Limelight

By Alvin I. Dacanay In a move seen as a return of the practices that marked earlier, scandal-plagued editions of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and a reversal of the lauded artistic gains scored in last year’s edition, the festival’s executive committee (execom) for 2017 issued late last week its call for submissions of screenplays and finished films to …

In honor of August as Buwan ng Wika (Filipino Language Month), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is partnering with commercial theaters to exclusively screen Filipino films nationwide in an event called Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Fiesta of Filipino Films), which will run from August 16 to 22, 2017. 

Almost twenty years after it debuted at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, Lean: A Filipino Musical will be staged for a third time, this time by the UP Manila Dramatista group, at the Adamson University Theater on May 12 and 13, 2017. 

By Alvin I. Dacanay  3 Stars and a Sun, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) musical that used the songs of the late rapper Francis Magalona in telling the story of class-divided young Filipinos struggling against a dystopian society, dominated the Gawad Buhay nominations for 2016 that also saw several onstage and offstage talents recognized twice or more. 

By Alvin I. Dacanay  Four prize-winning films dealing with religious issues, including a best-picture Oscar winner, will be shown in select SM cinemas this month as part of a three-year partnership between the shopping mall chain’s lifestyle division and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in screening independent features to a wider audience under the Cine Lokal cinema …

by Alvin I. Dacanay More than two months after announcing that she’s pregnant with actor-fiancé Aljur Abrenica’s child, former Encantadia star Kylie Padilla appears to be taking her condition and greater public interest in her in stride, and is now regarding her impending motherhood as “a blessing.” 

There’s no doubt that technological advancements through the years have changed the way we live. This is especially true when it comes to entertainment, especially those offered by theaters. 

by Alvin I. Dacanay  Twenty years after he began his brilliant career, prize-winning actor Piolo Pascual continues to be one of the most popular performers in the Philippine entertainment industry today. Unlike many of his peers who saw their careers stall for one reason or another, Pascual’s versatility—and the vigorous support of his home network ABS-CBN—enabled him to remain relevant, …

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) is still accepting nominations for its annual UP Gawad Plaridel, which recognizes Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film, television, and new media) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service. 

American television network Nickelodeon announced last week that actress-singer Nadine Lustre was voted as “Favorite Pinoy Star” at the 2017 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center in Los Angeles.