Joem Bascon transforms into action star

Kapamilya actor and Gawad Urian awardee Joem Bascon passed with flying colors in his attempt to be the newest action star via the movie “Ang Bagong Dugo” which had a successful mall show and premiere night held last Sunday, May 25, at the Fisher Mall in Quezon City.

Former stuntman-turned-director Val Iglesias was right in saying that the Kapamilya actor (who won an Urian award for the movie “Noy”) has the potential to be an action star. Joem moves well, did very well in the fight scenes, and had no qualms in doing the dangerous stunts. He didn’t seem to have a hard time doing all the fight scenes and stunts.

The Golden Screen Awards winner (Breakthrough Actor for Batanes in 2007 and most recently as Outstanding Performance by An Actor in the 5th Golden Screen TV Awards held last March 21) admits feeling the pressure when he was told that he was chosen by 3JS Production to be the lead actor in “Ang Bagong Dugo.”

“It is my first time to do a full-length action movie.  Action film ito tapos bida pa ako so nakakatakot talaga but I am very thankful to Direk Val and to our producers for trusting in me that I can do this project,” said Joem at the presscon after the premiere screening of his debut action film.

“I had done some action scenes when I did ‘10,000 Hours’ but those few scenes were nothing compared to the challenges I encountered when I did ‘Ang Bagong Dugo.’ Fighting for the big screen is different compared to boxing in the gym. I am praying that the people will like our movie and my performance as well. I sure hope that they will accept me as an action star and see me capable in my role,” added Joem.

For his part, Direk Val said it is time that we bring back the type of action films that we used to do before. “All action scenes were authentic. The stars did the stunts themselves. There are no computer generated effects (CGI). And I’d like to congratulate all of my stars, most especially Joem, for a job well done,” he added.

“Ang Bagong Dugo” will open in cinemas on June 18. The movie also stars Roi Vinzon, Monsour del Rosario, Alma Concepcion, Dick Israel, Alvin Anson and introduces Ian Ignacio. It is produced by 3JS Productions and is directed by Val Iglesia.

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Opening today in cinemas nationwide is the Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin starrer from Star Cinema titled “Maybe This Time” which is directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng. This is the first team-up of Sarah, a three-time box-office queen awardee, and Coco, acknowledged as one the most competent actors in ABS-CBN.

Both came from humble beginnings. Sarah won a singing contest 11 years ago. That victory was Sarah’s passport to showbiz. Since then she has become one of the most popular singers in the local music scene. It came no surprise when Sarah made the transition to the movies and that made her even more popular.

Coco, who at one time worked as a waiter for a popular restaurant, started his career doing indie films. Slowly but surely, the young Coco started to get noticed for his acting chops, winning awards in the process like the Urian Award and Golden Screen Awards for the indie movies namely “Jay” and “Kinatay,” directed by Cannes award-winner Brillante Mendoza.

Coco dreamt of seeing himself starring in teleseryes. After doing some forgettable roles on TV, he got his break in the Kapamilya series “Walang Hanggan” which became a top-rater, just like his most recent serye “Juan dela Cruz.”

Sarah and Coco were together in the series “Idol” which aired on ABS-CBN a few years ago and so much has changed since then. On the set of “Maybe This Time,” they got along well. They often talked about their respective families and how much they love and care for them. This was one area where Sarah and Coco immediately got a connection.

Filming “Maybe This Time” was a breeze, according to director Jerry Lopez Sineneng. There was instant chemistry between Sarah and Coco on the first day. Said electrifying chemistry radiates onscreen in this love story which also stars Ruffa Gutierrez and Ogie Diaz.

Will Sarah’s box-office magic rub off on Coco who has yet to prove himself a box-office draw? We certainly hope so and we’d like to see Sarah receiving her fourth box-office queen title next year, with Coco as her king.

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GMA Network unveiled its new afternoon strip and late-night block featuring a formidable line-up of award-winning public affairs programs and documentaries which started last Monday, May 26.

The afternoon strip (4 to 4:30 p.m.) kicked off with Arnold Clavio’s “Alisto” on Monday; bio-documentary “Tunay na Buhay,” hosted by Rhea Santos, on Tuesday; lifestyle show “Powerhouse,” led by Kara David, on Wednesday; and hard-hitting investigative program “Reporter’s Notebook,” bannered by Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido, on Thursday.  Completing the week’s line-up is the relationship advice program “Love Hotline” hosted by Jean Garcia, which originally aired on GMA News TV, on Friday.

Meanwhile, documentary programs take over the Kapuso network’s late-night block (airing 11:30 p.m.) with award-winning “Front Row” on Monday; “Serial Killer Earth,” featuring the most compelling footage from news and home video as well as interviews from eyewitness and survivors of natural disasters, on Tuesday; “Human Planet,” BBC’s breathtaking blockbuster natural history series celebrating the complex, profound and sometimes challenging relationship between humankind and nature, on Wednesday and Thursday.

This prompts us to ask what is the idea behind the new time slot? I believe the former time slots are better because those who arrive home late at night can still catch the show. Now that they changed the time slot, there is no chance for people like us who are not in the house at such hour to watch the shows. Maybe they want to capture a new set of viewers but in the process lose the old ones. Win some, lose some.