REVIEW: Mallari - Let Loose the Serial Killer!

I feel that Pinoy horror and thrillers are making a comeback in Philippine cinema, and for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 we actually have two, one is Kampon and the other one is MALLARI which stars Piolo Pascual. This movie is made by  Mentorque Productions, and for a first in a very long time will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

From the title Mallari, it is a different take about the notorious first recorded Filipino serial killer who is also a parish priest, Severino Mallari. Though it does not take place exclusively on the original time period. For this movie Piolo Pascual will take on three characters in different time periods all leading to the same family and the secrets that they hold.

Along with the serial killings made by Padre Severino Mallari, there is also an element of the Pinoy mystic creatures and witchcraft which also adds to the complexities of his character. Actually the mystic elements to the film overtook the grim reality of the serial killings which the story is primarily about. Though if you would look at the accounts of the killings of Mallari, the motivations for the killings were more of getting rid of the scums of the earth or which is like acting like a vigilante in the night. 

Mallari Brings History and Horror For MMFF 2023

For this edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival, Mentorque Productions introduces a unique film that deals with horrific history with MALLARI. Based on the real-life story of the first documented serial-killer in the Philippines, Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, which also has been talked about on the internet due to its very complicated situation.

Piolo Pascual will play three characters in the film from different timelines but linked to the same Mallari giving the story more complexity and also people who also revolves around the gruesome murders. Writer Enrico Santos shared that the project started in 2018 and took years in research and production started in 2022. 

So Connected - Janella and Jameson Made Romace Click!

Love Stories in the millennial times are actually more complicated with the influence of technology. With most of us, especially myself, immersed in the digital lifestyle, finding romance comes unexpectedly yet comes with a lot of risks. So Connected brings that story to film and aims to connect.

This movie will also debut the new love team of Janella Salvador and Jameson Blake. Though this may seem to be a litmus test for the pair, they shown in roadshows and presscons that there is something interesting with their pair as Trisa and Karter.

So Connected tells the story between Karter (Jameson) and Trisha (Janella), in which Carter loses his phone and ends up with Trisha. With a special app that links the two together, Carter sets off to find her and gets to know Trisha who thinks Carter is her soulmate. However complications arise with issues of privacy, viral videos, and the toxic hate on the internet were brought up with their budding romance.

Mother Lily Favors The New Loveteam Of Janella and James in So Connected

Janella has gone a long way now in showbiz. From Be Careful With My Heart, Oh My Gee, and movies like Hunted Mansion, Bloody Crayons, and My Fairy Tale Love Story. Jameson Blake comes from Pinoy Big Brother and now part of Hashtags. The two was suprizingly paired together with So Connected,

So Connected tells a story of a girl finding love with the help of technology, they found connections which nurtured feeling for each other. However there are also a lot of risks involved with this. And with many of us hooked on technology, it taps to the millennial lifestyle of love.

Janella Salvador is ready to go on her own

Janella Salvador, 20, is now ready to try new things to help her grow as an actress, including be paired with different leading men and not having to stick with one perennial onscreen partner.

She expressed her openness to break away from the love team she has been typecast these past couple of years.

Having been in the business six year, Janella’s career scaled new heights when her team-up with fellow Kapamilya star Elmo Magalona was formed in 2016.

Together, their tandem became well known as ElNella.

For TV, they did Born For You (2016), Wansapanataym; Holly & Mau (2016) and followed by Wansapanataym: Jasmin’s Flower Powers (2017).

Jameson Blake still in awe of his successful career in showbiz

Jameson Blake has come a long way since his stint as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: 737 in 2015.

Barely three years in showbiz and he has achieved feats that would have taken other celebs longer to do the same.

He is currently a member of the all-male group Hashtags on It’s Showtime; he is slated to star in an upcoming prime time teleserye on ABS-CBN; and is doing one movie after the other.

He bagged the Best Supporting Actor award in his very first movie, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten in the 2016 Cinema One Originals Festival.

“In my whole life, I would never expect that would happen,” he beams, pertaining to the award.

Janella Salvador and Jameson Blake open up about their first team up in the film So Connected

Janella Salvador and Jameson Blake agree in saying that their team-up in the upcoming movie, So Connected, is significant for both of them.

For one, this is their first time to work together.

For his part, Jameson explains that he has always been vocal in his past interviews that Janella is her dream leading lady. 

“Before, people would always ask me, ‘If you would work with a leading lady, who would you choose?’ I’m like, ‘Maybe Janella, I think maybe we’d be a good match for a movie.’

“I’m like, ‘Someday baka may movie kami ni Janella. Maybe it would come true.’ I actually dreamt about it,” the Hashtags member recounts.

Elmo Magalona Renews Contract with Universal Records

Elmo Magalona renews his recording contract with Universal Records executives on October 24, 2017.

Present during the contract signing were Universal Records Operations Manager Peter Chan, General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go, Elmo Magalona and Elmo’s momager Pia Magalona. 

Elmo signed with Universal Records in 2015 and the partnership has produced the Gold-certified debut self-titled ELMO.

Elmo is currently working on new materials for his upcoming album which will be released very soon. Elmo was last seen on #MMKLiftedByLove episode and will soon be seen in Regal Films’ My Fairytail Love Story with onscreen partner Janella Salvador.

Janella's Music Video of "Moana" Song "How Far I'll Go"

Walt Disney Studios Southeast Asia has chosen fast-rising, multi-talented star Janella Salvador to sing and appear in the music video of “How Far I'll Go,” the lead song from Walt Disney Animation Studios' 56th animated feature “Moana.”

The music video of Janella Salvador's cover version will be launched on Friday, November 18 simultaneously in Disney Channel and Disney Philippines's social media accounts. (A teaser may be viewed at http://youtu.be/cVsILwD-umM.)

Release of Disney's "Moana" Theme Song in Southeast Asia Local Languages

Disney’s latest animation title, Moana, will feature the lead song, “How Far I’ll Go” and the track will be adapted into five Southeast Asia local languages – Bahasa Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu, Thai, Vietnamese and English.

Five singers from Southeast Asia, namely Janella Salvador from the Philippines, Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, AydaJebat from Malaysia, Myra Molloy from Thailand and MinhNhu from Vietnam were selected to cover the song in each of their local languages.