Topbilled by Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano, In My Life is set to premiere on Cinema One’s Blockbuster Sundays, July 18, at 8pm.

In My Life is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love, and acceptance that puts the spotlight to Shirley (Santos), a middle-aged librarian and single mother who accepted the invitation of his son Mark (Manzano) to visit him in New York. With the help of Mark’s lover, Noel (Cruz), Shirley tries to start a new life to get away from her problems while also trying to rekindle her estranged relationship with her son. But just when things are starting to get better for Shirley in the Big Apple, she slowly discovers a dark secret her son is keeping from her.

A masterpiece from director Olivia Lamasan, In My Life takes pride in bringing back Vilma Santos into the big screen after seven years of not making movies. To make it more special, “Ate Vi” was starred alongside Box Office King John Lloyd and her son Luis—a very first not only for the Star for All Seasons but for the two young actors as well.

In My Life’s winning story made it one of the most awarded films for 2009, bagging Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and Best Picture in several respected award-giving bodies. It received five awards from the 8th Gawad Tanglaw, seven from the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, and three from the 41st Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards, among others.

In My Life gave Santos the Best Actress awards from Gawad Tanglaw, Gawad Suri, PMPC Star Awards, 41st GMMA, and 1st MTRCB Film Awards. Cruz, meanwhile, received Best Actor awards from 41st GMMA, 26th PMPC Star Awards; Gawad PASADO; 8th Gawad Tanglaw and 1st MTRCB Awards. In My Life also gave Manzano his first acting awards, including Star Awards’ Best Movie Supporting Actor of the Year; GAWAD Tanglaw’s Best Supporting Actor 2010 and just recently 41st Box Office Entertainment Awards of the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation’s Film Actor of the Year.

Apart from awards, In My Life gained positive reviews from moviegoers and critics alike. The Philippine Daily Inquirer opinion columnist and acclaimed film critic Nestor Torre commended the film saying, “In My Life is still the most empathetic mainstream production we’ve seen this year, thanks to its leads’ sensitive portrayals and the relative fluidity and topicality of Lamasan’s storytelling. Finally, the film is a personal triumph for Vilma Santos, whose feisty and committed performance proves that, in her mid-50s, she’s at the peak of her artistry. At a time when teleserye overacting has compromised the work of many veteran stars, Vilma shows the way back to passionate, principled excellence.”

Don’t miss the Philippine TV premiere of In My Life on July 18, Sunday, on Cinema One and re-discover how the “relationship of two men teaches a woman to move on and live again”.

Cinema One is owned by Creative Programs, Inc., and distributed nationwide by Power Bundle. Creative Programs, Inc. is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN. Cinema is available on SkyCable Gold SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide.

‘In My Life’ Makes a Grand Philippine TV Premiere on Cinema One originally appeared on Starmometer on July 13, 2010.

The Star Cinema gay-themed movie “In My Life” sweeped major awards at the Philippine Movie Press Club’s (PMPC) 26th Star Awards for Movies.

Here is the complete list of winners:

MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
In My Life (Star Cinema)

MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR:
John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life)

MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:
Vilma Santos (In My Life)

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR:
Luis Manzano (In My Life)

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:
Gloria Diaz (Sagrada Familia)

DIGITAL MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
Puntod (ADC Productions)

DIGITAL MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:
Cesar Apolinario (Puntod)

MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:
Olivia Lamasan (In My Life)

DIGITAL MOVIE SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR:
Jerry Gracio (Astig)

MOVIE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR:
Raymond Lee, Olivia Lamasan and Senedy Que (In My Life)

NEW MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR:
Romalito Mallari (Dinig Sana Kita)

NEW MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:
Barbie Forteza (Puntod)

MOVIE CHILD PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR:
Mica dela Cruz (T2) and JP Mesde (Tulak)

DIGITAL MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
Odyssey Flores (Lola)

MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
Charlie Peralta (In My Life)

DIGITAL MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR:
Charliebebs Gohetia (Astig)

MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR:
Theresa Vanessa de Leon (Kimmy Dora)

DIGITAL MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Brillante Mendoza (Lola)

MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Richard Somes (Ang Panday)

DIGITAL MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Sana Ako Ay Marinig” (Dinig Sana Kita)

MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Tanging Ikaw” (Ang Panday)

DIGITAL MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR:
Francis Brew Reyes (Dinig Sana Kita)

MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR:
Brian Cua (Kimmy Dora)

DIGITAL MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Ronald de Asis and Mark Locsin (Dinig sana Kita)

MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Ditoy Aguila (Ang Panday)

MALE STAR OF THE NIGHT:
Jericho Rosales

FEMALE STAR OF THE NIGHT:
Lorna Tolentino

MALE FACE OF THE NIGHT:
Luis Manzano

FEMALE FACE OF THE NIGHT:
Iza Calzado

I-WHITE CELEBRITY OF THE NIGHT:
Bangs Garcia

DARLING OF THE PRESS:
Donna Villa

ULIRANG ALAGAD NG PELIKULA SA LIKOD NG KAMERA:
Carlo J. Caparas

ULIRANG ARTISTA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEE:
Ms. Gina Pareño

26th Star Awards for Movies – 2010 Winners originally appeared on Starmometer on April 25, 2010.

2010 Gawad Tanglaw Awards, an award-giving body composed of members from the academe from various universities in the country, hailed Star Cinema’s “In My Life” as Best Picture and its director Olivia Lamasan as Best Director. The stars of the gay-themed movie bagged the awards for Best Actress (for Vilma Santos), Best Actor (for John Lloyd Cruz) and Best Supporting Actor (for Luis Manzano).

In My Life and director Olivia Lamasan were snubbed by film critics from their list of nominees for this year’s Gawad Urian. However, Vilma Santos was nominated for Best Actress and John Lloyd Cruz was nominated for Best Actor for the said film.

Here is the list of Star Cinema’s harvest in Gawad Tanglaw this year:

Best Film: In My Life
Best Actress: Vilma Santos (In My Life)
Best Actor: John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life)
Best Supporting Actor: Luis Manzano (In My Life)
Best Director: Olivia Lamasan (In My Life)
Best Cinematography: I Love You Goodbye

And here is the list of other kapamilya awardees:

Broadcast Network Of The Year: ABS-CBN
Best Drama Series: Tayong Dalawa
Best Drama Anthology: Maalaala Mo Kaya
Best Comedy/Gag Show: Goin’ Bulilit and Banana Split
Best Variety Show: ASAP ‘09
Special Jury Award For Television: May Bukas Pa
Best Ensemble Performance In A Television Drama: cast of Tayong Dalawa
Best News Program: TV Patrol World
Best Magazine Show: Rated K
Best Sports Program: Sports Unlimited
Best Sports Anchors: Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson
Best News Anchors: Ted Failon, Karen Davila, and Julius Babao
Best Entertainment Field Anchors: Mario Dumaual and Phoemela Baranda
Best Morning Show: Umagang Kay Ganda
Best Morning Show Hosts: anchors/reporters of Umagang Kay Ganda
Best Public Service Program: Salamat Dok!
Best Commentary Program: Kalye
Best Investigative Report Program: XXX
Best Educational Program: Matanglawin
Best Christmas Station I.D.: Star Ng Pasko
Best Development Communication: Boto Mo Patrol Mo and Ako Ang Simula
Best Radio Station: DZMM
Best AM Radio Anchors: Korina Sanchez and Anthony Taberna
Best AM Radio Station: DZMM
Presidential Jury Award For Excellence In Acting: Coco Martin (Kinatay, Serbis, Masahista, Daybreak, Jay, Tirador, and Tayong Dalawa)
Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw Para Sa Sining Ng Telebisyon– Zaijian “Santino” Jaranilla (May Bukas Pa)
Best Documentary Feature: Storyline (ANC)
Best Lifestyle Show: Executive Class (ANC)
Best Travel Show: Travel Time (ANC)
Best Public Affairs Program: Strictly Politics (ANC)

‘In My Life’ Wins 5 Awards at the 8th Gawad Tanglaw originally appeared on Starmometer on March 5, 2010.

Take note that this list is subjective and chosen by the blogger himself and not a result of any poll whatsoever. Criteria is 50% entertainment value and 50% quality [technical aspects like screenplay, cinematography, etc.] for films shown in Philippine theaters from January 1 to December 31, 2009 . Ranking order is based on my own favoritism, at no. 1 is the film i enjoyed the most this 2009.

10 BEST MOVIES OF 2009

1. AVATAR – A paraplegic soldier is brought to an alien world to take part in a conflict against the planet’s indigenous population for a valuable mineral. He is given control of an Avatar: an alien-human hybrid body that he can control with his mind, giving him the chance to walk again, and a way to infiltrate the enemy. Starring Sam Worthington, directed by James Cameron and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.

2. UP – A 78 year old man is about to be taken away to a retirement home. But he has one last trick up his sleeve: he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away, fulfilling a lifelong dream to going to South America. But it turns out that he’s inadvertently picked up a stowaway as he goes on an adventure of a life time. Featuring the voices of Edward Asner and Jordan Nagai, produced by Disney-Pixar.

3. KIMMY DORA (KAMBAL SA KYEME) is about a rivalry between twin sisters with opposite personalities which grows hotter as they fawn over the same man. The more ruthless twin is flummoxed when her sweet naive sister appears to be winning the affection of the said man. She snaps and has her sister kidnapped, intending to take her place. Starring Eugene Domingo, Zanjoe Marudo and Dingdong Dantes, produced by Spring Films.

4. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER is a romantic dramedy about a young man who falls in love with his office’s new administrative assistant named “Summer”. The thing is, she doesn’t really believe in true love. Their relationship becomes more intimate than friendship anyway, even though he knows that everything is temporary, hoping that he can make her see something more in their relationship. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, produced by Warner Brothers Pictures.

5. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE revolves around the love life of a couple whose relationship was tested when they’re both promoted to jobs that will take them away from each other. Though their connection remains strong, the distance takes its toll on their relationship, and as their careers take them on different paths, the two are forced to reassess their priorities. Starring Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz, produced by Star Cinema.

6. I LOVE YOU, GOODBYE – Synopsis: A man marries for the second time, and his wife appears to be happy to be part of his family. But her new stepdaughter doesn’t take to her very well, and to make things worse, an old flame returns seeking to rekindle their love. Starring Gabby Concepcion, Angelica Panganiban, Derek Ramsay and Kim Chiu, directed by Laurice Guillen and produced by Star Cinema.

7. MANO PO 6: A MOTHER’S LOVE – A half-Chinese, half-Filipino mother who’s struggled most of her life to be accepted by her husband’s family tries to reconnect with a daughter she left in the care of her sister-in-law. But the daughter believes she was abandoned, and the sister-in-law has kept a grudge against her, making things a lot more complicated. Starring Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Heart Evangelista, produced by Regal Films.

8. IN MY LIFE is a story about an aging librarian, feeling abandoned by her children who’ve all moved abroad, travels to New York to spend time with her gay son. There, she tries to start a new life while reconnecting with her son and his new lover. But just as things turn around, she finds out that her son has been keeping a secret from her. Starring Vilma Santos, John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano and produced by Star Cinema.

9. DISTRICT 9 – Thirty years ago, a group of alien refugees came to Earth, the last survivors of a great disaster on their homeworld. Today, the aliens are living in a slum-like community in South Africa, as a powerful corporation seeks to gain control of their technology. A lone government agent may hold the key to saving the aliens from a grisly fate. Starring David James and Sharito Copley, produced by TriStar Pictures.

10. THE HANGOVER – A hilarious comedy about four friends who go to Las Vegas to have one last wild night before one of them gets married. They wake up in a trashed hotel room remembering nothing of the previous night, and finding that one of them is missing. The remaining three guys must reconstruct the events of the last night and find their missing friend. Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Heather Graham and Zach Galifianakis, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.

10 Best Movies of 2009 originally appeared on Starmometer on December 31, 2009.

Thousands of fans lined up at Alex Theatre in Glendale (Southern California), Fox Theatre in Redwood City (Northern California), and George W. Newman Theatre in Rutherford, New Jersey last September to watch the film and see Governor Santos, John Lloyd Cruz, and Luis Manzano who graced all the premieres.

The last time fans caught Governor Santos on screen was in Mano Po 3: My Love in 2004. “In My Life offers you a different Vilma Santos, a different John Lloyd Cruz and a different Luis Manzano,” said the film’s director, Olivia Lamasan, the woman behind the blockbusters Milan, Sana Maulit Muli, Got 2 Believe and Madrasta. “You have to see the genuine chemistry among these three actors who are together for the first time in a movie. This is also a unique film because it presents a mother in her 50s, thinking that she’s been through all and seen it all, when in actuality, a new chapter in her life is just beginning.”

Even with the sterling success of the film, Governor Santos and the stars were thinking of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy that devastated the Philippines. She asked for donations from the moviegoers to help her province of Batangas in its rehabilitation and clean-up efforts. ABS-CBN International’s Starry Starry Store donated a dollar each for every premiere ticket sold in San Francisco and New Jersey. Governor Santos also sought donations during the premiere of In My Life in Canada.

“These sold-out premieres clearly demonstrate that the Filipinos in the U.S. have fully embraced the return of the best of Philippine cinema to the big screen,” said Kerwin Du, ABS-CBN North America’s head of theatricals. “They relish the experience of watching quality films where they belong – the movie theater. They are enthusiastic about seeing their favorite stars in person. For us in ABS-CBN, we are gratified to be able to give our kapamilya what they want wherever they are: the best in Philippine entertainment.”

In My Life is now on its regular theatrical run in the following cities:

SAN DIEGO (October 2-15)
UA Horton Plaza
475 Horton Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101

JERSEY CITY (October 9-15)
AMC Loews Newport Center
30 Mall Drive West
Jersey City, NJ 07310

LOS ANGELES-CERRITOS (October 9-15)
Cerritos Stadium Cinema
12761 Towne Center Drive
Cerritos, CA 90701

For information on the abovementioned theaters, please call 800.227.9676.

NEW YORK (October 20-22)
The ImaginAsian Theater
239 E 59th St
New York, NY 10022
212.417.0419

CHICAGO (October 23-29)
The Pickwick Theatre 1
17 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
708.316.8780/847.863.2212
www.palabaspinoy.com

For more information, please visit www.abs-cbnglobalmovies.com.

From left, ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez with his wife, Gaucha, Batangas Governor and In My Life lead star Vilma Santos and her husband, Philippine Senator Ralph Recto. (Tara Kitta/ABS-CBN Intl)

In My Life lead stars Luis Manzano (leftmost) and John Lloyd Cruz (rightmost) flank ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez with his wife, Gaucha. (Tara Kitta/ABS-CBN Intl)

‘In My Life’ Played to Sold-out Crowds in LA, San Francisco & New Jersey Premieres originally appeared on Starmometer on October 12, 2009.

After raking P20 million on its first day, the Star Cinema movie “In My Life” had a first week gross of P80 million.

When it was reported that “In My Life” had a first day gross of P20 million, expectations started to pour in that this film could be the second Filipino movie to surpass the P200 million benchmark after “You Changed My Life.” The John Lloyd-Sarah monster hit movie last February had a first day gross of P18 million and it became the first Filipino film to surpass the P200 million mark at the box-office.

And now reports came that the Vilma Santos comeback movie has now earned P80 million on its first week run. P80 million for 7 days is a remarkable achievement already but it’s not enough for the film to go as far as P200 million.

Ai Ai delas Alas‘ movie “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” surpassed the P100 million mark on its first week but ended up earning P197 million in its whole run. So the forecast for “In My Life” to surpass the much coveted P200 million in Philippine Box Office has just got a little bit dimmer.

What happened with You Changed My Life was, it became the talk of the town. People who have seen it on first week delivered the news to those who have not seen it yet that’s why the film is still strong on its second and third week of screening. Not to mention that it received a grade of “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) that enticed moviegoers somehow assuring them that it’s an excellent film.

For the case of “In My Life”, the buzz about the film became weaker although it’s still doing well at the box-office as of this post. But it somehow lost the potential to hit P200 million by virtue of its P80 million haul on its first week.

Maybe the removal of the much hyped, much-awaited and controversial (torrid) kissing scene between John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano hurt the film’s box-office potential a bit. And who could believe that the Cinema Evaluation Board only gave a “B” rating to this film that might have given the perception to movie-goers that it’s not an excellent movie, just a good one.

‘In My Life’ Hits P80 Million On Its 1st Week originally appeared on Starmometer on September 25, 2009.

While the Regal Films horror movie Tarot was given the highest grade of “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) three weeks ago, the highly anticipated Vilma Santos film “In My Life” was only given a “B” rating.

In simple analogy, the CEB thinks “In My Life” is LESS superior than “Tarot.” Or Tarot is a better film than In My Life. What’s happening with the Cinema Evaluation Board?

But of course, we need to watch “In My Life” first to understand why the CEB has given it a lower rating than Tarot. If the critics lambasted the Regal Films horror movie, what would be their take in the ground-breaking Star Cinema film.

In My Life hits the theaters nationwide tomorrow.

‘In My Life’ Receives a Grade of ‘B’ from CEB originally appeared on Starmometer on September 15, 2009.

VIDEO LINK: In My Life – Full Trailer

Images courtesy of Star Cinema

‘In My Life’ – Publicity Photos originally appeared on Starmometer on September 10, 2009.

In My Life is helmed by Olivia Lamasan, director of such hits as Got 2 Believe and Milan. It will mark the comeback of Vilma Santos in the silver screen since the 2004 film Mano Po 3: My Love. It’s also the first time that Vilma is working with his son Luis Manzano.

In My Life also marks as first major gay-themed film from Star Cinema since “Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya” in 1998 starring Rosanna Roces. John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano will play a gay couple in the movie, their first role as such. And one of the higlights of the film is the controversial “kissing scene” between the two actors.

In My Life is set to hit theaters nationwide on September 16, 2009. Watch the full trailer on the link below:

VIDEO LINK: In My Life – Full Trailer

‘In My Life’ – Star Cinema Full Trailer originally appeared on Starmometer on August 22, 2009.

Formerly known with the working title “A Mother’s Story”, the movie highlights the comeback of the Star for all Seasons in the silver screen. Even before they started shooting the film, it has been controversial because of the report that there will be a lips-to-lips “kissing scene” between John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano who will portray a gay couple.

Vilma plays the overweight Shirley who owns a pet cat named Kiki in “In My Life.” Luis Manzano and Dimples Romana play her son and daughter. John Lloyd Cruz is Luis’ gay lover. She wears a fat suit in the movie, giving her a totally different look from all the movies she had done.

Aside from the movie, ABS-CBN will air a one month television special called “In My Life” prior to the premiere of “In My Life the Movie.” It will feature Vima’s career as a multi-awarded actress, a showbiz icon, a well-loved politician and a loving mother.

The fourth week will feature behind-the-scenes exclusive features on the making of the film and the three-week shoot in New York. It will be the final episode culminating in a live press conference to be held at the Dolphy Theatre.

In My Life is directed by Olive Lamasan and co-written by Raymond Lee and Senedy Que. No playdate is announced as of yet.

Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano & John Lloyd Cruz – ‘In My Life’ originally appeared on Starmometer on April 13, 2009.