‘Hustisya’ among Nora’s best works

After watching “Hustisya” in the press preview last Wednesday, we dare say that Nora Aunor should win the best actress award at the Cinemalaya Director’s Showcase category hands down. Her performance as Biring should rank among her best works, including her performances in movies like “Himala” and “The Flor Contemplacion Story.”

Ate Guy was in her best element, making effective use of her eyes to convey her emotions. Viewers should also watch out how she uses her body to make her acting even more effective. We’d like to congratulate Ate Guy for her awesome performance that should make her the actress to beat come awards season next year.

Congratulations as well to Direk Joel Lamangan for coming up with a compelling film and to Ricky Lee for a well-written script. We’d also like to commend the performance of Ate Guy’s co-stars namely Rocco Nacino (who managed to hold his own opposite Ate Guy), Rosanna Roces, Gardo Versoza, Sunshine Dizon, Chynna Ortaleza, Jaime Pebangco, and Romnick Sarmenta.

Nora plays a dark character in “Hustisya,” which is a welcome change from the usual roles that we associate her with. “She is not a good character. She’s bad but you will know and understand where she is coming from,” said Direk Joel who added that Nora’s fans might be shocked to see a different kind of role for the actress. But we agree with Direk Joel that Ate Guy portrayed her role excellently. And she certainly deserves to win an award or awards for this performance.

“Hustisya” will have its gala premiere tomorrow, 9 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. Tickets to the gala were sold out but we’d like to request the Noranians to ensure that the screenings of “Hustisya” in satellite venues of Cinemalaya namely Greenbelt, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, and Alabang Town Center will be full-packed as well from August 2 to 10, the entire run of Cinemalaya. We are posing this challenge to all Noranians to make “Hustisya” a blockbuster.

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The fans of Gary Valenciano can’t seem to have enough of Mr. Pure Energy. Last April 11 and 12, Gary V staged Arise: Gary V 3.0 concert which marked the singer’s 30th year anniversary in  showbiz. The concert, which marked a milestone in Gary V’s career, was critically-acclaimed and drew praise from people who had the chance to watch it. But even if it was a two-night gig, the people requested for a repeat.

Well, the repeat is happening tomorrow night, August 2 at the SM MOA Arena with Regine Velasquez as Gary’s special guest. In a recent interview, Gary said they will be doing practically the same show that was staged last April. But just the same, people are eager to watch it and even those who had seen it want to see it again.

Gary V said that among the concerts he had done in his 30-year-old career, Arise was the most requested for a repeat. It will be another trip down memory lane as Mr. Pure Energy traces his early years in showbiz as a newbie singer until he made his mark as a total performer. “The fans said they want to relive the experience hence the clamor for a repeat and we are heeding their request,” said the singer.

The concert is co-directed by Paolo Valenciano, the eldest son of Gary V, who found it a challenge to top the first two nights of Arise and make the repeat something to remember as well. Aside from Regine, other guest artists are Aka Jam, the Manouevres, Iya Villania, Kiana Valenciano, Gab Valenciano, Rico Blanco and Sam Concepcion.

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It’s Friday, so it’s “Bubble Gang” time. Among the segments the audience should watch out include selfie in restaurant gags, omnibus plugs for guwardyang anghel, jueteng for you and momboy and engkan-toda; ikaw at ang ina (a mother giving advice to her daughter); Lala Ytera, a new Bubble Gang character who criticizes everything around her and everyone talking to her.

Other segments include Tata Lino, a wise old man in the woods who gives pieces of advice to those in need; T3 Nyo, a talk show hosted by Tolpu brothers where they discuss the complaints of their guest, binatilya – a sketch about a gay’s puberty and Ang Dating Doon.

Bubble Gang mainstays are Michael V, Rufa Mae Quinto, Boy 2 Quizon, Antonio Aquitania, Sam Pinto, Mikael Daez, Albert Sumaya, and a lot more.