A new start for Aljur Abrenica

Young and edgy newbie director Miguel Franco Michelena considers it a dream come true that his debut film “Triptiko” was chosen as among the entries of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Michelena, who took basic and advanced directing classes under Marilou Diaz-Abaya, had done quite a few short films. “Triptiko” is a trilogy best described as an amalgamation between classics like “The Twilight Zone” and “Black Mirror” with an original dose of Pinoy humor.

“This is heaven-sent,” said Michelena of his film being chosen as one of the entries to the PPP, hence giving “Triptiko” a chance to be shown nationwide from August 16 to 22. “I am very excited because not every film gets the opportunity to be shown nationwide. I am fortunate and I am ecstatic that this is happening.”

Michelena describes the film as his “passion project” and even if it took years before it finally got a cinema screening date, his excitement never lets up, but has even more intensified. Michelena took up a course in Literature at De La Salle University prior to his taking lessons from the famed Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

“It took some time to finish the film because I had to save money for it. I already have the script but I don’t have enough budget. It is also quite hard to get some stars into the project but I am lucky I was able to get my lead actors – Albie Casiño, Joseph Marco, Kean Cipriano and Kylie Padilla—and from there we were able to slowly but surely finish the movie.”

With the success of “Kita Kita” (starring Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez) at the box-office, Michelena hopes the public will be ready for “Triptiko,” the concept of which is three bizarre, absurd and out of this world yet compelling plotlines. Michelena also wrote the screenplay.

While Michelena would not say if the three stories are related in any way, he describes the unusual title “Triptiko” as a Filipino pop culture version of triptych, which is a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical pieces intended to be appreciated together.

“Tatlong kwento na medyo weird. That is what ‘Triptiko’ is all about,” said the debuting director.

The film was Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board. A film by Michelena Brothers Production and Barrio’s Pictures, “Triptiko” has been picked up for distribution by Star Cinema. Others in the cast are Jerald Napoles, Art Acuña, Jay Gonzaga, Pinky Amador and Karl Medina.

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Former Kapuso Hunk and “Starstruck” winner Aljur Abrenica is now a certified Kapamilya. Although he has yet to sign a contract with ABS-CBN to seal the deal, he was immediately cast in a guest role in the top-rating TV series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” topbilled by Coco Martin.

Aljur was introduced as one of the new cast members of “Ang Probinsyano” in the press conference held Thursday to drumbeat the show’s 100 weeks on air as the number one teleserye.

He said he is very excited to work with Channel 2 and was pleased when told that Coco requested that Aljur’s first guest role be in “Ang Probinsyano” when learned that he will be moving to ABS-CBN.

He said working with ABS-CBN signals a new start for him. He was very happy with the warm welcome accorded to him by ABS-CBN bosses namely Ms. Cory Vidanes and Mr. Deo Endrinal, head of Dreamscape that produces “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

Of course, he was very thankful to Coco for giving him the chance to work with the King of Primetime television.

Aljur said he and Coco had talked before and both expressed interest to work together in a project. It’s a good thing that “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” is starting its Book 2 and a new character named Miguel was created for Aljur.

Aside from being a part of Coco’s top-rating teleserye, Aljur is also set to do a new TV series titled “Visions of Love” where he will be cast opposite former Kapuso star Paulo Avelino, Ms. Cherry Pie Picache, Julia Montes, Lorna Tolentino, and JC Santos under the direction of Onat Diaz.

Here’s hoping that Aljur’s career will make a rebound now that he is with the Kapamilya network. That he was accepted by the Kapamilya is a good sign for the brand-new father as Kylie Padilla just gave birth to their firstborn.