Dennis, Solenn topbill environment-themed film

Award-winning actor Dennis Trillo and Solenn Heussaff ignite the silver screen with their third and biggest team-up: the film, “Lakbay2Love” from Erasto Films. They first worked together in a TV commercial and were last seen in the family drama “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

“L2L” is a love story overflowing with kilig moments as well as hugot lines to convey the need to fall in love with nature. As added attractions, Dens and Sol, together with co-star Kit Thompson, immersed themselves in the world of bikers. They pedaled through scenic biking spots such as La Mesa Dam, Timberland Heights and Benguet, to bring to life the film’s environmental-themed message.

Dennis plays a forester and biker named Jay-R while Solenn portrays the role of videographer Lianne who is making a feature about climate change. A special friendship develops between them and slowly, Lianne is able to recover from a heartbreak. But just as Lianne is starting to move on, her ex-boyfriend and Jay-R’s good friend Macky (played by Kit) returns to turn her world upside-down.

Dennis is a real biker who has been into the sport since he was about eight years old. In fact, the actor had long wanted to portray a biker and his wish came true when director/producer Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil offered him the role.

“I really love biking. This is what I usually do when I have free time. Even if I have work or shooting a movie, I make time to go biking. It is my form of rest,” he said. Dennis took to the role easily because, like Jay-R, he is fond of nature and concerned about the environment. For Direk Ellen, no other actor could have played Jay-R. She describes him as perfect because aside from his professionalism, “He is 100 percent alpha male. He exudes mystery, a guy you cannot have so you are hooked forever.”

Meanwhile, fans of Solenn will not be disappointed because her beauty radiates in the entire film. Her irresistible charisma shines through in her every scene. Behind Solenn’s beautiful face and sexy body lies a real trouper who is willing to endure long travels and challenging weather conditions.

Solenn discloses one unforgettable shoot: “We were supposed to shoot in a forest pero umuulan noong day na ‘yon. So everyone, including the bikers from different groups who were part of the scene, sumilong kami sa tents, nagsiksikan. Super fun! We were just eating ice cream and having fun!” Like Dennis, Solenn also found her role relatable. “I am always questioning my path so I relate to Lianne in that way. Plus Lianne is ‘mahilig’ sa boys. Ako rin! Hahaha!”

Direk Ellen explains Solenn’s natural but undeniable appeal this way: “Solenn is softly in control and can put on the sexiest act even. But if you meet her, she is almost child-like, an Audrey Hepburn—she of classic innocence!” Beyond the sophisticated goddess image, the director says that what the public will see is a vulnerable Solenn. As Katti Sta. Ana, founder of the bikers’group Firefly Brigade said after a preview, “Totong-totoo siya.”

Completing the “L2L” love triangle is Pinoy Big Brother discovery Kit Thompson whose manliness can unnerve even the most confident woman. But, the staff members swear, when Kit clasped hands with Solenn for a scene, the guy seemed so nervous and smitten!

“L2L” is the third released movie of award-winning writer, producer and director Ellen. Her debut “Pusang Gala” won for her a Docker’s First Feature Award at the San Francisco Frameline Film Festival. Her second, “Boses,” has toured many international film fests, won several awards and continues to be screened here and abroad since its release in 2008.

In the name of love for romance and love for the environment, join Dennis, Solenn and Kit in their “Lakbay2Love” opening in cinemas on February 3. Check out and listen to Dennis and Solenn’s duet of the song “Overdrive” by Eraserheads, where this time, the word “drive” has been changed to “bike,” just as the biking communities are growing fast in various places in the country. Listen to the OST of almost a dozen songs, including Kai Honasan’s “Liwanag” and the newly-launched “Kilig” by Solenn, written and composed by Edward Fernandez of Gig Manila.

The film is supported by La Mesa Ecopark, Timberland Heights, 7-Eleven, Firefly Brigade and the Cordillera Conservation Trust. For more information, log on to facebook.com/Lakbay2Love, www.lakbay2love.com.ph

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Parkmall, every Cebuano and Cebuano-at-heart’s favorite shopping and dining destination, joins the Sinulog Festival frenzy with Sugbo Fest. Parkmall’s Sugbo Fest has everything covered from a Food Festival called Kumbira, the highlight of which is the Lechon Festival from January 15 to 17 that features actual pig roasting and lechon making, a plethora of exhibits including the St. Joseph and Sto. Niño Exhibit from January 23-30 and entertainment extravaganzas from January 14 to 31.

Sugbo Fest’s entertainment package includes Aerodance Tribal Beat Sinulog Party, a Sinulog-inspired Aerodance party organized by Parkmall Aerodance instructor Jo Teria, Festival Queen Sinulog Parade, a two-hour parade of festival queens in Lyndon Alfonso’s festival gowns, a Dance Jam Marathon organized by Cebu’s best Dance Jam instructors and the musical treat TukarSugbo.

Most anticipated is TukarSugbo happening tomorrow, which promises to be a night of pure non-stop Bisrock music. Some of Bisrock’s brightest names, iconic and new, will delight audiences of all ages with rock and alternative musical pieces.

Popular Cebuano rock groups like Phylum, Agipo, and more will bring the house down with songs that talk about social and political issues and yet brim with humor and romance. It will make listeners realize how much Bisrock has developed and persisted through the years. Bisrock or Bisaya Rock is a movement that started in the ‘80s and suffered a flatline in the early ‘90s. A subgenre of Pinoy rock propagated by the Cebu rock music industry, Bisrock had to fight its way through setbacks such as the fact that some local radio stations still favored Cebuano artists singing in Tagalog and English over true-blue Bisrock performers.

Like Parkmall itself which had to prove its worth from its origins as a retail industry investment in what used to be a reclamation area in Mandaue City, Bisrock persevered and worked its way to be heard. The efforts have paid off with the resurgence of Bisrock that has led to the creation of clans of supporters from every part of Cebu and the proliferation of online chat channels and websites championing the cause of Bisrock.

Two of Bisrock’s foremost proponents are Phylum, an all-male alternative band whose “Palagot sa Kontra” is a perennial favorite among Bisrock aficionados, and Agipo whose “Tamsi” was an instant hit. Phylum and Agipo will join a strong roster of Bisrock talents that will add color, fun, and a festive air to Parkmall’s specially-prepared Sinugbo celebration.