Followers of the new soap on GMA 7 are happy that its lead stars Dennis Trillo and Heart Evangelista have an indubitable chemistry.
The rom-com Juan Happy Love Story is emerging to be the top choice of prime time viewers as they say it leaves them with a happy heart before finally going to bed.
The show’s funny dialog makes it the perfect late night show for those who have gotten tired of crying with the characters.
Heart says she is very happy that the audience is enjoying her new show. Dennis, meanwhile, is grateful to everyone who stays up later than usual to watch him and Heart in this romantic comedy,
The actor says, “Masaya ako dahil iba’t iba yung proyektong binibigay sa amin ng GMA lalo na ngayon, may time kami para mag-experiment. Kaya lahat kami masaya dahil nakakagawa kami ng bago and may mapapakita kaming kakaiba sa programang ito.”
Juan Happy Love Story airs weeknights after Once Again on the Kapuso network.
★★★★★
GMA News TV’s ‘Reel Time’ wins Best Program in World TV Awards
GMA News TV’s documentary program Reel Time was recognized as Best Program in “Promoting Children’s Rights” under the Humanity category at this year’s Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)’s World Television Awards, besting entries sent by producers from all over the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and North and South America.
The awarding ceremony was held on May 25 in Incheon, South Korea.
Reel Time’s winning episode, “Isang Paa sa Hukay (The Price of Gold),” tells the story of small-scale mining in Camarines Norte, where children risk their lives diving down narrow shafts with only an air compressor to support their breathing, in search of very little pieces of gold. It was written and directed by the show’s executive producer, Jayson Bernard Santos.
Earlier this year, the same episode earned the bronze award in the Human Concerns category at the prestigious New York Festivals.
“Reel Time, being one of the youngest documentary programs on Philippine television today, is grateful for the numerous international and local recognitions it has received, so far. May our documentaries serve not only as eye-openers but also as vehicles for experimental solutions to be determined to address the ills of our society,” Santos said.
This is the second time that GMA brought home an award from AIBD. Last year, the Network won the Best Documentary citation under the “Humanity Category Dealing with Natural Disaster” for its “Pagbangon” documentary about the recovery and rehabilitation efforts for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.
The World TV Awards was initiated by AIBD in 2004 with the objective of recognizing the critical role played by media in promoting the awareness of the audience on major issues such as cultural diversity, religious understanding, tolerance, natural disasters, and children’s rights. The award is open to broadcasters worldwide from public, private sector and freelance producers.
★★★★★
‘Magtanggol’ champions OFWs
Investment banker Jojo Dispo doesn’t consider his initial foray into scripting and producing a movie a gamble. Magtanggol, the first offering of Felix and Bert Film Productions, is an undertaking fueled by passion and compassion.
Directed by Sigfreid Barros Sanchez and conceptualized by Jojo Dispo, it tackles the issue of abuses committed against Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by their employers. “I’ve traveled to a lot of places with high concentration of OFWs,” Dispo discloses. “I’ve talked to many ambassadors around the world about them, have had first hand exposure with many OFWs. I’ve heard their stories. I want to help.”
Magtanggol dares to ask the question “Sino ang bayani ng mga bagong bayani?” It zeroes in on Senator Juan Magtanggol, a member of the powerful Magtanggol political clan, who is one day thrust into the limelight for being a suspect for the spate of killings of international employers of Filipino OFWs victimized by abuse.
Tom Rodriguez, who plays Senator Juan Magtanggol, considers Magtanggol his first venture in the political thriller genre, an eye-opener. “I didn’t realize the gravity of violence committed against our kababayans who only want to improve the plight of their respective families. Leaving your family behind to work overseas is already painful.”
Tom relishes working on this indie project. “Ibinalot ‘yung pelikula sa isang masayang panoorin na kuwento pero nakatago rin doon ‘yung larawan ng totoong sinasapit minsan ng mga kapatid nating OFWs,” shares the Kapuso leading man. “The production people and the director, grabe! Pinag-iisipan nila lahat ng shots. I’ve learned so much from all the other projects I’ve done in the past. I’m learning so much more just being here. How they compose the shots. How they color and light the scenes. There is a reason behind everything.”
Seasoned actress Dina Bonnevie who plays the second wife of the Magtanggol patriarch (played by Joonee Gamboa) says that the movie is call to action. “It is very timely in light of the upcoming elections. If you have discontent over the way the government is running the country, then you have to speak up.”
Playing a very challenging role is emerging young actor Ejay Falcon. “It is an honor for me na makasama sa project na ito.”
Magtanggol also stars Yam Concepcion, Kim Domingo, Albie Casino, and Denise Laurel.
Like everyone who experiences hardships, OFWs need all the help and assistance they can get. One way of doing that is by watching “Magtanggol” when it opens on June 8 in theaters nationwide because whatever the movie earns sue will be used to fund projects to promote the welfare of OFWs.