Glaiza De Castro's Cinemalaya movie "Liway" now runs in cinemas nationwide!

Glaiza De Castro during "Liway" blogcon

One of GMA Artist Center's pride, prime actress Glaiza De Castro stars as "Kumander Liway," in Cinemalaya's Highest-Grossing film of All Time, "Liway." Glaiza considered her role here as very challenging, "Unang-una, galing kasi s'ya sa totoong istorya, galing s'ya sa mga totoong tao, kumbaga as much as you want to put your own interpretation of Liway...parang mas maganda kung...or better kung mag-stick ka na lang kung ano talaga 'yung nasa istorya eh. And nakausap ko si Liway herself ...nakwento n'ya 'yung... kasi naka-survive s'ya, and 'yun 'yung isa sa mga sobrang  empowering and inspiring na factors ng proyektong 'to kasi 'yung ginagampanan mo eh nandito," she exclaims. 



"Liway" has garnered prestigious awards during the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Winner of three Awards: 

SPECIAL JURY COMMENDATION
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
SPECIAL JURY CITATION (Kenken Nuyad) 

Glaiza as Kumander Liway 

The setting of the story was set during Martial Law. It is about a young mother who uses storytelling to protect her young son from the painful realities of prison life. Martial Law, like what I was taught during my learning years, happened in the year 1972 during the Marcos regime specifically on September 23 and the proclamation No. 1081 was officially lifted on January 17, 1981. 


The movie is based on director Kip Oebanda's experiences as he was growing up inside the prison camp. where his parents were detained. Aside from Glaiza De Castro who plays Inday/ Kumander Liway, it also features rousing performances like co-GMA Artist Center, Dominic Rocco then there's Kenken Nuyad who portrays Inday's son, Dakip along with actors Soliman Cruz, Joel Saracho, Nico Antonio, Sue Prado, Paolo O'hara, Ebong Joson, Gerry Cornejo, Diana Alferez, Julie Bautista, Pau Benitez, Liway Gabo, She Maala, Renante Bustamante, with Vance Larena, Upeng-Galang Fernandez, and Khalil Ramos in a very special role. The screenplay is written by Kip Oebanda and Zig Dulay, and is produced by VY/AC Productions and Exquisite Aspect Ventures and was distributed by Quantum Films. 

GMA Artist Center stars, Glaiza De Castro and Dominic Roco during their blogcon 

On the other hand, another GMA Artist Center actor Dominic Roco, finds Glaiza, as her favorite co-acting partner and he already told her about it. He also commends Glaiza's acting performance here as her best so far. 


Glaiza with Kenken Nuyad 

Asked about what they have learned about the story of "Liway" and Martial Law, Glaiza answered, "Parang feeling ko hindi ako worthy to discuss about it pero, through Liway, mas nagkaroon ako ng understanding dahil galing s'ya sa totoong istorya, nangyari talaga s'ya nung panahon na 'yun. Isa 'to sa mga factors na alam ko nung panahon na 'yun, pero it doesn't mean na magbabago na talaga completely 'yung understanding ko sa kanya, so far, kung anuman 'yung mapapanood n'yo sa 'Liway,' ayun lang din 'yung alam ko nung panahon na 'yun so wala nang mas hihigit pa dun, wala nang le-less pa dun pero sana lang din 'yung mga taong manonood nito, hindi nila tignan kung ano 'yung polotical view or aspect kasi there's so much more than that. It's not just about Martial Law, let's not talk about that, pwede naman tayong mag-focus dun sa nanay at sa anak n'ya na pinalaki sa prison at ang tina-try ba protektahan sa harm na nangyayari sa paligid nila. Ang nung napanpod ko 'yung pelikula, isa sa mga bagay na na-realize ko, ang understanding ko sa kanya ay love letter s'ya ng anak sa nanay. 

While Dominic answered, " 'Yung 'Liway' to me, isa s'yang eye-opener sa mga haka-haka na sinasabi ng mga tao dati. It was just a confirmation... wow, this really happened... it wasn't what we knew before." 


Now here's the biggest turn out of the movie and I know every moviegoer will be so excited for this one! Check this out!! 









I wasn't able to watch the movie itself when it had its scheduled screenings last August at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) but based from what I have learned and the good things and commendations that I've been hearing about this movie, I guess I am going to set a schedule and watch it since it is now commercially showing in cinemas nationwide! 

See you there!!! 

Thanks for your time Glaiza dear and Congrats!!! 




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"Bwakaw:" Braving the "Hidden Truth" and Life's Reality



 Watching “BWAKAW” is like threading the in depth meaning of life and finally realizing the "hidden truth" that's probably slapping your face since the day you can't even remember. At first I did not know what to expect as I was anticipating that the title referred to someone in the movie, maybe the lead star himself, as in this case portrayed by one of the country’s legendary actor, Mr. Eddie Garcia.

As an official entry to this year’s Cinemalaya, I find it interesting that it was going mainstream so this movie must have something special, I guess. :)) It was highly regarded in the filmfest, garnering Best Actor for Mr. Garcia.

Set in a rural countryside situation, this is a story about a grumpy old man known as Rene, who lives alone and is already awaiting and preparing for his death. For Godsake, he even bought a coffin already hehe.. He only has “bwakaw,"  a dog (Princess) as his companion and later turned best friend, which incidentally is also the title- roler in GMA Telebabad's fantasy-drama, "Aso ni San Roque." Life has no meaning for Rene, until certain twist and turn change his view.

After Bwakaw fell ill with a damning sickness, he came to realize that something in life is worth living for. He found true friendship with his dog. He even fell in love at an advance age and gave in to his true “innerself”. You just have to really watch out for those scenes, I tell you ;)

And most of all, this story has no miraculous ending thus it is a close resemblance to what actual life is here. Anybody can relate to some scenes that is happening in the story. A touching movie yet is also funny because of the comedy antics of some of its characters. Simple but true. Laughing yet teary eyed. These are some of the words best describe “Bwakaw”.

Also with the cast  are some distinguished actors and actresses, namely Rez Cortez, Beverly Salviejo, Soxie Topacio, Gardo Versoza, Allan Paule, Luz Valdez, Bibeth Orteza, Joey Paras, Soliman Cruz, and Miss Armida Siguion- Reyna. The film is directed by Jun Robles Lana and has dedicated his latest "masterpiece" to the late playwright and children's book author, Rene O. Villanueva, his mentor. 

Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board and distributed by Star Cinema, this is a film that you may not want to miss. Catch it! Still showing in various theaters nationwide! 

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Showing posts with label Cinemalaya. Show all posts
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