...the Knot actress

British Filipina actress co-stars in The Knot

by Patrick Camara Ropeta,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

10/05/2012

 

 

 

 

 

LONDON - From Pink Ranger to crazy bridesmaid, actress Rhoda Montemayor debuts on the big screen with a risque role in “The Knot”, a raucous romantic comedy dubbed as the British version of “Bridesmaids” and “The Hangover”.

Set on a summer day in London, it follows the mishaps of a young couple as they go through their wedding day with a set of rowdy friends.

Montemayor plays bridesmaid Anisha, a free-spirited minx who gets up to all kinds of shenanigans, which proved to be a hit with audiences from previews of the film.

“Anisha is crazy. She is fun. I really enjoyed playing her. However, it was quite a challenge because she gets up to a lot of mischief within the film. I’m actually quite nervous about my parent’s seeing this,” she told ABS-CBN News at a special screening and Q&A at London Film School (LSF).

“To be honest, it was quite difficult to relate to Anisha when I was reading the script. I didn’t know how to relate to her because she was so wild and out there, so carefree. But I always try to relate to every character I play, so I found my angle to make her really fun and I grew to like her.”

Best known as Pink Ranger from popular children’s series “Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive”, her latest role is a departure from the tame characters she typically portrays, including stints in British television shows like “Trinity” and “Holby City”.

“One of the main differences is the fact that this character is the most adult role I have played to date.
I do get up to some mischief. So in comparison to all the other stuff which has been quite family friendly, this is the other extreme,” she explained, laughing at the thought of her Filipino parents watching the naughty film.

“I’m really happy with her performance,” observed Enrico Tessarin, a UK-based Italian producer of The Knot, who also attended the event at LFS.

“Audiences love her character. We had a lot of good feedback. I have no doubt she is going to do a lot more films. And I look forward to working with her in many projects.”

Filmed in less than a month in 2009, the independent British film boasts an impressive cast including Hollywood actress Mena Suvari, best known for her roles in “American Beauty” and “American Pie”.

She plays alongside a host of rising stars from British cinema, including BAFTA award winner Noel Clarke (Kidulthood), Matthew McNulty (Little Ashes), and Talulah Riley (St Trinian’s).

“I was blessed enough to work with Noel Clarke who is a big star in the UK and abroad, and he brought with him a lot of good actors including Rhoda Montemayor. And so we get a fantastic ensemble cast and a really good film getting fantastic feedback,” said Tessarin.

Montemayor added: “It was very overwhelming to begin with, I have to honest. I’ve known Noel for quite a long time, but this is the first time I’ve worked with him on screen properly. And obviously Mena Suvari is a massive name. I remember watching her films years ago. She was someone I was nervous about meeting. I’m hugely honoured to be working side by side with them.”

The film is touted by Company Magazine as the “British Bridesmaids meets The Hangover”, both of which amassed millions at box offices worldwide, a comparison welcomed by the film’s producer.

“I’m very proud of that. If The Knot does 10% of their combined box office, I’ll be forever happy and grateful. It’s a wedding film for today. It is about two people like us who get married. A lot of people don’t believe in marriage anymore, and there’s a lot of pressure sometimes to get married or not to get married,” said Tessarin.

“It’s a warm film. It’s going to make you laugh. Fingers crossed it’s going to make you think about love. Everybody comes out of the cinema with a big smile, which is priceless.”

“The Knot” is out on 05 October in cinemas across UK and Ireland.

...the Pinoy amateur actors in Dutch films

Two Pinoys star in Dutch film on domestic help

 

 

By Loui Galicia,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

10/05/2012

 

 

HOLLAND - Three Dutch women are behind the making of a film about the life of a homosexual Filipino houseboy in Holland.

 

Produced by Family Affair Films, “Boy” was included among the Dutch films that were screened at the Netherlands Film Festival in Utrecht.

Arvin Quirante plays the gay dancer boyfriend of Gerald Gonzales in the Dutch film "Boy"

The movie’s writer took inspiration from her Pinoy friend who worked as a houseboy, hence the film was aptly titled as “Boy.”

“I was intrigued by someone I know who cleans posh houses in Amsterdam and I know him as a very mysterious, secretive man who seems very intelligent and too good for this kind of work,” Cecily Levy told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

“I’ve been intrigued by his secret world moving around in these posh houses, seeing everyone’s secrets, everyone’s dirty underwear, everyone’s mess but not really being a part of their lives” Levy added.

According to Levy, it was a very intensive writing period, and the whole story is an image of the tension between being very service-minded and also very dependent on their environment.

“I think Filipinos, they are all over the world. They are very highly educated, they know their languages. They are very friendly and they mingle easily in the different kinds of environment,” Levy said.

“Boy” showed the hard work, patience and concern of the Filipino domestic helper to his employer as well as his love for his family in the Philippines.

Gerald Gonzales plays the role of "Boy", a homosexual and undocumented worker in The Netherlands

Both Dutch and Tagalog were spoken in the movie.

Two unknown Filipinos starred in “Boy” and are now instant celebrities in The Netherlands.

“They’re amateurs but you don’t have professional Filipino actors in Holland in this age that we wanted, that speak Dutch and Tagalog and that require the kind of expressions that you need,” the film director Tami Ravid said.

“I love them. I am very happy I found them. I found Arvin in the beginning, in the first casting and I already knew I wanted him for the boyfriend and then I have to find a lead but it took a long time but I found him...They have very good chemistry with each other,” Ravid added.

Arvin Quirante

Gerald Gonzales played the role of “Boy”, a homosexual and undocumented worker in The Netherlands, who works as house cleaner in order to support his family in the Philippines.

With him is Arvin Quirante who played the gay dancer-boyfriend of Gonzales.
The two Pinoys cannot believe their luck in landing on the big screen in The Netherlands.

“Mixed emotions kasi, of course, marami namang magagaling na Pilipino na pwedeng gumawa ng role pero happy, at the same time, shocked. I did not expect that I will be cast in this role,” Quirante said.

“Actually I don’t have any acting experience. I got this part by accident. My friend sent me the link to the website,” Gonzales said.

Without any acting experience, the two Pinoys landed major roles which will change their lives forever.

“Medyo mabigat yung theme. It’s not just about being gay but also about being illegal in Europe also pagiging malungkot yung buhay na mahirap sa Philippines tapos dito din yung buhay ng mahirap,” Gonzales said.

“Ninerbyos kami parehas ni Gerald pero ang mga team, they handled it very professionally so kumalma kami,” Quirante said.

Quirante even took the initiative to take a few hours of pole-dancing lessons in order to portray the role well and was very happy when he finally watched the movie.

The two Pinoys are not only thankful for the very rare opportunity to show their acting skills and be international stars but all the more for the very big chance to give life to the struggles of gay Filipinos outside the Philippines on the Dutch silver screen.

...the Malaysian covergirl

Pinay teen wins 2012 covergirl search for Seventeen Magazine-Malaysia

 

October 5, 2012

GMA News

 

 

Sixteen-year old Filipina Erika Magora recently won the 2012 Covergirl Search of the Malaysian edition of Seventeen Magazine.

 

 In a news release on Friday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Magora was born of Filipino parents and grew up in Valenzuela City.

She arrived in Malaysia in 2008 with her mother and grandmother, and speaks fluent Malay, English, and Filipino.

Magora studies in a private school in Subang Jaya, Selangor, and is always a top student in her class. The DFA said she intends to pursue law studies in college.

Magora's hobbies include playing the guitar, singing, surfing the net, and reading books.

Last January, Magora attended an event entitled “Clinique Sweet Seventeen Makeover Party” organized by Seventeen Malaysia.

During the event, one of the magazine editors spotted her and invited for a photo shoot for their June 2012 issue.

In April, she also joined the Seventeen Covergirl Search 2012.

"Because of her charm and beauty, she stood out from all other contestants and won the contest. She then appeared in the magazine’s October 2012 issue, together with Malaysian pop star Mizz Nina," the DFA said.

 

Magora paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya on October 1 with her mother, Anne Patricia Magora.

Malaya congratulated Magora for her victory and urged her to remain a well-rounded individual.

“Do continue to be a pride of your Filipino heritage, and show to them the beauty, spirit and other positive Filipino traits. Also, be a good example to your fellow teenagers on what they can strive to be,” he said. - VVP, GMA News

...the 22nd climb

PSEi reaches new all-time high

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

 10/03/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The Philippine Stock Exchange index hit a fresh all-time high on Wednesday, the 22nd time this year.

 

The PSEi closed at 5,375.52 on Wednesday, 0.50% higher than the previous day's close. The previous record close was 5,369.98 on July 2.

"The upbeat outlook of the economy, including the Asian Development Bank's assessment in its recent report, affirms confidence in the Philippine market, pushing the main index to yet another unprecedented level," PSE Chairman Jose T. Pardo said, in a statement.

SM Investments was the top traded stock, up 2.7% to P760. Ayala Land rose 0.85% to P23.60, while Alliance Global Group fell 0.13% to P14.94.

At the foreign exchange market, the peso was almost unchanged at P41.595 against the US dollar.

Asian markets mixed

Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed with uncertainty over a bailout for struggling Spain keeping traders on edge.

Hong Kong, which was returning after a two-day holiday, rose 0.23 percent, or 47.90 points, to 20,888.28.

Sydney climbed 0.13 percent, or 5.6 points, to 4,438.6 but Tokyo fell 0.45 percent, or 39.18 points, to 8,746.87.

Shanghai and Seoul were closed for public holidays.

With Wall Street unable to provide a spark, regional trade was tepid as investors await policy meetings by the central banks of Europe and Japan as well as closely-watched US jobs figures later in the week.

The eurozone crisis continued to weigh after Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he was not planning to ask for a rescue package any time soon, despite the parlous state of the country's finances and its dangerously high borrowing costs.

Spain, the eurozone's fourth biggest economy, is required to make a formal demand for help in order to trigger the release of eurozone rescue funds and supportive action from the European Central Bank.

Analysts had expected it to formally ask for help within days after last week unveiling an austerity budget widely seen as a precursor to a request.

"There was little to encourage a bounce across the risk spectrum overnight with moderate weakness from US equities alongside easing expectations Spain will imminently seek financial aid," said Melbourne-based Chris Gore, currency analyst at GO Markets in a note, according to Dow Jones Newswires. - With Agence France-Presse

...the Azkal's FIFA ranking

FIFA Rankings: Azkals move up to 147 in the world, 21st in Asia

 

October 3, 2012

GMA News

 

 

The Philippine Azkals moved up to 147 in the world with 178 points, in the latest FIFA rankings released Wednesday, October 3, buoyed by a month where they won four matches.

Thanks to a win in a friendly against Singapore, and a sweep of the Peace Cup, versus Guam, Macau and Chinese-Taipei, the Azkals moved up three places from last month, and are now 21st in Asia.

Globally, the Philippines is tied with Kazakhstan, which tumbled down five places, with both countries a point shy of Cuba, ranked 146th, with 179 points.

Up next for the Azkals is a trio of friendlies against Bahrain (115 globally, 15th in Asia), Kuwait (112 globally, 13th in Asia) and Singapore (168 globally, 28th in Asia) once more, in preparation for November's Suzuki Cup.

Tops in Asia are Japan (23 globally), South Korea (25 globally), and Australia (34 globally). - AMD, GMA News

...the growth forecast 2012 (ADB)

ADB raises growth forecast for Philippines

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

10/03/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.5% in 2012, while it cut forecasts for most Asian countries.

 

In its update of the Asian Development Outlook 2012, the ADB said the Philippine economy is expected to grow even faster at 5.5% this year. This is higher than its original forecast of 4.8% last April. This takes into account the higher-than-expected growth in the first half and more moderate growth seen in the second half.

"Robust private consumption and a rebound in government spending drove economic growth higher than expected in the first half of 2012, prompting an upward revision of the forecast for the full year," the ADB report said.

The GDP growth target for 2013 remains the same at 5%. "The impact of the 2012 rebound in government spending will fade in 2013 (though capital spending will increase) and net exports will likely weigh on GDP growth, as growth in imports is projected to outpace that for exports," the report said.

The ADB noted that upgrades in indicators of competitiveness and sovereign ratings show improvements in the investment environment in the Philippines.

ADB forecasts inflation at 3.5% in 2012, and 4.1% in 2013, on higher global food prices and pressures from sustained strength in domestic demand.

More jobs needed


The ADB said the uncertainty in the global economy may hurt the Philippines' economic forecasts.

"Weaker-than-expected growth in industrial countries and the PRC (China) would hurt prospects for exports, investment, and remittances. Further delays affecting public–private partnership projects would dent investor sentiments," it said.

Jobs creation and poverty rdeuction remain challenges for the Philippines.

 

"Increased business confidence bodes well for investment and future jobs. But the Philippines must guard against weaknesses outside its own economy that could have a knock-on effect," ADB chief economist Changyong Rhee said, in a statement.

While the government reports the number of new jobs have grown by a million from a year ago, the ADB noted this only slightly exceeds the overall growth in labor force and a rise in part-time employment. The number of full-time jobs dropped by 500,000 last year.

"The key challenge is to link economic growth to poverty reduction. Despite solid economic growth, job generation remains inadequate, reflected in rates of unemployment and underemployment. The incidence of poverty remains high at 26.5% in 2009, compared to 26.4% in 2006 and 24.9% in 2003," said Neeraj Jain, ADB country director for the Philippines.

Robust private consumption and investment will continue to help boost the service sector. The business process outsourcing industry is expected to continue to grow, with revenues growing by 20% annually through 2016.

...the Marvel fan art

Pinoy artist Dexter Soy never thought a 'fan art' would get him a job at Marvel

 

KARLA MAQUILING

October 2, 2012

 

 

Filipino artist Dexter Soy, who is illustrating the characters for the graphic series Captain Marvel, never thought a simple fan art would get him a job at Marvel Comics.

 

The Pangasinan-based artist was discovered by the international comic book publisher after he uploaded on the Internet a “fan art” or an illustration of Thor, the Norse God of Thunder and one of Marvel’s major characters.

 

 

 

 

 

A local comics writer, Budjette Tan, had discovered Soy’s Thor artwork and shared it on the microblogging site Twitter.

This caught the attention of Marvel senior vice president C.B. Cebulski, who hired Soy after asking him to illustrate a few pages.

Soy still finds it hard to believe that a fan art could lead to his biggest break.

“I never thought it would [get me a job at Marvel],” Soy said in an e-mail interview with GMA News Online.

Before Marvel, Soy had illustrated for two other international graphic publications: Electronic Arts’ Army of Two and Spartacus, which is based on a television series.

Early start

Even as a child, Soy had always been a fan of super heroes. He would draw them and collect trading cards with these characters.

Soy is the only artist in the family. “My dad likes to draw, but other than that, nobody else on my mother’s or fathers’ side is inclined toward drawing,” he shared.

While working toward an architecture degree in college, Soy continued to improve on his drawing skills by creating his own comic strips and producing fan art.

He closely followed the work of American comic book writer Joe Madureira of Uncanny X-Men fame and Filipino comic book artist Leinil Francis Yu, also a Marvel illustrator. He considers both his idols.

Soy also continued to update his online gallery on DeviantArt.com, where he uploads his illustrations from as far back as 2006.

The page has a solid fan base that has closely followed Soy’s career, from a freelance artist who gets commissions to an internationally recognized illustrator inking for a huge comic book publisher.

Be more visible

Seeing how the Internet has made it possible for a local illustrator to be discovered by a New York-based media company, Soy is encouraging other Pinoy artists to build their online portfolio and be more visible on the Web.

“Try to get your art out there. It’s much easier to get exposure nowadays with the help of the Internet,” Soy advised.

While not everyone gets a serendipitous break like he did, Soy advises aspiring artists to constantly work on improving their craft and to always aim for the best in their art.

“They should never give up and always enjoy what they are doing,” Soy said. - VVP, GMA News

...the Piña

Filipino piña couture hits NY

 

By Don Tagala,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

10/02/2012

 

 

“Philippine piña and other indigenous textiles can compete in the world of high fashion.” - Anthony Cruz Legarda

 

 

NEW YORK - It was simply called “Piña Couture New York.” The Philippines’ signature hand-woven pineapple fabric was the main feature at a fashion show held at the New York Philippine Consulate last Friday.

 

Photo from: www.broadwayworld.com

 

 

Designer Anthony Legarda, an alumnus of the New York Fashion Institute of Technology had an idea about merging cultures in high fashion.

“In order to have the mainstream understand what piña is about and other indigenous Philippines textiles, we have to redesign it so it would be more present, more now. That’s the reason why I’m doing this to find a bigger client definitely for our weavers in the Philippines,” Legarda said.

As a textile technologist, Legarda has ventured into using other Philippine fibers such as the ubiquitous water hyacinth or water lily and a Pinoy-favorite vegetable, saluyot, not the leaf, but the fibers from its stem.

“This is pure pineapple. But we have new fibers now, the saluyot, it’s a jute fabric, you can embroider these new fibers from the Philippines, I try to use all Philippines fibers as well, we’re now developing water hyacinth and saluyot,” he said.

Filipino-American model Barbara Frez said, “Absolutely I would wear one, I would wear each and every one of these outfits, they’re very comfortable, not itchy, nothing. I would definitely wear it.”

Legarda says his goal is to spread the message that Philippine Piña and other indigenous textiles can compete in the world of high fashion couture.

“The presentation is an eye-opener to most attendees and I’m very proud as a Filipino that we have entered that global stage where everyone is practically opening the doors for the Filipino fabric, to be internationally accepted,” Pinoy fashionista Ron Regenit said.

These Filipino fabrics are hand-woven, embellished, and dyed with natural pigments by indigenous master weavers from the Philippines.

Legarda’s runway works of art not only push for the Philippine organic fibers to become the next “world-renowned fabric but it also shows that high fashion clothing can be earth-friendly at the same time.

...the Pinoy foods invade UK

Bagoong, chicharon now sold at UK supermarket chain

 

By Patrick Camara Ropeta,

ABS-CBN Europe New Bureau

10/02/2012

 

 

LONDON - Food products from the Philippines are now available at one of the largest supermarket chains in the UK, raising hopes of Filipino businesses for trade and exports in mainstream British market.

 

Retail giant Tesco launched a selection of Filipino food products at 10 of its stores across the country, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Northern Ireland.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at one of the stores, Tesco Extra in Sandhurst, Berkshire, on Monday, 01 October, led by Ambassador Enrique Manalo from the Philippine Embassy in London.



“This is a great opportunity for Philippine products to be tasted by the British public, and a great way to mainstream [Filipino] products into the UK market and make it available to British consumers,” he told ABS-CBN News.

The ambassador, who bought the first Filipino products to be sold at the store, added: “Our own Filipino community will have an opportunity too to go to major supermarket chains like Tesco, one of the largest in the UK. They will be very happy with this development and it would be a great way to get our products known to more people in this country.”

The market launch is part of an initiative from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in London (PTIC), an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.


“It was earlier this year that we introduced Manning Impex to Tesco, and from there they forged a partnership into having our Philippine products enter mainstream market, and this is just the start,” said Kristine Umali, commercial attache and director of PTIC UK.


“We promote the Philippines as a destination for investment, and at the same time, we promote our trade with the UK, particularly focusing on Philippine exports. This launch is a clear manifestation of the opportunity for Philippine products to enter the UK market.”

Manning Impex seemed like a perfect match for Tesco, a multibillion British retail corporation with stores all over the UK, Europe and Asia.

"To sum it up in a sentence: to have Philippine foods in the World Food aisle is where it deserves to be," said Michael Cheong, chief operating officer at Manning Impex, UK-based exporters of Philippine food products, which celebrated it’s 25th year anniversary earlier this year.

“There are two-fold effects I feel: one is the more widespread availability of Filipino stores outside Pinoy sari-saris for example. And the second is to put on the map Philippine foods onto UK tables and kitchen tables up and down the UK and Ireland. Filipinos need their food from home, and UK households are learning too about Filipino food.”

With over 30% market share in British supermarkets, Tesco already stocks products from around the world including Jamaica, Thailand, China, India and Poland.

“We’ve introduced Chinese and Indian products many years ago and our customers have bought into it and shopped into them because they like home cooking. With the Filipino range, it gives them different flavors to consider,” said Terry Cushing, store manager at Tesco Extra in Sandhurst.

Filipino products available at Tesco supermarkets include popular items like bagoong, patis, chicharon, sandwich fillings, crisps, instant noodles, and canned goods.

Participating Tesco stores, chosen for their proximity to the largest Filipino communities in the UK, are: Sandhurst Extra (Berkshire), Wembley Extra (London), Harrow Station Road (London), Cheetham Hill (Manchester), Chestnut Extra (Hertfordshire), Horwich Extra (Lancashire), Stockton Extra (Stockton-on-Tees), Springhill (Birmingham), Yardley Extra (Birmingham), and Dungannon Superstore (Northern Ireland).