ENTERTAINMENT Who is MARY CHERRY CHUA? FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2023
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Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva, Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
By Nickie Wang
M
ARY Cherry Chua was a student back in the ‘60s at a prestigious school. A cheerful young girl with long black hair, Mary Cherry Chua had it all – she was beautiful, rich, and smart. Abby Bautista (left) plays the role of Mary Cherry Chua, a student in a prestigious school back in the 60s
The film revolves around the tragic fate of a school girl whose spirit roams around a school haunting the living
Filipino ‘Barbie’ fans flock to see fantasy film HUNDREDS of Filipino Barbie fans dressed in pink expressed joy and relief Wednesday at the opening of the film about the famous doll that many had feared would be banned. The fantasy-comedy movie drew intense scrutiny from censors over allegations that a brightly colored world map drawing showed China’s claims to the South China Sea. China claims almost the entire waterway despite rival claims from other Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Vietnam banned the film but – to the relief of Filipino Barbie fans – the Philippines’ Movie and Television Review and
with it,” she added. Outside the theatre, excited fans milled around in fuchsia-tinted lighting, some posing for photos in a Barbie booth while others brought their own Barbie dolls to the screening. The MTRCB had asked the Hollywood studio Warner Bros to blur the controversial lines “to avoid further misinterpretations.” But AFP correspondents who watched the movie said the lines were clearly defined. Not all
Fans are thrilled to see the highlyanticipated film 'Barbie'
Classification Board (MTRCB) last week decided the child-like lines on the map did not depict the so-called nine-dash line that China uses to illustrate its claims, and gave it the green light. “I was really hoping that they wouldn’t ban it or they would just cut the scene,” said Nicole Tolentino, 23, who has been a Barbie fan for 20 years and even crocheted a pink top to wear for a screening at a Manila cinema. “But they didn’t really do anything
Barbie fans approved. “That’s the part I did not like... I wish it were cut,” said Margaux Pichay, 19, who otherwise thought the film was “very empowering.’ When asked for comment about Warner Bros’ failure to blur the lines, the MTRCB referred AFP to their July 12 statement in which they said “the map portrayed the route of the makebelieve journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the ‘real world’, as an integral part of the story.” AFP
‘KMJS’ tops Urban Philippines in June, hits 30m Facebook followers MULTI-AWARDED public affairs show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) remains a force to reckon with on-air and online – becoming the most watched TV program in Urban Philippines for the month of June and further growing its strong presence on various social media platforms. Data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement show that the news magazine program hosted by broadcast journalist Jessica Soho posted a combined (GMA and GTV) people rating of 15.1 percent in National Urban TV audience measurement (NUTAM) for the month of June. It likewise topped the TV programs aired on the Kapuso Network’s main
channel, GMA, for the same period, with a people rating of 12.7 percent. KMJS’s dominance ’s extends beyond television. Just recently, its official Facebook page reached 30 million followers, cementing its position as the most followed Philippine TV program on the platform. This also makes
Lyka Gairanod now embarks on her journey as an actress
Adored and envied by many, she was known as the school’s Miss Popular. However, her seemingly perfect life was cut short when she was found lifeless on the campus grounds, and it was declared that she had been raped and murdered by the school janitor. Her spirit is said to roam the school premises to this day, haunting the living. Mary Cherry Chua is the central character in a captivating horror film that takes inspiration from a popular urban legend, infusing it with fresh perspectives and modern elements that keep audiences intrigued and entertained. Starring Ashley Diaz, Kokoy de Santos, Lyca Gairanod, Joko Diaz, Alma Moreno, Abby Bautista, and Krissha Viaje Writer, Mary Cherry Chua is skillfully crafted by director Roni S. Benaid. The story revolves around Karen (Ashley), a high school student with a fascination for horror stories and urban legends. Intrigued by the enigmatic life and tragic fate of Mary Cherry Chua (Abby), Karen decides to reopen the case and conduct her own investigation. With the help of her friends, she begins to uncover new details about the crime. However, as she delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes that her curiosity may put her own life at risk. Ashley delivers a remarkable performance as Karen, making an impressive debut as the lead in the film. Her portrayal of the inquisitive and courageous young girl adds authenticity to the character and connects well with the audience. The supporting cast, including
Ashley Diaz and Kokoy De Santos as Karen and Paco in horror flick ‘Mary Cherry Chua’
Kokoy, Lyca, Krissha, and Abby, all shine in their respective roles, bringing depth and dimension to the story. Mary Cherry Chua does an excellent job of blending horror, mystery, and drama, effectively keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. The movie’s narrative structure provides enough twists and turns to keep viewers guessing about the true nature of the legend. “I remember that it was a very famous story back when I was in high school. I wanted to introduce it to the younger generation, to Gen Z,” says the director on why he chose to bring this famous horror story into the big screen. From Viva Films, Mary Cherry Chua is now in cinemas nationwide.
A record eighth win for Sinulog Festival
Queens in Reyna ng Aliwan SINULOG Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, two of the country’s most popular festivals, emerged as big winners in Aliwan Fiesta 2023 during awarding ceremonies held at Aliw Theater in Pasay City on Saturday. People from all walks life trooped to the grand events despite the intermittent rainy weather condition. A record eight times win for Sinulog Festival Queens since the pageant debuted in 2003 as Cebu’s Kiara Liane Wellington was adjudged Reyna ng Aliwan 2023. Wellington, a 21-year-old Tourism student, made up for Cebu’s entry in the street dancing competition, Sinulog Festival, represented by the Tribu Lumad Basakanon, which finished second to the grand winner, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, represented by Tribu Parianon. Wellington, who also bagged the best in evening gown special award, bested first runner-up Kristine Billy Tabaday of Ayat Festival, and Pasayahan Festival’s Patricia Marie Mendiola,, Udyakan Festival’s Ghenesa Marie Muellerr and Tagultol Fishing Festival’s (best in festival costume) winner Natalya Margaret Lindsay,, who were all named 2nd runners up. Placing 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the street dance competition, respectively, were the Manggahan Festival, represented by Hubon Balsahan; Halamanan Festival of Guiginto Bulacan; and Kadalag-an Festival of Negros Occidental, represented by Sidlak Kadalagan dancers. Runners-up were the Antipolo Maytime Festival, represented by Maharlika Dance Troupe;; Ayat Festival, represented by Tawid A Balitok;; Panagbenga Flower Festival, represented by Pinsao National Highschool Sakusak Ensemble;; Binabayani Festival, represented by Masinloc Street Dancers; and Kangga Festival. Meanwhile, the Best in Float top prize went to the Halamanan Festival of Guiginto, Bulacan. Sipa sa Manggis of Cotabato City and Lapat Festival of Calanasan, Apayao were adjudged first and second runners-up, respectively. Special award winners were Best Folkloric Performance for Panagbenga Flower Festival; Best Costume for Manggahan Festival, represented by Hubon Balsahan and Best Musical Accompaniment for Sinulog Festival. The revived Aliwan Fiesta 2023 was presented by the Manila Broadcasting
Award-winning broadcast journalist Jessica Soho
KMJS one of the local TV shows with a huge online following. As of this writing, KMJS boasts a staggering total of almost 40 million total followers — over 30 million from Facebook, over 6.2 million from TikTok, over 2 million from Instagram, and over a million from Twitter. Videos uploaded on KMJS’s online platforms continue to capture netizens’ interest. From January 1 to June 30, 2023, KMJS has logged more than 2.8 billion views across all platforms. It clocked over 1.7 billion views on Facebook, over 760 million views on TikTok, and over 428 million views on YouTube. On Facebook, among the top videos that contributed to the high volume of views as of June include “Huli-Dap,” which raked in 25.8 million views;
Company in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cities of Manila and Pasay.
Reyna ng Aliwan 2023 Kiara Liane Wellington
“Jopay, Kumusta Ka Na?’ with 16.8 million views; “Yaya Nightmare” with 14.8 million views; “Amok” with 14.1 million views; and “Liwanag sa Butas” with 14 million views. Aside from being the Filipinos’ Sunday night viewing habit, KMJS has been a powerful platform where stories are not only shared but become inspirations for viewers to help, give hope, and change lives. It does not come as a surprise that KMJS remains one of the most awarded shows in the country. It once again raised the Philippine flag after bringing home the World Gold Medal at the 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film (NYF) Awards – its third NYF medal after winning Bronze Medals in 2019 and 2022.