Viva and SM team up for SineAsia Theatre

Viva International Pictures and SM Lifestyle Entertainment entered into a partnership to bring us the best movies from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Thailand which will be shown in a special venue in SM Cinemas to be called SineAsia Theatre.

All movies to be shown in the said venue will be dubbed in Tagalog. This will be launched in March, and their initial offering is the action drama “Gangnam Blues” featuring Korean superstar Lee Min Ho about good friends who grew up together but became enemies later in life.

Lee Min Ho is Kim Jong Dae, the good friend, while Kim Rae Won is Baek Yong Ki, his friend who sides with gangsters. The song “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar, which is very popular in Korea, is used as a theme song in this film.

SineAsia Theatre will be found at SM Megamall, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Bacoor, SM Cebu, SM Manila and SM North Edsa. According to Viva exec Vincent del Rosario, they first introduced the Tagalized Movie Channel (TMC) in October 2014 and it became a huge hit. If Koreanovelas are a big hit on TV, the people from Viva and SM Lifestyle Entertaiment also believe that there is also a big market for Tagalized Asian movies in theatres.

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There is no doubt that “ASAP 20,” the Sunday musical variety show of ABS-CBN is the top program in the country. That the show is marking its 20th year is proof that the show is most-watched and much admired. It has a strong following not only in the Philippines but even overseas, thanks to The Filipino Channel which had brought “ASAP” to more audiences worldwide.

“ASAP” has endured. Many shows have tried but failed to topple the show from its lofty perch. Most of the shows which clashed head-on with “ASAP” either have folded up, taken a new name, have refurbished its cast, but to no avail. “ASAP” continues to reign supreme. Well, a show won’t last 20 years if it’s not a top-calibre program.

As the show marks 20 years on TV, they are presenting a fabulous anniversary bash on February 22 to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

At the presscon of “ASAP 20” last Sunday, we learned that it was Martin Nievera who coined the name “ASAP” (which means All Star Sunday Afternoon Party) when it started 20 years ago. The production staff was then still deciding what title to give the show and when Martin was asked, he suggested “ASAP.” The title stuck and the show went on to conquer greater heights.

For the anniversary show, “ASAP” plans to invite all the artists who became part of the show through the years. They sent a message to former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres who used to be a mainstay (and is one of the pioneers) but the former beauty queen said that she can’t grant the request due to her busy schedule.

The production staff didn’t want to reveal the surprises they have on their anniversary show. One question that was asked during the presscon was if there would be a number featuring Piolo Pascual, KC Concepcion and Paulo Avelino. Will they think of a number for the three or do they have other things in mind? That will certainly be a much-awaited number if such happens.

Witness the whole “ASAP” cast and the biggest Kapamilya stars take over the center stage for a string of superb performances and unforgettable surprises.

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We were among those invited to the Vilma Santos retrospective at the UP Film Institute titled “Ate Vi X 3” last Thursday with the special screening of the restored versions of three acclaimed Ate Vi films: “Anak” (2000), “Kapag Langit ang Humatol” (1990), and “Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?” (1998). It was Governor Vilma Santos herself who invited us to the event. We were able to watch the screening of the award-winning movie “Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?” together with the governor as well with director Chito Roño, Cherry Pie Picache and Albert Martinez, the co-stars of Gov. Vi in this Star Cinema flick.

We’d like to commend the ABS-CBN Film Archives and Restoration headed by Leo Katigbak for their efforts in restoring our modern classics like these films. So far, they’ve already restored 72 films including award winners “Ganito Kami Noon” and “Oro Plata Mata” which you can download on iTunes or watch them on pay per view or video on demand.

Aside from Gov. Vi and her family who came to watch the film screening, the Vilmanians were also in full force. Of course, they were pleased that Gov. Vi was given this tribute by the UP Film Institute and ABS-CBN. It is also Ate Vi who is recipient of the first Gawad Plaridel Awardee for Film and the UP Film Insitute’s Diwata Awardee for Distinguished Achievement in Women’s Cinema.

Shown during the retrospective was the trailer of the 1982 Danny Zialcita movie  “T Bird at Ako” which was the last movie together of Ate Vi and Ms. Nora Aunor or Ate Guy. We are looking forward to watching the film anew when it is screened at the UP Film Institute on February 25.