Notebook, among many others. thrown in jail. There he meets Lydia (Ataska), a 16-year-old girl who has been kidnapped by Ser, and plans to make her the town’s new prostitute. Isaac finds himself suddenly in charge of the girl’s fate. Can he redeem himself by helping her?

Valdellon is credited for creating the full programming grid for GMA News TV which was launched in 2011. While running the channel, she also co-wrote and produced the award-winning social realist series Bayan Ko and Titser.

In 2018, she won for GMA Network a YouTube innovation grant for the digital newscast Stand For Truth – the Network’s pioneering mobile journalism newscast.

Valdellon began her career as a producer for The Probe Team and served as a long-time Probe Team Executive Producer.

A Kapuso for 20 years now, she started her work in GMA as Program Manager and pioneered reality production with programs such as Wish Ko Lang, Extra Challenge, Imbestigador, and Survivor Philippines –bringing these to the top of Philippine television ratings. She has served as a New York Festivals grand jury member for five years and running. Valdellon is also in her third year as a juror for the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

While Vivamax viewers may have already enjoyed the movies of Alexa and Clifford, Bugaw is Ataska’s first Vivamax movie where she plays a more mature role (she was also part of How To Love Mr. Heartless). She describes her character as “a fighter” and calls it her “dream role come true”.

Ataska, who became a Viva artist after The Voice Kids, says that she’s “happy and thrilled” that her first Vivamax movie is directed by the award-winning and aweinspiring Yam Laranas. She shares that even before she was offered this role, she already did a lot of research by watching foreign, local, and Vivamax movies. She says, “During my research last year, I was able to watch Balahibong Pusa It’s now one of my favorite films of all time. So when I found out I was going to work with Direk, and even Kuya Jay, ang sayasaya ko. Then, during the days leading up to our shoot, we had a Zoom table read and Zoom acting workshop. The one-on-one with Direk Yam was really helpful. He also sent acting tips and recommended movies to watch.”

As part of her preparation, she also made a playlist inspired by her character. “As a musician, it just feels absolutely integral to incorporate music in everything I do.” Ataska also expresses her gratitude for the support of her co-stars. She describes Alexa as an “ate” to her, Clifford as “fun to talk to”, and Jay Manalo gave her advice not only in acting but in “buhay-artista”.

Ataska concludes, “Working on Bugaw is an unforgettable experience and this project has a special place in my heart.” Bugaw will be available on Vivamax on July 7.

Following the statement of Vietnam banning the ‘Barbie’ film over issues about South China, MTRCB says that it has also reviewed the movie

MTRCB initiates review of controversial ‘Barbie’ film

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) officially commenced the review process for the film Barbie yesterday, July 4.

In a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment, the assigned Committee on First Review is currently engaged in deliberations regarding Warner Brothers F.E. Inc.'s request for a Permit to Exhibit.

“Once available, a copy of the Permit to Exhibit or the Committee’s decision will be uploaded to the agency’s official website: mtrcb.gov. ph,” the statement said. The decision was made after Vietnam prohibited the screening of the highly-anticipated Barbie movie in its cinemas due to scenes featuring a map depicting China's claims over territorial waters in the South China Sea. State media announced that the fantasy comedy, directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was originally scheduled for nationwide release on July 21.

However, following the government's decision to ban the film due to the inclusion of the controversial nine-dash line, major cinema chains in Vietnam have removed the movie's showtimes from their websites.

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