G! LU is ALV Films' Perfect Summer Movie

The last seven days of summer! Seven days to be wild and free! Seven days to push the limits of youth!

For the six members of the VBC (Valley Boys Club), these are seven days to strengthen their friendship and live their best life, because for one of them, these may be the last days of his life.

This is the major premise of ALV Films’ latest movie project, in tandem with Benchingko Films and Rein Entertainment.

Entitled G! LU, the movie revolves around the adventures and misadventures of a motley crew of hunks and babes all ready to bare their well-chiseled abs and bikini-ready bods on the silver screen.

With La Union’s breathtaking beaches and rustic scenery as its backdrop, G! LU also serves as a travelogue—a timely nod to environmental awareness and ecotourism promotion.

G! LU stars David Licauco, Teejay Marquez, Derrick Monasterio, Kiko Estrada, Enzo Pineda and Ruru Madrid, together with Pinky Amador, Michelle Dee, Katarina Rodriguez, Chanel Morales, Maureen Montagne, Sophia Senoron, Kimi Mugford, Ali Forbes, Carl Guevara, Ken Anderson, Denver Hernandez and many others.

David, Teejay, Derrick, Enzo, and Katarina, together with G! LU writer/director Philip King and G! LU producer Arnold Vegafria faced the entertainment media during their press conference at KAO Manila, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

The Valley Boys Crew is a barkada comprised of affluent teenagers. Their friendship began as neighbors in an exclusive subdivision and carried on until their third year of collage in a private university. 

Together, they face the perils and challenges of young adulthood, heightened and complicated by their upper-class upbringing.

Their world is turned upside down after a bar altercation sparks their parents’ decision to have them finish their last year of college in different parts of the world. With their looming separation upon them, they embark on their last barkada trip to La Union where their friendship transforms into a real brotherhood.

No stranger to the movie industry, respected talent manager and entrepreneur Arnold Vegafria is slowly gaining critical success as film producer. 

The Beauty Gonzalez-Kelvin Miranda starrer, After All, was ALV Films most recent release last February. After G! LU, the sexy romance flick My Stepmother’s Lover, starring Sunshine Cruz, Kiko Estrada and Martin del Rosario, is expected to hit the theaters in June.

For G! LU, Vegafria is grateful for having conceptualized a movie that will resonate with the millennial generation. 

He says, “I’m sure today’s kids will identify with the different characters they’ll see in the movie, and can relate to all their coming-of-age problems, especially now that mental health issues have become more relevant.”

Vegafria also thanks the Kapuso network for the support that they have accorded him. 

He says, “I’m very grateful for the trust and support, to the extent that they have acquired the TV rights for the movie.” 

“I’m also very happy for my former Miss World queens – Katarina, Michelle, Maureen, Kimi, Sophia and Chanel – since this is one of their very first movie projects.”

“The local movie industry is definitely on an upswing, and we plan to keep it alive by continuously creating relevant and meaningful content. Hopefully, we at ALV Films can come up with truly unique storylines, and maybe even collaborate with some foreign productions who share our vision for movie magic.”

Scheduled to open in local theaters on April 24, G! LU is written and directed by Philip King of Rein Entertainment.

Pepe Herrera is Regal Entertainment's "Bantay Bahay" this May 1!

 

Pepe Herrera is on a roll this 2024, after taking part in three movies last MMFF and starring in movies such as I am not Big Bird with Enrique Gil and the Philippine adaptation of My Sassy Girl with Toni Gonzaga, Pepe is all set for his second solo movie under Regal Entertainment's first movie offering for 2024, "Bantay Bahay". 

The horror-comedy "Bantay Bahay" was filmed way back 2021 during the pandemic, the movie tells the story of a social media influencer that is set for an adventure inside his girlfriend's grandma's mansion that was possessed with different spirits and elements that is about to hunt and help him. 

Aside from Pepe Herrera, the movie also stars Karl Gabriel. Melizza Jimenez, Johannes Rissler, Cassie Banks, and Rolando Inocencio.

Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, Bantay Bahay is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide this May 1.     

 Watch the trailer below: 

Lovi Poe, JM De Guzman returns to Regal Entertainment via "Guilty Pleasure".

 

 

Months after tying the knot with her British husband, newly wed Lovi Poe is back in the country to shoot her comeback movie under Regal Entertainment's newest movie offering entitled "Guilty Pleasure". 

The project was announced last April 9 and had it's story conference over the weekend(April 13), Lovi is set to star with JM De Guzman and Jameson Blake in this movie that is set to be directed by Connie Macatuno. 

This is Lovi's comeback movie in Regal, her last movie was The Annulment back in 2018. Meanwhile, this is also the comeback of JM De Guzman in Regal after 12 years, his last project was Pridyeder back in 2012. 

Also starring in this movie are Regal staples Sarah Edward, Dustin Yu, Lorraine Wong, Angelica Lao, and Raf Pineda.

Beat the Summer Heat in "G! LU", in cinemas April 24.

"G! LU" follows the story of the "Valley Boys Crew", a group of 6 rich boys living the best days of their lives before finishing high school. 

It has been five years since this movie was shot in La Union, starring the younger David Licauco, Teejay Marquez, Kiko Estrada, Enzo Pineda, Derrick Monasterio, and Ruru Madrid. "G! LU" is a coming-of-age movie that explores the story of the six high school boys about friendship, adolescence and moving forward. 

"G! LU" tells the adventure of the Valley Boys Crew led by Carlos (Kiko) The Leader of the Pack, Albert (Ruru) The Mr Smart Guy, Ryan (Derrick) The Mr Muscle Man,  Brian (Enzo) The Mr Player, Raymund (Teejay) The Mr Chickboy. and Patrick (David) The Mr Rich Kid. 

Also starring in the movie are Pinky Amador, Denver Hernandez, Ali Forbes, Sophia Senoron, Chanel Morales, Carl Guevara, Katarina Rodriguez, and Miss World Philippines 2019/Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee. 

Produced by ALV Films and Directed by Philip King, G! LU is set to heat up the summer season as it premiere in cinemas April 24. 

Watch the full trailer of "G! LU" below. 

Jose Javier Reyes is Film Development Council's Newest Chairman.

 

Renowned director Jose Javier Reyes is appointed as the new Chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. 

The announcement was made afternoon of April 8 on the agency's press releases and social media platforms. 

Reyes, known for movies such as May Minamahal, Kasal Kasali Kasalo, and Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, is set to bring in his 40 years of experience in the movie industry to the 22 year film agency under the office of the President.   

The 69-year-old Director, Actor, and Writer is replacing veteran actor Tirso Cruz III who stepped down in his post last March.

Lola Amour Set To Release New Album this April 10.

After dominating the charts with ‘Raining in Manila’, eight-piece pop-funk band Lola Amour is ready to welcome sunny days in their new era. Lola Amour will have a two-stop album concert this April, where they will perform unreleased songs and new renditions of their hits.

The first stop will be at Circuit Event Grounds, Makati on April 13 with opening acts Cup of Joe and Any Name’s Okay, and a special after-party performance from PLAYERTWO.

 

#LolaAmourTheAlbum

Lola Amour announced the release of their self-titled debut album coming out on April 10. A promise they made to fans in 2019, the group wholeheartedly shared that the album serves as a creative playground where they can fully express themselves with sonic creativity while taking inspiration from their experiences. The band revealed the album’s visual identity during the press event, with each of the member’s quirkiness in mind. “We just really wanted to portray joy, fun, and playfulness sa album art to bring out the band’s playful personalities,” they stated.

 

The band teases the upcoming album with their latest single ‘Namimiss Ko Na’- an ode to the fleeting past and finding happiness in the inevitable. Overall, the 9-track album fully showcases the band’s musical and storytelling skills, wrapped in their signature lyricism and fun pop sound their fans love.

GMA's Sparkle welcomes Nancy Mcdonie

From Seoul to Manila, GMA's Sparkle Artist Center welcomes former Momoland member, Nancy Mcdonie.  

Sparkle took the announcement in their various social media pages the signing of Nancy last Monday, April 1. "Sparkle proudly welcomes its new international star. Nancy Mcdonie, to its diverse and stellar roster of talents." the post said.

"Get ready to witness her journey as she shines among the brightest stars in the industry! Welcome to Sparkle, Nancy." the post added.   

Nancy will be first seen in GMA's Running Man Philippines. 

In 2020, Nancy was supposed to do a project here in the Philippines under Dreamscape entertainment with James Reid, but the project was shelved due to the pandemic. 

Meanwhile, earlier this year the group Momoland was formally disbanded by their mother agency, the group last performed in the Philippines in 2019. 

PH's Maria Gigante is Universal Woman 2024!

Maria Gigante welcomed everyone in the new era of beauty in her final speech that's why this 30-year-old cebuana beauty reigned supreme in the recently concluded second edition of the Universal Woman pageant held in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia last March 22. 

Aside from winning the crown, Gigante was also named as the Universal Woman Sympathy award, She also won the UW Social Media award by garnering the most number of votes on the pageant's official website.  

Gigante bested 43 other candidates including back-to-back seeking Venezuela, Lisandra Chirinos who ended up as the first runner up, France's Elisa Myshyne finished second runner up, host Cambodia's Brianna Mai settled for third runner up, and rounding up the top 5 is Tavera Chabelli of Dominican Republic.

A pageant veteran she is, Maria first joined Binibining Pilipinas back in 2016 and made a pageant comeback in Miss World Philippines 2022 where she finished in the top 10 of the competition before being appointed as Universal Woman Philippines last February 27.

Miggy Morales: Keeping it Young and Fit.

They say that men age like fine wine and true enough for Miggy, our March Guy that at his age (No age reveal this time, better guess of his age) he has that still gorgeous skin and physically fit body and still sporting those washboard abs.

To maintain his fit body, Miggy keeps himself active, aside from frequently going to the gym to lift weights and doing his regular cardio routine, he also spends time doing mixed martial arts specially Jiu Jitsu and also aside from doing physical activities he does avoid fatty foods and just try to stay on the healthier side eating chicken and brown rice. 

Before it was a taboo for men to have a skin care routine as it is very feminine, but hey it’s 2024 and men just like women are also investing in skin care. For Miggy, part of maintaining that youthful glow is washing his face and using moisturizers to keep his skin fresh, well that’s how you fight aging in 2024. 

Our newest set of interview is available below, learn a thing or two from Miggy Morales’ fitness and skin care routine. 

How were you able to maintain that youthful glow and fit body?

 

Ano bang ginagawa ko haha, okay, yung pangkontra ko ng stress ko sa trabaho ah like I said kanina I do sports yan talaga yung main thing na tingin ko maintains my youth feeling. Ah I do jiu jitsu I try to do it as regular as possible, but unfortunately lately hindi kaya. 

I like to sweat a lot, so pagka when I don’t have time to go to dojo or our gym to do jiu jitsu or muay thai nag gi-gym ako at least sa gym na malapit sa place ko like I lift weights or jog around the area yun lang.    

As long as I sweat alot and drink a lot of water, I try to eat healthy as much as possible.    

What type of work out have you been doing? Any favorite and least favorite workout routines? 

I try to go to the gym as in workout as in lifting weights and doing cardio at least three times a week, so after work yan or before work if I have time pagka gumising ako ng maaga, I try to wake up like latest is at 6am eh, before 5am yung goal ko talaga eh every day so pag maaga magising i go to the gym first. 

Ang ginagawa ko, program ko, I run first  for 30 minutes and lift weights. First day of the week I do my legs, second day I do my chest, third day is back, fourth day is kahit ano na kung ano yung feeling ko na I need to work on yun na yung winoworkout kong body part.  But lagi merong cardio.   

 

Are you the adrenaline junkie type or the chill type of guy?

Adrenaline junkie, definitely, I like extreme sports gusto ko yung feeling na yung halos mamatay ka na, I heard from someone before that you feel most alive when you are about to die parang ganun haha. 

How about diet? Do you follow any diet? What are the foods you avoid and you eat? 

To stay fit wala talaga because I think I have a really fast metabolism, but to stay healthy because its hereditary mataas yung cholesterol ko talaga so for someone as thin as me mataas yung cholesterol ko. 

I stay away from oily and fatty food, tinatry ko kumain ng fish lagi and brown rice, ang pinaka ano ko lang talaga as in I never changed it my first meal of the day, oatmeal with fruits that’s my first breakfast yung second breakfast kahit ano na yun.     

Do you know how to cook? Any specialty? 

Laga ng itlog? hahaha. Marunong ako konti, pero di ko na nagagawa lately dahil walang oras and yung place ko we are not allowed to bring in mga LPG  eh so we use induction cooker and I have to cook it sa balcony ko because I don’t have exhaust. 

As a guy, is skin care a must? 

I think so, for every person naman you have to take care of your skin. I mean maybe for those who don’t care about looking so much different from what you used to look like when you were younger, okay lang yan, but ako I try to maintain a certain regimen. 

Skin care routine? hahaha, yung facial wash ko kahit ano lang wala akong pakialam basta malinis ang mukha, gumagamit ako ng astringent or toner kasi minsan after washing your face diba pag inano mo ng cotton yan with astringent or toner makita madumi pa din eh kaya I ty to use that, yung celeteque yung mild lang, no frills and then after that moisturizer lang, what I use? currently Kiehl’s yung facial fuel, nagsiswitch ako from one type to another kasi parang gusto ko makita yung pinaka okay. 

Before hindi ako naniniwala jan eh, kasi kapag ka dry masyado yung skin mo ang sakit diba kapag nagstretch mararamdaman mo parang magbibiyak na yung ano mo eh so I have to moisturized para may some sort of elasticity, tapos na fifeel ko parang di ako tumatanda.    

Favorite part of your body?

Maybe my nose, I get a lot of compliment haha and sometimes hindi compliment eh tinatanong ako kung totoo ba hahaha. I guess I should take that as a compliment dahil sabi nila medyo matangos daw and pointed, I feel good when someone compliments me about it hahaha.    

And Part of your body that needs improvement? 

Nako, di ko na balak iimprove dahil alam ko namang walang magagawa about it, yung paa ko. 

Yung feet ko, dati tinutukso pa ko ng brother ko about it, malapad yung paa ko and I am flat footed pa pero di ko alam kung yun ang dahilan kaya ang taas ko tumalon sobra parang frog, pero yeah yun lang yung pinaka iniisip ko lagi. 

Part of your body that you think is most vulnerable?

The neck, kapag inaano ako ng ate ko or kuya ko mabilis ako makiliti. 

Fil-Kiwi Franki Russel is Miss Universe New Zealand 2024

 

Former PBB Housemate Franki Russell was appointed to represent the Miss Universe New Zealand in the upcoming 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico this coming November 18. 

"A new chapter" that's how the 29-year-old Fil-Kiwi described her appointment as the representative of New Zealand in Miss Universe, "This really feels like a ten year journey in the making. I applied for Miss Universe New Zealand in 2014 - I was 19 at that time and really didn't know who I was as a person. A lost girl just wanting to find her purpose and her place in this world" she said on her Instagram post. 

"Now that I am 29, ten years older and with far more life experience, I realized that life definitely works in mysterious ways. As the saying goes. "everything happens for a reason". and she has lead me to this new role" she added on her post. 

Franki dedicates her new journey to her late father, she also thanked her Filipina mom and her siblings for being her support system as she enter the newest chapter of her life. 

Before becoming Miss Universe New Zealand, Franki was supposed to be one of the candidates for the Miss Universe United Arab Emirates back in 2021, but the pageant didn't push through. She went back in the Philippines and did some acting jobs, she was last scene in various Viva Entertainment projects such as Martyr or Murderer, Tag-Init, and Laruan to name a few. 

 The Miss Universe New Zealand franchise is owned by the Yugen Group led by Josh Yugen who also owns the franchise of MU Bahrain, Egypt, and Pakistan. 

 New Zealand produced one Miss Universe queen in Lorraine Downes back in 1983, 31 years had passed will Franki Russell breaks the drought of MUNZ?