Cinemalaya: Mga Mumunting Lihim [Juday, Iza, Agot & Janice]

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Philippine Daily Inquirer
Marinel R. Cruz
July 4, 2012

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Joey Reyes said he was pleased to be in the same venue as the young filmmakers of Cinemalaya. “I feel like their grandfather,” he quipped. “It’s good because seeing them assures me that the tradition of indie filmmaking will continue. I’ve done a lot of films, but always, my favorites are those that share my vision and voice. They become very personal, much like this new film.”

He added: “‘Mga Mumunting Lihim’ is about the death of a friend, the importance of friendship and realizing who your true friends are.”

It stars Judy Ann Santos, Janice de Belen, Agot Isidro and Iza Calzado.

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Showcase for ‘dream films’
By: Nestor U. Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 6, 2012 | 11:19 pm

WHEN we helped conceptualize the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition, we were keen about discovering and providing production grants to new filmmakers via two modes—full-length features and 20-minute short films.

In addition, we hoped that even established filmmakers could eventually be accommodated by way of a third mode that would help make possible the production of their “dream films,” story and thematic concepts deemed uncommercial by the mainstream industry. In our view, the age or provenance of the filmmaker wasn’t important—what was key was the need to produce good movies any which way, to enrich and enlarge local film buffs’ viewing options.

That’s why we’re happy that Cinemalaya’s Directors’ Showcase has come into its own as a venue for more established filmmakers’ new works. In fact, this year’s edition promises to be the best one yet, with full-length features on provocative themes by Jose Javier Reyes, Jun Lana, Raymond Red, and Cinemalaya “graduates,” Adolf Alix and Lawrence Fajardo.

Impact

Reyes’ “Mga Mumunting Lihim” is about the death of Mariel (Judy Ann Santos) and the impact it has on her three closest friends, played by Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen and Agot Isidro. “Inside those diaries are all the little secrets that the women have kept from one another—all the hidden emotions, stories and comments that made their lives a sham. Death should provide closure, but it can also be a terrible beginning and realization of what has been hidden by the living.”

Added incentive for seeing this movie is the fact that it showcases the comeback film performances of Judy Ann and Janice.

Death is also one of the themes explored by the drama-comedy, “Bwakaw,” written and directed by Jun Lana. In the film, Eddie Garcia plays an old man who finally comes out of the closet at age 70. “Ailing in his twilight years, he’s made a will leaving his few possessions to his even fewer friends. But, his dog, Bwakaw, is stricken by cancer, and the old gay is surprisingly affected.

“In his struggle to get Bwakaw cured, he finds a new appreciation for life. He decides to unpack the things that he has already willed to other people. He is, after all, still alive.”

Alix’s “Kalayaan” combines reality and fantasy in its story about Julian, a Filipino soldier (Ananda Everingham) stationed in Kalayaan. A pending coup d’etat in Manila extends his stay on the island where, “with nothing to do, he and the other soldiers spend their waiting hours walking by the beach, watching porn, listening to songs on the radio, etc. They also have to contend with ‘someone’ seemingly watching them. Eventually, Julian’s only option for survival is to cope with reality or lose his sanity.”

Process

Fajardo’s “Posas” is about Jess, a snatcher (played by Nico Antonio) who’s caught and undergoes investigation. “As the process proceeds from the barangay hall, police station to fiscal’s office, we witness human rights violations and the country’s endemic culture of corruption at work.”

Most “experimental” of all is Raymond Red’s “Kamera Obscura,” a film within a film, “the narrative of which plays with the idea of a retro-futurist world where a prisoner sees the world outside only through a small hole that projects an image of the city on the wall of his cell.”

—Catch all five films at Cinemalaya 2012 later this month, why don’t you?

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Iza Calzado swears and engages in confrontation scenes for Cinemalaya entry Mga Mumunting Lihim

Ricky Calderon
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 05:28PM



Marami-rami na rin nagawang dramatic movies si Iza Calzado pero ayon sa actresss kakaiba ang latest assignment niyang Mga Mumunting Lihim, one of the entries sa Directors’ Showcase ng 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Ito ay gaganapin sa Cultural Center of the Philippines from July 20 to 29, 2012.

“Hindi over acting ang dating. Mas natural lang ang acting ko rito at hindi rin ako masyadong mabait,” kuwento ni Iza nang makausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa presscon ng Cinemalaya kamakailan.

“Would you believe na nagmumura ako rito? Very natural ang dating ng character. Ang dating ng mga characters na pino-portray namin dito ay mga totoong totoo. Kung paano magre-react ang isang tao in a real life situation, ganun din ang gagawin ng mga characters,” pahayag pa ni Iza.

“Lahat kami tunay na tao kaya very natural ang reaction. Hindi mo na kailangan pang i-dramatize ang mga eksena. Just feel it.”

Mula sa panulat at direksiyon ng premyadong writer-director na si Jose Javier Reyes, Mga Mumunting Lihim is a movie about friendship. Istorya ito ng magkakaibigan and is told the way it is to be: simple lang, natural, very human. Bukod kay Iza, ang ibang bida ng Mga Mumunting Lihim ay sina Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, at Janice de Belen.

“Natural lang kami, hindi kami masyadong mababait. Minsan kasi ang worry natin pag gumagawa tayo ng movie, nasa isip natin na hindi na puwedeng gawin bad si ganito kasi makakasira sa image,” saad ni Iza.

“Like si Juday, hindi siya ganu’n kabait. Kahit ako walang dating na mabait na mabait ang character ko. Lahat kasi may sungay. Lahat kami may kanya-kanyang faults. At lumalabas ang mga sungay namin habang natutuklasan ang mga lihim sa diary ng kaibigan namin.”

Ayon kay Iza, nagandahan siya sa kuwento ng Mga Mumunting Lihim kaya niya tinanggap ang project plus isang beses pa lang niya nakatrabaho si Direk Joey (sa 2010 version ng Working Girls). She wanted to work with Direk Joey again.

Secondly, maganda ang casting. Minsan mo lang mapapagsama sa isang project sina Juday, Iza, Agot Isidro and Janice de Belen (who was taken in to replace Eugene Domingo, who was the original choice for the role).

“The script is very personal to Direk Joey. It means so much to him. And like what he said, we are not doing this for the money. This is my first Cinemalaya project and hopefully not my last,” pahayag pa ni Iza.

The offer to do Mga Mumunting Lihim came at that right time for Iza. Kalilipat pa lang niya at the time sa ABS-CBN at inaayos pa ang project na nakatakda niyang gawin for the Kapamilya Network kaya may libreng oras when she was offered a role in the Joey Reyes film.

Happy rin si Iza na kahit na medyo nahirapan sila na mag-ayos nang kanya-kanyang schedules para tumugma sa shooting ay nagawa pa rin nila ang movie. “We were able to make it work and film the movie,” sabi pa ng aktres.

Kumusta naman katrabaho sina Juday, Agot and Janice? Ano ang mga na-discover mo sa kanila after working with them?

“Ganoon pa rin ako kay Juday. Fan pa rin ako niya. Pero naging fan ako ni Juday nung mag-artista na ako. At saka nung makasama ko siya sa trabaho so kahit na kaibigan ko na siya, ang tingin ko pa rin sa kanya ay si Juday na hinahangaan ko, ‘yung hinahangaan kong individual,” wika ni Iza.

“Si Ate Janice, nakakatuwa siya kasi ang husay niya. First time ko kasi nakatrabaho si Ate Janice sa movie. Nakakatawa siya. Eh, nagkataon naman na yung role niya, nakakatawa talaga siya. Pag nagmura siya, nakakatawa talaga siya.

“May mga confrontation scenes kasi kami sa movie na nakakatuwa at nakakatawa. And si Agot also, ang galing din. First time ko rin siyang nakatrabaho. Pero kasi with Agot, kaibigan ko. Naging kaibigan ko muna siya before I had the chance to work with her. I discovered na mahusay din siya kasi first time ko lang siyang nakasama in one project. Kalog siya. Saka napansin ko rito sa movie, lahat kami ay masaya.”

Kumusta naman katrabaho si Direk Joey for the second time?

“Isa rin siyang masayang tao sa set. Napakagaan katrabaho ni Direk Joey sa set. Aalalayan ka niya sa ginagawa mo. Personal kasi sa kanya ang project. Actually, ako si Joey Reyes sa movie. Naglolokohan kami palagi,” sabi ni Iza.

Ano ang expectations mo sa Cinemalaya, having said that ito ang una mong Cinemalaya movie?

“I’ve always wanted to do a Cinemalaya film kaya lang minsan ang timing ang problema. O kaya hindi ko type ang role or yung material ay hindi masyadong sumang-ayon sa gusto ko at that point. And I think the biggest factor was timing. I guess I was too busy before and nagkataon na ito ‘yung time na kakalipat ko nga lang. Our show for Channel 2 is still being prepared so ngayon nagkaroon ako opportunity to make a movie for Cinemalaya,” paliwanag ni Iza na isa rin sa mga bida sa ABS-CBN primetime series na Kahit Puso’y Masugatan.

Ano ang impression mo sa Cinemalaya? Would you say it’s a big deal to be part of it?

“Yes, definitely, it’s a big deal. It’s the first independent festival in the Philippines and ang dami ng magagandang pelikulang na na-produce ng Cinemalaya. Kumbaga, pag isa kang actor at mainstream movie ang ginagawa mo, you would want to do a Cinemalaya project at baka makahuli ka nang isang magandang material.

“Hindi naman sa hindi maganda ang material sa TV or sa mainstream movie pero there are a lot of compromises that you have to make, image-wise. Or iisipin rin nila: will this become a hit? Pero pag sa Cinemalaya, you don’t have to make those adjustments for money-making purposes. Story ang priority,” pagwawakas ni Iza.

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PEP's Guide to Cinemalaya 2012

Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)

Stars: Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro with the special participation of Janice de Belen and Ms. Judy Ann Santos
Writer-Director: Jose Javier Reyes

In Mga Mumunting Lihim, Iza Calzado, Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, and Janice de Belen bring life to the women whose bonds of friendship are tested when they discover secrets about each other.

Mariel (Judy Ann) and Carla (Iza) have been close friends since high school. When they grow up, Carla becomes a successful advertising executive while Mariel is a married woman who is actually jealous of Carla.

They meet Olive (Janice de Belen) and Sandra (Agot Isidro) who eventually become part of their barkada.

Judy Ann describes the movie by saying, “Pinapakita nito yung relationship ng magkakaibigan, paano na-build at paano muntik magkawatak-watak dahil sa isang makabuluhang journal.”

In lieu of the meek characters that she portrayed in the past, Judy Ann accepted this role, which she describes as a “slight kontrabida.”

Mariel (Judy Ann) is afflicted with a terminal disease and when she died, her friends got to read her diary containing her darkest secrets.

Iza says about her character Carla: “I am ambitious and career driven. Ako yung type ng babae na matibay sa lahat ng bagay pero sa isang punto sa buhay ko, nagkaroon ako ng vulnerability na nag-trigger for me to become cold and cut off.”

Direk Joey admitted that Mga Mumunting Lihim is a very personal film for him. “It’s a movie about friendship. It’s about the death of a friend. I’m dedicating it to one of my best friends, Don Escudero.”

The director/production designer died of colon cancer in July 2011.

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Juday bilib na bilib kay Iza
SHOWBIZ NEWS NOW NA!
Ni Boy Abunda
Pilipino Star Ngayon
July 09, 2012

Isa si Judy Ann Santos sa mga malalapit na kaibigan ni Iza Calzado. Aminado si Juday na hinahangaan niya ang kaibigan bilang isang magaling na aktres. Kaya naging masaya si Judy Ann nang lumipat si Iza sa ABS-CBN.

“Alam naman yata ng lahat kung gaano kahusay si Iza maging isang artista kasi napakaseryoso niya sa craft. Sa ilang beses na nakasama ko siya sa isang project, it’s a natural thing for Iza na umarte, wala kang makikitang effort sa kanya.

“Sa edad niya at sa stardom niya ngayon, wala pa akong nakikita na puwedeng pumantay,” paglalarawan ng magaling ding aktres.

Bukod sa acting talent ay hinahangaan din ni Juday ang pagkakaroon ni Iza ng mabuting loob sa mga taong nangangailangan.

“Kami ni Iza, kahit hindi kami madalas magkita niyan, maaasahan mo. I have a project last May for the Bataan Aeta project, nagtanong agad siya kung meron siyang maibibigay na tulong sa akin. ’Yung little things na gano’n. Kung gaano kaganda ang mukha niya, ganun kaganda ang puso niya. Totoo ’yan,” patotoo pa ni Juday.

Ayon pa sa aktres ay masaya ngayon ang kanyang kaibigan pagdating sa love life.

“I think she’s very happy and very content with her love right now and she deserves it. Si Iza kasi kapag trabaho, trabaho na muna. Kapag nagmahal, mahal talaga,” giit pa ni Juday.

Mamaya ay magsisimula na sa Primetime Bida ang kauna-unahang teleseryeng gagawin ni Iza sa Kapamilya Network, ang Kahit Puso’y Masugatan.

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Iza Calzado on broken hearts, losing weight, sexiest stars & Dolphy
WILL SOON FLOURISH
By Wilson Lee Flores
The Philippine Star
July 08, 2012



If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were. — Richard Bach

Actress Iza Calzado on July 9 co-stars with Jake Cuenca, Andi Eigenmann and others in the new ABS-CBN 2 TV drama series Kahit Puso’y Masugatan directed by Wenn Deramas. Born Maria Izadora, she was named after the US dancer Isadora Duncan by her late choreographer/TV director father Lito Calzado. Her mom was Irish-Spanish-Filipina mestiza Mary Ann Ussher. She is also on the cover of the fifth anniversary issue of Rogue magazine, which tycoon Iñigo Zobel once told me he bought as “a gift” for his wife Maria Cristina Cardenas Zobel.

Iza gave Philippine STAR an exclusive interview over lunch. Here are excerpts:

PHILIPPINE STAR: Aside from this new teleserye you have with Jake Cuenca, I heard ABS-CBN 2 is asking you to host the reality TV show The Biggest Loser. When is this for?

IZA CALZADO: Yes, that’s true, they said this year.

You have a voluptuous figure, is it true you were once obese? How much do you weigh now?

Yes, I was once 220 pounds, but I’m currently 130 pounds.

How old were you when you weighed that much? When did you start to lose weight?

I was 15 years old when I was 220 pounds, I lost weight when I was 16.

What is your advice to people who are struggling to lose excess weight?

Losing weight is not impossible. It starts from a decision to instill discipline into your life and to embrace the lifestyle change.

How do you maintain your figure?

Regular exercise and eating moderately are important parts of my lifestyle. I love running. On eating, I lessen carb-rich foods and I indulge only in sweets once a week.

Your response to some who say it’s just so difficult to lose weight?

They just have to do it. It’s a decision you make and a commitment you make.

Who do you consider the three sexiest male stars in local showbiz?

Wala (none)! (laughs)

What about the sexiest female stars?

Iya Villania, Vina Morales… I can’t think of another one, I owe you one more name.

Tom Cruise is now being divorced by his wife Katie Holmes. It’s his third divorce and his three ex-wives are all actresses. Do you think showbiz marriages are more prone to breakups? Why or why not?

To begin with, relationships are already tough enough, and when it’s in the world of showbiz, it is even more difficult to sustain. I guess, it’s because of the nature of the industry; it’s a public life, so there’s ego, the press…the problems are heightened.

There are also more temptations in showbiz?

Yes, definitely! (Laughs)

So do you prefer a future boyfriend or husband outside showbiz?

I prefer someone not from the industry, but I’m open to whoever God or the universe has in store or planned out for me.

Any advice for the now single Tom Cruise?

No opinions, hindi naman kami friends, pa-involve lang. Pero kami ni Katie Holmes, friends lang (We’re not friends, just getting involved. But Katie Holmes and I, we’re friends) (laughs).

With Jake Cuenca, is it true your late dad Lito Calzado was a friend of the now ailing “Comedy King” Dolphy?

Dolphy was a good friend of my late father, because he did a lot of choreography work for him before. My dad always said that Dolphy is so generous, that he is very professional, and he likes to do excellent work. Dolphy is very highly respected.

Are you anxious about your first leading role in a TV drama series on ABS-CBN 2?

It’s been a year since I’ve starred in a TV series and a year after I transferred to ABS-CBN 2. Actually, honestly, the feeling of excitement overwhelms me more than any worries or anxieties. I also enjoy the happy company of my co-stars Jake, Andi, and others. Jaclyn Jose is a fine actress who plays the role of my mother here and I’m happy because she coincidentally also once played my mother too in my very first teleserye role before. Director Wenn Deramas and his team are also great to work with.

Are you out to prove something with this new TV project?

I always like new challenges. There’s something in me that looks forward to new challenges. I want to do well in my acting to prove to my late parents that I can still be a better actress and a better person too. Maybe I should rephrase that, instead of saying I want “to prove something,” let’s just say I hope that my late parents could be more proud of their daughter… Whatever hard work and efforts I put into my profession, it’s not so much just to prove to others, but it is ultimately to prove to myself that I can be better. All of us should strive to always be better.

Your opinions on showbiz stars getting into politics? You’re a bright actress, maybe you’ll enter politics too someday?

Akala ko bright, yung nakakasilaw (I thought bright as in dazzling)! (Laughs)!

Seriously, if there are showbiz stars who sincerely think they can serve the people through politics, it’s up to them, it’s their decision… Like in the case of Lucy Torres Gomez, getting into politics was not her decision, this was not her dream, it was just her destiny. As long as the showbiz people have sincere intentions, if they’re really trying to make the situation of the country better or do good in areas they have power over, then it’s okay to be in politics.

President Noynoy Aquino is soon delivering his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), how do you assess the state of the nation?

Naku, I don’t know. I don’t keep track of the headlines… Not that I don’t know what’s happening, I have my own observations, but I prefer not to comment. In life I have some wisdom to share, but naku huwag lang math, baka puso ko ay masugatan (but, oh my, not anything on math, or else I’d be heartbroken).

Speaking of the President, I heard news before that he or someone else was trying to request a date for him with you during your GMA 7 days?

Tapos na rin ‘yon, nakakahiya kay President pag-usapan iyon (That’s the past, it’s embarrassing to the President to discuss that).

What about dating separated Senator Chiz Escudero, who has had two dinners with Heart Evangelista and who also told Kris Aquino his biggest showbiz crush is Anne Curtis?

Wow… there are no dates with a senator.

Your new TV drama series has the title Kahit Puso’y Masugatan or even if the heart is broken or bruised. How do you react when your heart is broken?

Iiyak lang ako (I would cry), that’s the first thing I’d do.

Jake Cuenca said that every person should experience a nasugatang puso or a broken heart at least once in his life so that one’s character can become stronger. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree with Jake. I’m excited to work with him in this new TV project.

You broke up with your businessman boyfriend. How does a person ideally cope with and ultimately recover from a broken heart?

One year has already passed since. If one’s heart is broken or hurt — by the way this doesn’t only apply to romantic relationships but also to other aspects of life like in our careers — one can recover as long as you keep the faith. Keep the faith in God, in yourself, and keep the faith that tomorrow will be a better day.

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FULL TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x96JllDF8wA



It is official: GALA PREMIERE NIGHT of MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM (Those Little Secrets) on Wednesday 9:00 PM 25 July 2012 at the CCP Main Theater.

Attached is the complete screening schedule of MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM (Those Little Secrets) for the Directors Showcase of CINEMALAYA 2012. The festival opens on 20 July 2012.

Director’s Showcase 5: MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM (Those Little Secrets) by Jose Javier Reyes
Screenings per Day:
• July 21: 12:45PM – LT / 6:30PM – GB-3
• July 22: 11:00AM – TRI / 3:30PM - MKP
• July 23: 3:30PM – MT / 9:00PM – G...B-5
• July 24: 12:45PM – THB
• July 25: 6:15PM – THB / 9:00PM - MT
• July 26: 6:30PM - TRI
• July 27: 4:00PM - TRI
• July 28: 4:00PM – GB-5
• July 29: 11:00AM – GB-3 / 3:30PM - MKP

LEGEND FOR THE VENUES:
MT = CCP MAIN THEATRE (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo)
LT = CCP LITTLE THEATRE (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino)
MKP = CCP MKP Hall
THB = CCP STUDIO THEATRE ( Tanghalang Huseng Batute)
GB-3 = GREENBELT 3 Cinema 3
GB-5 = GREENBELT 3 Cinema 5
TRI = TRINOMA Cinema 1
DT = CCP DREAM THEATRE (Tanghalang Manuel Conde)

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Please put SPOILER ALERTS using [s p o i l e r] and [/ s p o i l e r] without spaces if you are posting important plot points from film reviews or blog updates. Thank you.

FILM REVIEW: MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM
WRITTEN BY; MARIO BAUTISTA
PUBLISHED: JULY 16, 2012

WRITER-director Joey Reyes has come up with a well acted crowd-pleaser in his first Cinemalaya entry, “Mga Mumunting Lihim”, a story of friendship between four different women that charts the emotional high points and the painful low points in their relationship that spans several years. A brilliant mix of comedy and drama, it shows us the problems and challenges of maintaining a lasting friendship due to the fact that we are all flawed human beings with our own feelings of perennial insecurity and dissatisfaction for what we already have and envy for friends who we perceive to be happier than us.

The four ladies here are not the usual perfect goody-goody heroines. Each of them has her own faults and shortcomings, just like all of us, which make them more endearing, more believable, more relatable. Maybe you can identify with one of them or you can see your own friends in some of them.

[spoiler start]The film starts with the death of one of the girls. We don’t want to give away so much of the plot, but the film then becomes more like a horror story when she then veritably returns from the dead to haunt her three remaining friends through the diaries she left behind. This unleashes an emotional tsunami since they’re all exposed as gossiping backstabbers. Really, with friends like them, who needs enemies? It shows that it really takes a lot of patience and forgiving and forgetting to nurture and keep a friend over the long haul of a lifetime.

Vastly entertaining and both hilarious and tragic, we’re at first bothered by the fact that Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Iza Calzado don’t really belong to the same age bracket. But as you watch them interact on screen, you’ll easily forget this as there’s warm and even palpable chemistry between them in all their scenes together. They make you want to suddenly call friends you’ve not seen in years just to keep in touch again.[spoiler end]

Even if it’s Iza Calzado who gets the longest screen exposure since it’s mainly from her point of view that the story unfolds, all the actresses here deserve to win best actress trophies as they all have their own big acting highlights. In Tagalog, “wala kaming itulak-kabigin sa kanila” as they can all both be wickedly funny and tenderly touching. Maybe they should just win for ensemble acting as they’re all outstanding. Giving the award to just one of them will be an injustice to the other three.

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Abante
Jojo Gabinete
July 16, 2012

Juday, Iza at Janice movie, inalay sa mga namatay na direktor

Nagiging emotional ang mga nagmamahal kay Mang Dolphy sa tuwing napag-uusapan ang mga personal na karanasan nila sa King of Comedy.

Napapaluha sila kapag binabalikan ang kuwento ng happy moments nila sa piling ni Mang Dolphy.

Ganoon din ang naramdaman ng direktor na si Joey Reyes sa special screening ng Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets) sa My Cinema ng Greenbelt noong Sabado.

Ang Mga Mumunting Lihim ang entry ni Joey sa Director’s Showcase ng 2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival at mga bida ng pelikula sina Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen at Agot Isidro.

Napaluha si Joey pagkatapos ng screening ng pelikula na inialay niya sa mga namayapang kaibigan na sina Khryss Adalia at Don Escudero.

Tinitiyak namin na magugustuhan ng lahat ang kuwento ng Mga Mumunting Lihim at makaka-relate sila sa mga eksena ng pelikula.

Nangyayari sa tunay na buhay ang kuwento ng bagong obra maestra ni Joey at pupusta kami na makikita ng manonood ang kanilang sarili sa mga karakter na ginampanan nina Judy Ann, Iza, Janice at Agot.

Pagkatapos mapanood ang kabuuan ng pelikula, magkakaroon tayo ng realization na malaking pagbabago sa buhay ang naging epekto ng pagkakabulgar ng mga sikreto kaya hindi ito basta mga mumunting lihim.

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Juday plays role as villain to friends
Published : Monday, July 16, 2012
Written by : Nitz Miralles

Wala palang dapat ikakaba si Direk Joey Reyes dahil maganda ang Mga Mumunting Lihim, ang first indie film niya at unang sali niya sa Cinemalaya.

Pulido ang pagkakasulat niya sa story at script at perfect ang cast, bagay kina Janice de Belen, Agot Isidro, Iza Calzado at Judy Ann Santos ang kanilang respective roles.

Ensemble acting ang napanood sa apat na aktres, walang nagpatalbugan at kitang nagbigayan sila at nabigyan sila ni Direk Joey ng kani-kanyang highlight. Like namin ang pagka-kontrabida ni Judy Ann na pinag-away ang tatlong kaibigan.

Aliw din kami sa lutong magmura ni Janice, sa pagka-maldita ni Agot at sa karakter ni Iza. Nagpasalamat sa kanila si Direk Joey dahil wala silang tf dito and for the love ang pagtanggap sa project. Umabot sa P3M ang budget ng movie, P500K ang galing sa Cinemalaya at ang iba’y nakuha sa ex-deal.

“Si Judy Ann, nagtanong lang kung ano ang role niya at nang sabihin kong kontrabida, “go” agad ang sagot. Magugulat kayo kina Janice at Agot at magaling din si Iza,” banggit ni Direk Joey.

Personal film ito ni Direk Joey, inspired lang at hindi kuwento ng friendship nila nina the late Don Escudero, Manny Castañeda at gift niya kina Don at Khryss Adalia. Sa July 25, 9 p.m., ang gala night nito sa CCP Main Theater at part ng directors’ showcase sa Cinemalaya.

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Please put SPOILER ALERTS using [s p o i l e r] and [/ s p o i l e r] without spaces if you are posting important plot points from film reviews or blog updates. Thank you.

Abante-Tonite
Gorgy Rula
July 16, 2012



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Proud na proud si Juday sa Mga Mumunting Lihim dahil iba ang atake sa kuwento tungkol sa magkakaibigan.

Tuluy-tuloy ang agos ng luha niya habang pinapanood ang pelikula. Nagugulat din siya dahil hindi raw niya akalaing lumabas ng ganu’n kaganda.

[spoiler start]Medyo hirap siya sa ilang eksena lalo na sa bahaging may cancer na siya. Hindi raw niya kasi alam kung paano gampanan ang isang cancer patient.

Inalalayan siya ni Direk Joey at maayos na nagampanan ito ni Juday.[spoiler end]

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ABOUT SHOWBIZ
Ni Nitz Miralles
Pilipino Star Ngayon
July 16, 2012

Janice at Agot nakakagulat ang pagmumura at kaprangkahan

Ang ganda ng Mga Mumunting Lihim, ang pelikulang sinulat at dinirehe ni Joey Reyes para sa Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. May rason ang execom ng Cinemalaya kung bakit ito na pahabol entry lang ni Direk Joey ang kanilang napili at hindi ’yung nauna nitong dalawang entries.

Tungkol sa friendship ang movie at dahil totoong nangyayari sa magkakaibigan, tiyak na marami ang makaka-relate. Ang payo nga namin, panoorin ito nang magkakaibigan o magkaka-barkada ng sabay-sabay para mas masaya.

Ang gagaling nina Janice de Belen, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, at Judy Ann Santos sa kanilang respective roles at sobrang thankful si Direk Joey dahil hindi naningil ng TF ang apat. Si Judy Ann, role lang ang tinanong at nang malamang kontrabida siya, umoo agad, ganun din ang tatlo.

In fact, pare-pareho silang bida-kontrabida, pero si Agot ang pinaka-kontrabida at tama ang sinabi ni Direk Joey na magugulat kami kina Agot at Janice. Wagas magmura si Janice at gusto namin ang pagka-prangka rito ni Agot.

Tinapos ni Direk Joey ang pelikula at P3M at maraming ex-deal. Sa July 25, 9 p.m., ang Gala Night nito sa Main Theater ng Cultural Center of the Philippines at may commercial screening starting July 22.

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Stars set to shine in Cinemalaya 2012
By: Nestor V. Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 14, 2012 | 9:07 pm


DIRECTOR Joey Reyes with Judy Ann Santos in “Mga Mumunting Lihim”

When the latest edition of the Cinemalaya alternative film festival and competition opens later this month, movie buffs may be surprised to see so many stars topbilling or playing important roles in a number of its official entries.

In the Director’s showcase for established filmmakers, Jose Javier Reyes’ “Mga Mumunting Lihim” has Iza Calzado, Judy Ann Santos, Janice de Belen and Agot Isidro. Jun Lana’s “Bwakaw” fields Eddie Garcia. Lawrence Fajardo’s “Posas” topbills Nico Antonio and Bangs Garela. Raymond Red’s “Kamera Obskura” has Pen Medina and Joel Torre. And Adolf Alix’s “Kalayaan” stars Zanjoe Marudo and Luis Alandy.

In addition, the entries in the New Breed category feature these stellar draws: Dennis Trillo in Aloy Adlawan’s “Ang Katiwala,” Coco Martin in Emmanuel Palo’s “Santo Niña,” Shamaine Buencamino in Loy Arcenas’ “REquieme!,” Kristoffer King in Paul Sta. Ana’s “Oros,” JM de Guzman in Lemuel Lorca’s “Intoy Shokoy,” Carlo Aquino in Mes de Guzman’s “Diablo,” Sue Prado in Julius Cena’s “Mga Dayo,” Jodi Sta. Maria and Mylene Dizon in Vincent Sandoval’s “Aparisyon,” Dawn Zulueta in Marietta Jamora’s “Ang Nawawala,” and Albie Casiño in Gino Santos’ “The Animals.”

Indie vs maindie

What’s going on here?

Time was when indie was indie and maindie was maindie—and hardly ever did the twain meet. These days, however, on both sides of the “exchange,” the key people involved are finding a comfortable common ground—and many reasons to work together—that is proving to be mutually beneficial.

Why do name stars like Judy Ann Santos, Eddie Garcia, Iza Calzado, Zanjoe Marudo, Dennis Trillo, Coco Martin, JM de Guzman, Jodi Sta. Maria and Dawn Zulueta “go indie”? Because that’s where the good and really challenging roles are, complex characters that make them work harder and dig deeper into their thespic resources to come up with their best portrayals.

Aside from the thespic benefits they derive, some stars appear in productions for a fraction of their usual acting fees (some of them even do it for free) because they see in the indie film wave nothing less than the future of the Filipino movie industry, and they want to give the realization of that future a much-needed helping hand.

Stellar appeal

Since their stellar appeal attracts viewers, the hope is that the indie films they appear in will end up making money, so their writer-directors can continue coming up with exceptional films.

The dodgy thing, of course, is the ability to “marry” the role with the star, not just using his or her star value for its own sake.

Not only should the indie outing be good for the star’s career, he or she should also be able to do full justice to the role up for stellar casting, or else the bad fit would be embarrassingly obvious for everyone concerned.

Some people see a basic disconnect in stars’ indie portrayals—a contradiction, even—because they’re coming from different directions. But, the fact remains that indies have to appeal to a wider audience to remain financially solvent and thus be continuously productive—and, if the right star with the requisite enlightened attitude can be found to fit a challenging indie role, it could work.

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Joey Reyes celebrates friendship in Cinemalaya entry
By: Rica Arevalo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 13, 2012 | 8:50 pm


SANTOS, CALZADO, DE BELEN AND ISIDRO. Topbill Reyes’ Cinemalaya entry.

THE atmosphere bristles with energy when director Jose Javier Reyes talks about his Cinemalaya entry, “Mga Mumunting Lihim,” his 66th film. He shares, “You have to keep evolving. I don’t believe in retirement; what I believe in is reinvention. People are telling me to stop, but I can’t—I’ll die if I did!”

Joey says that his new film is inspired by the death of his friend, Don Escudero: “It’s about losing a friend and exploring the idea that, even among your closest pals, there are still secrets you keep from one another that accumulate through the years. What if, in death, those secrets come out?”

What are his tips to young directors and actors to survive in the entertainment industry? The filmmaker answers, “Do not take yourself too seriously. Don’t believe in your press releases or in what the studio says about you. Keep in mind that you aren’t good all the time—there’s always something more to learn!

Passion

“Times change, and you should change with them. If you want to be a filmmaker, it’s not a job—it’s a passion! It’s not about money; it’s about leaving something behind. Viewers don’t remember TV directors—they remember television shows. But, in the movies, the film is the director. If you want to leave a legacy, dedicate yourself to filmmaking.”

Does Reyes miss working with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal? He reflects, “Utang na loob ko sa kanila, not so much the work that they gave me as a screenwriter, kundi ang encouragement na ibinigay nila. It hurts me when young filmmakers these days look at their senior counterparts as if they were fossils that already need to be put to death via euthanasia! I want to encourage them to be better than us.”

Shooting his first indie has been a fascinating experience for the veteran director. He explains, “Kami, the filmmakers who come from commercial movies, are not the indie directors’ enemies. We all want the same thing. Believe it or not, pareho lang ang mga hinanakit namin—but, those from the mainstream choose to work within the system.”

Experience

How has his Cinemalaya experience been so far? Reyes discloses, “It’s so much fun—but, I’m also getting tense about it! ‘Mga Mumunting Lihim,’ which premieres on July 25 at the CCP, is about friendship—and is also done out of friendship.

“My four lead actresses—Judy Ann Santos, Janice de Belen, Agot Isidro and Iza Calzado—weren’t paid a single centavo for their services. They did it out of love—for me and the project itself. They prove that ‘commercial’ actors also aspire to do something out of the box!”

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Glen P. Sibonga
Sunday, July 15, 2012 @ 10:04PM

Judy Ann Santos plays a villainess in indie film directed by Joey Reyes


Mga Mumunting Lihim is Judy Ann Santos' third indie film. The first was Miss Pinoy in 2005, followed by Ploning in 2008. "Sobra kong happy na nakagawa ako ng Cinemalaya film with Direk Joey [Reyes] and isang pelikulang malapit sa puso niya," she says.
Photo: Glen P. Sibonga

Naiiyak pa rin si Judy Ann Santos nang makausap siya ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang media people sa special screening at press preview ng kanyang kauna-unahang Cinemalaya movie, ang Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets), sa direksyon ni Jose Javier Reyes.

Bukod kina Juday at Direk Joey, nanduon din sa naturang event na ginanap kahapon, July 14, sa My Cinema sa Greenbelt Makati, ang iba pang cast na sina Janice de Belen at Agot Isidro.

Hindi naman nakapunta si Iza Calzado dahil nasa abroad ito para sa isang magazine pictorial. Dumalo rin para magbigay ng suporta ang asawa ni Juday na si Ryan Agoncillo at ang manager nitong si Noel Ferrer gayundin ang mag-amang Orly at Kat Ilacad ng OctoArts Films.

Ayon kay Juday, ito raw ang unang pagkakataon na mapanood niya nang buo ang pelikula nila at hindi nga niya naiwasang madala at maiyak sa istorya.

“Ako, actually, ngayon ko lang napanood yung buong film. Nagulat din ako na ganito yung kinalabasan. Sabi ko nga, ‘Ah, ibang-iba talaga siya no.’

"Pero sa totoo lang, bago pa ako makarating dito, kinakabahan ako, nate-tense ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mae-expect ko.

"But I’m more than happy to be able to do this film with Direk Joey kasi alam ko kung gaano kalapit sa puso niya ito.

"Kaya sabi ko, alam kong bobonggahan ni Direk Joey ito kasi gustung-gusto niya talagang gawin ang pelikulang ito na inspired ng istorya nilang magkakaibigan. With Direk Joey naman behind me nothing can go wrong e.”

Magkakaroon ng gala premiere ang Mga Mumunting Lihim sa July 25, 9 p.m. sa CCP Main Theater bilang bahagi ng Directors’ Showcase ng Cinemalaya 2012.

THIRD INDIE MOVIE. Pangatlong indie film na raw ni Juday ang Mga Mumunting Lihim.

“Actually, third ko na ito. Yung una is Miss Pinoy (2005) na matagal na matagal na yun na hindi na masyadong maalala.

"I considered it an indie film pero yung time na yun kasi yung nagsisimula pa lang yung pagpapalabas ng mga independent films.

"Kasama ko doon si Beth [Tamayo]. Pero it’s an indie film for the OFWs and it was shown in Hong Kong at that time.

"Pangalawa is Ploning and then itong Mga Mumunting Lihim.”

Noong nagsisimula pa lang kasi silang mag-shooting ng nasabing indie, hindi pa lubos na maipaliwanag ni Juday kung anong klase siyang kontrabida sa pelikula. At pag napanood nga ito ng mga tao ay saka nila maiintindihan ang character ni Juday.

“Dito namin siya inilabas paunti-unti yung pagiging kontrabida. Doon ako na-challenge kung paano ilalabas sa istorya yun ngang pagiging kontrabida.

"And I’m glad na maayos ko itong nagawa, of course because of Direk Joey at sa iba pang kasama ko sa movie.”

Dahil sa liit ng budget na ibinibigay para sa Cinemalaya entries, hindi raw naging problema kay Juday gayundin kina Janice, Agot at Iza kung hindi man sila tumanggap ng talent fee para sa pelikula.

Sabi nga ni Juday, “May talent fee man o wala, basta sobra kong happy na nakagawa ako ng Cinemalaya film with Direk Joey and isang pelikulang malapit sa puso niya.”

AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE. Pagkatapos ng screening marami ang nagpaabot ng papuri kay Juday dahil sa kanyang galing sa pelikulang ito. May mga nagsabi pa nga na isa na naman itong award-winning performance para sa kanya.

Nakakaramdam ba siya ng pressure na manalo nga ng Best Actress sa Cinemalaya 2012 awards night dahil sa mga ganitong komento at papuri?

“Alam mo, wala. Knowing Cinemalaya, marami diyan, ang dami-dami [magagaling]. Pero the mere fact na nasabihan ka ng ang ganda ng ginawa mong trabaho sa Cinemalaya entry mo, okay na ako doon, bongga na.

"Kasi ang tindi ng mga makakalaban ko kung saka-sakali. Masaya na ako na natuwa kayo, na na-touch kayo.

"Ako nga hanggang ngayon naiiyak pa rin ako. So, happy na ako doon na mapansin yung trabaho naming apat na magkakaibigan dito sa pelikula.”

OTHER PROJECTS. Bukod sa Mga Mumunting Lihim, magiging busy na rin si Juday sa iba pa niyang mga proyekto sa telebisyon at pelikula.

“Ngayon nagsimula na akong magtrabaho ulit for the soap [Against All Odds ng ABS-CBN]. Tapos, I’ll be doing the Si Agimat, Si Enteng movie with Bossing Vic [Sotto] and Senator Bong Revilla.

"Tapos gagawin ko rin yung MasterChef for ABS. So, yun palang this year.

"Kasi pa-last quarter na rin naman ng taon so, sabi ko kalma lang. Mahaba pa naman ang panahon, so sabi ko, ‘Juday kalma lang.’"

Ang Si Agimat, Si Enteng and Me ay official entry ng OctoArts/M-Zet/Imus/APT/GMA Films sa 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival sa Disyembre.

[L0rd_xer0]

looks interesting..
watch ako sa saturday..

hehehe

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ABOUT SHOWBIZ
Ni Nitz Miralles
Pilipino Star Ngayon
Updated July 17, 2012

Bago ang screening ng Mga Mumunting Lihim, sinabi na ni Direk Joey Reyes na magugulat kami kay Janice de Belen at totoo ngang ginulat kami sa karakter niyang si Olivia na wagas kung magmura with matching hand gestures pa. Tahimik ang pelikula, sina Janice at Agot Isidro ang nagpaingay.

Sa Cinemalaya mapapanood ang Mga Mumunting Lihim na binigyan ng PG-13 rating ng board of censors at may commercial screening sa Aug. 22.

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Journal Online
Published : Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Written by : Nitz Miralles

“Talkies movie” ang tawag ni Agot Isidro sa Mga Mumunting Lihim, ang first indie film ni Direk Joey Reyes para sa Cinemalaya, dahil puro usapan nila nina Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado at Janice de Belen ang eksena.

Pero hindi mabo-bore ang manonood at aabangan kung anong sikreto ang mabubuking sa pag-uusap ng apat.

“Walang sampalan at walang theatricals ang movie. Nag-enjoy lang kami, ang ganda ng movie namin, tsismisan lang kaming apat,” sey ni Agot.

Paano niya idi-describe ang mga kasama sa Mga Mumunting Lihim?

“Judy Ann is always generous at lagi kaming pinakakain. ’Pag eksena, serious kami, ’pag off na, balik sa tsismisan. Si Janice, nakakatuwa ang character at enjoy na enjoy siya. Friend ko si Iza, pero first time ko to work with her, natutulala ako sa kanya. Ang ganda-ganda niya, nakakaloka,” sagot ni Agot.

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Journal Online
Published : Tuesday, July 17, 2012

NAPAKAPERSONAL naman para kay Direk Joey Reyes ang Cinemalaya entry niyang Mga Mumunting Lihim sa Director’s Showcase category.

Personal, dahil tribute niya raw ito sa malalapit na kaibigang director na sina Don Cuaresma at Khryss Adalia na parehong sumakabilang buhay na.

Maituturing din itong milestone sa career ng multi-awarded at box-office director dahil ito ang kanyang kauna-unahang indie movie.

Feeling nga raw niya, ito ang first directorial job niya.

Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Direk Joey sa apat na aktres na bida sa pelikula — sina Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen at Iza Calzado.

Hindi raw siya nagdalawang-salita nang lapitan niya ang mga ito at ang the height, pumayag pang gawin ang project nang walang talent fee.

Kakaibang Juday ang mapapanood ng publiko sa Mga Mumunting Lihim dahil for the first time, kontrabida siya rito. Ang karakter niya ang may hawak ng sikreto ng pagkakaibigan nila nina Agot, Iza at Janice.

Actually, kuwento ni Direk Joey, nang ialok niya kay Juday ang pelikula, ’yun lang ang sinabi niya, na kontrabida ang role ng aktres, at pumayag agad ito.

Hindi rin matatawaran ang husay ni Agot bilang pinakamayaman sa apat, lalo na sa confrontation scene nila nina Iza at Janice kung saan lumipad ang malulutong na mura.

Hindi na namin masyadong ilalatag ang kuwento para abangan at panoorin n’yo.

Basta, matino siya at gaya ng sabi ni Direk Joey, ito’y tungkol sa pagkakaibigan.

Matapos panoorin ang movie, siguro, mapapaisip kayo kung totoong kilala n’yo ba at ano bang klaseng tao ang mga kaibigan n’yo.

Sa July 25, 9 p.m., naka-schedule ang gala premiere ng Mga Mumunting Lihim sa CCP Main Theater. May commercial release rin ito, as per Direk Joey, simula sa August 22.

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Journal Online
Published : Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Written by : Mario Bautista

JUDY Ann Santos attended the “Mga Mumunting Lihim” preview with husband Ryan Agoncillo. She also wants to correct the impression that “Mga Mumunting Lihim” is her first indie movie. “The movie I produced at naging entry natin sa Oscars, ‘Ploning,’ is actually an indie film kasi it wasn’t backed up by any big film company at all,” she says. “May nagawa pa akong isa, ‘Miss Pinoy’ about OFWs noong 2005, na ewan ko kung naipalabas. I also did ‘Umuulan, Umaaraw’ with Ryan (Agoncillo), produced by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista about three years ago.”

She’s very proud of “Mga Mumunting Lihim.” “I’m so glad to be a part of it. Napaiyak ako habang nanonood kasi hindi ko akalaing lalabas na ganu’n kaganda ang movie about friendship. I’m so happy nakasama ko sina Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro and Janice de Belen. Ang gaganda ng mga eksena namin, pinaghalong comedy and drama.”

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