Why We Shouldn't Miss 'Kung Fu Yoga'

Kung Hei Fat Choi! 

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Star Cinema releases Jackie Chan’s latest film, “Kung Fu Yoga”, in Philppine cinemas on Wednesday, February 1. 

We’ve actually seen much of Jackie Chan in movies for so many years. You know, those Chinese martial arts films we see on TV growing up in the 90s. He aso successfully penetrated Hollywood, with some box-office hits including “The Tuxedo” and “Shanghai Noon”. I personally loved him playing mentor in “Karate Kid”. 

But how does “Kung Fu Yoga” differ from all that he has done? Here are some of the reasons:

The film puts together three of the biggest film markets in Asia: China, Korea and Bollywood. So imagine how powerful it can get when fused in a film as big as this, led by an Asian superstar no less!

This is Jackie Chan’s reunion with renowned Hong Kong director, producer and action choreographer Stephen Tong. Their last collaboration was “Chinese Zodiac” in 2013. 

It was shot in four countries: China, India, Iceland and UAE (Dubai). Definitely one of the most expensive films Jackie Chan has done in his impressive career.

In Dubai set alone, 70 (lang naman!) sports cars were used as props during the car chase scene. 

The film also stars multi-media star and Kpop group EXO member Zhang XiYing aka Lay. Those who have seen it, and Jackie Chan himself said that he is funny and charming in this one.  

Also to watch out in the film is Chinito heartthrob Aarif Rahman, an award winning actor and singer from Hongkong, who reminds Jackie Chan of his younger years.

4 Questions For JK Labajo

2017 has just started, yet things are already looking up for The Voice Kids Season 1 finalist and teen heartthrob JK Labajo.

His second album under MCA Music, "JKL", has just been released.  JK is also be part of Star Creatives’ newest primetime teleserye, “A Love To Last”, where he plays Lucas, a rebellious mama’s boy. He's with some of our biggest stars today like Ian Veneracion, Iza Calzado, Xian Lim, Julia Barretto, Enchong Dee and Bea Alonzo.

Your Ang Dakilang Fan caught up with this season’s rising teen star, and we got to ask him 4 questions in 4 minutes (or less) about his newest serye, album… And that feeling of excitement about falling in love at his age.

So, what are the similarities and differences of your “A Love To Last” character, Lucas Noble, to real life JK? 

What excites you about the thought of falling in love? 

How’s your upcoming second album? 

What’s the song that would best describe your life now? 

Seven Times A Week With Loisa

2016 proved to be a big year for former PBB housemate and teen sweetheart Loisa Andalio. But 2017 seems gearing to be a bigger one! 

Later in ASAP (at 11:50 am), she will be launched as part of the musical variety show's newest all girl group BFF5 (pronounced as BFFs), where every Sunday she gets to share the stage with fellow teen sweethearts Maris Racal, Ylona Garcia, Kira Balinger and Andrea Brillantes. 

Later tonight, she returns to Wansapanataym after her record-breaking Candy's Crush episode last July with Jerome Ponce. Loisa is now Goldie in Wansapanataym: My Hair Lady, where she will be paired with Hashtags' Jameson Blake and Pinoy Boyband Superstar's Mark Oblea. 

And tomorrow night, she makes her Primetime Bida debut as she takes part in My Dear Heart, the newest values-laden teleserye topbilled by Coney Reyes, Zanjoe Marudo, Bela Padilla and newcomer Naomi Ramos. 

Plus, if time permits, she's still part of It's Showtime's Girl Trends. 

So that means, we get to see Loisa seven times a week. Not complaining though, as this girl only proves that her hardwork and determination to make it good and big in showbiz is paying off. But the question is... Natutulog ka pa ba Loiskie? DAPAT!

All the best, and proud of you Loisa!  

From Gay Grandson to Tough Soldier: Jerome Ponce is Back on MMK!

After playing a flighty and loving gay grandson in a highly rated last September, Jerome Ponce returns to MMK in another episode that will surely touch our hearts, and inspire us, especially all the hardworking fathers out there. 

Jerome plays Recho, a young man raised in poverty, who worked his way to becoming a soldier, for his family and for himself. Marrying at a young age, Recho’s ties with his wife however broke as he spent less time with her and their kids because of call of duty. How did Recho manage to take full responsibility of raising his two kids amidst the demands of his work as a soldier?

I was able to visit the set in Tanay, Rizal last Wednesday, and I must say… Ang layo ng location! At ang ginaw! On a more serious note, putting my biases aside, Jerome was able to pull of his role as a soldier. His height, his stance, his nuances… He is now becoming a more matured, versatile actor – one of the best in his generation! He was also able to do some military training stuff during takes, along with some real-life young soldiers who played Recho’s co-trainees and comrades. 

This episode also features the MMK comeback of premiere actor John Estrada, fresh from the success of his serye “Magpahanggang Wakas”, who plays the older Recho, who witnesses how his failed marriage and commitment at work affected his teenage kids, played by Bugoy Carino and Girl Trend member Jane De Leon. Also in the cast are Erin Ocampo, Rochelle Barrameda, Ronnie Quizon, Alex Castro, Jomari Angeles, Marilyn Villamayor and Marco Masa, who plays the young Recho.

#MMKSingleDadSoldier directed by Frasco Mortiz, and written by Akeem Del Rosario and Arah Jell Badayos, airs tomorrow (Saturday, January 21) at 8:15 PM on ABS-CBN. Don’t miss this truly  heartfelt and inspiring episode of MMK! 

Here's the trailer: 

And before we get to see the episode, here are some exclusive behind-the-scenes pictures I took from the taping. I also want to credit Jerome’s personal assistant and drive, Kuya Jojo, for taking the other pictures the following taping day. I wasn’t able to visit again because of school. STUDIES FIRST, you know. 

Jerome with Jomari and some real-life soldiers who
played support to him in the episode

Jerome and Jomari are trainees and comrades
in this episode.

Jerome gets to experience battle while in dirty, muddy water...

... And he seemed to enjoy it!

Recho has to leave for duty. 

Seriously reading and studying his script.

Erin Ocampo of GirlTrends play Helen, Recho's estranged wife.

This is what Recho sees after coming home from duty.

Cofrontation scene

Heartwarming scene with his family. 

Hindi pwedeng wala kaming picture together!

While waiting for the set-up. 

Unmasking The Real Julia Barretto

At Ronnie Alonte's concert just last month, in the middle of our conversation, Julia Barretto challenged me to ask her a question that has never been asked to and about her. It actually proved to be a challenging one because, in the three years I've known Julia, I know much of her (except, of course, some of the things about her private life that should remain undisclosed). I can actually just ask her about anything and everything. And so much have been asked to her in the entire promo of "Vince And Kath And James", when I asked a certain question, she answered, "please refer to my other interviews". I actually had a hard time, but Julia boosted my ego by saying, "Kaya mo yan! Magaling ka naman e!" Thanks Juls! 

So I searched my mind and heart of what could be that question I haven't asked her yet. Something na I may know the answer deep down, pero I never really verbalized or didn't attempt na tanungin at all. Then in a light bulb moment, I asked her, "What's the biggest muisconcepction about Julia Barretto?"

Watch the video and find out her truly heartfelt answer. And someone really close to her answered the question for her as well. Curious? Here it is: 

You can still catch Julia in "Vince And Kath And James", still playing in cinemas nationwide. She is also part of the teleserye "A Love To Last" which premieres this Monday on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida block! 

Mr. Ultimate Piolo at 40

I still can't believe that Piolo Pascual is actually turning 40 this month. 

I mean, tingnan mo naman ang hitsura niya. Kahit nga 30ish, hindi ako maniniwala agad. He is still one of the best looking guys around. When I attended the bloggers' conference for his birthday #MrUltimatePiolo last Wednesday, karamihan natutulala sa presensya niya. Iba si Papa P!

But as he answered our questions during the blogcon, na-realize ko why he still looks fresh and palpable: it is coming from within. He is happy, blessed and grateful. The best thing is, he is sharing that feeling sa mga tao sa paligid niya. 

Here are some of Piolo's answers sa #MrUltimatePiolo. Actually, andami niyang nasabi at na-share na maganda, ako ang nahirapan mag-notes. But it was such a wonderful Q and A with Papa P, marami akong napulot na valuable lessons in life, through his journey and learnings as an actor, entepreneur, father, son... A man of and for God.

On insecurities in life, despite being "almost perfect" to the eyes of his supporters:

"I'm nowhere perfect. I'm a work in progress. But if I have an insecurity, I guess it's my shyness... I'm shy to open up."

On aging/turning 40:

"It doesn't bother me now. I've embraced my life now... Mas mahirap lang mag-burn ng metabolism."

On still feeling and being young at 40:

"I'll always feel young no matter what age I will be. We only live once. Feel young."

On his son, Inigo:

"He is becoming his own person. I feel complete knowing he is around. No matter what he becomes in life, I will always be grateful about his existence, and that he is my son."

On people calling him Papa P:

"It's still awkward. Even the cameramen, yun na tawag sa akin. Somehow, it reminds me to look good everytime.

On his upcoming film, "Once In A Lifetime":

"It's very real. It's closer to home. I play a man looking for purpose. I'm really proud to do something like this."

On his leading lady in "Once In A Lifetime", Yen Santos:

"She's very professional and she's a go-getter. The screen loves her."

On pursuing another career, given another life timeline:

"I'd still be pursuing this. Hindi maging artista, pero umarte. I just can't picture myself doing something else."

On kids who want to pursue showbiz:

"Finish school first. Showbiz, it's not gonna go away. Do workshops, training... Enter the battle equipped, and learn the ropes while you're in it. Work on it. And pray hard for it. 


On his 5 sexiest women in showbiz:

"Izadora. She kept her looking maintained. She knows how to take care of herself. That for me is sexy. And she has a very beautiful, sexy face. Si Shaina... She's so good at how she projects herself. Nadine Lustre. Liza Soberano. Kathryn Bernardo."