The cast of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako" during its premiere showing just recently at the SM Megamall Cinema (from L to R): Edgar Allan Guzman, Trina "Hopia" Legaspi, Hashtag Nikko Natividad and Michael Pangilinan

We've known Michael Pangilinan first, as the "Harana Prince" of  local music industry due to his noticeable character, style of singing and heartfelt rendition of the song "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," which was written and composed by Mr. Joven Tan. The song was one of the entries to the "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs" last 2014. 

Since then, Michael was offered a lot of tv guestings, personal appearances, out of town and out of the country gigs and a lot more. Last September, 2015, he became one of the contestants in second season of ABS-CBN's singing and impersonation competition for celebrities entitled "Your Face Sounds Familiar." After 14 weeks, he emerged as the second best celebrity contestant, while the actress/ singer Denise Laurel was chosen to be the grand winner. 

Well, it was a very good and tough fight for Michael, don't you think? He really played his card so well that's why the Filipino audience had come to know and like him more. Apart from being a recording artist, I've also witnessed Michael's stage play performance via the popular and longest running musical play in the entire history of Philippine theater. He played "Crisostomo Ibarra." Hope you could read my article about his portrayal on that play just click here

His manager Mr. Jobert Sucaldito has  great confidence (me too!) in Michael's talent. And I could attest to that! I've been present in a couple of Michael or Khel's concerts with the first one entitled "Michael Sounds Familiar" and a follow-up one with the wacky title "Michael Really Sounds Familiar.' Both said concerts were a recorded jampacked and every time we watch him perform, it's always a big hit! He doesn't fail to surprise us, actually. 

And as of present time, Michael has another leaf to put on his laurel, he now have entered the movie industry which is one of his dreams, I've learned. His song "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," is now a movie! And it was directed by the composer and also a film director, Sir Joven Tan. I've seen this most-talked about film before when it first premiered at Cine Adarna in UP Diliman last March. Hope you could also read my review about it, just click here.

The long wait is over! "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako" can now be seen via mainstream level. Michael's supporters, fans and followers can now watch the film in theaters nationwide starting June 8, 2016 with Viva Films as the distributor. But before that, we were able to attend and watch (again) the movie's premiere night held at one of the cinemas n SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. 

The main entrance set up of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako" premiere night. (PTC: Viva Ent) 

The couple... Ooopps! The bffs in the story, Edgar Allan Guzman (Mark) and Michael Pangilinan (Red) clowning around to entertain the crowd. (Pct: Viva Ent)

Up stage: They were given the chance to greet and thank everyone who attended their premiere showing. Fans were so excited to see them! 

A thick crowd had gathered getting ready to enter the cinema (ptc: Viva Ent) 

After watching the film for the second time, I can say that, it was still worth watching. I still find the story very interesting and entertaining! The scenes were not that heavy except of course for some confrontation ones but still not too heavy. The mood was so easy to take whle instilling moral and family values. The actors were all good and really did their job well. The chemistry of the whole cast was ununparalleled!  The comedic duo of Matt Evans and Joross Gamboa was a riot! Never imagined that these two can really pull off those funny scenes that easy, they're effortless! Kudos to all the actors and of course to Direk Joven!!! About the ending? I like it much! Hope you do too! 

Michael Pangilinan, the "Harana Prince" is now an actor!

After the screening, we were able to briefly interview one of the stars of the movie, Michael, who was a big revelation here,  being a newbie on this field, His first lines were full of excitement and very grateful for the outcome of the movie. He said, 'Thank ypu so much! Sobrang nakakataba ng puso na ganun Ang reason sa'yo ng tao, and kung paano nila naintindihan 'yug story, paano sila kiligin, paano sila tumawa." 

He even added, "Feeling ko, sigurado ako, naniniwala ako na kahit isa sa nanood, sigurado ako na may tumagos sa puso nila. " 

Asked about the lessons that the people could get and what the story conveys, he answered, "Kahit na nagkagulo-gulo na Ang lahat ng magkakaibigan, still 'hung friendship pa rin nangingibabaw, kahit na medyo may kalokohan sa cake, may kalokohan pa rm sa salita, pero Alam mo yun, ginagawa na lang katatawanan 'yung kalokohan nila." 

His reaction towards guys getting attracted to their friends or best friends? 

"Hindi mo kailangang ipagpalit over love na may halong malice kesa sa love na alam mong respectful, happy kayo sa isa't-isa, kumbaga hindi ninyo iniisip na kapag may ibang lalaki na lumapit sa kanya syempre magseselos ka. Eh kung mag best friend kayo, lagi lang kayong nandyan para sa isa't-isa."

And now, the most awaited topic: LOVE

Just to give you a back story, before this premiere night, Michael guested on Tito Boy Abunda's "Tonight With Boy Abunda (TWBA), during his interview with Tito Boy, he frankly and confidently admitted that he and Garie Concepcion is having a bf/gf relationship. For the info of some who are clueless about Garie, she's Gabby Concepción's daughter with Ms. Grace Buma and therefore, she's KC Concepcion's half sister. Garie or Gabrielle is also making her name in the local music industry as a singer. 

Now, back to the premiere... asked about what made him decide to finally admit his relationship with Garie? 

"Sabi ko kay Tito Boy, okay lang na umamin ako pero di ko kailangang ikwento 'yung detalye ng pagmamahalan namin. At alam kong maiintindihan ninyong lahat 'yun I have my own private life and I'm happy now, we're in good terms, we're really really happy and I'm so proud of her dahil kung anuman s'ya ngayon at anuman kami ngayon, at sobrang natutuwa ako dahil nagkakintindihan kami sa trabaho, sa time management, sa decision making at sa respeto sa isa't-isa and that's it! I don't have to explain kung kelan kami naging official. Basta ang masasabi ko lang masaya ako, masaya din s'ya, at mamaya tayong lahat!"

The reason behind his lean body was that, Michael is aiming to join the "Cosmo" next year. Go Khel, you can do it!!! 

Relatioship with Garie's family and vice-versa: 

"Actually both sides we're good. Open s'ya open ako sa kanila, makakapunta ako sa kanila, nakakapunta s'ya sa amin at nakakapag-usap kami ng family ko sa family n'ya. Sa family ni Garie, tapagang wala along masasabi. Alam mo 'young tinanggap nila ako kung ano ako. 

Garie and her family's reception about his baby? 

'Yun ang pinakaminahal ko sa kanila. Mahirap makahanap ng gnun. Ako sa to too lang po ha, kunwari ako 'young babae, hindi ako maghahanap ng may anak, kasi gusto ko wala. Pero hindi, Dun ko napatunayan na talagang hindi 'young mga pangit ang tinitignan s'yo eh kung anong merong puso ka ngayon."

"And I think super matured na ako ngayon dahil kung ano 'young pinagdaanan ko before, ti-nake ko 'yun as a lesson for me and I think makakatulong sa anumang ginagawa na desisyon ko ngayon. Kung ano 'yung pagkakamali ko before , kapag nalalaman ko at nararamdan ko na pwedeng mangyari dito sa ngayon, napeprevent na s'ya. At least now, naiintindihan ko kung ano 'young mga mali at tama. 

How about Gabby Concepcion, were you able to meet him? 

We haven't met yet. Pero kung kaharap ko si Tito Gabby, sasabihin ko sa kanya na, '"Huwag kayong mag-alala, mamahalin ko 'yung anak ninyo. kagaya ng pagmamahal n'yo sa kanya."

Special thanks to my fblogger/friend Gracee Bongolan of www.itsmegracee.blogspot.com for some of the pics I've posted here. Thanks girl! 

Michael Pangilinan and Edgar Allan Guzman during the special premiere screening of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako" held at Cine Adarna in UP Diliman

The popular gender-related ballad song of Michael Pangilinan, "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," once a "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014" entry written by Joven M. Tan is now a full-lengrh movie written and directed by Mr. Tan himself. 

Mr. Joven Tan and Edgar Allan Guzman posed on my cam after the premiere screening of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako." 

Two years ago, this victorious song braved the eyes and ears of the critics, opening more doors to undertanding gender-related issues and awareness. Who would have thought that this song would become a movie one day? Ironically, the "Harana Prince," Michael Pangilinan, the singer of "Pare..." is also one of the lead actors of the film. 

My first time to see and meet Khel (Michael) in person was the time I get to watch him perform in a musical play entitled "Kanser @35"  staged at the AFP theater in Camp Aguinaldo. As a newbie in that field, Khel has passed his role as Crisostomo Ibarra with flying colors. Here's my article about him if you wanna check it out: amazingjingforlife.blogspot.com/2015/10/michael-pangilinan-promising-and.html?m=1

Last February 22, I got the great chance to watch the premiere screening of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," the movie. It was a well-attended movie screening held at the Cine Adarna of UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. 

Cine Adarna in UP Theater, Diliman Quezon City

Part of the audience who lined up at the premiere screening of "Para Mahal Mo Raw Ako." 

The event started with Michael Pangilinan, singing the movie theme song. 

Michael Pangilinan sings "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," before the screening of their movie of the same title. 

The cast of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako." From L-R: Ana Capri, Trina "Hopia" Legaspi, Miggy Campbell, Michael Pangilinan and Edgar Allan Guzman.

My Movie Review of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako"

Michael Pangilinan as Red 

Michael "Khel" Pangilinan

Having watched Michael Pangilinan in a full-length movie other than in a musical play or in a music video or in a tv show, I find him very refreshing. A raw talent that can be honed to a T. He's so relaxed and confident of his acting. He exhibits the right reactions and interacts with his co-actors swiftly. 

Edgar Allan Guzman as Mark 

Edgar Allan Guzman

As always, Edgar Allan Guzman is in his most fitting acting ability. According to him, he had other several gay roles before and that portraying like one is not a new thing for him, except that in "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," he portrays a closet queen. So that makes it as another challenge for him. And I'm so glad to share to you, amazing dear readers, that EA (Edgar Allan), did not break our expectations. He is really a pro and at times you'll be carried away with his emotions. 'Atta boy! 

Fearless

The last gender-related movie that I've watched was "Brokeback Mountain," it was in the year 2005, it is a romantic drama, yes, but it paved the way for some people to come out of their shells, be true to themselves and be accepted by the society. It was somehow a Rated R film since it contains some intimate scenes between the two male lead stars Heath Ledger (+) and Jake Gyllenhaal. 

The second movie that I get to watch with the same theme, was "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako." I consider this film as fearless because, from the mere title itself,  "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako," which means "Dude, I've learned that you do love me." is obviously a gender conscious movie. But what makes it different from other flicks of the same genre? 

You see, the movie started with Michael (Red) and Edgar Allan (Mark) as childhood friends then as they mature, they became best of friends. Even as a boy, Mark has established a soft inclination with Red, but the latter wasn't aware of it. 

A scene from their movie, showing how Mark takes care of his best friend Red while dining 

It took real huge guts for Mark to admit to Red about his feelings. 

Trina "Hopia" Legaspi

Trina plays a girl bestie to Mark, whom he confides about his hidden feelings for Red. She always gives him a push to be true to himself and to Red as well. She says, Red deserves to know his real feelings and Mark should be open to his bestfriend.

Conquering one's fear like fear of losing someone you love is one of the lessons in the movie. Mark can't reveal his real identity and feelings towards his bestfriend Red, for fear of he might lose him, or curse him once he get to know the real "Mark." 

Taken from one of the hypothetical scenes in the movie

Sometimes, we have to conquer our fears in order to be fearless. Because we might regret the things we never tried to do or conquer. We should give it a push while it's not too late. 

Funny

There was never a dull moment. I tell you, I can guarantee to that. Big plus is the inclusion of Matt Evans, Joross Gamboa and hashtag Nikko Natividad to the cast. They portray the role of Red and Mark's friends. 

The happy-go-lucky, not-so-wholesome and funny characters of these three had brought additional entertainment to the story. Most especially everytime when Matt and Joross open their mouth, they utter some real foul but reality-based lingos that's why us, and the rest of the audience had a bunch of laughs with every scene they're in. They make everthing light and funny, to compensate to the other character's moods.

There was this one scene which I'd like you to look forward to and be keen on the characters' gestures. Take note of the scene of Superstar Nora Aunor, Ana Capri and Edgar Allan in their dining area. That's it! Just watch it, okay haha that's all I can give. 

Familiar

With every character in the story, we can relate to them. Like me, the character of Ms. Nora Aunor is a single mom who only wants what's best for his son. And in the case of Red, I guess some men could also relate to him, having a close friend who turned out to be a closet queen. In this case, you can collect pointers from Red, how did he manage to accept his bestfriend Mark despite of the surprising revelation. 

Actually, for me, that's the highlight of the story. Mark's revelation of his true feelings and his real gender to his bestfriend Red. And how will Red react to the scenario? You've got to find out for yourself. 

As of Mark's case, some also can relate to his character. I guess if you'd heed Trina's advice, there will be no closet queens that are up to this present time are still hiding from their closets and scared that the society and their family might not accept them. 

I came out of the theater happy and satisfied. And I'm pretty sure that the LGBTcommunity would agree with me. This film may be a gender-related one, yes, but I consider this one a "clean slate." Everybody deserves due respect and kind understanding regardless of one's gender or sexuality. This is the reality dude. 

Let us not complicate life. Let's all appreciate how amazing life is! 

Watch out for the showing of "Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako" soon in theaters.