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
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