“A” was the grade the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) gave the Viva Films’ biopic Felix Manalo last Thursday. The film had its gigantic premiere at the Philippine arena last night.
The film stars Dennis Trillo. It’s a monumental event as Viva made an unprecedented move including advanced ticket selling for the films starting on Sept. 28.
Joel Lamangan directed the movie that centers on Ka Felix Manalo, founder of the religious sect Iglesia Ni Cristo. The film, according to secular observers, is now in the league of Hollywood blockbusters The Avenges, Twilight, and Hunger Games.
Advance ticket selling was done in over 300 box offices across the country in order for the audience to reserve seats for the days they want to watch the film opening on Wednesday (Oct. 7).
Some 40,000 guests made it to the premiere last Sunday to watch the epic at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, including about a hundred actors who play special roles in the movie.
The film was projected on a five-story (120 meters by 40 meters) screen, The premiere hopes it would land on the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest audience at a film premiere. Also, it is looking forward to mark another record as the biggest film screening ever.
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Annie Brazil in town
Lifetime Achievement awardee of the Filipino American Jazz Society of New York Annie Brazil will have a series of shows with son Richard Merk at The Café Hyatt City of Dreams Manila. Romy Posadas Trio will accompany the jazz legend. Titled Jazz Together, Brazil and Merk with the Romy Posadas Trio will be at Murphy’s Makati, 8 p.m. on Oct.17.
Also, you can watch My Jazz Life, which features the Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil with the Romy Posadas Trio on Oct. 6, 8 p.m. at My Club, 134 Jupiter St., Makati City.
Annie Brazil, regarded as the “Grand Dame” of Pinoy Jazz by her contemporaries for her unique jazzy voice and singing style, sings twice a week at Cusina Stagionale, a popular Italian restaurant and jazz joint in Greenwich Village, New York.
For ticket reservations, call 5518779 or text 09178191135.
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Weekend with Lani Misalucha
Have an extraordinary weekend at the country’s only heritage resort by the sea, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, on Oct.31 as Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha serenades guests for a night of sweet musical experience.
Harana: A Weekend at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar with Lani Misalucha, Mel Villena and the AMP Band is a one-of-a-kind concert at the newly opened Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre, a replica of the first ever luxurious hotel in Manila. Guests will enjoy great music and a four-course dinner in the midst of the picturesque hall featuring outstanding Filipino crafts and artworks. Musical director Mel Villena and the AMP Band will be join Misalucha.
Lani Misalucha at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
This will be the first huge musical event at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a history-in-the-making as it opens grounds for grand meetings, exhibits and shows with Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre. Its two large venues, Manila and Binondo Halls, can each accommodate up to 1,000 guests.
Tickets for two and four persons are available with exciting perks such as overnight room accommodation at the resort for Oct. 31-Nov 1, dinner, set breakfast, guided heritage tour, and pool and beach access. Individual tickets are also available just for the dinner and show.
Book your tickets now via Ticketworld and at selected major National Bookstore branches, selected Robinsons Department Stores, in Ayala Malls – Greenbelt I and Trinoma Cinema Box Office, and at Resorts World Manila Box Office. Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999, 0917-550-6997 (Globe) and 999-954-5922(Smart) for inquiries and reservations. You may also call Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar – Manila sales and reservation office at (63-2) 3325338 and (63-2) 3325286. Limited seats available.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is located in Bagac, Bataan, easily accessible via NLEX and SCTEX. It is a project of New San Jose Builders, Inc. and managed by Asian Grand Legacy Hotels Corp.