by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 13, 2022 | Entertainment
Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Aug. 5, 2022) — US-based Filipino producer Francis B. Lara Ho and Filipino-American actor-director Michael Copon are collaborating for the film “1521” which will depict a clandestine love story against the backdrop of the epic clash between pre-colonial Filipinos and Spanish forces of Ferdinand Magellan in Mactan, Philippines more than 500 years ago.
The film boasts a powerhouse cast including Copon, renowned American actor Danny Trejo, Filipino superstar Bea Alonzo, and award-winning actress Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.
“1521” opens with the character Didi or Diwata, who dreams of being transported to pre-colonial Philippines while exploring the ruins of an ancient Spanish fort. In her dream, she becomes a native princess who falls in love with Magellan’s handsome translator Enrique — their romance caught up in the conflict.
The events become more complicated after Didi awakens, and soon finds the line between her dream and reality blurring.
Lapu-Lapu statue in Mactan, Cebu
The film will also be told largely from the perspective of Lapu-Lapu, regarded as the first Filipino hero for leading the forces that defeated the Spaniards.
Copon, who will both direct the film and portray Lapu-Lapu, said he took on the project to highlight Filipino history and culture.
“People don’t know what happened to Magellan. Some people in America think he just died. And a lot of times, the history of the Philippines gets pushed under the rug, unnoticed, which led to the passion that we wanted to embrace those stories and embrace the culture, and say ‘Hey! Let me get this out there,'” said Copon, known for starring in “Power Rangers Time Force” and the teen drama “One Tree Hill.”
“Even more historic is, this is the first time a Hollywood director and producer are producing a movie about a Filipino story with Hollywood stars and Filipino stars in one movie,” he added.
Trejo, who starred in the “Machete” and “From Dusk till Dawn” film series, will play Magellan.
Alonzo will take on the role of Diwata while Puerto Rican actor Hector David Jr., who also appeared in “Power Rangers,” portrays her love interest, Enrique.
Copon said “1521” would not focus entirely on the Battle of Mactan, citing the romance between Diwata and Enrique, which he described as the “heart and soul” of the story.
“We didn’t want to make a movie that is just about the battle and the war,” he said.
Lara Ho said the film would be shot entirely in Palawan, which was picked for its scenic beaches and mountains.
The producer, himself a Palaweño, hoped to provide more opportunities to the people in the province through the project.
“I am actually pleasantly surprised when we did the casting that there are quite a few Palaweños who are really incredible in talent. They just need the opportunities and so that’s what we are bringing here,” Lara Ho said.
“Sad to say that Palawan is one of the richest in terms of natural resources but our poverty level is very high compared to other provinces. That’s why I’m hoping that bringing projects here would change that,” he added.
“1521” is scheduled for release on June 12, 2023, coinciding with the 125th celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 12, 2017 | Video reviews
Like many of my peers I laughed, anticipated the endings and shed many a tear as I watched these commercials of Jollibee for this season of hearts 2017.
Kuwentong Jollibee Valentine Series: The Vow
From the moment the scene opened I already had my suspicions about how it would end but the romantic in me denied it and watched with bated breath just to see exactly how it would end. For those who haven’t seen it I don’t want to spoil it for you so watch the video below first.
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FRIEND-ZONED! Ouch! But what a lovely statement they placed at the end …
Para sa mga patuloy na nagmamahal nang walang hinintay na kapalit.
Translation: For those who love unconditionally …
Sniff!
Kuwentong Jollibee Valentine Series: The Crush
This one was 95% silent film and the story was cute, light … it was the story of beauty and the geek. And the ending was … sigh, wonderful! My heart just soared.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai1AmULzVqY
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They say it is now the age of the geek. Nowadays being a geek is cool, yes! They close the video with this line …
Para sa mga hindi nag-give up sa pag-ibig.
Translation: For those who did not give up on love.
This commercial made me feel warm and fuzzy all over. 😀
Kuwentong Jollibee Valentine Series: Date
This one … I tell you, this one, I was already starting to cry from the get go. I just knew it had to be something tragic. Sniff!
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My throat clenched. My heart twisted in my chest. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t see. My tears were not just welling in my eyes, they were sliding down my cheeks non-stop. No other commercial ever (that I can recall) has ever affected me so strongly as this.
And to end the scene with this …
Para sa pagmamahalang walang katapusan.
Translation: For love that never ends.
As a parent I marvel at the boy’s inner strength. What he did would be hard for anyone to do without breaking out into tears. I still have both my parents but just the thought of losing even one fills my heart with sadness.
And after a series of emotional ups and downs my sisters and I turn to each other and we wondered who the ad agency of Jollibee is. Whoever they are, they just got themselves some awards right there.
The Kuwentong Jollibee Valentine series reminds us that not all love is romantic love. Thank you, Jollibee, for reminding us that love is not just for lovers.
To love and be loved is the greatest thing in the world.
3 words 8 letters … don’t be afraid to say them to the ones you love …
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 29, 2016 | Stories
Dapat lang may quality time. Enjoy cooking with all the reliable safety features of Solane’s LPG
Solane, the country’s leading LPG provider has launched a campaign that advocates positive Filipino values and emphasizes the importance of family.
As the country gears up for change, ISLA LPG Corporation (ILC), the leading LPG solutions company and owner of the brand Solane, launches an advocacy campaign that aims to remind consumers of the importance of family and positive Filipino values.
Dapat Lang …
Drawing inspiration from the popular Filipino expression, which in English means, “That’s how it should be… Rightly so,” ISLA LPG launches the “Dapat Lang” campaign — a program that emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing, for the family, for others and society as a whole.
The campaign also touches on the importance of bringing back traditional Filipino values which have somehow been misplaced in our high-technology, fast-paced, modern setting. These values include commitment to the family, honesty, hard work, respect for others, and integrity.
“As we prepare for the many changes happening in our environment, we at ISLA LPG would like to remind everyone of the Filipino values that define us as a people and to put importance on the family, being a good neighbor and a valuable member of society,” said ILC-CEO Ruben Domingo.
“Our new campaign reminds all of us — our consumers, employees, and business partners — to do the right thing in everything we do, all the time, wherever we are, in order to truly bring out positive change in all of us.”
How will this advocacy of Solane be promoted?
The advocacy campaign will be communicated with various mediums — print and radio ads, social media, and online videos, showcasing a mom cooking the best dishes for her family, an employee putting in ample time at work, a chef preparing high-quality ingredients for his customers, a manager catering to the needs of the client, the Solane Hatid Bahay rider ensuring that LPG delivery is safe and on time.
As part of the Dapat Lang campaign, ISLA LPG is also launching a new website, which outlines the various ways with which Solane stakeholders can live out the new campaign principle in their everyday lives. The newly revamped site also features a blog that will serve as a way for ISLA LPG to communicate directly with its consumers, especially moms. The blog will feature quick and easy recipes and helpful and time-saving tips on cooking for the family, keeping a safe environment at work and home, and more.
Dapat lang good for the environment. Our expertise goes beyond our products. We aim for a better, cleaner, and greener environment.
For its part, ISLA LPG lives out the Dapat Lang campaign by doing what it does best since the brand Solane was launched almost five years ago — provide consumers with high-quality, safe, reliable LPG products.
“We value our consumers’ safety and we ensure that it is our key priority,” said Mr. Domingo. “We also value our customers’ trust by providing excellent products and services that are well worth their family’s hard-earned money.”
Moreover, ISLA LPG offers Solane Hatid-Bahay Service, an exclusive service provided to Solane LPG residential customers. ISLA LPG’s well-trained riders conduct a Weight Check in front of customers using calibrated portable weighing scales, assuring households of value for their money.
The Solane Hatid-Bahay riders also perform the 7-Point Safety Check free of charge to help ensure the safety of consumers and their families. This includes checking the surroundings, o-ring, regulator, regulator and valve connection, hose, hose connection, and flame quality.
Furthermore, ISLA LPG holds regular safety seminars for its customers as well as to various communities nationwide. The company’s employees and contractors follow strict compliance of safe LPG handling and fire safety. Through this, ISLA LPG has achieved a significant milestone of 13 million man hours without lost time injury.
This commitment to provide the best and safe product and service is, needless to say, reinforced with the launch of the company’s new advocacy campaign because as they say, Kapag LPG, Dapat Lang Solane!
To know more about the Dapat Lang campaign, visit Solane’s new website, www.solane.com.ph, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/solane.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 29, 2006 | Yummy Reviews
Note: Because of the recent disaster of my site (March 3, 2016) I actually had to reconstruct my posts and lost a lot of pics. There are many pics below that I could no longer find as the flavors are also no longer available. 🙁
There are some types of food that we associate with certain activities. Hotdogs make people think of sports. Cake brings birthdays to mind. Cotton candy makes us all think of the carnival. But all will agree that popcorn and soda are meant to be eaten while watching a flick. Whether a movie or TV marathon … or just as pica-pica for a party POPCORN is definitely a hit!
Last night, October 28, we had a popcorn party here at my place. SEVEN FLAVORS of Chef Tony’s popcorn were spread out on the table just waiting to be eaten.
The original taste of caramel with the slightest hint of saltiness that sets the buttery, crunchy popcorn goodness in every bite. – from Chef Tony Brands
#1 – Original
Choosing the flavor I liked the best was so hard! I just liked them all! For conservatives, it is always good to go original. You can’t go wrong there. It’s your classic popcorn flavor without the mess!
#2 – Light
Those who are “watching their weight” will enjoy the light. It isn’t exactly guiltless ’cause it still has butter and sugar, but Chef Tony guarantees 50% less of both! I worried at first that it would contain artificial sweetener and I was relieved not to encounter the medicinal taste of Nutrasweet, Equal, or Splenda.
#3 – Cinnamon Butter
Opening the tub of Cinnamon Butter was surreal. The distinctive smell of cinnamon just wafts into your nostrils, and in my case, made me think of cinnamon rolls and coffee. I thought it tasted good, too, but perhaps on the sweet side. I like it but I don’t think I can consume a small tub on my own.
#4 – Pesto
Pesto, pesto, pesto! It makes me think of pasta! To complete the pasta experience, though, I would recommend the addition of maybe pine nuts or more basil into the mix. Also, I think it could afford to be less sweet and saltier. Nonetheless, I CAN finish a whole (small) tub on my own. I know I have in the past, hehe.
A sweet and salty blend of cheese with creamy Italian taste that is reminiscent of delicious Carbonara. – from Chef Tony Brands
#5 – Parmesan
When I heard that there was Parmesan flavor I admit that I was a bit apprehensive. I know that sounds weird, but … I just don’t like getting my hands dirty, hehe. I hate it when I buy cheese flavored popcorn and they pour on this powdered orange-colored cheese that just stains everything and is extremely messy. Dirty hands are a guarantee.
To my surprise, Chef Tony’s Parmesan flavored popcorn is nothing like that! In appearance, it looks a lot like the ORIGINAL flavor. And then you open the tub and the smell of the PARMESAN hits you. Every bite is a harmony of cheese and butter!
We loved this flavor so much that we almost consumed the contents of the tub in 5 minutes! This was while recording our comments, mind you. None of the other flavors went as fast! Hooray for parmesan!
Now it is time for some nuts!
A crispy Chef Tony’s Popcorn coated with light White Chocolate perfectly paired with whole Walnuts. – from Chef Tony Brands
#6 – White Chocolate Walnut
We now open the tub of White Chocolate Walnut. I have to tell you right now … I’m not a fan of white chocolate, per se. I’m more of a dark chocolate kind of gal. But I do love chocolate and I do love walnuts, and the way the flavors blended was just perfect!
You still can’t get me to eat white chocolate in bar form but on Chef Tony’s popcorn, I will eat it by the handful. The sweetness of the chocolate and the bitterness of the walnuts made an interesting contrast. I think this flavor is perfect to give as a gift.
#7 – Roasted Almond Mochachino
The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee joins a shot of chocolate for a crispy mocha-latey snack. Plus a bunch of whole almonds to top it all off. – from Chef Tony Brands
We are down to the last flavor for the day … Roasted Almond Mochachino. To say I was excited about this one is an understatement. From the name itself, I knew to expect something fun! Think about it, coffee-flavored popcorn … with whole almonds! How can you go wrong? I tried eating this flavor today while enjoying a cup of coffee and it was perfect!
Roasted Almond Mochachino is the perfect blend of coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and fresh almonds. Coffee lovers everywhere will definitely enjoy this flavor.
Some people say that the best food critics are kids. It isn’t true that they will eat anything. As a matter of fact, they are quite obvious when they hate something! There were 4 kids sampling the popcorn with us, and the youngest of the bunch was my nephew Gene. At a year and a half, he knows EXACTLY what he wants! He tried all the flavors, and did not turn any away!!! As a matter of fact, he came back for seconds and thirds! Actually, he DEMANDED for seconds and thirds, hehe. I’d say he ate about as much as a small tub full of popcorn.
Now to the packaging …
The labels are a mite confusing, and the color combinations don’t always work. The original design is good, though. But the background has a tendency to make me cross-eyed, especially the green and red combination.
The containers are top-notch! Most people don’t notice this but … his containers are marked 5 on the recyclable scale. This is good! If your plastic containers are marked 5 to 7 then that is definitely recyclable. Most plastic containers of foodstuff nowadays are rated a 1or a 3 and those are ideally just for one use. This makes buying Chef Tony’s popcorns not only a delicious decision but a practical one as well! We noticed, also, that the containers are “child-proof”. This is a good thing because it means that the container is airtight and will keep the contents fresh longer. Oh, and it means the kids can’t sneak a bite without our knowledge, hehe. Is there an easier way to open it?
How to open a tub of happiness
Conclusion …
Chef Tony’s popcorn is gourmet at an affordable price! It is the perfect date snack, the perfect viewing companion, and the perfect gift! If you haven’t tasted it yet, I promise you, you are missing out!
Chef Tony’s has 2 more flavors we didn’t get to taste: Macadamia Swirl and Caramel Pecan. Based on the seven above, these 2 are bound to be great! I can’t wait to taste them, too! Watch out for the Christmas flavors coming soon.
You can find Chef Tony’s outlets at Tomas Morato (Quezon City across the street from McDonald’s), Metrowalk (Ortigas Center near Pancake House), and Mega Mall Building A (near National Bookstore. For inquiries, you may call them at 0917-500-CORN.
Did we have fun? Was the popcorn good? ABSOLUTELY! I can honestly say, I haven’t tasted anything better! Kudos, Anthony!
As part of the Dapat Lang campaign, ISLA LPG is also launching a new website, which outlines the various ways with which Solane stakeholders can live out the new campaign principle in their everyday lives. The newly revamped site also features a blog that will serve as a way for ISLA LPG to communicate directly with its consumers, especially moms. The blog will feature quick and easy recipes and helpful and time-saving tips on cooking for the family, keeping a safe environment at work and home, and more.
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