Zanjoe Marudo

Finally, After 7 years, with 12 films and around 25 TV Shows, Zanjoe Marudo gets his first lead role on Skylight  Films’ comedy flick ‘Bromance; My Brother’s Romance’ showing this May 15, 2013.

Zanjoe, who was the only choice for the film, is very happy that Star Cinema finally has trusted him with this big project. He plays dual roles in the movie as Identical Twins; Brandy a flamboyant gay and Brando a Straight Guy. The story revolves around Brando becoming Brandy and finding himself living the life of the person he hates the most. Zanjoe who had a long & blurry butt and frontal exposure shot on his Cinemalaya Entry ‘Kalayaan’, will have another butt exposure in this film.

Also in the movie are Cristine Reyes, Manuel Chua, Boom Labrusca, Joy Viado with Star Studded Cameo Appearances and Directed by Wenn Deramas.

I just feel sad and frustrated that I wasn’t able to attend the PressCon earlier as well as visiting him on the set of his film ‘Bromance’. I first met Zee in 2008 when he was still a member of ASAP Cover Boys and ever since then I visited him in almost every project he was in. So imagine my frustration of not being there physically to support and congratulate him on this big lead project.

I’ll compensate my absence by this article and flying back to Manila on the 18^th for the Block Screening organized and sponsored by official Fan Clubs, ‘Zanjoevers’, ‘ZanChillers’, ‘Zantines’, ‘BeaJoe’ & ‘Pudgies’.

Last year, Zanjoe’s Indie Film ‘Wildlife’ won the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland and this 2013 his film ‘Death March’ made it to Cannes Festival in France. Both films were directed by Adolf Alix Jr.

Also, Zanjoe will be in the remake of the 1980 classic tearjerker ‘Anna Liza’. He will play the father of ‘Anna Liza’ originally by the late child star Julie Vega. To be Directed by Theodore Boborol; Also in the cast are Andrea Brillantes, Kaye Abad, Carlo Aquino and Denise Laurel.

Just a little sharing.. Zee is one of the nicest celebrities I have ever known. Very simple, not jealous, a true gentleman and always thankful. I always had good conversation with him. He has very good memory recall and doesn’t tolerate badmouthing. He is quiet at times but can also be very jolly and entertaining. The most that I admire with Zee, is his being transparent. What you see is what you get. He knows what he wants and what his limitations. He knows when to say No and how to say it nicely. I already met his family and all of them from the parents to the siblings; are really nice, down to earth and happy people. No wonder he is a man of good upbringing.

I’m lucky that I was able to experience Zanjoe’s wonderful being. I hope you get to experience a little of that through this 15-Minute Exclusive Video Interview I had with him last year. (Click 1st Photo Below to watch the Video on Youtube) :)

Richard Poon

Richard Poon successfully launched his pop album Legends earlier at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. 

In Legends, Richard traces his pop roots by singing some of the biggest pop artists in the international music industry - classics by Lionel Richie (Truly), Whitney Houston (All At Once), Barbra Streisand (Evergreen), Madonna (Borderline), Barry Manilow (Ready To Take A Chance Again), among others.

“This is an interesting point in my career,” says Richard. “Aside from being with a new label, I am also going back to pop after years of doing big band.”

Richard adds that he welcomes the challenge with open arms, and he hopes that people will continue supporting him and his music.

Richard joins the elite roster of Universal Records artists – Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, among others. He also collaborated with friend and a Universal Balladeer Christian Bautista in the Michael Jackson hit The Girl Is Mine in this album.

Legends which is now available in all record bars, iTunes & MyMusicStore.ph will continue its album launch this April 28, Sunday, on ASAP 18 then at 7:00 pm in Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.

Here is the Tracklist:

1. All At Once (originally popularized by Whitney Houston)

2. All In Love Is Fair (originally popularized by Stevie Wonder)

3. And I Love Her (originally popularized by The Beatles)

4. Crazy (originally popularized by Kenny Rogers)

5. Truly (originally popularized by Lionel Richie)

6. Evergreen (originally popularized by Barbra Streisand)

7. Borderline (originally popularized by Madonna)

8. A Song For You (originally popularized by Elton John)

9. Can't Help Falling In Love (originally popularized by Elvis Presley)

10. The Girl Is Mine (originally popularized by Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney)

11. If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight (originally popularized by James Taylor)

12. Ready To Take A Chance Again (originally popularized by Barry Manilow)

Get more updates from Richard Poon thru his FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/rpmusic
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/richardpoonph INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/richardpoonph WEBSITE: www.richardpoon.ph

Hunger Games

THE HUNGER GAMES hits Philippine Pay TV on Star Movies

On April 28, 2013, Sunday at 9 PM, Star Movies will premiere one of 2012’s biggest box-office breakthroughs, “The Hunger Games,” on pay TV. This film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling book series of the same name was a critically acclaimed top-grosser, and audiences will be excited for the chance to enjoy the action-packed drama that entertained millions of moviegoers once again in the comfort of their homes.

"We were so excited to carry the title that we acquired the rights as early as when the project was at the script level. We believed in the film's appeal and were bent on being the first to deliver quality content to our viewers," said Rohit Tharani, programming head of Star Movies.

Although the film is an adventure story that centers on the life of a young girl named Katniss Everdeen, its underlying themes resonate with issues that young Filipinos are facing today. In the fictional world of Panem, which is controlled by a wealthy authoritarian sector called The Capitol, severe poverty and oppression exists along with a widening gap between the rich and the poor. In such a society, residents from the 12 poorer districts do what they can to survive, and suffer quietly as each year a ritual called The Reaping is imposed upon them by The Capitol. Every year, two young “tributes”, a male and female between the ages of 12 and 18, are selected from each District to participate in The Hunger Games, where they fight each other to the death until a sole survivor emerges.

However, in this sea of hopelessness and ruthless self-preservation, goodness prevails in the form of Katniss, who volunteers herself as tribute in place of her younger sister Primrose. These qualities of upholding the importance of family and self-determination in the face of a challenging social and political environment are also bright spots in the Filipino psyche, which faces similar issues today that need to be analyzed more closely as the local elections draw near.

Katniss’ strength as the lead character of “The Hunger Games” was one of the reasons why it drew hordes of adoring audiences when it was shown in the Philippines in March 2012. Viewers identified easily with her character’s love for family and strong will to survive, which were excellently portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, who later won an Academy Award for her role in the movie “Silver Linings Playbook”. Her maturity lent well to the character of Katniss in “The Hunger Games,” and it was what convinced author Suzanne Collins to cast her in such an important role. Lawrence was supported by a cast of promising young actors, with Liam Hemsworth playing Katniss’ best friend Gale Hawthorne, Amandla Stenberg as Rue, and Josh Hutcherson as Katniss’ partner from District 12 Peeta Wellark. Hollywood heavyweights also gave the film amazing performances, with Woody Harrelson as her trainer Haymitch Abernathy, Stanley Tucci as host Caesar Flickerman, and Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow.

Widely considered by fans all over the world to be a first-rate adaptation of the first book of a well-loved series, “The Hunger Games” is another highlight in a long list of outstanding films featured on Star Movies that have made it the number one English movie channel. Catch “The Hunger Games” on April 28, Sunday at 9 PM exclusively on Star Movies!