Enjoying a "Move-A-Thon" Experience!

Have you experienced watching your favorite movies 24 hours at the same time dancing?! Well, we did... we did witnessed the audience watching and dancing at the same time! And we owed that for Star Movies who brought this one of a kind record-breaking event for movie marathoners! 

On June 27, 2016 at the House Manila in Resorts World Manila, yours truly together with my friends Miyo Briones, Vin Ello, and Gabriel Nico Los Banos had a chance to witnessed the 7TH Movie Marathon installment of Star Movies dubbed as the "Move-A-Thon." As the term suggests, "Move-A-Thon"  is a combination of movie marathon and dance moves at the same time. Hence, "Move-A Thon" or move (dance) + marathon. The event was actually a competition - a movie marathon that required non-stop dancing from contenders who wanted to be declared the Philippines’ ultimate film lovers. Groups of avid film viewers shimmied and shook their “groove thang” for up to 24 hours straight while watching the best and most popular movie musicals of all time—all for the chance to win the grand prize of PHP200, 000.  

This was not the first time that Star Movies spearheaded a movie marathon like this. Take a look in the following years with creative movie marathons from Star Movies:

2010 - Straight-Up Movie Marathon with Unlimited Food and Drinks

2012 - A Fitness Theme with Yoga and Physical Challenges

2013 - A Rigid Boot Camp Theme

2015 - "Scare-A-Thon" of All Horror Movies
2016 - "Move-A-Thon"

Since I'm a horror movies lover, I got interested with their last year's installment! In this event, 500 participants were required to sit completely still until one winner remained.

This year's "Move-A-Thon" was also the first time that the contestants formed a team. Contestants danced non-stop for an entire day while watching the most entertaining musicals in movie history, and because of the nature of the contest, Star Movies took the movie marathon out of the cinemas and onto the dance floor, holding it in the nightlife mecca of House Manila at Resorts World Manila. The channel and partner sponsors also provided contestants with food and beverages throughout the day.   

During our stay in the afternoon, we had watched two of the musical theme movies - the "Dirty Dancing" and the Disney's "Frozen." And yes, we also enjoyed unlimited food and drinks! The event also served as our hangout at the same time!

In the end, the team dubbed as The KPop Moveathoners composed of Regiely Prado, Rona Liezl Cruz, Paul Ian Lorica, Michael John Prado, and John Wilford Prado was hailed as the grand winner!

Sponsors like the Cadbury, Dosfenal, Listerine, and the Resorts World Manila itself gave their own special prizes as well!

This was such another remarkable and unique event from Star Movies for all the movie lovers! looking forward for its exciting edition next year! (RCB) 

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Moview Review: 'Pagpag Siyam na Buhay' is an Extreme Horror Flick with a Twist!

I've just completed watching 4 of the mainstream movie entries in the 39TH Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2013. These include, "Boy Golden: The Arturo Porcuna Story," "Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay," "My Little Bossings,"  and "Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy." And of course, I even watched one of the new wave movie entries, the action film "Saka Saka." And yes, I will share with you my movie reviews for each of these movies. I already completed the review for "Boy Golden." 

Of the said five movies that I have watched for the year, "Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay" is the No. 1 on my list! Aside from the fact that I'm a lover and a big fan of horror movies, there are certain things in the movie which made it as my No. 1 favorite!

First of all, the story is not predictable! There is a twist and mystery in the story that made the audience hook! "Yun bang, aabangan mo ang bawat eksena at hihintayin mo ang susunod na mangyayari!" Although you know that each of them will die, there is still a question in your mind if how the tragedy could be stopped!  

Second, this movie really gives you an extreme horror experience! Yes, "sobrang nakakagulat at nakaka-kaba ang mga eksena" specially when they involved the Filipino tradition of "patay" and "lamay."  "Takot pa naman ako sa mga patay at sa mga lamay"  so this movie gave me an nth level of frightening experience! "Umpisa pa lang nakakatakot na"  when the movie started during the wake of the dead Enchong Dee who committed suicide. His girlfriend Empress violated some of the beliefs by wearing red in the wake and not practicing "Pagpag" therefore the ghost of Enchong followed and terrorized her!   

Third, I love the twist and the way how they relate the Filipino beliefs and superstitions to the horror story. It was clearly depicted in the movie, "kung ano 'ung nilabag na pamahiin, dun namamatay 'ung lumabag." For instance the character of Miles Ocampo who look at her face on her mirror during the lamay, she died also on the mirror - "nabubog at natusok ng malaki niyang salamin sa kwarto" at the same time, a big chandelier felt on her! Also the character of CJ Navato who stole food, the sandwich on the lamay, he died via 'sandwiched' by two vehicles! Another one,  the character of Michelle Vito who cried on the coffin of the dead, she died by means of water! It is similar to the character of Dom Roque who wiped the tears of Michelle in the coffin therefore he died also in the shower room by means of water and glass! 

Check out the full trailer of "Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay" below and see those things that I've mentioned:

Aside from that, the main characters of the story showed a great acting skills! Paulo Avelino's acting here as a ghost killer is superb! He is my bet for the Best Supporting Actor award. And yes, he didn't failed the expectations of audience here in the movie by giving his best in terms of acting! He reminded me of his character as Nathan in "Walang Hanggan!"  

Of course, Shaina Magdayao who is playing the wife of Paulo is also great in acting in the movie. She revealed a 'bida-kontrabida' character in the story! 

Kathryn Bernardo, the lead actress in the movie who is portraying Leni also didn't left behind! "Di rin nagpatalo sa aktingan ang Teen Queen of Philippine showbiz!"  She can do both drama and horror at the same time! You can really feel her swing of emotions in the movie!

And of course, I love the lead child star Clarence Delgado in the movie! He is playing Macmac, the cute abandoned child and the unknown son of Paulo and Shaina. His ka-cutan and his power to see the next tragedy even though he can't speak captured the hearts of the viewers! 

The movie's target audience were teenagers, youngsters, and young at heart that's why the story revolves around the group of teenagers! But of course, they were able to combine the needs and expectations of the older viewers.

And two of the downfalls, the negative sides of this movie was first, they continue the tradition of serial killings with a pattern which reminded us of "Feng Shui," "Sukob,"  and "The Healing."  And second, I can't accept the part of the movie wherein they bring a new life to the dead people. "Nabuhay 'ung patay at bumalik na parang normal na tao lang!"  This is when the characters of Macmac and Paulo, the former dead were given new life and retain as normal people! And what is the connection of the characters of Enchong and Empress who appeared in the first part of the movie to the story of Kathryn, Daniel, Paulo, and Shaina?! It wasn't revealed in the end! These were just some of the improvements of this film but overall, this movie is one of the best!  

Once more, congratulations Star Cinema, Paulo Avelino, Kathryn Bernardo, Clarence Delgado, Matet De Leon,  and to all the people behind this film for giving us another remarkable horror movie like this! Two thumbs up "Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay!" It's my No. 1 MMFF movie for 2013! (RCB)

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'Sisterakas' and 'One More Try:' A Back-to-Back Movie Marathon!

 My 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival experience wouldn't be completed if I wasn't able to watch two of the most awarded and blockbuster movies of the film fest, the "Sisterakas" and the "One More Try." On the last day of the festival (January 8, 2013), we found time to watch these two exciting movies from Star Cinema!   

 It seems that we were having a movie marathon watching these two films in a back-to-back mode, one after the other. We decided to watch first "Sisterakas" since we were quite late in the movie house then our finale went to "One More Try."

A balance night or should I say a mixed emotion took place on the said night since from full comedy offered by Kris Aquino, Ai Ai Delas,  and Vice Ganda, we shifted crying because of the heavy emotions showcased by the characters of Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, and Angel Locsin in the film festival's 1st Best Picture winner, "One More Try."     

It seemed that another incident took place watching two movies in one night. Remember last December 2012, the other two MMFF movies namely "Sosy Problems" and "Shake Rattle and Roll 14: The Invasion" had their respective premiere nights at the same time?! So, I need to shift from one cinema to another to catch them both!

"Sisterakas" and "One More Try" truly fulfilled our night. They were truly satisfying! My friends bet "Sisterakas" since they made us laughed in a natural way! But for me, of course "One More Try" is my No. 1. Aside from being an Angel Locsin movie, I can relate to the story of "One More Try." I even love the passionate love / bed  scenes of the lead characters! :) 

If time permits, I will share with you my reviews in separate posts for these two great movies of 2012!

It's great to note that my 2012 movie events ended with MMFF (via "Sosy Problems" and "Shake RAttle and Roll 14") and my 2013 movie events begun also with MMFF (via "Sisterakas" and "One More Try"). Yes, "Sosy" and "SSR" were my last movies for 2012 while "Sisterakas" and "OMT" were my first movies for 2013! Cool!

I hope everybody enjoys the concluded MMFF! 'Till next time! (RCB)

Horror Marathon!

It was a "Horror on Holy" last week! Truly, thriller and terror dominate my holy week vacation last week!

Oops...don't get me wrong! We're not too advance for the Halloween celebration or too late for last year's event. This is not my Halloween special edition, rather it's for my holy week post! Haha!

Yeah, it's for the holy week! For this moment, let us give the holy week a brand new image. Instead of talking religion, rituals, or trips, let me share with you my last holy week's main activity. It was truly a terrifying days!

Yup, since there was no TV programs last Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday besides watching the Holy Week Marathon of the hit TV Series "Agua Bendita", I had my own marathon. It was called the "Horror Marathon"! I've watched all the latest hit Filipino horror movies in the DVD using my Sony Bravia!

Here are they:

I was Surprised with the Supporting Stars in this Movie!

I Like the Mystery Behind the Story!

Too Short to Watch...

I Love the Way How the Two Stories were Connected!

These were some of the horror movies I've watched last Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! Actually, I have other foreign movie lineups after watching these. These were "The Echo", "Jennifer's Body", "Wrong Turn", and "Days With The Dead"! But, three days were not enough to watch those other movies. I will then schedule another time to watch those!

Aside from these horror movies, I also watched the film of John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano, and Vilma Santos which is "In My Life"! The story was really great! Like it! =)

Beside these movies, more new movies were inside our locker which wasn't yet watched. These were Angel Locsin-Piolo Pascual's "Love Me Again", Mega and Ai-Ai's "BFF", Indie Film's "Mangkukulam", and KC-Richard's "For the First Time"!

And also, I will set my time to buy other more new DVDs like "New Moon", "Tanging Pamilya", "Shake Rattle and Roll", "Paano Na Kaya", "Mano Po 6", "Miss You Like Crazy", "Ang Darling Kong Aswang", and "Patient X"! Of course, include in my list the bold Indie Films! Haha! Keep it as our top secret!

So, that's how I concluded my three days Holy Week vacation! Of course, I didn't forget to pray and visit the church! c",)