ILO ILO’s SLUMBER PARTY at OPUS
ILO ILO stars from left: Teresita Sajonia, Anthony Chen, Angeli Bayani and Koh Jialer. Photo taken at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
ILO ILO, the award winning film by Anthony Chen with Angeli Bayani is capturing hearts in Manila. At last count ILO ILO has garnered 21 awards among them the Camera d’Or (best first feature film award) from Cannes and Best Picture from Golden Horse. Director Anthony Chen, lead actress Angeli Bayani and Jialer (her ward in the film) was joined by a very special person in the premiere at the New Port Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.
Actress/ Flamenco dancer Liza Diño and Aizza Seguera at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
The glamorous red carpet event was made extra special by the presence of Teresita Sajonia. She is director Anthony Chen’s real life nanny who inspired the film ILO ILO. That’s why Angeli’s role is named ‘Aunty Terry’. The adolescent character JIA LER (her ward) is the real name of actor Koh Jialer. Instead of addressing audiences before the screening he demonstrated his wu shu moves.
Proud pals left: Glaiza Decastro , Angeli Bayani and Alchris Galura at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Daryl Shy(The Voice) and Aiza Seguera at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Daryl Shy also performs at BAR 360 in Resort’s World Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
The host of the screening is Markki Stroem, one of the lead actors of SLUMBER PARTY. Both ILO ILO and SLUMBER PARTY are distributed locally by ORIGIN8 MEDIA.
Markki Stroemm and Angeli Bayani celebrate the success of their films at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
foreground from left: Nicco Manalo, Caress Caballero and Aaron Ching. Seated from left: Tara Cabaero, Bong Cabrera, Martha Comia, Angeli Bayani, Che Ramos, Glaiza Decastro and Vannie Liwanag. Standing from left: Chrome Cosio, Paolo Rodriguez, Carlon Matobato and Alchirs Galura. Top row from left: Jay Gonzaga and Jerald Napoles. Photo taken at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
After the red carpet lights, the real party began at OPUS a few doors away from the New Port Performing Arts Theater also at Resorts World. It was time for Angeli’s co actors from various projects to let their hair down and let loose.
Sparks flew for Angeli Bayani at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Stars of stage and film from left: RK Bagatsing, Nicco Manalo, Paolo Rodriguez, Martha Comia, Angeli Bayani, Jay Gonzaga, Aaron Ching, Jerald Napoles and Tara Cabaero at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Angeli Bayani has done quite a number of independent and commercial films. She has also done a lot of work for GMA Network. 2 of her close friends: Glaiza De Castro and Alchris Galura were there to congratulate her. Angeli is also one of the more respected actresses in the Philippine theater community. So her long time friends from different theater groups came out in support of the premiere. Among them: Tara Cabaero, Bong Cabrera, Jerald Napoles, Paolo Rodriguez, Che Ramos, Chrome Cosio, Carlon Matobato, Jay Gonzaga, Nicco Manalo and Caress Caballero. It’s a mix between PETA and Tanghalang Pilipino.
Sparks flew for Angeli Bayani at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Angeli Bayani and Martha Comia love Henessy at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Marissa Saroca, RK Bagatsing, Emman Dela Cruz and Alyssa Apaitan of KANTANA Creative Services at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
SLUMBER PARTY director Emmanuel Dela Cruz was there with actors RK Bagatsing, Karl Medina and filmmaker Michael Cardoz. Fil-Australian Marissa Saroca who made Lea Salonga a believer in The Voice was also in OPUS. Angeli had one of the most difficult scenes in KA ORYANG by lying on a block of ice naked. The film was directed by Sari Dalena who was also there with film editor/ husband/ inspiration Keith Sicat.
The Voice handpicked by Lea Salonga: Marissa Saroca at the ILO ILO premiere at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resort’s World Manila last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Award winning filmmakers Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
The after party seemed like a grand birthday for Angeli, waiters brought out sparklers and Hennessy Cognac was the drink of choice.
from left: Martha Comia, Jay Gonzaga and Jerald Napoles toast w Hennessy at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Markki Stroemm can really party (and hold his liquor) at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Versatility of Markki Stroemm
I was only able to catch SLUMBER PARTY after shooting the after party in OPUS. And I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the versatility of Markki who plays gay/ transvestite Elle in the film. In Cinemalaya this year he was a very tough patriarchal Spanish officer period piece in AMOR Y MUERTE. Markki had smoking hot love scenes with the extremely sexy and highly praised actress ALTHEA VEGA. She was also in an international hit METROMANILA that had a premiere in SHANG CINEPLEX.
Markki Stroemm proved his versatility from bedding a hottie Althea Vega in AMOR Y MUERTE and becoming a beauty queen in SLUMBER PARTY.
SLUMBER PARTY Beauty Queens from left: RK Bagatsing, Markki Stroemm and Archie Alemania. Who’s the fairest of them all?
Not so dazed and confused from left: Nicco Manalo and RK Bagatsing at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Markki’s two recent roles could not be more polar opposites. And I have to concede that he pulled off both roles well. Markki can hold his liquor too. RK Bagatsing his pal Philip in SLUMBER PARTY who is in the lead role, is no slouch either. He is a familiar face because of the Cadbury TVC where he drives his barkada.
RK Bagatsing is morena beauty Philip in SLUMBER PARTY and morphed to his mustached self in OPUS.
foreground from left: Aaron Ching and Angeli Bayani, standing behind them from left: Jay Gonzaga, Martha Comia, Jerald Napoles, RK Bagatsing and Karl Medina at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Nar (Aaron Ching) shakes it. Catch MAXIE THE MUSICAL at from Nov 9-Dec 8, 2013 at the PETA Theater Center. Photo By Jude Bautista
MAXXED out Aaron Ching
He looks a lot like a teen-ager especially in his roles. But he’s actually worked quite a lot having been among the best musicals of the year: Mario O’ Hara’s STAGESHOW and KATY. Aaron has just recently done Maxxie The Musical as the lead role’s BFF Nar. Hunky Jay Gonzaga is the tough kuya of title role played by Jayvhot Galang.
Martha Comia tweets w Jay Gonzaga during the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Maxie (Jayvhot Galang) and Bogs (Jay Gonzaga). Catch MAXIE THE MUSICAL at from Nov 9-Dec 8, 2013 at the PETA Theater Center. Photo By Jude Bautista
TARA is sexy at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Martha Comia uses word of the year: SELFIE with Bong Cabrera at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Nicco Manalo, Martha Comia, Jay Gonzaga, Bong Canrera and Jerald Napoles at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
NOLI ME TANGERE
The great novel by Jose Rizal was also a critically acclaimed musical with music by Ryan Cayabyab and Libretto by Bievenido Lumbera. Lead stars included Cris Villonco, Mark Bautista and Gian Magdangal. This was also where Angeli Bayani bonded with pals Jerald Napoles, Paolo Rodriguez, and the pretty Martha Comia.
Angeli Bayani at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Martha Comia and Jay Gonzaga at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
THERE ARE possibly a dozen more productions that I have not mentioned where all these dedicated theater actors have performed and worked together. That’s why in OPUS they can just be themselves:
Hard working actors need to party at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Origin8 Media peeps from left: Victor Villanueva, Pauline Bianca Javier, Angeli Bayani and Ioni Ofrasio at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Bong Cabrera does ALL THAT JAZZ/Bob Fosse impression at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Tara Cabaero, Markki Stroemm and Victor Villanueva at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Martha can’t let go of her Android at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Angeli Bayani is ‘dipped’ by Bong Cabrera at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
TARA Cabaero is sexy at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Man of the Hour: (center)DJ Villaruz made them dance all night. Photo taken at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Martha Comia, Tara Cabaero and RK Bagatsing at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Angeli Bayani and Bong Cabrera tear up the dance floor at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Martha Comia, Jay Gonzaga and Jerald Napoles toast w Hennessy at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Hard working actors need to party at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
The OPUS EFFECT: Did they really kiss? Who are they exactly? Photo taken at the ILO ILO SLUMBER PARTY in OPUS last December 2, 2013. Catch the CANNES and Golden Horse award winning film ILO ILO in Philippine theaters NOW. Photo by Jude Bautista
Passion and Judgment in Anna Karenina
Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) could not deny their burning desire. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
For My Angel, My Beloved, My Passion, My Delicate Rose,
Written by
Jude Bautista
Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): Are you glad to see me alone? Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley): This must stop. You make me feel as if I was guilty of something. Vronsky: What do you want me to do? Anna: I want you to go to Moscow and beg Kitty to forgive you. Vronsky: No that’s not what you want. Moscow? You can do better than that. Tonight I refused a posting to Tashkent. I can change my mind and you’ll never see me again. Anna: If you have any thought for me you will give me back my peace. Vronsky: I have no peace to give. There is no peace for us, in misery our greatest happiness.
ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
ANNA KARENINA starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law is currently exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Ruth Wilson (Princess Betsy Tverskoy) Center in blue. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
There have been many adaptations of Leo Tolstoy’s novel put to screen, radio, TV, stage and even opera. Vivien Leigh was cast in 1948. Jacqueline Bisset and the late Christopher Reeve were in a TV movie version in 1985. Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean were in the 1997 version. Yes Sean Bean, who is known as Boromir in LORD OF THE RINGS and the reluctant king Eddard Stark in HBO’s GAME OF THRONES.
Keira Knightley is ANNA KARENINA, exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Kelly Macdonald who plays Anna Karenina’s sister in law is also in another HBO hit BOARDWALK EMPIRE. In that role she’s the one who has an adulterous affair while being married to mobster Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi).
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) sees Keira Knightley (Anna) for the first time on the train. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The story of love, lust, scandal and societal judgment has fascinated audiences for decades. This version by director Joe Wright may be the most visually stunning among all of them. Recreating the grandeur of 19th century Russia was perhaps one of the big challenges in making the film. It has been nominated for 4 Oscars: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design and Costume. The British Academy Film awards (BAFTA) has already given ANNA KARENINA the Best Costume award (Jacqueline Durran) while nominating it in similar categories and Most Outstanding British film as well.
The Russian nobility had servants to help them dress. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Anna’s son Oskar Mcnamara (Serhoza) has a mural of ships in his bedroom. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The other categories that should’ve been added by award giving bodies were Best Direction and Best Editing. Wright was able to eloquently visualize the sensation of being in love especially in the extravagant ball scene.
The lavish ball where Keira Knightley (Anna) unintentionally upstaged Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Anna (Keira Knightley) couldn’t take her eyes off Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) but also did not want to be seen staring as she is already married to Karenin (Jude Law). She avoids his gaze turning away for a few seconds, when she looks back he’s gone. Suddenly she hears his voice behind her asking her to dance. The Waltz is hardly romantic with its formal movements, but the minimal physical contact and the person she was dancing with made it so thrilling. The hundreds of other pairs literally froze while Anna and the Count waltzed to the middle of the ballroom. Lights around them darkened and they were the only two people in the universe.
Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) are the only two people in the world when they dance the waltz. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
All the world’s a stage, Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) sits in her parlor. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Wright masterfully used a theater stage as a metaphor for his character’s lives. All the world is a stage, in this sense shows that society will eventually know of or judge people in a particular scene.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) on horseback. Even a horse race is shot in the theater. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Apart from Cinematography, Editing also enhanced the sets and detail that showed the decadence of Russian aristocracy. The camera would dolly into a scene with an elaborate golden wall divider in the background and cut where the background ends. A servant would close a black door also with ornate golden relief ending a particular scene. Everything is so smooth and well thought out; sometimes you hardly notice the change in location or ‘transition’ until you’re already there.
Keira Knightley (Anna) plays with her niece in an ornate playhouse. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Spellbinding fireworks during (Ruth Wilson) Princess Betsy’s soiree. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
ANNA KARENINA reveals much more than just the joy, pain and tragedies of love. While showing the decadence of the aristocracy it also deals with the disparity between classes and the prejudices that existed. There’s a personal evolution in the characters as the story goes along that people go through in real life.
Could their lust turn to love? ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) out grew her aristocratic upbringing to realize what was truly important in life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The film illustrates how stratified and segregated Russian society was in the 19th century. It was a violation of decorum to have gypsies or any other race to stay in the same roof as an aristocrat. Kostya Levin’s (Domhnall Gleeson) brother Nikolai (David Wilmot) had kept an Indian woman, Masha (Tannishtha Chatterjee) as a companion who was taking care of him through his grave illness.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) who has lived a life of privilege chose to serve David Wilmot (Nikolai) in his last days. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The young, blonde, princess-like Kitty (Alicia Vikander) went into Nikolai’s room to give him a sponge bath and saw the Indian companion. Kostya apologized to Kitty for having her there and insisted that she leave. Instead Kitty gave a towel to Masha and asked her to wash Nikolai together.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) nurses David Wilmot (Nikolai) with Tannishtha Chatterjee (Masha). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Kitty had always been in the bosom of wealth and decadence, that frame of mind. Because of her own loss and pain, it made her grow as a person and learn what was truly important in life. Kostya is himself a landowner who worked with farmers. He had found peace in a simpler life that made him ask, “Is it living simply that I’m looking for?”
Although he is a landowner Domhnall Gleeson (Kostya Levin) was mocked by Russian nobility in Moscow for being too rural. He has found his peace in a simpler life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Jude Bautista Gallery 