Umiiyak Ang Puso

There is actually one reason why I wasn't able to blog last August about my adventures. A project actually kept me busy, and it was a major project that I cannot neglect.

One day, we were called for a meeting just to get informed that we are actually part of a big contest - Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014 Music Video Competition. Well actually, before the meeting, I knew already that it's Himig Handog that we are joining and I was assigned as writer for the said project. The song that we were able to get was UMIIYAK ANG PUSO. It was composed by Mr. Rolando Azor and interpreted by Bugoy Drilon.

Producing a 4-minute video actually entailed a huge amount of time - from the concept (story, treatment, pitching and even casting), to the execution (the shoot itself), and finally, editing. It took us a month and a few weeks before we actually finish the video. Umiyak muna talaga mga puso namin before we finish the video. Haha! Plus, working with Bugoy Drilon is such a great experience, no headaches, as if we are only shooting a school project wherein everyone there are classmates and close friends! The composer Mr. Rolando Azor is also very approachable and kind so we never had a hard time working with the big people. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture with the group and during the shoot because of certain things which I won't disclose anymore before this turns into a rant post. Hahaha. :D But nevertheless, shooting the music video is one great experience, I was just sad that I wasn't able to attend the wedding!

#TeamBugoy members with the composer Mr. Ronnie Azor.

Screenshots from the music video.
So happy that we were able to be a part of it, as in literally. Hahaha.

But the most fulfilling part of all was when you see your fruits of labor being published, viewed and appreciated by people. We may not be able to please everyone with our product but of course, we are so happy and proud of it. :)

Last September 1, director Bea, executive producer Ady and I attended the press conference for the competition. All music videos were shown, and was followed by a question and answer portion with the composers and interpreters. Of course, Sir Ronnie and Kuya Bugoy were present. :) Another memorable moment for me was when I get to have a picture with Morissette Amon, one of my favorite singers (Moon of Desire, shining bright).

Here are the pictures from the event:

With Jessa Zaragoza.
She interpreted the song Bumabalik ang Nagdaan.
It was a dream come true to see her because her songs are my favorites ever since.

With Morissette Amon.
She interpreted the song Akin Ka Na Lang which can be a really good theme song.
I have always loved her since her TV5 Days.
We even had a short chat regarding that. Haha.

With Michael Pangilinan.
He interpreted the song Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako.
Oh yes, I was affected by the song.
And yes, he is gwapo. :)

With Jed Madela.
He interpreted the song If You Don't Want To Fall.
I loved his song How Can I Fall. :)

Team Bugoy with KZ Tandingan.
She interpreted the song Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako.
I love the song!

With Sir Ronnie Azor! :)

With Kuya Bugoy!
I am happy that we have our picture!
Because I wasn't able to have a picture with him during the shoot. :)

We were interviewed by MTV.
Unfortunately, I haven't watched it. Haha.

And of course, here is the fruit of our labor, our MUSIC VIDEO! :)

I would like to thank everyone who helped us. The cast, our professors and chairperson, all those who helped in the production and extras, to Sir John Paul for the gown of the bride, to Sir Jayson, Sir London, Miss Zyra, Sir Dexter and Sir Roxy of Star Records and of course, to God for making these things possible. And of course, Team Bugoy!!! I always believed that in any competition, as long as you did your job and put all your efforts into it, we are all considered winners! :)

And of course, do not forget to vote online for Bugoy Drilon as best interpreter for Umiiyak Ang Puso! Visit http://himighandog.abs-cbn.com/ :)

The finals night for the competition will be on September 28, 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Goodluck to all the interpreters, composers, and schools! May the odds be in our favor. :)

Rom-Com Writing and Directing Workshop

Last August 16, I attended my first ever workshop outside school (I enrolled myself) - Writing and Directing Romantic-Comedy Movies. And guess who are the speakers? None other than Star Cinema Creative Manager and Master Storyteller of love stories - Miss Carmi Raymundo, and the Blockbuster and Master Director of Rom-Com movies - Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina! If you do not know, their team-up was behind the successful movies She's Dating The Gangster, It Takes A Man and A Woman, and One More Chance. Miss Carmi is also the writer behind Starting Over Again. I attended the workshop with my friends Yish and Ady.

Anyway, so how did I actually find out about the workshop, since it's not a school-sponsored one. Well one Sunday afternoon, my friend Flery messaged me on Facebook and sent me a link. This friend of mine knows how hard I wanted to write, and how I love Miss Carmi, Direk Cathy and their movies. I really wanted to join and I am set but there is one big problem - there is a fee and it costs a large amount which I cannot just get in my pocket. I just tried asking help by posting a status on Facebook that I am in dire need of sponsors. I just tried my luck and I am sure that nobody would mind. But then, people started messaging me saying that they are willing to shoulder a certain amount for me to be able to come out with the workshop fee. And in no time, I was able to enroll!

So the workshop had two parts - the writing and the directing. In the writing part, Miss Carmi presented us a powerpoint presentation as to how they conceive a movie and how do they come up with a screenplay with substance. For a wannabe writer like me, I really need this and I learned a lot. Two things that really struck me the most was: 1. Always ask the question why and make sure the questions have answers. In short, everything must have a reason in the movie, most especially when it comes to the characters' actions and decisions, which leads me to the number 2, CHARACTERS really play the most vital part in the story - not the concept, the plot, the locations, the dialogues, but the characters themselves. Your character must have a very rich problem and goal. And their motivations must be clear. Miss Carmi even shared that in the middle of writing the screenplay, you might encounter problems...and most of the time, they have to go back to characterization in order to fix the problem.

We were also asked to watch a certain scene in the movie "My Amnesia Girl" and study its script. It's my first time to actually see a hard copy of a film script (even though it's just one scene) and it made me really happy! (A film script ha - not TV scripts. Hehe.) We were also asked to create our protagonist and think of a situation - "How would you want to meet the love of your life?" And because I so love food, what I answered was "Gusto ko yung tipong wala akong ka-share sa table habang kumakain sa fast food chain and then this someone would join me, nag-iisa rin siya at wala nang makasalo sa pagkain." Haha. Then the character I created was named Cecille Martinez - a budding writer. I based the name from my favorite PHR writer - Martha Cecilia. :)

Before our lunch break, we were divided into groups and we need to write a one-page script of our story. Then after that, Direk Cathy selected a script from the groups. It was a cute scene and all groups were asked to dramatize it in front. It was about a guy and a girl who happened to be reading a book with the same title. The girl could not understand what she was reading and so when she put the book down, the guy was shocked. The girl kept on insisting that the book is not nice while the guy said otherwise. "Ang panget kaya!" "Ang ganda kaya!" "Panget" "Maganda" And their argument would lead to them saying to each other... "Panget mo!" "Ang ganda mo!" And for our group, Ady played the girl...and since I was the only guy in the group, I played the guy. Hahahaha! They told me, "si Direk Cathy lang pala makakapagpalalaki sayo!" Hahaha! And after that, Direk Cathy shared some tips in directing and her experiences as well.

It was funny that during that week, Direk Cathy guested in PBB and there, she was seen as a strict director. Well, she is actually known to be one. But when you get to meet her, she's so kind and approachable. Same as with Miss Carmi. These big people, who have created lots of blockbuster movies - whether they teamed up or they worked separately, are so down-to-earth. They deserve all the praises we have been giving them for the past years.

This is truly one of the best workshops I have attended. And I am looking forward to the next one. Thank you so much for all the things you have taught us Direk Cathy and Miss Carmi. :) Thank you also to those who helped me financially and supported me in this endeavor. I will never forget that. And of course, to Ate Flery! I wouldn't be able to experience this if not for your message!

Anyway, here are my pictures with Direk Cathy and Miss Carmi!

With Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina.
She also directed my favorite movie Four Sisters and A Wedding
and favorite TV show Midnight Phantom. :)

With Miss Carmi Raymundo.
She also wrote the screenplay for Bride For Rent, Won't Last A Day Without You and Forever and A Day.
She also works as Creative Producer for Star Cinema movies. :)

Group picture!

And after the workshop, I am challenged to write and tell better stories in the future as I achieve my dream in becoming a writer...soon. :)

The Pre-'Pure Love' Experience

Finally, at 5:45 PM today, one of the most exciting and much-awaited teleseryes of ABS-CBN will start airing! And that is - PURE LOVE!

The new teleserye stars Alex Gonzaga and Yen Santos as Dianne and Ysabel, with Joseph Marco, Arjo Atayde, Matt Evans, Yam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor and new actress Anna Luna. The story is about Dianne who meets an accident and gets in a comatose state. For her to get back to her body, she must find 3 pure tears. She then uses Ysabel's body to find out who truly loves her. And secrets will be revealed.

If you can remember, Pure Love is actually an adaptation of the Koreanovela aired in the Philippines in 2011 in ABS-CBN's Primetime. (Pure Love 2011 aired July 11 and served as ABS-CBN's birthday offering for me hahaha LOL. And Pure Love 2014 is airing on July 7. Count the days and you'll notice that the pilot episodes aired for the same week. Just  made a big deal out of it. Hahaha.)

A day after it was officially announced that it will be aired, My best guy friend Mart and I were able to meet one of the writers - Miss Bing Castro (remember Paraiso, she was the headwriter! :D Check previous episodes of Jimpy TV!) and interview the show's Associate Producer (and a former Paulinian as well!) Miss Rina Parza for our school paper. :) I was able to talk to them about Pure Love. And we really have to tune in to the twists and turns of the story, plus the production value of the show. Talagang pinaghandaan!

Miss Rina Parza - Pure Love's Associate Producer.

She's really excited for the show and she's sure that the audience can relate to the story.

Watch out for my article in The Paulinian about her! :)

Miss Bing Castro - one of Pure Love's senior writers.

She says there are some changes in the Philippine adaptation like the 49 Days is now changed to 40 days. But they are keeping same elements, except that they made it more Filipino.

It was an honor for me to be able to meet these people (including the show's Executive Producer Miss Row Tan). But the best of all was meeting some of the cast - ALEX GONZAGA, MATT EVANS and my long-time crush JOSEPH MARCO. :)))

And on that Thursday, Mart and I were able to attend the press conference of the show (thanks to again Miss Bing! and Miss Rina!) and saw the rest of the cast and meet the rest of the creative and production team. Most of all, I was able to achieve one of my dreams. Just check out the photos. :)

The young cast of Pure Love. :)

Arron Villaflor as Ronald - Ysabel's secret protector

Arjo Atayde as Raymond - Dianne's Fiance

Matt Evans as Scheduler - Dianne's guide to the pure tears

Yen Santos as Ysabel

Director Veronica Velasco

Alex Gonzaga as Dianne

Joseph Marco as Dave - Raymond's Best Man and Dianne's friend who secretly likes her

Yam Concepcion as Kayla - Dianne's Bestfriend

Anna Luna as Jackie - Dianne's Loyal Friend

Pure Love's production team - Miss Angela Verutiao, Miss Jerry Perez (whom I've met in Annaliza :D), 

Miss Karina Parza and Miss Shiela Tiglao. :)

The creative and production team of Pure Love!

Pure Love's director Direk Veronica Velasco. 

I was able to meet her as well during the Pure Love Day Saturday. :) 

She also directed the films I Do and Tuhog - which are really good movies!

This her first teleserye.

With Anna Luna as Jackie. :)

She is an indie actress and this is her first teleserye.

She's actually familiar to me until Mart realized that she was one of the leads in the indie film we've watched - Bendor with Miss Vivian Velez as the lead. :)

And my ultimate dream - to meet one of my inspirations in the industry.

Miss Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo - Pure Love's Business Unit Head.

She also helmed the shows Mundo Man Ay Magunaw, Magkaribal (my ultimate favorite), Reputasyon, Dugong Buhay, Galema and the very successful Be Careful With My Heart who is now celebrating its Second Year on air!

Pure Love is her unit's first primetime teleserye. :)

During the press con, a behind-the-scenes or the making was presented to the press. It is really seen that it is a big-budgeted soap, and that the audience won't be just enticed of the story but its visuals as well. You should check out the show's full trailer so you can get a glimpse of the story.

Thanks to the owner of the video. :) You should really tune in at 5:45 PM later as this new teleserye starts. I am now ready to stage my Pure Love premiere viewing party with my friends later! :) <3 p="">
Anyway, here are our other pics during the presscon. :)

Photobooth with the creative team and Arron Villaflor!

Courtesy of Sparklingtots.

With the show's creative team.

Miss Kay Brondial in glasses.

Sir Zoilo Barrel at the leftmost side.

(Whom I have met both for the first time, and exciting most especially with Miss Kay 'coz I have seen her name in lots of shows and she's a writer in Mula sa Puso 2011!)

Miss Bing Castro (my Mama Bing! :D) in red beside me.

(They are the show's writers.)

And beside Mart in the righmost side is Miss Rose Colindres.

She is the show's headwriter.

This image is courtesy of Miss Kay Brondial :)

WATCH OUT FOR PURE LOVE AT 5:45 LATER BEFORE TV PATROL!

Pure Love images courtesy of Pure Love's Official Facebook Page. :)

Thanks to Mart for our photos. :)

And, watch out for my pilot week review within the week. ;)