review – GUREZU

Review: BuyBust (2018)

Published on August 5, 2018July 15, 2019 by Gurezu18 Comments

Capsule Movie Review: Buybust (2018)
Directed by: Erik Matti

Trailer

WHAT I LIKE:

1.Simple lang ang story. Nagkaroon ng tip ang kapulisan na nagtatago ang big time druglord na si Biggie Chen sa Barangay Gracia ni Maria. Naatasan ang squad na kinabibilingan ni Manigan (Anne Curtis) para sa BUYBUST operation na ito. Ngunit natagpuan nila ang sarili sa isang set-up at ang tanong ay kung makakalabas sila ng buhay sa mala puzzle, masikip at komplikadong lugar ng Barangay na pati mamayan ay galit sa kapulisan.

2. Shakey Camera work sa simula. Tila ba hinahanda na ang mga mata at puso mo sa gulo ng mangyayari.

3. Abangan niyo iyong 3-minute one-cut action scene. Ang UNIQUE at ASTIG ng mga FIGHTING SCENES dito!!! Never ko pang nakita sa kahit anong Filipino action movies or even Hollywood. Literal na makapagpigil-hininga ang habulan, taguan at labanan. At some point napapasigaw rin kaming mga nanonood. No holds barred din pagdating sa brutal scenes. (Hindi ko malilimutan si Cactus girl.) Realistic din iyong tipong tumatama tlaga ang mga palo at suntok. Wala ring masyadong maraming satsat (except on one scene) Bloodshed kung bloodshed.

4. Newfound respect for Anne Curtis as actress dahil naging legit na action star siya dito. Pero ang pinakapaborito ko si Brandon Vera na Mixed Martial Artist din pala sa totong buhay. Noong una akala ko hindi siya marunong mag-Tagalog at so-so lang siguro ang acting. Pero solid naman pala. Hindi lang sa action scenes kung hindi sa pag-arte. SA kaniya ko nakuha ang puso ng pelikula more than Anne. More action movies to this man please!

5. And let’s not forget the music scoring na lalong nagpadagdag ng tensyon sa mga eksena. Ginamit rin ang Lupang Hinirang” dito with subtlety and respect. Ang naisip ko sa tagpong iyon, parang pinahihiwatig na ang gulo hindi lang sa barangay Gracia ni Maria kung hindi sa buong Plipinas. Iyon ang nadama ko. For this let’s commend the man behind the musical scores. Malek Lopez and Erwin Romulo!

6. Ito talaga ang pinaka-nakaka elibs sa lahat. The stage design of Barangay Gracia ni Maria. Ito kasi talaga ang nagpahirap sa squad ni Anne Curtis at pati na rin sa mga kontrabidia. Slum, squatter’s area na para bang maze sa sobrang gulo ng daan , kanal at mga lusutan. Magka-crash ang Waze sa lugar na ‘to. Naisip ko nga kung totoo itong lugar na ito, pwede na siyang maging tourist spot. Excting kung paano ka makakalabas. Pinanood ko tuloy iyong” the making” clips and most of it is a set design. Ang galing sobra! Napaka-realistic. First time ko napa-search kung sino ang Set designers/ Production designers ng pelikula and they are “Michael N. Español and Roma Regala”. (I hope I got the names right)

Clips showing what is the inspiration of the film and the making of production design.

7. Hindi na ako nagulat sa twist. But definitely satisfied sa ending.

8. Ang galing ni Arjo Atayde! Short appearance but it’s a bomb. HIndi ko siya kilala before. And syempre Nonie Buencamino forever. Mapa-kontrabida or bida, effective talaga siya. (See Smaller and Smaller Circles, Dagitab, Heneral Luna). Other actors and actresses may it be in the squad or the drug cartel did their acting very well. Wala akong masabi.

9. Erik Matti’s is the best director at this time. To the point inaabangan ko na mga pelikula niya since OTJ.

10. The film is clearly insinuating about the current anti-drug war in our country. It is entertaining but super relevant. Mapapaisip ka na lang kung tama pa ba ang nangyayari sa bansa.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

1. May mga action scenes si Anne na pwede naman siya sugurin ng sabay-sabay ng mga nakapaligid sa kaniya pero isa-isa pa rin silang sumusugod.

2. Hindi pwede sa mahihiluhin. May mga action scenes na hindi malinaw at nadaan lang sa shakey camera work. Sa umpisa lang naman.

3. May isang eksena rito na napasobra ata ng satsat. “Ano ba barilin mo na kasi!!!” moment. Ganun.

4. At some point hindi ko na maintindihan iyong ibang ordinary citizens dito. HIndi ko masyadong naintindihan kung ano iyong hugot nila kung bakit sobrang mithiin sa pagsugod sa squad. Parang wala rin naman silang strong bond sa drug cartel. Maiintindihan ko iyong mga nagtatago sa bahay-bahay para di na madamay. May part pa na sila na nag-aaway at sila na lang talaga magulo haha. In short, may ordinary citizens na panggulo lang. Gusto lang ata ng away.

FINAL VERDICT: 9.5 out of 10 stars. Superb and super relevant pero para sa mahihiluhin, uminom ka muna ng Bonamine.

Support Local Films!

Gurezu

Disclaimer: Not photos are mine. CTTO.

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The Emotional True Story Behind the Itchyworm’s Latest MV “Di Na Muli”

Published on June 25, 2018July 2, 2018 by Gurezu5 Comments

Long before Itchyworms became mainstream popular, I have already adored this band because of the usual funny attack to emotional songs. Their song entitled “Happy Birthday” is one of my all-time favorites. The melody is happy and festive but the lyrics narrates a story about a birthday celebration of a man whom no one remembers. Whey they had big break in OPM scene, I was really happy because this band deserves it.

And now, I just saw their latest music video for their song “Di Na Muli” and I could not contain the overwhelming emotions it gives me. Moreover, it comes with a true to life story that is both romantic and melancholic.

Di Na Muli was written in 2016 by long-time friends Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola. They entered the song into the 5th Philippine Popular (PhilPop) Music Festival, performed by The Itchyworms, where it won the grand prize. Now, in 2018, the song has been given new life in the official soundtrack of the hit film Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) (Viva Films, starring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, directed by Irene Villamor). ‘

The music video, however, tells another story that is different from the movie. I will directly quote the narration of music video “co-director Juno Oebanda” on how he came up with the idea of this music video. This is also shared in the comment section in youtube.

“WHO IS THE LADY IN THE VIDEO”

By co-director Juno Oebanda

Rosky Balahadia Hilado, widow of the late Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado to whom the video is dedicated to. When I first heard DI NA MULI after The Itchyworms bagged grand prize at PhilPop 2016 it moved me to tears like no other. Having known the band for quite some time I called them and expressed the desire to do a music video – I felt the song written by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola was so powerful it needed a proper one. But how? What treatment?

The light bulb came close to Teddy Hilado’s first death anniversary in 2016 and so the story goes …. Teddy in his younger years was the first technical and lighting director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Bayanihan Dance Group , this is where he met the young Rosky at that time one of the principal dancers of the Bayanihan. At the CCP is where their love story started – Teddy designing the lights over dances that Rosky did on stage.

I presented the story line to the Worms and they liked it and proceeded to talk to the CCP if we could film in and around the theater. We were given a venue grant easily since Teddy is one of CCP’s pioneers. By this time, I had to look for a partner to do this with, not being a film director I called up Direk Paolo Abella an expert in film to help me execute this project. Support in the form equipment came from the LIVE entertainment industry as well. So the music video story goes… Rosky comes back to the CCP stage after more than 20 years and reminisces how and where her love story with Teddy started. This is where Rosky takes over and owns the song, how she walked, how she smiled, how she cried and how she gracefully danced were all real emotions. The young Rosky was played by Kare Adea who was equally wonderful.

In this photo, I was giving Tita Rosky blocking instructions when she whispered to me smiling but with tears in her eyes, “I haven’t been on this stage for more than 20 years.” I said, “TIta this last sequence is where you will dance with Tito Teddy, dance with the light Tita, dance with Tito Teddy”. What happened next was magical, her poise – her grace was that of a woman dancing with her love again, there was no acting here. The beautiful, emotional lighting execution was by Shakira Villa Symes who for a time was mentored by Teddy Hilado himself, I could not think of any other current Lighting Director more worthy of doing this but Shari. The video ends with Rosky with a solo top light. Go figure.

Di Na Muli – is a gem of a song that comes around not too often. It’s a song that becomes yours, you own it. Any other story would have made a wonderful narrative, this one just has a setting that all of us can relate to, who does not love the beauty that is the CCP anyway.”

Watch the music video itself and be mesmerized by the stunning performance of Itchyworms and Mrs. Rosky Hilardo. I also copied the lyrics below.

Verse:

Nung araw kay tamis ng ating buhay

Puno ng saya at ng kulay

Di mauulit muli

Ang oras kapag hinayaang lumipas

Madarama mo hanggang bukas

Di mababawi muli

Chorus:

Ang dami daming bagay na hindi naman kailangan

Kung pwede lang bawasan natin ang mga tampuhan

Hindi mo lang alam hindi mo pa nararanasan

Kahapon sana natin di mo na pinahirapan

Patawad muli

Di na muli

Verse:

Ang oras kapag hinayaang lumipas

Madarama mo hanggang bukas

Di mababawi muli

(Instrumental)

Bridge:

At natapos ang himas ng sandal

Di kukubli aking tinig

Nang lumipas na’t di man lang nasabi

Salamat hanggang sa muli

Chorus:

Ang dami daming bagay na hindi naman kailangan

Kung pwede lang bawasan natin ang mga tampuhan

Hindi mo lang alam hindi mo pa nararanasan

Kahapon sana natin di mo na pinahirapan

Patawad muli

Di na muli

Binawi buhay mo ng walang sabi

Binubulong ko sa sarili

Mahal kita hanggang sa huli

Mahal ko hanggang sa huli

I shared this music video with a close friend and of course, noted him to read the story behind it in youtube. Here is his reaction.

My friend is now in ugly crying mode. Mission Accomplished!

Thank you Itchyworms! You are a gem in OPM scene. Please don’t disband ever!

And to Direk Juno for being the mastermind of this touching music video.

Have you watched the video? What did you feel about it? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Other links to listen this song and credits.

Youtube link for Di Na Muli official music video: https://youtu.be/rgHHJkzn5TU

For updates about The Itchyworms, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Listen to the music of The Itchyworms on Spotify, Deezer and iTunes.

Check out their music videos: Official Youtube channel
Video Credits

Di Na Muli
Words and Music by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola

Starring
Rosky Balahadia Hilado
Carissa Adea
and The Itchyworms

Executive Producers: Juno Oebanda and The Itchyworms
Directors: Paolo Abella and Juno Oebanda
Director of Photography: Arvin Viola
Lighting Director: Shakira Villa-Symes
Drone Pilot: Paolo Jaminola
Editor: PJ Corpuz
Colorist: Marilen Magsaysay

Special Thanks to:
Audio Video Solutions Corporation
Soundcheck Inc.
Forerunner Technologies Inc.
JB Music
Forscink Inc.
Digital Fusion Productions
Aero 360 International
Creative Control Group

The administration and staff of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Watercolor Floral Workshop by @jhaamsey (A Review)

Published on February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 by Gurezu2 Comments

Last year, I dive in to the whimsical world of watercolor ( well aside from other worlds I dive into like photography and dancing lol) but found myself in a rust lately. I haven’t hold a single brush. So to re-ignite my fire for watercolors, I purposely search and signed up for a watercolor workshop specifically florals since this is a good background for calligraphy.

I actually tried watching youtube and instagram videos before in drawing florals. Not like it was a disaster but it lacked finesse. Here is my so-so attempt.

So in my searching, I found @jhaamsey upcoming workshop in instagram. It was worth P1800 inclusive of the painting materials, workbook and food. For me that was a pretty good deal. It was held on February 10, 2018 at Craft Coffee Revolution, Greenhills.

(photo credit: Danica)

This is it! I arrived minutes earlier than the schedule which is pretty unusual for someone like me who has lazy ass during Saturdays. Craft Revolution Cafe’ is cozy. It is a mall cafe’ but I love the atmosphere. The woody interior makes it more elegant.

My classmates and @jhaamseywites (the one in dark blue)

You know, what I love about attending workshops? Not only I got a personal guidance to learn a skill but I got to meet new people who share the same interest with me. We came from different background and different generations. Two of us even came from Indonesia. So we Filipinos tried to speak in English all the time so they won’t feel left out. I added them on Instagram immediately. I used to be introvert but I don’t know what happened to me lately and socializing became my thing.

The first part of the workshop is about the basic drills and technique of watercolor in general. Here is my output for the drills.

All that information in one sitting made me viciously hungry. So good thing that after the drill was meryenda break. This is inclusive of the workshop fee so I don’t expect much with the food. I expect that it would not be enough for my appetite. But I have to say I truly enjoyed the food in terms of serving and taste. These pictures did not do justice.

I super love the grilled cheese sandwich and the nachos. Totally recommended. It inspired me to make my own sandwich this week. However, the hot chocolate was not hot anymore when it was served to me. I almost asked the staff to at least heat it in the microwave. The serving was also too small compared to the coffee which my classmates chose. But overall, the sandwich and chips are bomb! I wanna try their other sandwiches.

So here are the rest of the photos of the workshop. In general, I truly enjoyed the whole workshop and I learned a lot. @jhaamseywrites truly did not only teach the principle but she roamed a lot and made sure she got one-on-one guidance for each one of us.

photo credit: danica. That’s me getting some attention from sensei.

This is me working on my final output after all the basic drills. I am still not good in it and my classmates’ works are lot more excellent. But I must say I improved a lot compared with my own previous attempts. My roses finally looked like a rose. And that is more important! Haha!

(Photo credit: Danica)

It’s done! I got a lot of mishaps and this was not perfect but still an improvement.

Some group photos. I want to give another special thanks to @jhaamseywrites for sharing these photos from the official photographer who uses Fuji Camera too. Danica uses Fuji-XA2. I can’t help but notice haha!

Overall, I love this workshop because of these things;

The kit is superb. I got a lot of surprises when I dig the the kit like the black notebook, washi tape and craft yarn. I also love the workbook.
The flow of the workshop is clear and concise. It is easy to take the information. I totally recommend this to beginners. If you are interested, here are her social media accounts.

Instagram: @jhaamsey

FB: Jhaamsey Writes

3. The venue has nice atmosphere.

4. The food oh the food! I’m craving for that grilled cheese sandwich and chips. Where will Craft Coffee Revolution have another branch in BGC?

The only thing I HATE about this workshop is I did not won the raffle. I really want that Papelito calligraphy workbook but that’s my problem. Haha!

That’s it for the Day 11 of my 30-Day Blogging Marathon. Oh yes, I was actually absent for 7 days because I was emotionally down and I could not squeezed anything from my brain. But here I am, rose from the ashes, to finish the rest of the days. See you tomorrow!