Viva launches Summer to the Max with more than two dozen new films

MANILA, Philippines — Two years ago, Viva Films dauntlessly launched more than two dozen films and earmarked a billion pesos to see the titles on the big screen.

However, the pandemic ensued and everything came to a halt. While a few films were canned, several were left unfinished and still others did not even start production stage at all.

But thanks to the leading streaming app, Vivamax, that gave rise to a new wave in filmmaking. Months into the pandemic, actors, directors and production people became active again and adapted to the new procedure of wrapping up films, before the titles are streamed online.

That became a successful venture. In only 15 months, Vivamax registered three million subscribers worldwide – and counting. The streaming app caters to Filipinos’ love of homegrown content wherever they are in the world.

Now that films are back to the big screen and Viva started it with Yam Laranas’ horror thriller, Rooftop, the company recently unveiled an impressive line-up of films in Summer to the Max, all to be shown this year.

Sarah Geronimo.

More than two dozen titles were confirmed, from romance to comedy, adaptation of Korean dramas, suspense-thriller and a sprinkle of other ingredients thrown in. The line-up is sure at least until September. Of course, more films are being wrapped up.

Four new films are set to be released every month. To say that the Viva calendar is packed and busy will be merely an understatement.

Viva Films’ A-listers are certain to have their respective film projects this year, after being in the wings for more than two years due to this pandemic. From Vice Ganda’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry to the return to the big screen of Sarah Geronimo and Anne Curtis, the stars are slated to make their much-awaited return to filmmaking.

Viva Films president and COO Vincent del Rosario confirmed that his dad, Vic del Rosario, had preliminary meetings and talks with the artists to discuss their projects with the film company.

To begin with, Vice will make his debut on Vivamax with the travelogue, Gandara the Explorer, which initially starts with his trip to Sagada and what happens along the way, his adventures and misadventures.

Bela Padilla.

To be discussed in the next quarter is Vice’s project for the MMFF in December. “Gusto ni Vice mabasa na niya ang script for the project,” Vincent said. “We are already working on that.

“Si Sarah may naka-line-up na projects na din na kailangan lang i-pitch,” Vincent added. “Very selective si Sarah lately kaya kailangan din ma fine-tune ang projects for her. Meron na siyang concept na gusto. She wants to make a musical, so dapat we have to find the right theme.”

Bela Padilla, after the premiere of her directorial debut, 366, wrapped up remaining scenes for Ultimate Oppa, before she returned to London, England, where she is now based. The film is Bela’s first team-up with South Korean actor, Kim Gun-Woo.

A remake of the Tito, Vic and Joey comedy classic, Working Boys, will gather a new batch of wacky actors, with McCoy de Leon, Andrew Muhlach, Mikoy Morales and Jerald Napoles.

Diego Loyzaga and Sue Ramirez team up for the first time in Mr. Heartless, with Jason Paul Laxamana at the helm. The latter also directs the first team-up of Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto, Expensive Candy.

JM de Guzman is paired for the first time with Cindy Miranda in the light romance, Adik sa ‘Yo, while Christine Bermas will star in the third remake of Scorpio Nights, to be megged by Lawrence Fajardo. Christine also headlines another sexy drama, Island of Desire, as well as Lampas Langit.

A remake of Virgin Forest will feature Angeli Khang with Sid Lucero, while Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili, originally played by Dina Bonnevie (1989), will be essayed by screen siren Ayanna Misola.

Award-winning director Brillante Mendoza will work at the helm of Pusoy Dos, with Baron Geisler, Vince Rillon and Angeli Khang.

Vice Ganda.

Meanwhile, Tony Labrusca will return from his long hiatus to star in the sexy romance drama, Breathe Again, with Ariella Arida, Jela Cuenca and Ivan Padilla.

The star-studded, beach-themed afternoon party, Summer to the Max, was graced by a long line of stars in the Viva stable, from beauty queen-turned-actress Kylie Verzosa, actors Jay Manalo, Janno Gibbs, Baron Geisler and Sean de Guzman, to sexy sirens AJ Raval, Christine Bermas, Angeli Khang and Rhen Escaño.

The cast of Yam Laranas’ horror film Rooftop.

Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino star in JP Laxamana’s Expensive Candy.