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SHOWBIZ
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
‘Firefly’ lead stars Euwenn Mikaell (left) and Alessandra De Rossi
FROM being the silent underdog to becoming the 2023 MMFF big winner, Firefly continued its victorious streak abroad as it won the most awards at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, California – including the highly-coveted Best Picture honor. The film produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs also took home three more awards and three nominations during the MIFF Awards Night last Feb. 3: another Best Screenplay for GMA Public Affairs SAVP and Firefly creator Angeli Atienza; Best Director for Zig Dulay; and Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi. Present during the awarding ceremony were GMA Network’s
‘Firefly’ big winner at inaugural MIFF in Hollywood Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes Gozon-Valdes, who accepted the Best Director award on behalf of Dulay, Atienza, and Firefly actress Ysabel Ortega, who accepted the Best Supporting Actress award on behalf of De Rossi. Joining them were Sparkle GMA Artist Center VP Joy Marcelo and Firefly actor Dingdong Dantes. Dantes Aprt from winning four major awards, the film also garnered nominations for the Best Supporting Actor (Epy Quizon) and Actress (Cherry ( Pie Picache) categories, as well as for Best Cinematography (Neil ( Daza). Following their Best Picture win, the Firefly team was awarded a $200,000 co-producing package by Birns and Sawyer for the production of a US-based feature film. The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture awardee, Firefly narrates a moving story about family, dreams, and bravery, as the young Tonton, portrayed by MMFF Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikael, embarks on a journey to find the mystical island of fireflies based on his mother’s bedtime stories. The film also won Best Screenplay along with 15 nominations at the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal last December. Early this year, Firefly was shown in the United Arab Emirates prior to its screening in Los Angeles, California, as part of the MIFF. The MIFF is an international film festival that aims to bridge Filipino films to global audiences and showcase Filipino culture and art.
From left: GMA Public Affairs Assistant Vice President Anj Atienza, Ysabel Ortega, GMA Senior Vice President Annette Gozon-Valdes, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center Vice President Joy Romina Marcelo
Gillian Vicencio
‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ features Hollywood’s best-selling artists who interpret the hit song ‘We Are The World’
thrives amidst fame’s trials By Nickie Wang
D
Pop history’s Dream Team for the win Touchbass
Yugel Losorata
EVEN before the 1992 Dream Team that brought together Michael Jordan and other NBA stars of his era, American pop stars already did the trick in 1985 as they gathered in the same room, on the same floor, singing in unison, and practically capturing the world to sing along for African famine relief. The documentary The Greatest Night in Pop looked back on that night of the living legends - Jan. 28, 1985 to be exact - with footage of the recording session for the charity single “We Are The World” and featuring interviews with and recollections from key figures involved, including some of the artists themselves like Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, Kenny Loggins and Lionel Richie who cowrote the song with the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The dream pop ensemble saw some of the greatest musical artists who were already icons by the time of the gathering that happened at A&M Studio in Hollywood (Los Angeles, California) on the same night that year’s American Music Awards was held. Attendees of that awards night spent quite an after-party with producer Quincy Jones practically serving as host. In an old clip inserted in the documentary, Harry Belafonte, the man who initiated the USA (United Support of Artists) For Africa, said.“It is the artist who reveals the society to itself.” I have a feeling that a viral video clip from the recording session where the faces of pop royalty sang his classic “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in an impromptu tribute led to the creation of this documentary that offers touching moments from that fateful night, including one where some of the singers were gathered around Stevie Wonder playing the tune on piano while they sang their designated parts for the first time. At some point Bob Geldof, the brainchild of UK’s Band-Aid that produced “Do They Know It’s Christmas” two months before America’s crème de la crème followed suit, made a speech before a silenced crowd of hitmakers. He said, and you could see from his hand gestures that he was feeling nervous himself, “Maybe to put you in the mood
of the song you’re about to sing which hopefully will save millions of lives, I think it’s best to remember that the price for life this year is a piece of plastic seven inches wide with a hole in the middle. Maybe it’s the best way of making what you really feel why you’re really here tonight come out through this song. Thanks a lot, everybody and let’s hope it works.” Boy how it worked. “We Are The World” sold more than 20 million physical single copies. It raised $80 million which is equivalent to more than $200 million in today’s money. Superstars asking for each other’s autographs was priceless while country singer Waylon Jennings walked out because he didn’t like Stevie’s idea of singing a line in Swahili appeared unnecessary. A key message had been written for the famous people entering that room: “Check your ego at the door.” While the amount of superstardom tremendously helped push the project to historic heights, we have to give equal credit to the song itself. It was brilliantly written; the build-up in the verses was effective and the chorus pure gold. Even the bridge section heightened the emotional weight of the track, with Cyndi doing a good job in emphatically bringing the whole thing to the final stretch of choruses. “We Are The World” was singable, easy to comprehend, and just about what people starving needed to hear to keep their hope alive. MJ imprint was written all over. He also used the line “there are people dying” on his later single “Heal The World.” We are the world. Heal the world. Fittingly, the documentary was dedicated to the memory of those who were there and are no longer with us, including the talent manager that gathered the acts Ken Kragen, and best-selling artists Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Ray Charles, Anita and June Pointer, as well as Harry and MJ. Other greats who had solo parts on “We Are The World” were Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Kim Carnes, and Bob Dylan. Smokey Robinson, frontman of The Miracles, was relegated to the chorus of singers. The Greatest Night In Pop premiered at Sundance Film Festival last Jan. 19. Ten days later it was made available on Netflix.
ESPITE the inevitable intrigues and controversies that come with fame, Gillian Vicencio remains unfazed, understanding that all publicity, whether positive or negative, contributes to her journey in the limelight. Gillian ended 2023 facing challenges head-on, finding solace in the support of her family and close friends, both in and out of showbiz. This 2024, Gillian continues to shine. In just two months into the year, Gillian feels incredibly thankful and blessed for the projects she’s received. Notably, her successful performance in the theater play Kumprontasyon at Peta Theater, which ran from Jan. 18 to 21. It was directed by Melvin Lee.
She started her theater journey in 2023, and the positive reception from regular viewers and students led to more opportunities. She participated in the three-part play alongside theater actors, including Romnick Sarmenta, her co-star in 2good to Be True. Another blessing came as she was welcomed as one of the Beautederm Babies by Rhea Anicoche Tan, the CEO and Founder of the renowned beauty brand. Gillian expresses her joy, saying, “It’s my first endorsement, and it’s gratifying that, even as a newcomer, Mommy Rhea trusted me. A-listers are part of Beautederm’s roster of influencers/artists/ ambassadors, and I’m happy to be included.” Additionally, Gillian is part of the cast for the Filipino adaptation of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, produced by Dreamscape and VIU. The series has generated excitement, especially among Korean drama enthusiasts. She is also working on an upcoming movie, a slasher/massacre film called Talahib alongside Kristoff Garcia and Joem Bascon. The film is directed by Alvin Yapan under FEAST Foundation. Gillian shares her excitement, especially since the director has a track record of being recognized in various award-giving bodies. Gillian started her career in showbiz doing commercials, VTRs, and auditions. She realized her showbiz dream when she joined Eerie, a horror film starring Bea Alonzo and Charo Santos Concio. She portrayed Erika Sayco, the haunting schoolgirl central to the movie’s plot. “During the making, I wasn’t included in promos, guestings, and other things to maintain the element of fear in the film. They chose a newcomer for the role,” she said. Soon after, another horror film followed Hellcome Home with Dennis Trillo, Alyssa Muhlach, Raymond Bagatsing, and Beauty Gonzalez. Gillian was also launched alongside Belle Mariano, Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, JC Alcantara, and Kyle Echarri as a Starmagic artist in 2019. Later, she became one of the original talents under Rise Artists Studio managed by Mico del Rosario under Star Creatives. In 2020, the winds of change swept through due to challenges faced by ABS-CBN, including the pandemic. Gillian recalls, “I was scared, considering we had just signed contracts. But management assured us they wouldn’t abandon us. We had digital shows daily, where we honed our hosting skills and introduced ourselves. Her biggest break came with Four Sisters Before the Wedding where she starred alongside Alexa Ilacad, Charlie Dizon, and Belle Mariano. She played Alex, the younger version of Angel Locsin’s character. “I’m just glad that with all the trials in my showbiz life, the management still trusts me and the fans still support me. And I think that’s all that matters,” said Gillian. Gillian Vicencio finds solace in her family and friends amidst issues thrown her way