Cinemalaya review: Gen Z angst simmers in suspenseful 'Blue Room' | ABS-CBN
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Cinemalaya review: Gen Z angst simmers in suspenseful 'Blue Room'
Cinemalaya review: Gen Z angst simmers in suspenseful 'Blue Room'
Fred Hawson
Published Aug 12, 2022 12:50 PM PHT
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Troy Rodriguez (Elijah Canlas) is the front man of an up-and-coming indie rock band called Rebel Rebel. His band mates include smart sensible Rocky Montinola (Nourijune) on bass guitar, working student Christian Lagdameo (Leoni Jin) on lead guitar and bitter 18-year old Chigz Montero (Harvey Bautista) on drums.
Troy Rodriguez (Elijah Canlas) is the front man of an up-and-coming indie rock band called Rebel Rebel. His band mates include smart sensible Rocky Montinola (Nourijune) on bass guitar, working student Christian Lagdameo (Leoni Jin) on lead guitar and bitter 18-year old Chigz Montero (Harvey Bautista) on drums.
One fateful night, they were joined by one former band member Anton Lorenzana (juan karlos), who just came back home from a long vacation. Things were not particularly going well for them that night, but things were about to take even darker turn when their drive home was interrupted by policemen manning a checkpoint.
One fateful night, they were joined by one former band member Anton Lorenzana (juan karlos), who just came back home from a long vacation. Things were not particularly going well for them that night, but things were about to take even darker turn when their drive home was interrupted by policemen manning a checkpoint.
The lead ensemble was a young and impressive ensemble of raw natural talent. Elijah Canlas is already an acclaimed actor. Juan Karlos Labajo, now stylized as juan karlos, is more known as the singer of hit song "Buwan." Harvey Bautista was a child actor, now transitioning into mature roles. Making their screen debuts are Nourijune (a.k.a. UP theater actress Nour Hooshmand) and Keoni Jin (member of alt-rock band the Revisors).
The lead ensemble was a young and impressive ensemble of raw natural talent. Elijah Canlas is already an acclaimed actor. Juan Karlos Labajo, now stylized as juan karlos, is more known as the singer of hit song "Buwan." Harvey Bautista was a child actor, now transitioning into mature roles. Making their screen debuts are Nourijune (a.k.a. UP theater actress Nour Hooshmand) and Keoni Jin (member of alt-rock band the Revisors).
Playing the policemen who made that night a veritable nightmare for the young people were: Bombi Plata (as the hot-headed PO2 Santiago), Jericho Arceo (as the rogue PO1 Toledo) and the ubiquitous Soliman Cruz (as the perversely dirty station chief SPO3 Delgado). These three actors were so good at being bad cops, they inspire fear, indignation and anger. At the same time, they also provide some moments of uneasy black humor.
Playing the policemen who made that night a veritable nightmare for the young people were: Bombi Plata (as the hot-headed PO2 Santiago), Jericho Arceo (as the rogue PO1 Toledo) and the ubiquitous Soliman Cruz (as the perversely dirty station chief SPO3 Delgado). These three actors were so good at being bad cops, they inspire fear, indignation and anger. At the same time, they also provide some moments of uneasy black humor.
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In a remarkably auspicious directorial debut, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan developed her story with an escalating sense of unsettling suspense and simmering Gen Z angst. The climax was met with loud spontaneous applause in the screening I caught.
In a remarkably auspicious directorial debut, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan developed her story with an escalating sense of unsettling suspense and simmering Gen Z angst. The climax was met with loud spontaneous applause in the screening I caught.
The screenplay, co-written by Dagñalan with Siege Ledesma, was well-plotted, tautly streamlined, with pointed, pertinent social commentary. She made us feel the liberating spirit of the indie music scene, as well as stuffy claustrophobia of corruption.
The screenplay, co-written by Dagñalan with Siege Ledesma, was well-plotted, tautly streamlined, with pointed, pertinent social commentary. She made us feel the liberating spirit of the indie music scene, as well as stuffy claustrophobia of corruption.
This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."
This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."
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WATCH: Taeyang of Bigbang sings TJ Monterde’s 'Palagi' in Manila concert
WATCH: Taeyang of Bigbang sings TJ Monterde’s 'Palagi' in Manila concert
BigBang member Taeyang, whose real name is Dong Young-bae, delighted his Filipino fans with a special surprise during the Manila leg of his The Light Year tour on Saturday, February 22.
BigBang member Taeyang, whose real name is Dong Young-bae, delighted his Filipino fans with a special surprise during the Manila leg of his The Light Year tour on Saturday, February 22.
The South Korean star performed the OPM song “Palagi” as part of his special stage during the last stop of his Asia tour.
The South Korean star performed the OPM song “Palagi” as part of his special stage during the last stop of his Asia tour.
In a video posted by Philippine Concerts on X, Taeyang sang the song fluently, impressing fans with his pronunciation and heartfelt delivery.
In a video posted by Philippine Concerts on X, Taeyang sang the song fluently, impressing fans with his pronunciation and heartfelt delivery.
He was also heard expressing his love for his Filipino supporters, saying, “Manila, I love you… palagi.”
He was also heard expressing his love for his Filipino supporters, saying, “Manila, I love you… palagi.”
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In another post, Taeyang also asked his fans to sing along with him.
In another post, Taeyang also asked his fans to sing along with him.
“TAEYANG MONTERDE IN DA HAUS! When VIPs asked Youngbae to sing "Palagi" once again #TAEYANGinManila #TAEYANG2025TOUR @Realtaeyang,” a fan captioned in a post on X.
“TAEYANG MONTERDE IN DA HAUS! When VIPs asked Youngbae to sing "Palagi" once again #TAEYANGinManila #TAEYANG2025TOUR @Realtaeyang,” a fan captioned in a post on X.
The original singer and songwriter of “Palagi,” TJ Monterde, was pleasantly surprised by the tribute. He reposted the video on his personal X account, adding a shocked emoji.
The original singer and songwriter of “Palagi,” TJ Monterde, was pleasantly surprised by the tribute. He reposted the video on his personal X account, adding a shocked emoji.
TJ also commented on Taeyang’s photos from his Manila show, expressing his gratitude to the K-pop second generation star for singing his song.
TJ also commented on Taeyang’s photos from his Manila show, expressing his gratitude to the K-pop second generation star for singing his song.
“Thank you for singing ‘Palagi’! Love from the Philippines! 🇵🇭,” TJ said.
“Thank you for singing ‘Palagi’! Love from the Philippines! 🇵🇭,” TJ said.
Taeyang captioned his post from his Manila show with “Thank u Manila Love u palagi 💛.”
Taeyang captioned his post from his Manila show with “Thank u Manila Love u palagi 💛.”
Fans were deeply moved by his performance, with many expressing their appreciation online.
Fans were deeply moved by his performance, with many expressing their appreciation online.
“Same energy yung Palagi ni Taeyang at Pasilyo ni IU! Ibang level ang fan service!” a fan said on X.
“Same energy yung Palagi ni Taeyang at Pasilyo ni IU! Ibang level ang fan service!” a fan said on X.
Another one posted, “Gagi yung Palagi ni Taeyang. hahaha bakit naiyak ako nung pinakinggan ko ulit. Grabe eh..ang galing nya. Parang Pinoy na Pinoy sya. Wala bang full version nun Taeyang. Ang galing eh!”
Another one posted, “Gagi yung Palagi ni Taeyang. hahaha bakit naiyak ako nung pinakinggan ko ulit. Grabe eh..ang galing nya. Parang Pinoy na Pinoy sya. Wala bang full version nun Taeyang. Ang galing eh!”
Some speculated on why Taeyang chose “Palagi” as his surprise song.
Some speculated on why Taeyang chose “Palagi” as his surprise song.
“Feel ko na gustohan ni Taeyang ang Palagi kasi same meaning dun sa "Reason" na kanta niya para sa asawa niya. 🤍🤍,” one netizen guessed.
“Feel ko na gustohan ni Taeyang ang Palagi kasi same meaning dun sa "Reason" na kanta niya para sa asawa niya. 🤍🤍,” one netizen guessed.
This is not the first time a South Korean artist has covered “Palagi”. In 2024, singer-songwriter 10cm, also known as Kwon Jung-yeol, expressed interest in collaborating with Filipino artists, including TJ Monterde.
This is not the first time a South Korean artist has covered “Palagi”. In 2024, singer-songwriter 10cm, also known as Kwon Jung-yeol, expressed interest in collaborating with Filipino artists, including TJ Monterde.
“Among the well-known ones, there are artists like Zack Tabudlo and TJ Monterde. It seems like there are many aspects that resonate with me, and I feel the desire to try something together,” the South Korean singer said.
“Among the well-known ones, there are artists like Zack Tabudlo and TJ Monterde. It seems like there are many aspects that resonate with me, and I feel the desire to try something together,” the South Korean singer said.
He also praised Monterde’s style, saying, “I’d like to collaborate as soon as possible because he has a very professional and acoustic feel, and it seems like there are many aspects that resonate with me.”
He also praised Monterde’s style, saying, “I’d like to collaborate as soon as possible because he has a very professional and acoustic feel, and it seems like there are many aspects that resonate with me.”
During a media conference for his first Manila concert, 10cm shared how much he admired “Palagi.”
During a media conference for his first Manila concert, 10cm shared how much he admired “Palagi.”
“Unang-una dahil sobrang nagustuhan ko po yung kanta ni TJ na ‘Palagi’ na kinover ko rin po and maswerte na nag-connect kami and nag-contact kami to each other,” 10cm shared. (Firstly, because I really like TJ’s song “Palagi”, of which I did a cover. Luckily we made a connection and got in contact with each other.)
“Unang-una dahil sobrang nagustuhan ko po yung kanta ni TJ na ‘Palagi’ na kinover ko rin po and maswerte na nag-connect kami and nag-contact kami to each other,” 10cm shared. (Firstly, because I really like TJ’s song “Palagi”, of which I did a cover. Luckily we made a connection and got in contact with each other.)
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