Piolo proud of son Iñigo Pascual’s debut film

The youth-oriented love story “Relaks It’s Just Pag-ibig” had a successful premiere night held at the SM Megamall Cinema 7 on Tuesday night. The event was graced by the film’s lead stars.

Among the celebrities who attended the premiere to show their support to the young cast were Piolo Pascual, director Joyce Bernal and talent manager Erickson Raymundo (the people behind Spring Films who produced by movie). Piolo said it felt surreal seeing his son acting on the screen. It was a fulfillment of a dream for Iñigo.

The star-studded premiere was also attended by Sam Milby, Eugene Domingo, TV director Johnny Manahan, and Kapuso star Bela Padilla, among others.

The Estrada clan also came in full force to support Julian Estrada’s debut flick. Present were Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, former senator Dr. Loi Ejercito, Precy Ejercito (the mom of Julian), his siblings Jolo at Jillian. Also present were the two directors, Antonette Jadaone at Irene Villamor.

“I am super happy and thankful for the movie,” said Iñigo in a brief chat after the premiere.

“Sobrang excited ako sa premiere night pero wala akong expectations. Pero sobrang happy po ako kasi nakita ko ang suporta ng mga tao at ang pagtanggap nila sa movie namin. Hindi ko po ini-expect na ganito ang magiging pagtanggap ng mga tao. Sobrang masaya ako kasi nakita ko po na nagustuhan ng mga tao ang movie. Very happy rin po si Papa sa movie.”

The newbie actor admitted getting the jitters. “Sobrang ninenerbyos po ako kanina before the premiere.  Pero ako po ay natuwa dahil sa magandang pagtanggap ng tao. Siyempre mas nervous po ako kasi nanood si Papa (Piolo) pero sabi niya I did very well. He congratulated me. He is very proud of me daw po sabi niya pero siyempre nandoon pa rin po ang pressure.”

It was the first time for Iñigo to watch his debut film. He only saw snippets of it when he dubbed his lines.

“Parang awkward po pero cool kasi napanood ko po ang sarili ko sa sinehan,” said Iñigo when asked how he felt seeing his image on the big screen. “Dati dream ko lang po iyon pero natupad na po. Dati po si Papa ang pinapanood ko pero ngayon po sarili ko ang nasa screen.”

“Relax It’s Just Pag-ibig” is still showing in theaters nationwide.

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The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community has found an ally in the person of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte who believes that the sector should have and enjoy the same rights like men and women.

The second highest local official of Quezon City made this announcement at the press launch of the first QC Pink International Film Festival held on Tuesday at Anabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City. The 1st QC Pink International Festival will happen from December 9-16 at Trinoma cinemas. To show her support to the project, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte attended the launching event together with Quezon City Pride Council head director Soxie Topacio and the Philippine Initiative on LGBT Pride Advocacy, Inc. headed by Nick Deocampo, who is also the Pink Festival Director.

According to VM Joy, the QC Pink Festival will not be like any other festival that ordinary moviegoers get to see in their favorite cinemas. Besides, Quezon City is the only local government unit who was brave to put up a Pink Film Festival. Even before she was elected vice mayor, she had heard recommendations to put up such kind of event for the local LGBT community. But she said that time there were words of caution that a festival of such sort might not be accepted.

“I believe now is the right time for a Pink Festival to be organized because this has an advocacy component. The QC council, after a debate that lasted for eight hours, had passed an ordinance where they recognize the equality of all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation. This means that in QC, the LGBT community is accepted and is considered equal to the male and female population. According to the law, all members of the LGBT community will receive the same benefits in services with regards to health, housing, education and social services or benefits,” the QC vice mayor said.

As of the moment, the QC council is just waiting for Mayor Herbert Bautista to sign the resolution into law which is considered a landmark measure in the Philippines. Aside from the ordinance and the festival, a gay Pride March will be held in several streets in QC on December 13 in which different floats from various barangays and members of the LGBT will be participating.

Among the local gay-themed movies set to be shown in the Pink Festival are “Lihis,” “Quick Change,” “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa,” “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita” at “Wala na Bang Ibang Title” (directed by award-winning stage actor Joey Paras) and features award-winning directors Soxie Topacio and Wenn Deramas as actors.