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Shining Bright, Star Magic Artists on Movies This May

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 13 May 2026 01:21:00 +0000

If you've been noticing, the artists from Star Magic are shining even brighter in cinemas as their movies get released this month.

This includes Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra, Jane Oineza and Loisa Andallo. JMFyang for starters did good on Almost Us which I had the opportunity to watch a few days ago. It was produced by Regal Entertainment and handled by Director Dan Villegas. Jane and Loisa on the other hand did Midnight Girls which I got to see through advanced screening last week, which is a pretty good nod to the stories of OFW's and the things they sacrificed to earn for their family. Donny and Belle's last project together (sans announcement) is "Tayo sa Wakas" which was done by Direk Cathy Garcia Sampana. It will be shown on the 27th and I'm looking forward to see it too.

This is quality we can only expect from Star Magic. Make sure you support your artists because it matters, more projects for them all, hopefully!

Cavill-Gyllenhaal Starrer IN THE GREY Out on May 13th!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:38:00 +0000

You simply can't cross someone who's made living being in dangerous situations. This is something that you're about to see in the Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal film called "In The Grey" which will come out on May 13th, 2026.

Billions of dollars worth of guns goons and gold get stolen by Manny Salazar who's got his own island for starters, which only Sid and Bronco (played by Cavill and Gyllenhaal) can infiltrate. This is a concept by Guy Ritchie, (does this mean it's Madonna approved?), directed by him as well. This is based off real events specifically in finance (debts and shell accounts) so you'll get to see how dirty that world can be! This is released in the Philippines by CreaZion Studios International and I'm so excited to see what Superman could do after previous hit movies.

Oh and may I suggest you see Gyllenhaal too for those eyes? Make sure you follow CreaZion Studios social channels because they just released the latest trailer for it. It's so bad @ss!

Immersive, Revealing and Brilliant Storytelling: “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence"

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 12 May 2026 01:21:00 +0000

If there's a certain time to tell a story, it is NOW. When we got to see an episode of “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence" a few days ago, I really felt uneasy. Fact of the matter is, their story based on real life. When I saw the numbers they put in on the scenes of folks who perished during those times, they weren't simply putting in statistics, but real lives, it could be someone's son, father, brother, uncle, friend, and the manner they got eliminated was certainly a crime against humanity no doubt, but Mr. Ian Veneracion dubbed this as non political, I tried so hard to see it that way, but I get where he is coming from.

In a way, this six part series main objective is to spark conversation. I guess they wouldn't be able to serve it's purpose if it is just going to take sides in this highly pointed topic.

Director and creator Shugo Praico says "We did this because when we were conceptualizing the story, we felt the characters and those they represent should be heard globally. This is a critical period in our time, it needs to be seen. We believe in Filipino talent, and how we tell stories. This is an opportunity to introduce our actors, in a bigger setting. There will be an announcement soon, and we hope you see what's good in this series (they're still looking for an apt platform), but we need to hear your thoughts on the material. I think the story, the root of this film, it's very Filipino. What we want people to feel is the urge to have a conversation, it's where one can understand, to heighten the thought process, to become better people."

Ian says "When I read the script, I felt I really had to be part of this, in particular as this involves our people, history and our humanity. As an actor, my job is to go through that life and make memories out of it. I hope a lot of people see it especially those outside the country. It raises a lot of questions , and I hope this triggers better policies."

Jane added "My character had to fight for something, and that's what I needed to do in orde to prepare with the role."

Ms. Yayo says "We needed to ask a lot of questions to find out who we are, it's more of mental preparation. Director Shugo is different, they let you work freely and trust you to interpret it well according to the treatment you want to do. He appreciates that, sees our efforts but doesn't just leave us do things without reason."

Here's more of the talk back session after the screening:

Although not there during the screening, Harvey Bautista by the way is also in this series and he did a super good job playing the role of one of the victims. HE WAS AMAZING to say the least and should be one of the performances you would want to look forward to.

We also asked about our villains/character actors because I've always felt they're not just doing things mechanically... Ryan Eignemann and Joem Bascon mentioned how it comes with experience to be able to do that. True enough, they're doing their characters with emotional depth (which you'll see in future episodes too).

This was made like a movie from any standard, but I heard how they preferred to tell the story in a series format because they wanted the needed elements included. The story was just too good to tell and cut off, so they'd rather show everything instead. It's also immersive, meaning much of the exhaustion, running, walking will be felt by the viewer. It was made with that in mind so make sure you get to watch it once they decide on the platform soon!

JENNYLYN MERCADO for Beautéderm REVERIE Air & Linen Home Scents

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Sun, 10 May 2026 04:23:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've seen The Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado. But I can simply say she's thriving , has her shows left and right including her husband Dennis Trillo. I adore them so much especially on social media, but I bet, they're very special.people off cam as well. I personally experienced this when we did interviews with them in previous shows, some intimate, and I've never felt "niceness" personified in folks, but they did.

Jennylyn is everyone's "Bhe", and currently, she's building a home in Rizal with her family. She makes sure every peso spent in that place would be done wisely. She's making it her dream home and with it, she's making sure it doesn't only look nice, but smells nice as well. Beautéderm CEO Ms. Rei Tan has always known she'd be the perfect fit to be the face of REVERIE, a line of air and linen scents she launched a couple years back. Revamped, reformulated and re-imagined, it was the perfect time to bring back one of the most in demand home products from Beautéderm. This time, she's also bringing in 6 new scents.

Now they've got REVERIE available in CAFE AROMA, FIRST EMBRACE, PURE SERENITY, FIRST NOSTALGIA, LILY LUSH and CLOUD WHISPER scents. Much of which are relaxing and soft in nature, except the CAFE AROMA which as the name suggests might perk you up in a sleep day. It's also the favorite of Jen and Ms. Rei when we listened in on their conversation.

Ms. Rei says "We are so grateful, but beyond that, we at Beautéderm have evolved. What's in your home? The Reverie line is designed for the comfort and calmness, Ms Jennylyn graciously brings this to the table. Let us all enjoy the REVERIE today!"

Jen exclaimed "Thank you for the 2nd year of trust and confidence, of me being in Beautéderm. They've always taken good care of me because we really developed a good relationship. I miss you all because I haven't done a press conference for a while. Last year I was with the Cristaux skincare line, I was afraid it might have conflicts with the brand I also launched, but they supported me, all the way, and told me how we're at that age of building businesses, and Queens only support Queens! I am so touched with that."

If you would like to have these scents in your home, visit a Beautéderm branch near you!

Bonding Over Sparkles: KATRINA HALILI and Daughter Katie Graces MADDOX SHOWROOM of Charo Cordial

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Fri, 08 May 2026 11:37:00 +0000

Looks like the who's who of YouTube, internet and showbiz are all converging in Marikina City to grace the MADDOX Showroom of D Maddox Jewelry CEO Ms. Charo Cordial. They must have been finding themselves stuck watching the streams of Maddox Jewelry on Facebook, YouTube and on TikTok.

We couldn't blame them as they've been showcasing lovely pieces everyday and those sparkles (lovely diamonds) attract ladies naturally, no matter what age groups they belong to. Recently, celebrity Mom Katrina Halili was spotted at their showroom located at 1011 J.P. Rizal Street Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. She didn't come alone as they surprised Ms. Charo Cordial with her adorable daughter Katie (plus their Yaya too). Katie's eyes grew as she saw different gems and designs, as Ms. Katrina thought she'd love some for accessories. But they were surprised she uttered DIAMONDS when asked about what she would love to have.

They also revealed in the vlog how Ms. Katrina didn't have tapings during the week, and it was Katie and their knack for creating content about their everyday life that is now sometimes spending for her. During the talk, Katrina revealed how several brands have shown they also adore their family, and their AUsome journey. They also candidly mentioned Ms. Katrina's love life, and kids how her ex RnB sensation Kris Lawrence participates in it. Then out of nowhere, Katie became attached to a beautiful necklace, will they get it?! You should go watch that vlog!

While MADDOX JEWELRY is getting traction for their business out there, there have been reports of scam accounts who tried to pretend to be them, so Ms. Charo warns you should only do business with D Maddox Jewelry FB page (that's also verified). By the way, they'll be having a sale this coming May 7, 9 and 10 so I'd you are seriously looking for ones to get your money's worth (either to invest or enjoy having) go visit their showroom or be there when they stream live! If Katie loved them sparkles, you would too!

Watch and Win on TV5's Newest Shows!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Thu, 07 May 2026 01:39:00 +0000

TV viewing that's more rewarding, that is what TV5 wants you to experience this 2026. They call it Kapatid Manood at Manalo (KMM) where you can enjoy their best new shows plus a chance to win prizes too.

All you need to do is watch TV5 every day especially A Secret in Prague and My Bespren Emman fro.May 4th to June 5th from 8pm to 9:30pm so you can take note of the day's hashtag in each episode. Wait for the QR Code to be shown on the screen to scan and submit your entry.

Now the prizes are no joke, 5 winners will be drawn daily to win 1k, and 1 winner will get 50K and 5 Grand Winners will get a whopping 500,000 Pesos. This is also part of their TodoMax Primetime. If you want to know more about it, visit their social channels as they're all there!

UNIS ELISIA PARMISANO Brings the Philippines to the World!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 06 May 2026 23:02:00 +0000

When I heard about Elisia Parmisano being in the Philippines, I immediately wanted to interview her before she went back to Korea. I'm a fan, a huge one since I was able to follow her journey in a reality show when they were starting to form UNIS (via SBS).

That time, her charm and knack for singing and dancing made her a frontrunner, taking top spot several times when voting happened. Mind you, the KPOP training wasn't for the faint hearted, and some really got stressed to the point they had to quit the show (well that's what I thought happened). I'm super glad though that at the end of it all, she was able to overcome all the challenges and took her rightful spot in UNIS, a global KPOP group!

Elisia says "I'm just really happy to be back in the Philippines and do a lot of activities and spend time with my family. I really got to spend a lot of time with my parents and my dogs, so I'm really happy. I was here last year for a vacation too, for a couple of weeks then I went back to Korea . I've been training there since I was 13, and I'm 17 now! Doing that is really fun and I've already adjusted, the people are so nice there."

When asked about her communication skills , she says "I'm still learning actively, but I can converse and crack jokes already. Even other members teach me from time to time."

About her life there, she says "It kinda varies every day. There are lessons I have to attend either as an individual or as a group. After having my hair and makeup done, we proceed to do shows or events afterwards."

She was also able to meet some of KPOP's brightest stars, including her personal idols. She mentions how formal they are when they see each other before and after performances, and how nice they are to her and the UNIS group.

Here's more of that interview:

Elsia is very optimistic that there will be more opportunities for her and their group UNIS. She also made sure to thank the EVER AFTERS for supporting them all these years, and the near future. They've got lots of plans in the pipeline but she chose to be pretty mum about it, I'm super excited for them especially for Elisia (and Gelee) who's doing an absolutely great job representing the Philippines in the global KPOP arena!

Maybe we'll see her do KDramas soon, let's manifest that!

LUVIT Launched in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 06 May 2026 09:15:00 +0000

Took my sweet time traveling to Ortigas this afternoon to celebrate the launch of the new LUVIT Card. It's the new installment based buy now pay later card (connected with Mastercard) that's got a physical card and virtual one for your convenience.

Folks who are into microlending would surely love this new service by the FinVolution Group including the folks from JuanHand which has been very successful in the country.

Currently, they are offering 40 days of Zero Percent interest and a credit limit of up to 200K (if you're a good payer). You can avail of 3-6 month installment plants to make it easier for you to pay, something fit if you purchase products daily. If you also love food trips, or go to Boracay for a weekend, or watch BTS or Taylor Swift, wouldn't this be a good idea?!

Francisco Mauricio the CEO of Wefund Lending Corporation says "We want financial freedom to be accessed by Filipinos. We are letting you access it first. We are a startup, but we have been here for more than 17 years, 8 countries in the world. AI is in our DNA, and our sister is JuanHand. It's public, more importantly, we are bound with higher standards. We are the fastest growing financial app in Asia and the vision for LUVIT is to make financial choices human and simple. Loans can be used to buy fertilizer for farmers, it is something that people dream about, as we get the flexibility to pay. Remember, more than 90 percent of Filipinos don't have this. They have the capability to borrow and pay. This financial tool can get you places. Loans can be powerful, even the biggest corporations borrow money. Finally, we are helping you to enjoy it. You can now live the life you deserve."

Thing is, they are telling us that they can approve applications for their card in as fast as 90 seconds. If you're looking for something to buy and you don't have the money for it yet, this could be a life saver! There are also a lot of establishments that accept Mastercard which means you can access a lot of merchants through this card and it's virtual counterpart. Customer service has live agents so concerns can be easily addressed when you need to. You only need one ID to apply for it. With the card, you can pay for it right away or do a flexible payment instead.

You can now download it on the Google Play store (if you're on Android) or the App Store on iOS by searching LUVIT x JuanHand. Spot the app with the green heart and enjoy the perks starting now!

ALMOST US: Hear JMFyang Fans Screaming in Cinemas Today!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:22:00 +0000

JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith officially just released their first ever movie under Projec8Project and Regal Films. The movie talks about the lives of friends, one who's got a knack of creating their own knight and shining armor (in literature) while the other wants to break from the labels of friendship.

Commonly known as JMFyang, the pair looked incredibly comfortable with their characters. I'd say Fyang took her character into a more crass persona (by choice) , deadly in love with the hero she created for her fanfic. It builds a story between reality and fiction, But yes, it's super cute. There's not much drama (except in the latter part), a good thing because this was made to be enjoyed by fans.

Much of the conversations are situational and delusional at times, I could see a lot of the fans in front of the cinema laughing and eagerly awaiting what would happen next. Kenzo (played by Dustin Yu) is an individual who loves ideas, music, happiness, and the concept of hope that someday, he would take notice of her, including her fantasies.

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Fyang gave a very convincing performance, she's super fun. JM's character on the other hand was a hopeless romantic, put in a situation that made him weigh if his efforts are enough for a relationship to happen (or did it).

Today will be the first day of showing, and if you're raring to find out what happens in the movie, with the relationship and how they end up in the end, go show your support now. Just so you know, fans were screaming inside the cinemas. That alone should convince you to see it.

I'd give this a happy 8/10.

Take Advantage of Lower Prices and Create Your Smart YALE Home

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Sat, 02 May 2026 01:52:00 +0000

Security is always a top priority in our home, and one brand stands out all these years. It's called YALE, and they're bringing out their best products into the Philippine market.

If you're employing smart devices in your own home to manage small appliances, lights and stuff, I bring good news as YALE launches their very own SMART YALE HOME line. At True Value in Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City They have a kiosk and a few aisles dedicated for the new smart door locks including the ones I saw in display like the Luna Pro+, YDM7116A, By You D Pro and By You H Pro. They have small more affordable ones, but I'm super impressed with the Luna Pro+ that's got security through fingerprint (100 can he registered), PIN on the pad, RFID cards which you can give family members, Mechanical keys if you need it, Real Time Video, CCTV, chat on screen, Bluetooth connection to also do it. They also have the Yale Home app to manage these connections if you want to automate it with your existing network.

Isabel Oli Prats talked about how she put these devices on her new home

Jonathan Kwong of ASSA ABLOY Philippines says "Thank you for being here and taking time to support us in our campaign. Yale started years ago, and now we are present in over 100 countries. We are still manufacturing a lot of products and looking for ways to innovative our home security line."

True Value's Cynthia Chavez adds "Welcome to our Yale Home launch. At True Value we deliver the best products for the way you live. Convenience, control is needed, and these new products, it will grow with the need of new smart homes in the country. Their YALE products can be easily found in our stores especially this May. They get you the chance to win gifts at pop up booths, and it's perfect for modern living."

Here's what we saw that afternoon:

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I've seen people take advantage of the almost 30k discount on some of these smart locks. They also have safes if you prefer locking up documents, personal jewelry or money at home. Go check out the products this May because the deals will only be there til end of the month. I'm planning to get one for my home, and you should consider it too! They're keen to offer these in condominiums too, so kf you're interested, go talk to them in person or talk to one of the staff manning the popup in True Value. It's pretty dope!

Don't say I didn't tell you about it! :)

VIBE PH Knows How to Party

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:05:00 +0000

VIBE PH Jocks and Manny Pangilinan

Took the trip down Reliance street to visit VIBE PH as they take their awesome party at their newest place, the MVP STUDIO. It's their biggest one to date (I heard they've got bigger plans), but seeing them enjoy their new home was something I didn't want to miss. I could see the hosts excitement before the opening number and I managed to document parts of that and talk to them about it. When I asked if they were nervous about performing in the show, they told me they were more keen to give their viewers the best OPM performances they can dish out.

Elmo Magalona performed with the Vibe Jocks, they did several songs of his Dad Francis Magalona which I kinda miss seeing on TV. It's been a while since we've seen Elmo too, and I hope they get to do more with him in future shows. Aside from that, they also did a tribute to well loved all girl 90's band Prettier Than Pink. They performed the hit song "Cool Ka Lang", something folks in those younger years actually bopped with. It's so good to see them happily playing instruments again together, like a reunion of sorts and VIBE PH made it happen.

Prettier Than Pink performing Cool Ka Lang

VIBE PH Jocks and Elmo Magalona

PPOP Group VVINK

Shaina Magdayao and JM De Guzman

Enrique Gil and Andrea Brillantes

The Juans with Vibe Jocks

We also saw VVINK perform one of their hit songs, which was young, fun and fresh sounding. They're pretty good dancers too as with any good PPOP group would do. They also had The Juans, Earl Agustin and the band Lily for the Main Vibe stage, can't help but notice because they've got lots of fans screaming their lungs out. To end the evening, they had Salbakuta on stage, who performed their hit songs. They had the crowd up on their seats, and the Vibe Jocks also did a few Basil Valdez songs which they also loved. Enrique Gil, Andrea Brillantes, Shaina Magdayao and JM De Guzman then surprised people, then promoted their two shows A Secret in Prague and My Bespren Emman.

Imagine, these folks have been doing these performances every week (and good ones at that). They also try to do new things, play those OPM songs you love and make a huge effort to present it to you the way you love. The sheer number of talented artists each week baffles me, because production must have cost a ton to do this. New artists on the other hand can also promote their songs, it's a really nice platform for them. They also can rally their fans to vote so they could watch them on stage. It's a full blown entertainment hub, and it'll be a better one since they have a new home in Mandaluyong. It sits beside the Launchpad Building in the same street.

See, they're just starting, and soon they'll have more icons, great performers in the show. I think VIBE PH is doing a good job. I can't wait to see what they would come up with in the next few weeks, months or years!

Spark Creative Shots with the LUMOS EVOKE Digital Camera [Review]

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000

My passion for photography started at a young age as I've seen the work of masters here in Manila. Not divulging my age, I've seen them use film for most of the time and in 2010, I picked up my own digital camera to shoot runway and lifestyle events in the city. In the past, we had to go to establishments who have dark rooms to develop shots and print on photo paper. I still have a few cameras in my arsenal but if I'd want to experiment on filters, I usually depend on post processing with software for that. Good thing there's a new vintage style digital camera called LUMOS EVOKE.

I've had several LUMOS projectors in my home to watch movies and videos in off times (and it's all too pleasurable IMHO). The brand has seriously made technology accessible, but this new camera just fits right in my alley. I'm in that era of experimenting in shots. For me, taking a photo without a "look" defeats the purpose of being a photographer.

In film, I had to use a slower shutter speed and lower exposure to use lights and have streaks in my portraits. To achieve the vintage look was a bit of an effort because you have to combine what you use as a camera, the film, the settings and the way you develop it. Although there's some in digital, much of it depends on post processing to achieve that "look" you want to see. The LUMOS EVOKE makes it easy because it's got 16 filters built in, which means all you need to do is shoot and transfer the shot to your laptop or phone to enjoy it.

Unboxing the LUMOS EVOKE

The LUMOS EVOKE comes in a classic white box that's got the image of the actual cam in front. Aside from the unit, this camera comes with a USB C charger, a micro USB adapter, the camera strap, neck strap, a card reader, a felt wipe and the user manual.

Here's what it looks like on video:

The LUMOS EVOKE Features

This is a thing of beauty. The color of the body is simply monochrome, but you can feel how they took time to design this chap, The grip naturally fits on the hand, the flash can be turned on with one button, as this also can take 4K at 30 FPS videos. The camera can take 64MP shots, and the built in 16 filters I mentioned gives you a ton of options if you want something different to come out of it.

The LUMOS EVOKE also has a flip screen so you don't have to put in guess work when you're shooting in front of the camera (oh vlogging would be a cinch!). I would suggest to turn on the anti shake and auto focus functions especially if you've got shaky hands. It also has sufficient battery life, which means it'll last a long while if you're covering an event or traveling like I am too. When I'm with my family, I take a lot of photos which don't end up on social media. I usually keep it on albums for personal use, and show it to those who are very close to me. With the LUMOS EVOKE I get to have artsy looking shots and do that, including those that I use for coverage for the blog (including the celebrities you love!).

Now if you're keen to own one, they've got this on promo for only Php 4,999. Take the time to visit their site www.lumosprojector.ph/evoke to know more about this camera. I've got this in my bag ready to get creative, wish you get to experience what I've been doing lately. It's awesome!

Jarlo Base, BGYO Akira Morishita, Marielle Montellano and JM Dela Cerna on Star Magic Spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:41:00 +0000

The recent Your Face Sounds Familiar season has just ended but that doesn't mean Jarlo Base, BGYO Akira Morishita, Marielle Montellano and JM Dela Cerna won't be busy as they become the artists featured on Star Magic Spotlight. It's an opportunity to finally ask about what happened during the show and the fun things they did in between takes.

This is my first time to meet Jarlo but I'm quite aware about the work he does for other artists as a songwriter. Now that the YFSF show ended, he's taking his sweet time to create more music and do it himself. His music was always RnB but YFSF taught him to be more flexible. Doing other artists means realizing they can do anything they put their mind to. This goes the same with BGYO Akira who felt a little bit uncomfortable performing alone since he's always been with his brothers in a group. He also mentioned how he became the life of the party because he talks a lot, especially to the folks who often are introverts, shy or too quiet (which Jarlo was). Now you can't stop them from having fun when they're together. Check out our interview with them on Spotlight!

No stranger to singing contests, Marielle Montellano and JM Dela Cerna have made some of the viral performances in the show. Their final song "And I am Telling You" done by Jennifer Holiday and Jessica Sanchez was absolutely crazy. JM didn't only switch genders, but held that raspy fun voice Ms. Holiday is known for. Best of all, they had so much fun doing it despite Marielle being under the weather that particular day. The two are also being shipped as JMielle on social media and are quite happy being supported wherever they are in the country, where their fans follow them in remote islands without hesitation. This love is something they hold dear, and is always thankful for it. Here's more of that talk with them on video:

JMielle actually has plans to release new music and is eager to also do acting jobs of permitted soon. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as they have more things in the pipeline they couldn't divulge yet, but it will all be revealed soon!

Thank you to Star Magic for letting us interview them! Hope you sub on our YouTube channel so I could reach my goal of getting a Silver Play button :)

TV5 Brings More Shows on Primetime!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:32:00 +0000

Primetime will never be the same as TV5 starts their newest shows "A Secret in Prague" and "My Bestfriend Emman". Topbilled by Andrea Brillantes and Enrique Gil, they'll be telling the lives of an OFW who's goal is to earn a living and make sure to provide for his own family back in the PH. Andrea Brillantes plays the role of Kiara as they unveil their complicated past as they showcase the beauty of Prague and the historic city. The film also includes artists like Kim Domingo, Cedrick Juan, Joel Torre, Edu Manzano, Arlene Mulach, K Brosas and a whole lot more.

"My Bestfriend Emman" on the other hand is about the various stories of folks who learn how to forgive, and accept things. It is also a story about love, hope and one's faith. You as a viewer would need to find out who Emman is and how their story becomes intertwined with their past, it is also very emotional so there will be lots of drama included. This will also be largely talking about the role of friendship + their relationships. These shows will be premiered on Netflix this April 24th and will be shown on free TV come 27th. The cast also includes Sid Lucero, Donna Cariaga, Kiko Thompson, Elyson de Dios, TJ Valderama, and Iven Lim.

Here's what transpired at the media conference:

Although they have worked together in the past, this is actually the first time that they'll be on screen partners. You'll see romance, drama and action set in the lovely streets and goth structures. The drama powerhouse that is JM, Shaina and Ms. Aiai brings will be making you question a lot of things, including your loyalty to your faith, the drama in your own homes and might make you question your life choices.

Remember, it all happens this April! I hope this starts an avalanche of more shows in the network.

EYE MO Launches EYE MO COOL RED EYES with DUSTIN YU

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:40:00 +0000

Just got off the EYE MO event at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel in Quezon City. They got us experience redness and irritation when we arrived at the venue, and we know, something must be done to make things better. They introduced a new eye drop variant, the new EYE MO COOL RED EYES and did it with PBB Celebrity Collab Edition star DUSTIN YU!

Mr. Weitarsa Hendarto says "Our brand is the most trusted one in Filipino homes. We deeply value this and inspires us to innovate. In humidity, Filipinos find ways to get refreshed and recharged, and we are launching the new EYE MO Cool Red Eyes to improve the quality of life of our consumers. We also want to connect with our younger market, and this is our response to that. This helps consumers to find relief, and launching a new campaign "#CoolNgEyeMo". By making eye care accessible and relevant, ww are not only introducing products but leadership. Thank you!"

Eye Mo Senior Marketing Manager Earl Jayona adds "Refresh and recharge your eyes with Eye Mo. Our consumers are living a stressful life, simple lives, and this is where Eye Mo comes in. Dustin Yu represents the brand and he brings it closer to his generation. With Eye Mo, each day is a refresh and recharge day!"

With the summer making its presence felt, this comes with dust, smog, the wind, the sun and just about anything that can make you irritated in the eyes. Eye Mo Cool Red Eyes was made to address this as part of their portfolio. It's cooler than the usual, and will be part of their REFRESH and RECHARGE Your Eyes with Eye Mo Cool campaign. You will see this extra visible with your favorite KOL's as part of their awareness campaign plus their man for the brand, Dustin Yu!

The company also wants to continue innovating their brands as more will be in the pipeline of the eye drop brand including some that would be safe for contact lens wearers.

Make sure you follow their social media channels by searching Eye Mo Philippines on different platforms. They're here for a reason, and will continue to serve the Filipino consumer in years to come!

Vargas Files 20 Counts of Cyber Libel

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:29:00 +0000

It disheartens and extremely bothers me to see kids suffer because of bullying. I've gone through the same in elementary and high school, and even though I've turned out okay, it is still not right for situations like these to be treated as a norm. I remember not telling my parents about it because I felt it was going to be an additional burden for them to go through that. It's already 2026, and certainly, it SHOULD STOP.

A few weeks ago, the Vargas family chose to stand up for their child and file a case formally. With various efforts beforehand, they've exerted and exhausted various ways to have this settled, but it has not stopped. A few days ago, they released this statement:

The message is clear, they do not want "bullying" to proliferate in the community. They wanted to do this silently, and never wanted confrontation to begin with. They also reiterated their call to choose kindness, to put a stop on hurting people with defamatory words especially online. They thank those who sent their support as they admit they wouldn't be able to do this alone. They also added that they want this to go through the process, with evidence, and believe the truth will come out, and justice be served.

They filed 20 counts of cyber libel, to protect not just her husband, the kid, but their whole name and family. This certainly is a hard thing to see in public, but I see they are doing this for their boy, and standing behind him is all worth it.

Ask yourself, what would you do if you were in their shoes?

See ANNE HATHAWAY Differently in MOTHER MARY

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:03:00 +0000

Just had the opportunity to watch MOTHER MARY, the Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel artsy psycho drama thriller made for the cinema by David Lowery. This will be out in Philippine cinemas on April 22, but I'd love to tell you more about it before you'd dive in on the movie.

Anne plays the role of MOTHER MARY, an artist that's like a cross between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, who went bonkers and stopped in the middle of her success, and tried to find out what's making her lose track of her life. The film is like a hodgepodge of poetry lines + a visual feast of music, fashion, boldness, curses, artistry, confusion, weirdness, on being lost, style, fantasy and gore. Michaela Coel plays top fashion designer Sam, also MOTHER MARY's best friend and go to person for everything she wears on tour. The movie concentrates on their relationship, on finding out why she couldn't see that former spark that made her who she is as the pop star. This film is very cerebral, might scare some of how deep it is. You'll be a little uncomfortable on some scenes but I think it is essential on how it is presented. You'll hear some music from this generation's pop stars, intertwined with the story. My favorite line was when Anne's character said "I'm being dressed by everyone but it doesn't feel like me" and then Michaela replied "Tell me what you are feeling and I'll make that into a dress!"

It's a fashion spectacle, like fitting in a whole day of the Met Gala into the screen. It may take a while to get digested, but you'd be glad they took time to do it. I love Anne Hathaway in her previous roles, but this persona is certainly different even compared to her other dramatic roles.

After seeing it, I get it. You'll also get to question your understanding after a few minutes which I think is the whole point of this movie. You won't be sticking to your realities, and might ask yourself very often (OMG WT* DID I JUST WATCH!).

This is produced by A24 and released in the country by Creazion Studios International. I'd give a strong 4/5, and might suggest this for more mature fans of Anne Hathaway. It ain't Princess Diaries alright. It's like a living long form fashion editorial which I love. Go watch it!

MIDNIGHT GIRLS: Excellent Depiction of Social Issues and Family Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:36:00 +0000

Just by face value, this new film called "Midnight Girls" felt like a dream come true. Imagine putting together some of the country's best actresses who's work speaks largely on their previous projects like Jodi Sta. Maria, Jane Oineza, Sanya Lopez and Loisa Andalio - and then have blockbuster Director Irene Villamor do it at the the beautiful Nagoya, Japan.

For those who don't know, a lot of entertainers (mostly singers, performers and dancers) went to Japan for work since the 80's, 90's... and it still is happening today. The film gives a glimpse of not just working conditions, but the actual dynamics of family life, of how little appreciation they get from working there, and how their relationships happen in dire conditions because they still want to survive... and take care of the folks back home.

Here's the Mediacon which happened at Gateway Cinemas:

Jodi Sta. Maria is her old self, doing easy work on dramatic moments especially the scenes with Zaijan Jaranilla (where you'll probably cry). I like the character of Sanya Lopez because she's so extra as Trix. Loud but quirky, she absolutely loves to fall in love and wish for the prince charming she deserves. The person playing the Japanese partner of Sanya in the movie is super attractive, but in real life changed the whole conversation they made for the film. Since he's doing theater, he was alarmed that the script contained non conversational Japanese, so they had to do everything from scratch in just 3 days. The whole cast also needed to learn Japanese (hence the long production), but it was essential to understand how they got to talk with their patrons. Jane Oineza's character is interesting, and you'll need to figure out why she's doing a lot of the unnecessary stuff while she's figuring out who she is in the movie. Loisa on the other hand also did good as Bea, and the manner she treated her boyfriend (Miggy Jimenez) made me realize how corny people get at times when we fall in love. Her story was also intense, when people realize the need to work to put food on the table, but this doesn't equate to who you are as a person. A lot of this will be seen on the film when it comes out May 13 nationwide.

This is produced by TJAV Films (who's got a very young producer behind it) and is released in the Philippines by Warner Brothers. This will also be part of the Far East Festival in Italy, so your support is needed for that too. I'd gladly put this at 4/5, for it's excellence in discussing social issues. I'm sure you've got OFW's who've gone through the same and would easily connect with them individually.

Crazy Deal: Mulach Ensaymada To Pay for Diamonds?

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:14:00 +0000

Filipino actor and Ensaymada mogul Niño Mulach just got the itch to get himself a prized piece from Maddox Jewelry. So he headed off their main showroom at J.P. Rizal Street in Marikina City. This was intended as a gift for his wife and he wanted to make sure to get his money's worth so he met with Maddox Jewelry owner Madame Charo Cordial.

During the meet, Niño suggested he could barter with the jewelry item with his very own Mulach Ensaymada, a delicacy known the world over made in his apartment complex in Cubao, Quezon City. Surprised with his terms, it might actually need a ton of the products to swap with the diamonds, but of course he said he was just kidding.

Niño actually bought pieces that amounted to PHP 200,000 which he immediately paid for. All these to spoil his wife of course! Ms. Charo on the other hand sees this as another moment to see how she always made the price FIXED for all the pieces she laid out for her streams and avid viewers. People have always loved how her diamonds and gold prices have been appropriately priced (not too expensive). Niño also got his son Sandro during the small talk, they touched largely on the promising actors experience in showbusiness and how the case is still in court. Niño promises how he's going to be behind his son all the way, together with his whole family.

You too can visit the Maddox Jewelry showroom located at 1011 AZDM Building JP Rizal Street in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. See this episode on their YouTube channel on Maddox_Jewelry. They also have it posted on their Facebook page where they do the streams too.

Meet the Expert: The "Nose Fairy" Dr. Ruthlyn Pecolera-Salvosa

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:39:00 +0000

Meeting women that have done remarkable feats is always a good thing. Her story is inspiring, one that could mirror an ordinary Filipino who's life depended on OFWs, pure hard work, and overcoming challenges. She is Dr. Ruthlyn Pecolera-Salvosa, an ENT, a facial plastic surgeon, and a rhinoplasty expert dubbed as "The Nose Fairy" by many. She also did several complex revision surgeries successfully which I deem is important in the industry.

Dr. Salvosa says "If you look good, there is social advantage. You enhance something, people are naturally drawn to that. The positivity is there, and other things follow."

She adds "Ideally when we see patients, we'd have consultations even before. With social media, they want it to happen immediately but I try to do it the conventional way. Patients appreciate this so they grasp achievable results with the proper treatment plans. I have broken a lot of hearts because it has to fit your personality and anatomy, with your nose, skin and the realistic outcomes.I took a bit of interior design, highlighting focal points, if you fix the nose, you can see everything else is going to be easy. It makes a LOT of difference."

Here's our blog conference organized by the good people of Verde Creatives.

RPS Aesthetics is located at J & S Building, 104 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. They also have branches in Sto. Tomas in Batangas and Angeles City in Pampanga.

At their clinics, they also have procedures that utilize Galderma products such as Sculptra (collagen stimulators) and Restylane (fillers). So if you're interested, give them a call (02) 7001 3150. Or simply inquire via her Facebook page (search her name) to book appointments.

It was indeed a pleasure meeting you Dr. Salvosa!

BI's Viado to Meet IBMATA's Ayley To Address PH Border Management Challenges

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:37:00 +0000

While the Philippines sit on Earth's equator, it's total coastline is 22,548 miles which means management of it would prove challenging for any entity. This week, the International Border Management and Technologies Association's CEO Sharon Ayley will be in talks with the PH Bureau of Immigration very own Commissioner Anthony Viado to take serious steps in addressing what the Philippines is facing with regards to trafficking, security and border practices.

Ayley says "We hold summits in 5 regions, find information and solutions. Trafficking is an important issue, and there's a need to talk about it, need to communicate not just for professionals but the community. Parents need to talk to children as they are targeting vulnerable people. The best way to protect themselves is by being informed. IBMATA does a series of workshops for this particular subject and this isn't an isolated issue in the Philippines, it is a global problem. The output of that is that technology can help with the problem, to protect the vulnerable people."

She adds "With advanced analytics and AI tools, it can help us identify unusual travel patterns. It also helps monitoring watch lists, but it's not 100 percent. People in the front lines are working at higher pressure and have to make critical decisions. We need to make sure they have the tools, technology to make sure they have the information and trust their instincts. We need to get them training, help and support that they need."

Here's our talk about PH border challenges, and a few things that the country is doing good at;

She puts emphasis on the country having multiple ports of entry (we have 7160 islands++) which makes it extra hard to do. She suggests to have it done with standards on each border. With systems in place like biometrics, and e-gates (where I think BI is already doing). This puts legitimate travelers with lesser hindrance so border agents get to concentrate on bigger issues like high risk cases to combat trafficking and other matters. It is here and is happening, we are 2nd globally according to statistics.

She also suggests data sharing with not just government offices, but other ports elsewhere in the world (with ample security) and see it real time. This also includes biometrics to lessen identification concerns. This will also stop exploitation, and hopefully will put a stop with the issues mentioned earlier. Education, access to information is certainly the first line of defense. They have plans to hold future events and might take on other organization to help host it.

Here's hoping that the things they'll be covering this week will get some questions answered and actionable items be accomplished.

Vargas Files Case Versus Parents of Bully

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:03:00 +0000

Hearing about this case just made me worry so much about folks who could be in the same predicament. QC Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine is taking a tough stand after their son has allegedly experienced bullying from a minor while doing swimming activities.

They filed a complaint against the minor's parents at the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. The file listed respondents as Juvelle Bacosa, Robert Vincent Sy. This is in violation of Section 10a of RA 7610 commonly known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. According to them, the minor had repeatedly pushed and held the son of the Vargas' while underwater, all during the duration of swimming and training sessions. They have noted repeated incidents, short of drowning, in which the Vargas' communicated, reminded and appealed to stop. Ms. Yasmine in one instance saw the minor engage in inappropriate acts, where she informed the parent but only downplayed and got gaslit by the mother.

Things took a huge turn last February during a competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Several parents saw the minor push their son during warm ups, where two others (friends of the minor) laughed. This has brought their son severe physical and emotional stress. It was the final straw.

According to Vargas, the mother acted as if nothing happened when it was brought to her attention, then posted online misrepresenting the incident. He says "As a Father, there are a few things you can't endure, to see your own son get oppressed. We should have done it sooner, and this is just some of the few things they did to our son. This isn't just child's play, and we simply cannot ignore this."

The complaint also indicated how they both have failed to supervise and discipline the minor, cited how dangerous it is to continue. He adds "We choose to fight back, not for revenge, but to make sure our son gets protected, it is for him and the others who are afraid to speak up!"

Vargas has always been a staunch supporter of protecting the rights of a child. He has discussed this in the QC council, on how parents should be held accountable especially on bullying incidents. He hopes a systemic reporting procedure be done to protect them and their families. He also hopes this inspires those who suffer the same fate.

Here's hoping JUSTICE be served!

Ready to Charge at MPBL: The QUEZON CITY BLACK BULLS!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:23:00 +0000

I've seen and heard about the Quezon City Black Bulls at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League because of the support of Cong. Arjo Atayde (and how proud he is of them in past games). He's not the owner as we met the real one Mr. John Christopher Tan, but he thanked Arjo for his stern support even during pre season games.

With Coach JayV Olea, they led the Quezon City Black Bulls with players Rey Publico, Clark Derige, Patrick Buena, Jake Agoncilio, Kenz Diokno, Kobe Monje, Ryan Costelo, Aeron Bagunu, Aldave Canoy, MJ Joson, Charles Dela Cruz, Jay Gadon, Joe Joven, Kai Espinosa, Bryan Rosalin, Joeben Loria, JR Lastra, Jaydee Del Rosario, Gab Salazar, Joshua Roque and Jeff Morillo. Mind you, some of them have joined the team recently because of the open try outs they held last March. Most of them are from Gardner College and a few are individually chosen because of their experience and talent on the hard court. They also played in the D1 League versus a few teams and did outstanding work with a 4-4 win loss slate.

They're pretty much ready for what's about to happen during the MPLB regular season. Team owner John Tan and Coach JayV Olea are optimistic that they're going to perform well because they are taking the upcoming games seriously. First one in fact is with Caloocan which did good last season, so even in Holy Week they had to go back and practice early.

Here's what happened at the media conference:

The testosterone level and height was so high during this event, but I see how much fire they have in their eyes because they're coming in as the new guys, nothing to prove, but just do their best once the games begin.

Support them by following their FB page and the MPBL league at their games around the Philippines. Games are free to watch so go ahead and fill the gyms to the brim. Stand behind our very own Quezon City Black Bulls as they try their best in getting that Championship crown!

GARDO VERSOZA Makes Up For Past Woes with MADDOX Wedding Rings!

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

A more personal interview took center stage as Gardo Verzosa graces Maddox Jewelry at their showroom at 1011 JP Rizal Street at Concepcion Uno in Marikina City. This time, taking off the Cupcake persona and telling some small details of his Las Vegas wedding, and the few instances he fooled around during his younger years.

Talking about the wedding, he firmly admitted how it was a bit sad seeing the rings they had to use for the occasion because it felt like it was something that looked like a chicken scratched it. Now, he's taking his time to really look at design, clarity, and how he could make this wedding ring better, so he could make up for what they had in that small white chapel.

He even divulged how he was a bit naughty during those times because he was a serial dater, putting initials of other people's names on his personal calendar which his wife found out later on about. There was just obviously a pattern. MADDOX Jewelry President and CEO Ms. Charo Cordial attributed the discovery to a woman's intuition, and felt it was just right to say the games over on her vlog.

For those who don't know, Ms. Charo is a licensed Agricultural Engineer who has made headway in a very male dominated space. She now has this brand and continues to be successful and a trusted brand in the jewelry industry. Gardo sees this as an inspiration and which is why he's trusting only the best to make that wedding band dream, a reality with MADDOX Jewelry.

He hopes this would become an instrument to make amends for all the wedding and relationship mishaps they experienced which story you can watch in full at the Maddox Jewelry YouTube channel or the D'Maddox Jewelry Facebook pager where they stream regularly for their pieces. See why a lot of people continue to see the shine of their diamond to this day.

Puregold Recognizes the Role of "Sari-Sari Store" in MSME Growth

noreply@blogger.com (John Bueno) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:29:00 +0000

It's so heartwarming to see how small businesses, MSME's get the spotlight they deserve as part of the Sari-Sari Stories that Puregold released on their socials. It mirrors what is seen in the Philippines, and realize it's role, how significant it is despite it's size, that it has direct economic significance. This follows the previous parts called "Ways", "The Sign", "The Witness" which also discussed their connection to the community, to commerce and what people need. It's not just a story, but a show of resilience, of how it affects family life, plus this new one called "Pangalan".

This part talks about how the normal Sari-Sari Store becomes a place of convergence in a community, and get what they need, when they need it especially when they need questions answered, or just plainly hang out. It is undoubtedly Filipino, which is pretty cool to see in stories like these.

Now don't be surprised because you'll see some pretty famous folks like Jhoanna from BINI, Stell Ajero from SB19, even Skusta Klee. They tell a story of retail, and how it becomes an integral part of a community, and this economy.

If you haven't been to a Puregold Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention, one will be happening in May. It's where brands and businesses offer crazy deals, with real people who own their stores, groceries and source it from Puregold.

Here's a glimpse of the series, enjoy!

Make sure you sub on the Puregold Channel on YouTube, and their socials as updates about the conference and more will be posted there. See you in May!