On the rise: "Astig" star Edgar Allan Guzman

A new film entitled “Marino” is showing today in selected theaters including SM Cinemas and this is one movie that Filipino seafarers and their families should not miss to watch. Produced by CDP Events and Entertainment Production, “Marino” stars 2009 Gawad Tanglaw best actor and 2008 Famas Best Actor Allen Dizon as Benjo Maglipon,the “seafarer.”

Joining him in the powerhouse cast are award-winning actors Emilio Garcia and Ms. Ara Mina, controversial actress Krista Ranillo, ABS-CBN star Bangs Garcia, Kapuso hunk Marco Alcaraz, model and Kapamilya star Victor Basa, Starstruck ultimate survivor Mike Tan,Pinoy Big Brother Edition 1 product Rico Barrera and Philippine Idol finalist Jan Nieto.

The cast also includes Lui Manansala, Jaja Gonzales, Benjie Felipe, Raymond Cabral and Nella Marie Dizon.

Jan Nieto sings the theme song “Bakit Kailangan Pang Lumayo?” composed by none other than Ogie Alcasid himself.

The movie tackles the lives of seafarers and the families they leave behind, a first in Filipino filmdom. It is directed by Ateneo graduate and Cinemalaya alumnus Paul P. Sta. Ana, who also wrote the script.

The film’s producer, Ms. Carina Pagcu believes this is the first time a film would really follow the lives of seafarers. There have been many movies about soldiers, policemen and even criminals. There are movies that mention seafaring or have a character who is a seafarer, but this is really the first time wherein the whole duration of the movie would be about the lives of seafarers and the families they leave behind.

The movie was shot in the Bulacan towns of Paombong and Malolos and in Bangkok, Thailand.

It can be said that the film’s director, cast and crew did their best to keep this movie as real as possible so our Filipino seafarers and those who are connected to them and the maritime industry can relate to the characters of the movie.

“Marino” aims to screen in maritime schools and maritime groups all over the country to show maritime students how challenging the lives of seafarers are and to also pay homage to our Filipino seafarers, the most preferred seafarer nationality in the world. They have also brought the Philippines to manpower fame as the No. 1 seafarer-supplying country in the world.

Finally, a marino movie for our Filipino seafarers! It would certainly be a once-in-a-blue-moon treat for everyone in the maritime industry, most especially Filipino seafarers and their families. So don’t miss it!

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Mention Live AIDS to students of the University of the Philippines and you will surely be greeted with peals of laughter. They will most probably regale you with hilarious anecdotes punctuated by an eager invitation to watch the next show with them.

A.I.D.S. stands for "Ang Istoryang Dinebelop ng Samaskom" and does not refer to the disease feared by many. If anything, the laughter generated by the show is highly infectious, prompting members of the organization SAMASKOM to stage it year after year.

Live A.I.D.S. (Ang Istoryang Dinebelop ng SAMASKOM) is a musical-comedy- variety show written, choreographed, directed, and produced solely by the members of UP SAMASKOM. Its debut in 1985 gave birth to an annual standing-room- only event anticipated not only by the UP community but also by the nearby schools and by showbiz personalities. Live A.I.D.S. performances gained popularity year after year, bringing laughter to students, faculty, and other audiences who simply want entertainment.

Among its alumni who proved their flair for intelligent humor and wit on the Live AIDS stage are Giselle Sanchez, Tuesday Vargas, Ate Glow (impersonator of PGMA), together with singers Wency Cornejo, Raymond Lauchengco, theater actor RS Francisco, Ador Cuntapay (impersonator of Michelle Obama), prima ballerinas Melanie Motus and Ana Periquet, band performers Miro Valera of Stonefree and Kris Gora of Eraserheads, directors Jeffrey Jeturian, Lauren Dyogi, Jerry Sineneng, Rico Mortel, Connie Macatuno, Don Michael Perez and Cholo Laurel; fashion industry's Shahani Gania and Concon Siñel; broadcasters Lei Alviz, Riki Kwek, Justine Letargo, and Kim Atienza.

This year, UP SAMASKOM is proudly staging its 26th Live AIDS where a fusion of new breed talents and seasoned performers are back to offer another hilarious and monumental comedy show. With their astounding performance, you surely wouldn't get enough of this infectious disease.

Directed by Ador Cantupay and VJ Santos, the show is sure to draw another standing-room- only crowd, as all the previous Live A.I.D.S. shows have done. Laugh your hearts out and be a part of this much awaited show of the year! 

LIVE A.I.D.S. 2010: Circusmaryosep! February 19 (7pm), 20(3pm&7pm) & 21(3pm&7pm), Abellardo Hall, UP Diliman.

For tickets and reservations, contact PRINCESS @ 0915 989 1506.

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Edgar Allan Guzman, the young and energetic performer who is best remembered as the last Mr. Pogi Grand Winner has come a long way.

With the help of his manager Noel Ferrer, he has starred in various drama projects where he has proven his mettle as a promising young actor and have acted in movies opposite Robin Padilla and Dennis Trillo, Sid Lucero and other formidable actors and even got the critics’ nod for his acclaimed performance in the movie “Astig” which brought him from the Cinemalaya stage all the way to the Pusan International Film Festival in Korea last year.

This year, Edgar is set to conquer new grounds—he is seen regularly in S.O.P. and Daisy Siete. He has a significant guest role in “Habang May Buhay” with friend and mentor Ms. Judy Ann Santos. Now, he will be preparing for his special role in the drama anthology of no less than the Diamond Star, Ms. Maricel Soriano.

He just released his own acoustic album titled “Love Drive” and he is still part of the group YM (Young Men) with the hit song, “Mas Mahal Na Kita Ngayon.” One thing about Edgar, he is always at his best in everything that he does: whether in singing, dancing and acting.

Now, Edgar faces a new challenge – he is one of the new endorsers of LeFroge, a cutting edge brand for young and hip males. Clearly, LeFroge positions itself as one strong clothing brand with its new set of endorsers and Edgar Allan is such a welcome addition to its very promising roster.

Another thing that Edgar is looking forward too is the sequel of the award-winning movie “Astig” which is now on the planning stage. Edgar is understandably excited of the sequel because he gained critical acclaim with his performance in “Astig” when it was shown last year.