Sarah and John Lloyd, Again, Change Our Lives, In A Moment

John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo reprise their respective roles in "You Changed My Life" as Miggy Montenegro and Laida Magtalas. The movie continues a fairy-tale-like flick, which was dubbed "A Very Special Love" in 2008. Now enters the character of a high school friend of Laida in the person of Rayver Cruz. Miggy, being the always-absent boyfriend, develops unusual jealousy especially now that he has been burdened with greater responsibility, which means lesser time with his Laida.

The team behind the film thought again creating a signature act expected to be popularized again by Laida. It the first film, Laida's "sundance" was imitated by children and children-at-heart. We've seen the trailer and it showed that she will be making the rest of the country cuddle their loved ones with her "power hug."

Sarah and Loydie, on their interviews with local entertainment shows, seem to have insinuated that they have several kissing scenes in the flick; will Sarah finally uncover that sensual side of her?

Lloyd's mature attack with every role he plays make movie goers see the character with a certain depth. John Lloyd's acting mettle has been proven even when not paired with Bea Alonzo.

"You Changed My Life" is now shown on your favorite theaters and was Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Mag Watch: February 2009 Edition

Before the love month ends, let us show you a recap of what fine prints we got here in our local stands, including who's on the cover.

Candy (January-February): Nicole Uysiuseng
Celebrity Living: Cesar Montano
Cosmopolitan: Angel Locsin, Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual (back cover)
FHM: Katya Santos, Maui Taylor, and Andrea del Rosario
Fudge: Bamboo
Good Housekeeping (January-February): Lani Mercado
Lifestyle Asia: Camille Marie Yu Tantoco, Nicole Yu Tantoco, etc.
Look (January-February): Gretchen Barreto
Marie Claire: Lucy Torres
Maxim: Niña Jose
Meg: Kim Chiu and Enchong Dee
Mega: Anne Curtis
Men's Health: Paolo Contis
Metro: Kristine Hermosa
Mom's Today: Rhea Santos and Pia Arcangel
OK!: Britney Spears
Preview (January-February): Kris Aquino
Rouge: Fabian Fink
S Magazine: Karylle
Sense&Style: Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsey
Seventeen (January-February): Shaina Magdayao
Smart Parenting (January-February): Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan with Hannah and Benj
Speed (January-February): Toni Gonzaga
Starstudio: Kris Aquino
Stella: Rhian Ramos
T3: RR Enriquez
Total Girl: Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens
Town&Country: Tweetie Gonzalez
Uno: Dylan
Yes!: Manny Pacquiao
You (January-February): Karylle

Syd Field To Bring Screenwriting Masterclass in Singapore and Manila This March '09

CNN calls him "the guru of all screenwriters", Syd Field is regarded to be the leading authority in the art and craft of screenwriting by industry professionals in Hollywood and around the world today.

The Hollywood Reporter calls him "the most sought-after screenwriting teacher in the world."

His internationally acclaimed best-selling books Screenplay, The Screenwriter's Workbook, and The Screenwriter's Problem Solver have established themselves as the "bibles" of the film industry world wide. They are used in more than 400 colleges and universities and have been translated into 26 languages.

Syd has been a special script consultant to 20th Century Fox, the Disney Studios, Universal and Tristar Pictures and has collaborated with such noted filmmakers as Alphonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien), James L. Brooks (Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets), Luis Mandoki (When A Man Loves A Woman), Roland Joffe (The Killing Fields, The Mission), and Tony Kaye (American History X).

He is currently on faculty at the USC Master's of Professional Writing Program, has taught at Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, the AFI and many other noted institutions.

He is a creative screenwriting consultant to the governments of Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and Norway.

By special invitation of the Ministries of Culture, Field has taught screenwriting workshops in Buenos Aires, Brussels, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Mexico City, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Vienna, Zurich, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

He has conducted workshops for the Canadian Film Industry in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton, was the keynote speaker at the International Film Festivals in Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and Oslo, Norway, and the President of the International Film Jury at the 1998 Flanders International Film Festival, Ghent, Belgium.

Field is also a special consultant to the Film Preservation Project for the famed Getty Center and was the first inductee into the prestigious Screenwriting Hall of Fame of the American Screenwriting Association.

Some of Field's former students include Anna Hamilton Phelan (Mask, Gorillas in the Mist), John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood, Poetic Justice), Randi Mayem Singer (Mrs. Doubtfire), Laura Esquival (Like Water For Chocalate), Michael Kane (The Color of Money), and Kevin Williamson (Scream, Scream 2 & 3).

Source: http://www.filmeduc.com/sydfield/index.htm

Tanghalang Batingaw's Contribution To Arts Month

Tanghalang Batingaw presents Ang Sampung Tigda-dalawampung Minutong Dula to be viewed on February 17, 18 and 20 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m., AVR 1 - Lyceum of the Philippines University at 20PhP for Lyceans 30PhP for outsiders.

Amorsolo Exhibits Still Open To Public

Ayala Museum and Lopez Museum are still displaying National Artist for Visual Arts,Fernando Amorsolo, works . The former exposes the master's opus until March 8, 2009 and the latter until April 4, 2009. Ayala dubbed its exhibitions "Amorsolo's Women Concealed and Revealed" while Lopez titled it "Tell-tale: The Artist as Storyteller, Amorsolo As Co-Author."

Ayala Museum is located at 3/F Galleries, Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street Greenbelt Park,Makati City, closed during Mondays, tel. # 757 7117. Lopez Museum is found at Ground Floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, closed on Sundays and Holidays, tel. # 631 24 17.

Eraserheads Fans To Come in Droves in MOA in March 7

Patience of Eraserheads's followers will be tested after 7 long months. Come March 7, 2009,8 p.m., SM Mall of Asia Grounds will be filled with individuals humming, singing, and rocking Heads's hits. Dubbed the Final Set, the concert is the continuation of the legendary Pinoy band's reunion concert last August 2008.

Ticket prices are VIP PhP 5000; Gold PhP 3000.00; Silver PhP 1300.00; and Bronze PhP
300.00.

Ely Buendia, the band's frontman and lead vocalist, is said to be fit and in good shape to finish the final set of songs. It will be recalled that Buendia was rushed to the hospital after the song Lightyears.

Critically Acclaimed Up Dharma Down Headlines A Free Concert on Feb. 27

Book, art, and music lovers are invited to attend the myriad of activities lined up by the Ortigas Foundation, Inc. (OFI) in celebration of its 13th anniversary.

On Feb. 20 and 21, “Booked at the Ortigas Park” showcases great titles from noted publishing houses and dealers. The 30-piece Quezon City Symphonic Band takes the stage and serenades with standard Filipino pieces and other pop hits for a post-Valentine high.

Kids of all ages are invited to go to the Ortigas Park on Feb. 21, 2 to 4 p.m. for Ilustrador ng Kabataan’s live illustration showcase. Catch in action the country’s premier organization of artists for children.

“I’m involved with someone else” is usually an unpleasant thing to hear, but this time it’s actually a welcome statement. Be involved with someone else – volunteer for OFI’s social development projects. Sign up and pledge hours of volunteer work at the Ortigas Foundation booth at the Ortigas Park. To close out the week-long festivities at the Ortigas Park, internationally acclaimed band Up Dharma Down headlines a free concert at the venue, supported by Paramita, Sleepwalk Circus, and Ang Bandang Shirley – excellent groundbreaking bands from indie label Terno Recordings.

Over at the Ortigas Foundation’s Artists Nook of the Ortigas Building, award-winning painter Reynold “Rendy” dela Cruz displays more than a dozen creations depicting children in his aptly titled selling exhibition Kaluskos Musmos from February 26 onwards. Finally, poetry lovers group Pinoy Poets celebrates its fifth year with featured lecturer Edgar Samar talking about the novel’s views of poetry.

The Ortigas Foundation Week is made possible by Ortigas & Company, Limited Partnership with Terno Recordings, UST Publishing, Academic Services, Bound Bookstore, Adarna House, Bestsellers, Ilustrador ng Kabataan, and Pinoy Poets.

OFI is Ortigas and Company, Limited Partnership's answer to the call for responsible corporate citizenship. Established in 1996, the Foundation's primary focus is to promote pride in being Filipino by supporting the study of Philippine history, culture and arts. Since then, the Foundation has embraced a host of other projects with a variety of concerns, participating in initiatives where its support is most needed.

For details, call 631-12-31 to 38 locals 222 and 228 or e-mail ortigasfoundation@ortigas.com.ph.

Ballet Philippines Takes A Bow This Season With Neo-Filipino!

Ballet Philippines (BP), the country’s premiere dance company, takes a grand bow as they culminate their rousing 39th Anniversary Season with NEO – FILIPINO, electrifying dances that serve as homage to the vast riches of the Filipino cultural heritage with the revival of a repertory favorite and two world premieres.

One of the main highlights of NEO-FILIPINO is the highly- anticipated revival of founding artistic director, Alice Reyes' Amada, which was inspired by the stories written by National Artist Nick Joaquin's Tatarin and Summer Solstice. Amada explores the mysteries of the Tatarin ritual.

Live music by Kalayo (formerly Pinikpikan) will serve as inspiration for the world premiere of KatiTaog by Ballet Philippines ' Artistic Director, Max Luna III - his first work created especially for the company.

The world premiere of Ulaging – Daog-dog Sa Sang Libong Kulog by BP Resident Choreographer, Alden Lugnasin, draws on a fusion of live music, ethnic instruments, movement, drama and contemporary dance to expose the plight of the indigenous Lumads of Mindanao. The music for Ulaging is an original composition of Roberto Aves, with vocals by Grace Nono.

For this season–ender production, BP is pleased to once again offer discounts to Students with ID (50% off) and Seniors (20% off). Special discount rates are also available for School Groups.
This production of Neo – Filipino is made possible in part thanks to the support of Ayala Land Premiere, Globe Telecom, SGV Foundation, Inc., Rene Barbier and Freixenet Cava Wines.

For ticket information, call: Ticket World Outlets: +632 891 9999;CCP Box Office: +632 832 3704l; and Ballet Philippines : +632 551-0221/551-1003//832-6011 or , please visit BP online at http://www.balletphilippines.org/

Gantimpala Theater Graces CCP's Pasinaya 2009

Gantimpala Theater, returns to its original home at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, as it graces the CCP's Pasinaya 2009, on February 1, the start of the annual February Arts Month celebration.

The company, known then as Bulwagang Gantimpala, was one of the CCP's resident theater companies. During its ten-year reign in Batute, they presented and produced original, untried and untested Filipino plays and many consider these efforts of the company as instrumental to the growth of contemporary Philippine dramaturgy.

On the occasion of the Pasinaya spearheaded by the CCP, Gantimpala Theater presents excerpts of J. Dennis Teodosio's Sleeping Beauty, with music composed by Jesse Lucas, under the direction of Tony S. Espejo.

Giving life to the fairy tale characters are Aiza Marquez (Princess Anabella); Noel Rayos (Prince Reginald); Gary Lim (Narrator) and Kakai Bautista (Lucinda).

The Gantimpala Theater Sleeping Beauty performances are scheduled at 2:00p.m. and 2:40p.m., Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Admission is for free.

See you there!