Director Joel Lamangan is a big winner this year. He won several Best Director trophies for “Rainbow’s Sunset” and he was named Best Supporting Actor at the Gawad Urian for “School Service.” He also earned praise for his performance as a psychotic Philippine president in the Lav Diaz film titled “Hupa” which is the opening film of the 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival tonight at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
At the story conference of his latest movie, “Isa Pang Bahaghari,” Direk Joel invited the media to watch the four-hour film of Lav Diaz. Yesterday, he started filming his new movie with Nora Aunor as lead actress in Cavite, his hometown, adding that they have found a new location that has not yet been used in any film or teleserye.
What can he say to the bashers who said he is doing another gay-themed movie? “The characters being played by Nora, Phillip Salvador and Michael de Mesa are younger compared to the ones played by Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero and Tony Mabesa in ‘Rainbow’s Sunset.’ To those who are complaining that I am doing another gay-themed movie, you can see gays everywhere. In this movie,we are featuring the stories of poor gays, who, despite their condition are living with dignity,” said the director.
It was him who talked to Phillip so the actor would accept the role as Nora’s leading man in “Isa Pang Bahaghari.”
“He and Nora did a lot of memorable movies together. It’s about time they reunite in a film,” said Direk Joel.
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Congratulations to newcomer Aaron Concepcion, one of the upcoming actors being managed by our talent manager-friend Benjie Alipio, Jr. He is part of the cast of the Alvin Yapan movie “Culion” written by award-winning writer Ricky Lee.
Aaron said he was pleasantly surprised when he was asked to report back for the final audition of the movie. He didn’t expect he will pass the audition but he was thrilled upon learning he got one of the roles in this historical film shot in location in Culion Island in Palawan.
“I am enjoying my work as an actor and I want this to be my life-long career,” said the 5-feet-10-inches tall 21-year-old who also joined male beauty pageants. Although he had plans of becoming a sailor, he is setting that aside in favor of an acting career.
He is also in the cast of the indie titled “The Fate,” starring Kenken Nuyad and directed by Rey Coloma.
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Filipino-owned LPG company South Pacific Inc. recently held its first golf invitational tournament at the Tagaytay Midlands. It was participated in by its loyal corporate partners and valued clients. Barely four years in existence, SPI has already institutionalized its competitiveness by having the third largest market share in the local LPG industry.
SPI founder Arnel Ty and President Jun Golingay were among the executives that participated in the cordial event. Tournament winners were:Class A Champion-Danilo Robles; Class B Champion-Dondon Dy; Class C Champion-Roger Tan; Class D Champion-Alvin Diy; Ladies Champion-Riva Galveztan. The winners of the Special Awards were Longest Drive-Bernard Dy, Most Accurate Drive-Carlo Layug, Nearest to the Pin-Dante Carpio.
Because of the tournament’s success and the enthusiastic clamor of its participants, SPI has committed to a second edition of the event. The second SPI Invitational Golf Tournament will be held on May 2020 with a promise of more exciting prizes up for grabs.