Q1 - What is Popular?

Two Thursdays ago, the other bloggers Ina and Mart did an interview (because I was absent :D) on what is popular for the students around our school, St. Paul University Manila. They were able to interview 5 students who were asked on what makes something popular and how are they influenced by these popular things around.

For the first question, they were asked what makes something popular and how do they know if someone or something is popular. Common answers would be if that someone or something is talked about. One interviewee answered that if a lot of people follow him/her on Twitter, he/she is popular. Another answered that gadgets, blogs and the internet makes something popular. But basically, all answers would lead to one thing --> if that someone/something is the talk of the town.

However, for the next question, which was how are they influenced by these popular things, the 5 interviewees had different answers. The first interviewee said that she is being influenced not just by these popular things, but by her friends who are into these popular things. An example that she gave was K-Pop. Her friends listen to K-Pop music, so out of curiosity, she would also listen to these songs. And maybe eventually, she will get used to listening to K-Pop. Another interviewee said that she bases her behavior by what's within. An example that she gave is what happened in Tacloban. Since it was the talk of the town and we all know that it was really devastating, proved by the news and pictures shown on TV/Internet, she was influenced to donate relief goods to those heavily affected by the typhoon.

I guess by reading all their answers, they all lead to one thing, that trends are really set by media. Most answers would mention something about TV, gadgets, internet, etc., which are all part of media. Media is really powerful that it can influence others, from their perception of popularity is to what do they think is popular for them.

TV and Film, in their own distinct ways, also influence people. In TV, ratings define what is the most popular Television Show, and in film, the Box Office Results determine how popular a movie is. And both lead to one thing, that people also decide what is popular for them. But again, how can they choose to watch this certain TV show or Film? Obviously, by watching their trailers, looking for reviews and latest news, viewing their posters or knowing who the actor or the director is. And of course, you can access all these things in media. Reading the newspapers, surfing the internet or watching the TV can give you the vital information that you need.

That's why you really have to tune in to our blog, because we will really give you what's in and out, what's the latest and the most popular in Philippine TV and Film. And of course, we will together reminisce what had been popular for the past few years and generations. :)

Flashback: TGiS

Just recently, ABS-CBN’s afternoon teen comedy show Luv U won as the best Teen-Oriented Show at the PMPC Star Awards for TV and is still enjoying its run every Sunday after premiering last February 2012 (which makes the show already running for 1 year and 9 months). This just proves that the Teen-Oriented format in Philippine TV is still effective with the audience. But before we have Luv U and Dormitoryo (on GMA Network), the first one that really captured the Pinoy Teens’ attention was aired during the 90s.

It was in August 1995 when boring Saturday afternoons were made colorful and exciting. Top film-producer Viva Films (by its TV counterpart Viva Television) and GMA Network conceptualized a new program especially-made for the teens. It was entitled as T.G.i.S or Thank God It’s Sabado! The cast was composed of now known-actors in the industry Angelu de Leon (as Peachy) and Bobby Andrews (Wacks) who was the phenomenal love team of the show (and that time as well!) They were also joined by Michael Flores (Mickey), Raven Villanueva (Cris), Onemig Bondoc (JM), Rica Peralejo (Mich), Ciara Sotto (Rain) and Red Sternberg (Kiko). The program was about a set of friends facing together life’s challenges as High School teens – like studies, vices, popular hobbies that time, and love.

Only a few thought that the show would be a big hit. Raven Villanueva, in an interview, even said that one of the hardest parts was during the first few episodes of the show because they don’t know if people would accept their show and if they will have sponsors, etc. But surprisingly, it became phenomenal. The barkada’s first movie together, “Takot Ka Ba Sa Dilim?”, was a blockbuster that even a movie version of TGiS was spawned, and became a hit as well. Moreover, rival network ABS-CBN also had its own teen-oriented show, Gimik (stylized as G!M!K).

Because of the rising popularity of the show, GMA and Viva decided to transfer the barkada to primetime, which became Growing Up. This time, the barkada faced more mature problems as they reach their College Life. They were joined by other actors Donna Cruz, Jake Roxas, Bernadette Allyson, Diego Castro (who came from the rival show Gimik), Mariel Lopez and Ryan Eigenmann. It was first aired Monday nights then later transferred during Wednesday nights.

Maybe now, your question is, what happened to TGiS? Ciara Sotto did not actually join Growing Up because her character Rain was still in High School, and so she was joined by a new batch of teen actors Antoinette Taus, Dingdong Dantes (then Rafael Dantes), Polo Ravales, Chantal Umali and Chubi del Rosario. Kim delos Santos and Idelle Martinez, who were part of the supporting cast of TGiS, also became the flag carriers of the show. Later on, Sunshine Dizon, Dino Guevarra and Anne Curtis joined the cast. TGiS 2 and Growing Up cast members would appear in both shows in some episodes.

No wonder TGiS (both batches and even Growing Up) was a hit, it had a plotline that every teenager can relate to. Besides that, it also used the popular music of that time, and that of the 80s. The show’s original theme song was Dyslexic Heart by Paul Westerberg. The songs It Might Be You, You Should Know By Now, Open Arms and As I Lay Me Down were used as theme songs for the love teams. Also, they had memorable music videos and opening billboards. Glad to say that I was able to find video clips of TGiS/Growing Up’s Top 10 Music Videos, TGiS 1/VGrowing Up's Opening Billboards and TGiS 2's OBB.

Currently, GMA, TGiS Batch 1’s director Mark Reyes V, and TGiS writer Kit Langit conceptualized a continuation of Growing Up which was Teen Gen. The cast was composed by a new bunch of teenagers with TGiS’ phenomenal love team Angelu de Leon and Bobby Andrews. The show was a continuation of their love story as it did not finish that good in Growing Up after Peachy, Angelu’s character, and Wacks, Bobby’s character are set to get married. However, at the last minute, Peachy did not show up at the wedding. It’s because Angelu that time got an unexpected pregnancy. Teen Gen also became a hit, but not that of TGiS’. It only ran for 28 weeks.

TGiS is being re-aired on Fox Filipino every weeknights. However, it’s down to its last week. And to reminisce, here are some video clips of TGiS.

Honestly, if there is one thing I really get jealous of with the 90s generation, it’s that they have this show. Yes, teen-oriented shows may still exist now but TGiS and even Gimik are still better than of today’s teen shows.

Videos Courtesy of Tgis Thankgoditssabado and ArdiAquino on Youtube
Images Courtesy of Google

Movie Review: Bendor

Bendor

Ralston Jover, 2013 (Cinema One Originals entry)

"Bendor" is an entry of Ralston Jover for this year's "Cinema One Originals", and this movie made a huge impact for the comeback of the one and only Ms. Vivian Velez who also won best actress for this entry. The story of this movie is really captivating, well for me. Because it is very timely, the story revolves around the morality issue. Blondie is the main character in the story that was played by a great actress, Ms. Vivian Velez. Blondie, a grandmother of five, worked as a vendor outside the Quiapo church. I can call her “Wonder Woman” because she raised her kids without the help of her husband. The story showed the life of people who sells abortifacient or abortion pills. She also serves as a middleman for an illegal abortion clinic, escorting young girls that want to terminate their pregnancies. This film’s opaque shutout on morality issues became its barrier against its audience’s full understanding of Blondie. The film introduces this doppelganger, but doesn't get too far into exploring the strangeness that it entails. It instead thrives on the jumble of details that make up Blondie’s life. It lingers, for example, on how she puts on her makeup in the morning. And what breakfast is like in her household. 

Known for her lustful and frisky screen roles in the 80’s, Ms. Vivian Velez’s Blondie’s efforts at the notion of rejuvenation gives way to a tired and defeated iconography. By this time, she has gone the rounds, committing crime, enabling crime, abetting crime, eluding arrests before landing in jail.

I personally think that this movie deserves to be noticed internationally for its great story line and cinematography, well I guess if you watch this film, you can really tell that the concept is fresh, and that it is made by a great team. 

I am proud of this movie because a close friend of mine produced "Bendor" and I know that they all worked hard for it. And what inspired me the most is that, most of the people who created this are new to the business. Meaning, they are young yet they have created such a wonderful work.