Philippine Entertainment: Philippine Movies Now Available At Facebook

Just One Of Many Movies Available On Facebook

The popular mobile Internet messenger company Chikka is launching Chikka Cine via Facebook.

This service which links up social media and cinematic entertainment will provide Filipino Facebook users in North America the privilege to watch mainstream Filipino movies. This means no more missed shows because of location concerns.

With Chikka teaming-up with new company Mav Shack, the movie streaming feature gets a thrilling start with two recent blockbusters, namely, “In Your Eyes” and “Petrang Kabayo” up for screening. Facebook users can avail of this by simply hitting the “Like” button on Mav Shack’s Page.

The new media service offering will be free for the entire month of November. Both movies that respectively star multi-awarded actress Anne Curtis and current sensation Vice Ganda, belong to the talent stable of Viva Films, with which Mav Shack has tied up.

With the movie streaming over the USA and Canada territories, OFWs, Fil-Ams and Fil-Canadians in the region would “feel at home” with Chikka Cine’s entertainment offerings. As a bonus, viewers of the said movies would be instant participants in a raffle. Two winners get round trip tickets to the Philippines, including all-expense paid weekend to island paradise Boracay.

Chikka, which recently produced Chikka Live – a live video streaming service innovation that captivated thousands of viewers worldwide, is now available in multiple formats and browsers on all personal computers and handheld devices.

By developing fresh content that fuses social media, Chikka, as an instant messaging innovator, continuously helps its telco partners adapt to the new digital environment via more utilities for new-generation users.

Mav Shack, on the other hand, is an over-the-top service online that streams content such as movies, radio programs, and concerts over the Internet. Its service is available on desktops via its URL mavshack.com and Facebook page. A new application/widget will soon be ready for subscribers to see the selected movies from Smart Phones supported by Android and iOS, like iPhone and iPad.

While those films are already available, subscribers can expect more Filipino flicks from Viva Films through Chikka Cine and Mav Shack.

Philippine Music: Comprehending The Idiocy Of A Platinum Album

Jovit Baldivino: Platinum Album Awardee

Just recently, I read about how Pilipinas Got Talent winner Jovit Baldivino received a platinum status for his debut album entitled Faithfully. According to ABS-CBN news, because of Baldivino’s recent success in reaching platinum, ABS-CBN will now host a major concert featuring Jovit Baldivino at the Aliw Theater on November 13.

Performing with Jovit Baldivino are the likes of Yeng Constantino, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Kim Chiu and Sam Milby as special guests.

OK – so what does a platinum album really mean in the Philippines? In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) declares an album reaches gold status when it has sold more than 500,000 copies. It reaches platinum status when the album has sold more than 1,000,000 copies. That’s in the United States.

Here in the Philippines, the equivalent body of the US RIAA is the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). Now, the PARI has its own set of rules. The PARI awards a gold status to an album if it has sold 10,000 copies, and it awards platinum status if the album has sold 20,000 copies.

20,000 copies for a platinum album? That’s a far cry from the global standard of 1 million. Those 20,000 copies can be easily bought out by the recording company. In the case of Jovit Baldivino, it is plausible that the 20,000 copies were paid for and bought by ABS-CBN, and  were probably given for free during Wowowee or whatever noon time variety show they have. Of course, I merely allege.

ABS-CBN news does well to self-promote their own talent. After all, it is ABS-CBN who manages Jovit Baldivino as a talent, gave him his recording deal, and will be in charge of promoting his career further. They play his songs from the album regularly on their own radio stations (both AM and FM), and have him guest and sing on their TV shows, both for cable and the local nationwide broadcast.  As an added bonus , ABS-CBN has already cast Baldivino on different TV shows of the network to promote his versatile talent.  Then, there will be the articles to follow on ABS-CBN owned publications, websites and partner sites. We even haven’t tackled the other non-ABS-CBN media outlets who will also jump on this promotion from magazines to newspapers, and other internet and social media, like Yahoo, where I chanced upon it.

Clearly, there is some kind of bias in this kind of self-promotion that any average Filipino doesn’t see off the bat. You find the talent, hone  it and flex your muscles of self-promotion, covering it up with pretty ribbons and shiny gift wrapping. You throw around some money – and maybe even buy 20,000 copies of an album – and present the success to an estimated 90,000,000 Filipinos all over the country, plus some more from all over the world. What a promotional machinery! What a media giant!

However…

The truth of the matter is – the platinum status of Jovit Baldivino’s album (and of other ABS-CBN or Star Recording artists like Nina, Kris Aquino, Charice Pempengco, Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga among others) are not platinum as the world knows it to be. And yet,  you can read about it on the Internet, at Yahoo, and it will give the false impression to the rest of the world that his album has made the same sales as big artists in the US who hit 1 million in record sales. Or maybe I just think it does.

I believe that whenever a Filipino artist hits platinum, there should be an asterisk that says he sold 20,000 copies only, so as not to mislead others to think that they follow the American trend of 1 million copies. That’s just my opinion. I think the colonial mental state when it comes to music is somehow US-shaped, and this could be a misleading thing. Or maybe it’s just me who doesn’t get it.

Of course, this platinum status varies in each country. In places like Peru, the platinum threshold is only at 6,000 albums sold. But that’s probably because only Peruvians can understand Peruvian songs and singers.

Anyway – I’m not out to rain on the parade on the success of artists like Jovit Baldivino. I’m not crab mentality-ing. In fact, it’s great that he’s hit the big leagues and is making something with his talent. At least I know he’s got talent. There are some artists who can’t even sing for shit. Did anyone say Willie Revillame, or did I hear Kris Aquino?

I guess what I’m really irked about is how networks like ABS-CBN put all sorts of spin on the issue, manipulating it from its inception to its perch in the glitzy havens of showbusiness. They throw around  their monopolizing media powers to deceive their audience into believing that they bring out greatness with whatever they bake in their oven – even if  just because the minority of 20,000 platinum-building Filipinos (of an estimated total of 90 million plus citizens) paid for it.

Maybe there’s just something wrong with the rules of PARI to think that sales of 20,000 albums are good for a platinum status, even if, in reality, it doesn’t even make up 1 percent of the total population. And yet, there are the media powers who make it sound BIG, albeit their selfish interests.

I might be  wrong, but there is something idiotic about it. And I think it might be that they’re the idiots, or maybe I am.

Note: I don’t work for GMA (the network or the former President).

Philippine Entertainment: Tanghalang Pilipino Stages ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

(The following excerpt is reposted as is from its press release)

Ryu and Ana Abad Santos

Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, translated by Orlando Nadres into Filipino as Flores Para Los Muertos, will be brought to life on stage as Tanghalang Pilipino’s third offering in its 23rd Theater Season that celebrates “Women of Substance.” The play, which will be performed in English and in Filipino, opens on October 2, 2009 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and runs for four weekends until October 25, 2009.

A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos paints the staunch character of Blanche Dubois, whose complicated psychological makeup as she confronts reality is a sure challenge to any substantial woman actor. Perhaps Williams’ greatest masterpiece, the play’s recurring theme is the constant and often dangerous conflict between reality and fantasy, actual and ideal. Blanche Dubois, the main character says, “I don’t want realism; I want magic.” Blanche’s deception of others and herself is not from malicious intent, but rather from a heart and spirit broken by adversity and forced to retreat to a kinder, purer time that no longer exists.

Multi-awarded TV, film and stage director Floy Quintos directs the cast which includes Ana Abad Santos as Blanche in the English version and Eula Valdes as Blanche Dubois in Filipino. Playing Stanley Kowalski, the role made famous by Marlon Brando in its original staging and film adaptation will be played by Reuben Uy in English and Neil Ryan Sese in Filipino. Stella Kowalski will be performed by seasoned stage actor Mailes Kanapi in English, and theater newbie Meryll Soriano in Filipino. Also included in the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos are Paolo O’Hara, Jonathan Tadioan, Marjorie Lorico, Paolo Cabañero, Jerald Napoles, and Tara Cabaero.

A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos will be performed in English from October 2 to 11 and in Filipino from October 16 to 25; Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Special shows are available upon reservation.

For ticket inquiries, call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3661, Ticketworld at 891-9999 or the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.

Philippine Television: Urbantribe Is Making Waves On Philippine TV

Tribomanila is a five-piece band that fuses electronic music with funky percussive beats that have people going crazy on the dance floor. Founded by Dj Roberto “Danger” Sanchez, Tribomanila was initially created to add some spice to the Philippine night life scene. However, at present, Tribomanila is making more noise on television, particularly in TV5.

Urbantribe is the name of the show that features the members of Tribomanila – Minco Fabregas, Marcus Maguidad, DJ Roberto “Danger” Sanchez, Stefan Loewenstein and Alvin Cornista – who host various segments in this magazine format show that airs every Monday night at 11:30pm on TV5.

TriboManila

“Pinoy Beat” is a segment hosted by drummer Minco Fabregas, who also came up with the idea of the show while studying in film school in Cebu. The segment featues one-on-one interviews with Filipino achievers and leaders “Pogi Points” is a segment hosted by Stefan Loewenstein of Austria and Alvin Cornista of Canada, who give a humorous foreigner’s view on the Pinoy culture. “Downtime Zone” is hosted by the affable DJ Roberto “Danger” Sanchez, who gives tips to unwind and relax. While “Wingman” is hosted by Marcus Maguidad, who gives tips to males on things like dealing with chicks, gadgets and online finds.

Urbantribe is certainly making a lot of waves, and earning a lot of loyal support from viewers. Of course, the band Tribomanila is very sought after with their brand of electronic and indigenous fusion. Stefan plays the Timbales; Marcus does some beat-box and plays the percussions; Minco has a steady hand on the drums; Alvin adds some depth with the saxophone; and Danger puts a Latin-house foundation mix with the turntable.

And then – they also have their day jobs – Minco dabbles in mkaing AVPs and commercials; Marcus writes for a magazine; Stefan promotes a bar and cafe and Danger runs a DJ school.

“The challenge for us now is marketing the show. It’s not just about coming up with content, filming it and editing it but also selling the segments [to sponsors],” Minco said.

Hey, people, sponsorship. Show Tribomanila the money!!!

Check out video clips of Urbantribe in the Urbantribe TV Show Facebook Fan Page.

The Hottest Male Magazine For Filipino Men

I got this in an e-mail from my dad, who is now based in Australia. He sends me stuff every day in my e-mail. Most I don’t bother to even check. What can I say – he’s a frigging spammer!!! Yup, with all the chain-mails, Word For The Day Bible Passages, Joke of The Day and all sorts of other stuff. He has to type, “JJ: Important!” for me to distinguish the spam mail from the more serious ones. Anyway, once in a while, I get to browse through the not-so-important stuff, and once in a while a thing of beauty comes along. Take for example:

The Hottest Magazine For Filipino Men

Karaoke World Championships 2008 at Lahti, Finland

2007 Karaoke World Championship Winners Julie Walter-Sgro and Lu Hee Wah

Laugh at the title, but it really is true!

The Karaoke World Championships began in 2003 with 7 countries participating, and as of 2007, it features nearly 30 countries worldwide. There are national trials conducted by each participating country every year, and the winners (one male and one female) are sent to the international finals for the Karaoke World Championships.

The Karaoke World Championships finals were held in Finland from 2003 until 2005, and in 2006, the finals were held aboard the M/S Galaxy while cruising the Baltic sea from Helsinki to Estonia. In 2007, the finals were held in Thailand. In 2008, it returns to Finland.

Last year’s champions were Julie Walter-Sgro (female, Australia) and Lu Hee Wah (male, Malaysia)

The participating countries include USA, UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Finland (of course!), Kuwait, Kenya, South Africa and so much more. BUT! (And a very BIG BUT HERE!) there is no Philippines!!!

Yup, our Southeast Asian neighbors – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong – are all represented, but there is still no Philippines. Hmmm. Well, not for long.

Enterprising businessman Nino Villongco has taken the initiative of including the Philippines in the 2008 Karaoke World Championships which will be held form October 23rd to October 25th, 2008 in Lahti, Finland. Nino Villongco owns the franchise for the Philippine Karaoke Championships, which will be the official body that will send one male and one female representative to the Karaoke World Championships every year starting 2008.

At present, Nino Villongco is getting things together with sponsors, business partners and media partners in order to hold a series of events between August to September in order to be able to award the Karaoke Philippine champions the privilege to represent the country in the Karaoke World Championships. Think American Idol with an international stage.

Anyway, the Philippines Fun Wall will be announcing the event dates soon, but time is of the essence. Nino Villongco hopes that the elimination events will start soon, so we can get headed to the Karaoke Philippine Grand Finals and come up with the two winners, and also to give these two winners some time to practice before heading to the Karaoke World Championships in Finland.

Nino Villongco envisions this event to be growing annually in participation volume, and also in terms of event revenue. Of course, not to mention the fact that the Philippines can seriously bring home a Gold Medal in Karaoke World Championships.

So who can join? Well, as long as you’re not signed in as a recording artist with any professional recording label, then I guess you’re qualified. I believe you can read more about the requirements in the official site of the Karaoke World Championships.

Meanwhile, keep visiting the Philippines Fun Wall to find out more on the upcoming events. Also, take a peek into a glimpse of the Karaoke World Championship by checking out the video summarizing the events of the 2007 Karaoke World Championships, held in Thailand.