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NOEL COMIA, JR.: ACTOR PAR EXCELLENCE

Actors come in many sizes, shapes, forms... and ages.

You have no right to discriminate whether he's old or young. Because actors are actors. They do their jobs, imagine much and create new-found expressions and styles in the way they perform.

They go to further lengths and glory. They explore. They mature. They invent. They dream and they hope, too.

But there's one actor that's so delicate to touch at, so young to dream at, so fragile to look at.

A young actor worthy of high impressions and feelings, having proven much about himself and his God-given talents. In the years to come, we will wait and see him grow.

He became the Poster Boy of the very successful first run of "Noli Me Tangere, The Opera" this year. In which, he also acted there the precious role of Basilio. His performance was praised all-over the very high-end interiors of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. And that happened on the early part of the year 2019.

A lot of Cinemalaya fanatics already noticed him in the film "Kiko Boksingero", which was a film entry at the Cinemalaya film fest a few years back. And in that film, he won the Best Actor award at the Cinemalaya awards right after, besting the veterans.

He's a prominent young TV actor, too, having appeared in lots of TV drama shows and TV teleseryes. Recently, he taped an episode on the top-rating Maaalala Mo Kaya at ABS-CBN Channel 2.

He had done lots of theater projects, too. Too many to mention. And with that, he became an Hall of Famer at the Aliw Awards as Best Child Performer!

He could sing and dance, too. Remember him in "Your Face Sounds Familiar"?. Haha. He was so great there.

And now, this year, before 2019 ends, his star will be shining much brighter in a Cinemalaya film that's out to be shown at this year's Cinemalaya 15.

Again, he's the lead actor, together with other three main lead stars and kids of the film.

The title of the film: "CHILDREN OF THE RIVER"

And his name:

NOEL COMIA, JR.

As in

FOREVER.

(as the words were written by robert manuguid silverio)

PAINTER POPOY CUSI'S "GRAINS OF LIFE" PAINTING EXHIBIT AT THE GERMAN CLUB PROVES HIS LOVE FOR THE GREAT PHILIPPINE COUNTRYSIDE....

One blogger has personally witnessed Master Watercolor Painter- in person of Rafael "Popoy" Cusi- the great energy, limitless spirit and great love for the countryside of this internationally-renowned Painter. The moment he sees a great scenery or a magnificent view, he would at once grab his painting brushes, his canvasses and all, and would start painting. His assistant would hurry-up all the other sfferent aizes of paint brushes, pail of water, and other mixtures/colors of paints- as Mr. Cusi's hand- like that of God's hands- would amazingly and easily move his hands and paint. The result: a painting of Life, captured in great colors, living, breathing, tantalizing...

Whenever Mr. Popoy Cusi would also visit a friend, in person of Mr. Armando Giron, in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija- he would capture the great rice fields and onion fields there. He would start to paint and paint, almost every day, every hour, every moment. His eyes would twinkle and his love for the Arts would glow in its most brilliant form.

Thus, only a month ago, Mr. Popoy Cusi held a one-man painting exhibit at the German Club. It was entitled "GRAINS OF LIFE". In that painting exhibit, Mr. Cusi showcased all his collections on his rice fields painting- most of them were inspired in his visits at Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

The GRAINS OF LIFE exhibit of Popoy Cusi was very successful. It was attended by many German dignitaries, V.I.P.'s, people from the Arts & Culture and also from the Government, plus lots of Arts lovers.

"I guess, our countryside here in our own country is still one of my best favorites to paint and capture", Mr. Cusi told a blogger. "The Philippine scenery is still one of the best in the whole world. I have traveled all-over the word, and our grains of life is still incomparable."

Just look and cherish below the pictures taken at Mr. Popoy Cusi's painting exhibit entitled GRAINS OF LIFE. Indeed, there's still a lot of beautiful places to love and admire in our own Philippine countryside, as painted by Mr. Cusi.

(words by robert manuguid silverio)

PHOTOS WERE GRABBED AT MR. POPOY CUSI'S FB PAGE. SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. IVAN IRINCO AND MS. KAYE NUGUID.***
assitional note from the blogger: Actual painting exhibit photos were not captioned for a "more dramatic effect". Thank you.---rms***

POPOY CUSI AT WORK, AS HIS FRIEND IVAN IRINCO LOOKS ON

media person hilda ong holds a painting of popoy cusi

media person ms. hilda ong with painter popoy cusi

BLOGGER ROBERT WITH POPOY CUSI

NAFA CRUZ: THE LITTLE GIRL GROWS UP....

young and little nafa (center) with dad rommel and the late film director maryo j. delos reyes

She was barely 8 years old when the late Master film director, in person of Maryo J. delos Reyes (R.I.P.) discovered her in the province of Palawan for a judging event. When the director saw her good looks and promising acting skills in the said event, the late film director offered her parents to manage her acting career and convinced them to go to Manila and try their luck there. True to his promise, when Nafa's family moved-in to Manila with her, the late film director enrolled Nafa to the PETA acting workshop and opened the doors for more opportunities in Nafa's acting career.

"I was really so little then when I joined the PETA acting workshop", Nafa said to a blogger in an interview at Crossroad Mall in Sangandaan, Novaliches. "It was a hectic one-month acting workshop and I really learned a lot there about the basics of acting. After that workshop, direk Maryo J. included me at once as among the cast of the movie Bamboo Flowers. I acted there together with fellow kids there- that includes Yogo Singh and Migs Cuaderno, who were both ahead of me in entering showbiz. I was their playmate in that film. It's one memorable film for me because it's my very first movie. I was just 8 years old when I did that film."

Now 14 years old, Nafa became one of the most-sought female child actresses when director Maryo J. was still living. She at once became a regular at GMA channel 7's TV teleserye around that time- and it's entitled Nino. She also became a regular at Reel Time, also at channel 7, and had a few guestings also at Magpakailanman.

Mainstream films, indie films and lots of short films also followed after. In the year 2016, Nafa became the lead actress of the indie film entitled Patintero which became an entry at the Quezon City Film Festival, and she was nominated as Best Actress for that film. That film was directed by Mikh Vergara.

"I find my role there very challenging for me", Nafa revealed to a blogger, "Because you see, that role was really unexpected. I am a girl there with boyish ways. And it's my first time to portray a role like that. What more, I bested with Glaiza de Castro for the Best Actress nomination."

Nafa's recent movie projects were Eerie (directed by Mikhail Red) and Kung Paano Siya Nawala (where she portrayed the role as JM de Guzman's stepsister in that film).

But for one blogger, her scenes in the award-winning film BUY BUST, directed by Erik Matti were the most memorable to that blogger. Because after watching Nafa in that movie, the impression was good, profound and lasting.

"I'm so thakful to a lot of people because they always recommend me to talent casters and film directors", Nafa continued saying. "I'll just be surprised that a talent caster will call me out to audition for a role or a part in a movie coming up. It's pretty flattering on my part."

But there's one person that Nafa never forgets every time a good movie or TV project is coming.

"He's no other than the late direk Maryo J. delos Reyes", Nafa said. "I am really so thankful to him and I cried a lot when he died just more than a year ago. You see, Tito Robert, I idolize direk Maryo J. a lot. I saw his old films and it's all so beautiful, it all came from his heart. Wherever is direk Maryo J. now, I know he's in a better place."

Asked Nafa who her idol is, she's quick to reply:

"My idol is Angel Locsin", Nafa answered. "I really like her a lot. She's so good in acting and she's so natural. In person, she's also like that. I also love her ways that are not so girlish, but with a little boyish manners. She does her own stunts in her TV teleserye and I admired her all the more."

Among our actors, Nafa likes JM de Guzman.

"He's guiding me a lot during our shooting scenes at our last movie", Nafa answered. "He's also so supportive. Kaya lang, sobrang kulit niya na sobrang bait din. He's a very wonderful guy."

But lastly, Nafa won't attain all the accolades of her brilliant movie and TV career without the guidance of her loving parents.

"They're my greatest support factor- my parents", Nafa said in the final part of the interview. "Whatever kind of acting work I get, they always accompany me- whenever, wherever. No matter how busy they are and how tired they are, they are both always by my side. I really won't be here without them."

Nafa Cruz, the little girl grows up. And she's heading for a lot more wider horizons and opportunities. Out to be a lot more braver and greater. Forever.

(as the words were written by robert manuguid silverio)

nafa: the little girl has turned into a lady

MANNIX ZARCA SA ISANG Q & A (QUESTION AND ANSWER) INTERVIEW: "HINDI AKO MAKAKARANAS NG MALIIT NA KAGINHAWAAN SA BUHAY KUNDI DAHIL SA MGA NAGING PAYO NI DIREK MARYO J."

MANNIC IN PERFECT FORM

MANNIX AND AVID RAZUL: "MARYO J. BROTHERS"

MANNIX: GREAT LOVE FOR ACTING

MANNIX IN SHADES AND SANDO

CASUAL MANNIX

MANNIX IN A CORPORATE OUTFIT

MANNIX (FAR LEFT): IN A SCENE FROM THE MOVIE "LUKAS"

MANNIX WITH HIS MENTOR- MARYO J. DELOS REYES (RIP)

ROBERT: MANNIX, ANO'NG MASASABI MO AT NAGKASAMA ULIT KAYO NG KAPWA MO MARYO J. BROTHERS NA SI AVID RAZUL SA BAGONG ADVOCACY FILM NA "LUKAS"?

MANNIX: Tito dati nangangarap lang kami ni Avid sa mga simple bagay at naguusap kami dati na tutuloy kami sa gabay ni Direk Maryo

Dati kami lagi magkasama sa mga Raket Taping doon Taping dito

Maliit man O malaki nag Gogo lang kami kasi masaya kami sa ginagawa naming trabaho. Kaya talagang nag-enjoy kami ng husto sa shooting ng LUKAS, dahil nagkasama kami ulit. Launching film iyan ni Avid razul, at napakasaya ko na maging suporta niya sa pelikulang ito

Hindi po ako nagpapasaya sa sarili ko

Kasi gusto ko magpatuloy pa rin sa pag-arte at makapag- Direk din someday...

ROBERT: ANG YUMAONG DIREKTOR NA KAIBIGAN NATIN- SI DIREK MARYO J. DELOS REYES (RIP) ANG SIYANG NAGING MENTOR MO NOON PA MAN, ANO'NG MASASABI MO SA KANYA? GAANO SIYA KADAKILA PARA SA IYO?

MANNIX: Isang Tunay na AMA siya para sakin

Di ako makakaranas ng maliit na kaginhawaan kundi dahil sa mga payo ni Direk.

ROBERT: ANO BA ANG ROLE MO SA PELIKULANG "LUKAS"?

MANNIX: Isa po akong 'bully' sa pelikulang Lukas-, medyo salbahe pero medyo okey naman po ang role ko dito.

Pero 100%na tatak ako sa mga manonood

Kung sa pag arte hindi ako mapapahiya s mga taong nagtitiwala sa akin.

At Tito Robert, wala akong pinipili na role. Maliit man o malaki ang bayad ay pinaghuhusayan ko po.

At saka Tito Robert, kilala mo naman ako paano umarte. Natuwa nga sa akin ang Direktor ng pelikulang Lukas.

Magaling daw ako sa mga atake ko

Sympre Di ko nilalagay sa ulo ang mga papuri.

Sa puso ko lagi nilalagay at paghusayan ko pa

Iba kasi nararamdaman kong saya pag nasa harap ko ang camara mas nakikilala ko pa ang akong sarili...

At natutunan ko ang mga bagay na gusto kong malaman

Pinangako ko kasi kay Direk Maryo na babalik ako ng Bohol na kasama siya

Pero di na nga nangyari pero sinariwa ko lahat ng mga natutunan ko sa kanya,

Sabi niya sakin Enjoy ko ang buhay hanggat kaya pa bata pa ako dahil napakaikli lang ng lalakbayin natin sa buhay..

Lahat yon nakatatak sa Puso't isipan ko...

ROBERT: IKAW PA RIN BA 'YUNG BAGETS NA SI MANNIX NA NAKILALA KO NOON SA KUWADRA NI DIREK MARYO j.?

MANNIX: Ako na ito ngayon Si Manix Arcallana Saberon (AKA Mannix Zarca), na mas matatag pa kesa sa dati...

Tahimik lang ako na nagmamasahid sa paligid,

Ang iba kasi, napapansin ko, ay puro nauuna ang pera para sa kanila, kung paano kikita ng malakihan,ang nakakalimutan ng iba na hindi madadala sa hukay ang mga bagay na ipagmamayabang natin,

Pinaka the best ay ang masaya ka habang kumikita ka ng patas at marangal at napapasaya mo ang iyong pamilya,

Masaya ako now na kapiling ko na ang aking Pamilya Sila ngayon ang aking sandakan sa lahat...

At sympre isa na din ang mga taong andyan na naging totoo sakin At tanggap ako bilang Mannix Zarca na namumuhay ng tama

ROBERT: MAS INSPIRED KA BA NGAYON NA IPAGPATULOY PA RIN ANG ACTING CAREER MO, MANNIX?

MANNIX: Kamakailan po, lumabas ako sa isang episode ng Magpakailanman- 'yung Dante Gulapa story.

Pinagmamalaki ko yon kasi naging part ano doon at mataas ang Ratings 12.1. Wow! Parang magandang senyales iyon para sa akin na ipagpatuloy ko pa ang pag-arte ko...

(end of interview).***

QUESTIONS BY ROBERT MANUGUID SILVERIO

ANSWERS BY MANNIX ZARCA
note: the vid above, "Paskong Walang Hanggan" is not connected with Mannix's film LUKAS. It only serves as a special music for the blog feature for sentimental reasons---rms.*

LANCE RAYMUNDO AND GERALD SANTOS MODELS FOR A SPECIAL BRAND OF SKIN CARE...

It was an awesome photo shoot that transpired recently in a Fab hotel just recently. And among the models were two singers- one a recording singer from Viva Records and will soon promote his third single, and the other, an international Broadway star who just got back home and will soon act with Ms. Lea Salonga in a Tony-award-winning play. Together with them is a bunch of veteran actresses, models, and other well-known celebrities.

YES, LANCE RAYMUNDO AND GERALD SANTOS IN ONE GREAT PICTORIAL FOR A SPECIAL BRAND OF SKIN CARE.

Awesome. This is the very first time that Lance and Gerald, both singers, posed together for an amazing photo shoot. (And how we wish, they appear also together in a back-to-back concert soon. Why not? Am I right, Doc Rommel and Viva Records people?) They both looked extremely handsome and every inch, a model! Wow.

They wore both wore decent white polo shirts on one peg of the shoot, and on the other peg, they changed wardrobes again. Lance also posed with another male model and a female model in swimming pool backdrop, showing-off his great body forms.

The photo shoot of Lance and Gerald is going to be used in some Billboards all-over Metro Manila, and some for advertising purposes. The skin care brand is Skin Aesthetic Lifestyle.

"It's fun, it's like doing again the thing that I am used to", Lance told a blogger. "You see, Robert, I started it out as a Levi's model. All my co-models at Levi's also made names of their own now as celebrities. Modelling is also one aspect of my personality that many people never were aware of. And I feel good doing it again now."

And Gerald?

"Wow, it's a good breaker for me", Gerald revealed to a blogger. "This is something new. I have been singing abroad the past few years, and modelling a skin care brand this time, iba, eh. I love it!"

Just look at the photos above and below and see how good Lance and Gerald are in both posing and projecting infront of the cameras. The BTS (behind-the-scenes photos) pictures simply shows. Cherish and enjoy!!!

(as written by robert manuguid silverio)
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MR. LANCE RAYMUNDO AND MR. GERALD SANTOS
BLOGGER'S NOTE: PHOTOS ARE NOT CAPTIONED FOR "CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS" AND A MORE DRAMATIC EFFECT. THANK YOU.---***

KARL SIPAT IN A VERY SPECIAL Q&A INTERVIEW: "JAZZ AND ACOUSTIC SONGS ARE MY STRENGTHS"

karl: versatility is his forte

handsome karl

ms. nancy sipat and karl: mother and son

When we see a very promising new singer, kami na ang magpiprisintang isulat ito at suportahan. Sa una, mamatyagan muna namin siya. Kung tama ba ang ways and attitude niya, kung okey ba ang breeding niya, at kung sincere ba siyang makisama sa mga kasamahan niya. Ganu'n. At lahat ng mga aspetong 'yan, nakita namin ng okey at maganda sa katauhan ni KARL SIPAT, isang magaling na singer na habang pinapanood mo, lalong lumalakas ang SEX APPEAL.
Kaya salamat naman, through his mom Ms. Nancy Sipat, pinaunlakan kami ni Karl ng isa pang Q & A interview.

Kaya hayan, nasa ibaba ang aming Questions and Answers kay Karl. Abangan na lang ang pag-usbong ng kanyang kasikatan. Soon.

ROBERT: KARL, HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR LOVE FOR SINGING?

KARL: It started years ago when i was young, we were singing videoke at home then bigla nalang daw po akong sumabay sa mga kanta. Although i cannot sing the words properly yet, i always got the melody right. May ouido raw po ako.

ROBERT: HOW SUPPORTIVE IS YOUR MOM TO YOUR LOVE FOR SINGING?

KARL: Very supportive. She's always motivating me in pursuing this career.

ROBERT: WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A SINGER?

KARL: My most memorable moment is probably the first time i performed in front of a crowd. I grew up very shy and always had this fear of performing in front of people. It felt surreal after the performance. It was definitely a milestone for me.

ROBERT: IF YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE, ANO'NG IMAGE OF A SINGER ANG GUSTO MO? BALLADEER BA, ROCKER, RND ARTIST, ACOUSTIC OR JAZZ SINGER?

KARL: I think singing jazz and acoustic songs are my strengths. Most artists stick with one or two genres, but as much as possible, i want to expand the variety of genres i can sing.

ROBERT: AS A YOUNG AND PROMISING SINGER, SAAN KA KUMUKUHA NG NEW TECHNIQUES OR IDEAS TO FURTHER IMPROVE YOUR CRAFT?

KARL:I watch live performances of foreign and local artists on the internet and listen to their songs. I listen to their techniques and styles on delivering a particular line in the song, and i try to learn how to incorporate it with my own.

ROBERT: SINO KINA GERALD SANTOS, MICHAEL PANGILINAN, LANCE RAYMUNDO, MACOY MENDOZA O KIEL ALO ANG GUSTO MONG MAKASAMA SA ISANG CONCERT SOMEDAY, KARL?

KARL:I would be honored to perform with Michael Pangilinan and Lance Raymundo someday.

ROBERT: ANU-ANO PA BA ANG MGA HIDDEN TALENTS MO, KARL?

KARL: I think hidden talent ko po is that i could dance decently. Not good, but not that bad either. I could also sing a bunch of korean songs too. The dancing will stay hidden for a while though haha

ROBERT: ANO BA ANG LAST CONCERT NA PINANOOD MO, KARL? AT ANO ANG MASASABI MO SA CONCERT NA IYON?

KARL: Last concert ko na napanood is from a KPOP girl group called TWICE when they performed at MOA Arena. I'm a big fan. The amount of energy present that night was unbelievable. Ten thousand people sounded like thirty thousand people just by screaming their lungs out. Kung iisipin nyo po, parang military base ang arena dahil karamihan ay mga fanboys na sumisigaw haha. I wish to have a world tour like theirs someday. With the right amount of hard work and opportunity, maybe i can.

ROBERT: AS A YOUNG AND PROMISING SINGER, WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE PHILIPPINE MUSIC INDUSTRY? SA PALAGAY MO BA AY NAPAG-IWANAN NA TAYO NG MGA K-POP ARTISTS AND AMERICAN SINGERS?

KARL: With all the genres na nagiging mainstream in music right now, yes. I would say na OPM is a little bit underappreciated these days, with a bunch of viral hit songs here and there. Some people are saying OPM is dying but i don't think so. Maraming Filipino artists na magagaling na hindi nabibigyan ng pansin o hindi pa nadi-discover like indie artists for example. If we could expand our market and promote these artists properly, maybe we can bring back OPM to it's glory days and maybe we can globalize it like Korea is doing with KPOP. There's nothing wrong with foreign songs topping charts or being mainstream locally since nagbabago talaga ang taste ng pinoy when it comes to music. Wag lang natin kalimutan ang sariling atin dahil OPM, Kundiman and Balitaw is our identity when it comes to music.

ROBERT: ANO ANG ULTIMATE DREAM MO AS A SINGER?

KARL: My ultimate dream as a singer is to be successful here and in other countries as well. I also want to learn how to produce and write my own music. I would also like to see people who relate to the music the i made and someday hear them saying that my song made their day. That would be an amazing feeling.

(Questions by Robert Silverio, and Answers By Karl Sipat
Photos Courtesy of Ms. Nancy Sipat).*