Pinoy Showbiz News, Celebrities, Movies
Jade Castro, A New Breed of Filmmaker
By Excel V. Dyquiangco
It doesn’t hurt to be in the right place at the right time as in the case of new filmmaker Jade Francis Castro, who helmed his first short film Hopya Love Me Too in 2000, and which participated in the Cinemanila International Film Festival and even won the Kodak Award that year.
At such a young age of 28, he has always loved movies, cinema and films. It’s in his innate ability to communicate different stories that mirror reality to a wider audience which gave him that chance to speak out his mind. When he got into college, he immediately pursued a degree in Film at the University of the Philippines.
From then on, it was fairly easy for Jade to get into the film industry with a lot of his friends in similar fields getting him to do a lot of things at the same time, particularly working for both commercial and independent features and shorts, television, and music video in numerous abilities.
“The people you meet in film school may be more important to get your career started than the actual learning,” he says.
He co-produced the Cinemalaya entries Sarong Banggi and Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and has written various film reviews for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Pelikula Journal. After writing the screenplay for First Day High back in 2006 and co-writing the screenplay for D’Anothers back in 2005, he believed it was time to settle on another path.
He finally landed on his first feature-length film, Endo, a finalist for the Cinemalaya International Festival this year. The film revolves around the story of Leo, who keeps on handling odd jobs one after the other and hasn’t been able to stick to a permanent job. The question that follows Leo’s terminable contracts is: Will he be able to give security and permanence to his love affair with the spirited dreamer Tanya? The movie stars Star Circle Quest graduate Jason Abalos and veteran actor Ricky Davao.
Asked what he calls his style of filmmaking, Jade is more character-driven. “It is a balance of allowing the actors freedom to do what they wanted with their characters and specific detailed instructions.”
How is directing a film different from directing a music video or a commercial?
“It takes longer to shoot, obviously. But also takes longer to prepare. Studying a film script alone takes a lot from the director. It requires deeper analysis and understanding,” he says.
At this point in his life, all he really does want to do is to direct and direct films of all genres. He would like to be known for as a director who makes good movies.
That’s Jade Castro, a new filmmaker to look out for.
Tags: Jade Castro, Philippine Filmmakers, Philippine Entertainment News
30 Jul 2007 Excel Dyquiangco 1 comment
It was through 80s famous youth film “Bagets” that teen sensation Aga Muhlach became a household name. His boy next-door image and killer smile made him an incomparable star even until now that he has grown up and happily married to beauty queen/ TV-Host Charlene Gonzalez.
“Binabasa ko pa lang ang script, I got excited already. I’m back! And I’m back with a project na maipagmamalaki ko,” Aga shares about his latest movie that will be shown on August 15.
Iya Villania is one of the mainstream talents in the Philippine showbiz industry that started as a commercial and print ad model.
Iya Villania made sure that she would be prepared when the time comes she needs to say goodbye to showbizness.
It is very ironic that the fashion model, actress, and the six-year fashion and lifestyle show host Angel Aquino is not included in the heightened alert for fashionistas these days.
“When I was younger, I was an Olive Oyl. Mukha talaga akong posporo with black head! I was dark tapos I had really, really black short hair. I could not grow my hair because it was really ugly and frizzy. I was ugly,” Angel reminisced.
More and more bachelor actors become unwed fathers and award winning actor and businessman Marvin Agustin is one of them. One of Philippines’ top TV stars is proud being the father of fraternal twins – Santiago and Sebastian.
“Walang hatian na nangyayari kasi both ventures (acting and entrepreneurship) are very close to my heart. Ini-enjoy ko pareho. You have to love what you’re doing para hindi siya maging trabaho,” Marvin answered on how he handled his showbiz career and businesses.
Patrick Garcia is one the most misinterpreted actors in showbiz. The once Golden Boy of Philippine Cinema has been criticized as a snub and someone with attitude problem. However, the original teen heartthrob differed especially when it comes to his love with young singer-actress Jennylyn Mercado.
Patrick was paired with different leading ladies. His first screen partners were Anna Larucea and Paula Peralejo (sister of TV host-actress Rica). Paula and Patrick were one of the pairs in the memorable youth drama “Tabing Ilog.”
Since her character soared high in GMA’s fantasy series, Mulawin, Angel Locsin has been unstoppable. Now, the bankable young actress tries her luck into more challenging tasks of her young career, producing a trilogy film called “Angels.”
Angel shared that when they were doing their coffee ad, where they were shown as seducing each other, she couldn’t look to Piolo out of shyness. She was surprised afterwards when Piolo confessed that he felt the same.
If you’re talking about a strong contender for best TV villain, Jean Garcia’s name must be in the list. The former member of “That’s Entertainment” who became best known as Madame Claudia Buenavista of “Pangako Sa Iyo” is now back in another anti-heroine role in “Impostora.”
“Working with him is really iba kasi blockings pa lang, talagang mararamdaman mo na he’s very good,” Jean muses. “He’s very supportive and very clear ang mga explanation niya about the characters.”
Heart Evangelista is one of the most familiar faces in Philippine television. Her defining moment in the entertainment industry transformed from an experimental teenybopper in a youth-oriented show and several shoe and apparel endorsements to a lady clad in low-cut dresses and sexier outfits in magazine photo shoots and primetime series.
Every step that Heart took was not easy especially if the main man in the house is objecting her daughter’s chance of a lifetime. She described her father as “super strict.” Still, Heart took a chance in persuading her father to agree with her terms and conditions: “If I don’t get in, never mind na. I’ll forget na.”