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There are two Joel Lamangan flicks for this season’s Metro Manila Film Festival, and each is an interesting mix of drama and comedy.
There are two Joel Lamangan flicks for this season’s Metro Manila Film Festival, and each is an interesting mix of drama and comedy. Whether you’re a Pinay on-the-go who’s dealing with issues on life and love, or a child who yearns to understand the powerful love of a mother, there’s a movie made just for you! Additional text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco and Jason John S. Lim. Press release and photos courtesy of Regal Entertainment and GMA Network. All They Need is Love A story of four beautiful half-sisters with different eccentricities and issues on family and relationships, it portrays the Filipino woman’s many trials and how she copes with life’s unending ups and downs but in the end realizes that all she really needs is love. The film by respected Director Joel Lamangan showcases some of the country’s most captivating and stylish actresses today in unforgettable roles set to make the audience laugh, cry and be entertained this holiday season. There’s no subject too taboo when it comes to the four lead characters. Ruffa Gutierrez plays the role of Isabella, a single mother who antagonizes her sisters because she doesn’t know how else to show her affection for them. Rufa Mae Quinto plays Patricia, a sexologist whose books on sexual relationships is ruining her own life. Iza Calzado gives life to Stephanie, a demure and conservative lawyer who doesn’t know how to let her wild side out. And Marian Rivera portrays the youngest sibling: Courtney, a fashion designer who specializes in swimwear and undergarments, whose life turns upside down when her liberal boyfriend suddenly decides to convert to Born Again Christianity. Follow these beautiful women as they deal with ups and downs, especially when their men start complicating their lives! Jay-R plays the irresistible ramp model who, to get closer to Isabella, pretends to not love her. Wendell Ramos is the emasculated husband of Patricia who embraces his feminine side when he finds his wife intolerable. TJ Trinidad is a doctor whose lack of time for his wife Stephanie drives her into the arms of another man. And Will Devaughn stars in his first movie as the converted basketball player who drives Courtney crazy with his suddenly conservative lifestyle. Desperadas (All They Need is Love) will touch the audience in a light but endearing way as they relate to the situations and lives of the characters. A must-see movie for everyone who believes that in this world, the only thing we really need is love. A Pinoy Mano Po “Bahay kubo, kahit munti, Ang mga anak dito ay sari-sari. Iniwan, ibinigay, mayroon din namang tunay, Umangat man sa buhay, Ituturing pa rin na pantay-pantay…” Set in Regal tradition, Bahay Kubo is a sweet and sentimental family tale that is as endearing as the children’s song it is culled from. Love and familial ties come together this season in a delightful comedy drama filled with laughter and tears. The film stars no less than Diamond Star Maricel Soriano together with Eric Quizon, Marian Rivera, Shaina Magdayao, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Rayver Cruz, Eugene Domingo, Bearwin Meily, Jiro Manio, Isabella de Leon, Rita Iringan, and Ms. Gloria Romero. The screenplay is headed by the talented comedy-writing tandem of Suzette Doctolero and RJ Nuevas, and it’s directed by the award-winning Joel Lamangan. “Bahay Kubo is dedicated to the family,” says executive producer Mother Lily Monteverde, who also pioneered the iconic Mano Po series. The central character Eden (played by Maricel Soriano) is blessed with plenty of adopted children and one biological child. Just when she has cared for the children deeply and has grown close to them, circumstances force the family to break up. The kids leave one by one and the once happy and full bahay kubo becomes lonely and empty. Mother Lily describes her latest project as “full of heart, full of emotion.” She discloses further, “We hope that it will entertain and touch hearts, and also make families closer and more appreciative of each other.” Bahay Kubo makes up for its somewhat predictable storyline through exemplary acting and catchy dialogues. Since it doesn’t have special effects found in most films nowadays, Bahay Kubo has a raw quality to it – a stark background for sheer talent from its cast. As much as viewers will cry tears of longing, they will also cry tears of joy, thanks to the laughs provided by Bearwin, Eugene and the inimitable Ms. Gloria. Eugene plays Eden’s best friend Marang, a wannabe actress. Eugene is so effective in her sequences; she is a perfect partner to the Diamond Star. Maricel is definitely of Best Actress caliber as she showcases her perfect comic timing and fine dramatic skills, thus making “Bahay Kubo” all the more a must-see for the whole family! Rush to the nearest cinemas this season to catch Desperadas and Bahay Kubo!