Hot Kambyo

I got an email from Victor Hoff, an American writer on gay culture:

Hi Lex,

I just saw “Kambyo” and wanted to let you know how incredibly touching I found it. Okay, touching and really hot. Is Gabz del Rosario gay?? Or Johnron Tañada???

This is your most mature work to date. And Joselito Altarejos shows a confidence in his direction I haven’t seen before.

Outstanding. I’ll blog about it later tonight.


Victor Hoff

---------------------------

Hi Victor,

Thanks for watching Kambyo. Your view on the film is quite refreshing as it is our most lambasted film ever.

Shooting kambyo was quite memorable for me because I had a great time with the actors and staff as we were all on a road trip. As far as I can remember, Gabz del Rosarion is straight as an arrow. He loves his girlfriend so much. And as he claimed, he never accepts "special bookings" from gay men. He is proud of his management degree from the Far Easter University and that for him sets him apart from other "sexy actors" who will do everything for a "fee"

Johnron Tanada on the other hand, as far as he claims, is also straight. But he is open in being "friends" with other gay men. In fact, in the blog rddantes.com, it was said that Johnron is now in an openly gay relationship with a gay man in Macau. Whether, this statement was true or not, I could not verify. I have stopped using my friendster account and I have lost contact with these kambyo hunks.

I'm glad you liked the film.

Lex

Feeling Better After "Kambyo"

Hi Lex,

Just watched your movie, KAMBYO (movie credits are rolling while typing). i feel free like a bird although i'm here in dubai were homo is a no, no and yet...

anyway, thank you so much. my life is in trouble now. recession, vacation allowance, pasalubong, family, homesickness, personal matters, "kwarta" etc...

but this film made me realize that my life now is half full and not half empty. 2 thumbs up!

all the best.

Julius

----------------------------------

Hi Julius,

That's very nice to hear.

Each one of us has his own "trouble" one way or another. You're right. It's the way we see things that would make a difference.

Sincerely yours,

Lex

PS Let's give credit to the director Joselito Altarejos. He worked a lot harder than I did to make "Kambyo" possible.

Looking for Kambyo OST

Here's a request from a Lexuality reader:

kuya lex...i'm one of your avid fans...i hope that you will have an online lesson bout indie film...i'm always visiting your blogsite...i'm looking forward to meet you someday...P.S kuya saan pede makakuha ng OST ng kambyo? nu po ung title ng OST nya?tnx...god bless

Paolo

-------------------------------------------

Hi Paolo,

Thanks for reading Lexuality. Email me what is it that you'd like to learn on making movies. Or if you're a college student studying Masscom, I don't mind being invited for a forum or a talk. I enjoy sharing what I have learned in this craft to young people like you.

With regards to Kambyo OST, would you believe that I do not have a DVD coy of Kambyo? Moreso, I don't have a copy of its music video or its mp3 file.

But what I know is, the Kambyo DVD has a music video. You can perhaps grab the music from its file and share it to others as well :)

In Defense of Kambyo

When I wrote Kambyo, I wanted to reach out to the audience who could not appreciate materials like "Ang Lalake sa Parola" (The Man in the Lighthouse) and "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" (Antonio's Secret). I suppose these were the people who didn't like too much philosophy and too much narrative style. Hence, I wrote a material which is very accessible and light.

As of today, Kambyo posted stronger sales than "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" in its commercial run. And just for the record, I had so much fun writing and shooting "Kambyo".

I lifted the following comments in defense of Kambyo (coming from Lexuality and http://www.rddantes.com/):

i don't think these angry viewers got the point! i can't believe a few of them has the temerity (or brains) to even reduce indie films into two categories-- art or junk. personally, i think that's a reckless and stupid assumption. nakanood lang ng so-called art-house films, feeling art critics na mga ate! pwede ba?!!! SPARE US YOUR ARTISTIC PRETENSIONS!

FOREMOSTLY, it was NOT the creators' intentions to make AN ART MOVIE! It's supposed to be light and was not intended to give you some sort of, uhm, catharsis. (which is a word i assume these viewers would probably drop given their, uhm, "education" in, uhm, "art films."

You should get that in the beginning of the movie pa lang.

-------------------------------------------------------------

i really don't know what's with these guys but i guess they were all expecting more nudity in the movie in the same mold as parola and antonio kaya nabitin sila nang husto...kaso hindi nga yun ang punto ng pelikula eh...it's like a thelma and louise thing...ewan ko, i really love road trip movies kaya hinihintay ko na din ang thank you girls na bagong indie...anyway, keep it up lex...itaas pa natin ang quality ng gay movies sa pinas...

--------------------------------------------------------

we agree that johnron was the selling point in this movie, but we also watched the movie because of kenjie of antonio fame, and we are curious how he fared in this movie. too bad, that he and johnron were not given meaty scenes to deliver... coz this is a light, romantic movie. all in all, we admire the movie, we were entertained, despite walang gaanong sex and frontal scenes. its a welcome relief that it a SRO crowd at the up film theater.kudos...

-----------------------------------------------

KAMBYO IS NOT THAT BAD NAMAN. AT THE UP FILM CENTER BEFORE THE ACTUAL SCREENING, THE DIRECTOR TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT ITS A WELCOME RESPITE FROM HIS PREVIOUS MOVIES WITH TRAGIC ENDINGS...

THAT KAMBYO IS A LIGHT FILM. WE JOIN THOSE WHO APPLAUDED THE FILM IN AUDIENCE AFTER THE ENDING BECAUSE WE WERE ENTERTAINED DESPITE IT HAVING NO FRONTAL OR EXAGGERATED SEXUAL SCENES. AND KUMITA ANG PELIKULA EVEN IF THE SEX SCENES WERE MODESTLY DONE IN THE DARK... EVEN LINO BROCKA AND ISHMAEL BERNAL HAD THEIR SHARE OF LIGHT AND COMMERCIAL FILMS ALSO.

..THE FILM TACKLES ON FRIENDSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS AND EVEN AIDS IN A WAY THAT IT DOES NOT SOUND TOO MORAL. TAMA LANG.

More Criticisms on Kambyo

Here are the replies of some critics of Kambyo lifted from one of my favorite blogs owned by my cyber friend RD Dantes, Hot Men in the Philippines (http://www.rddantes.com/)


From Anonymous (the amusing critic from the previous post):

LEX BONIFE said, "what can I say"...that's all!...count how many bad comments Kambyo solicited in this post. your fans felt cheated, robbed, to some point - disgusted....you owe your fans an apology Lex. if you are really a patron of the advancement of filipino indie movies, come out with an explanation/calming reply. Lex, no one is asking for money refund...but at least speak to them.


From Marga:

walang kwenta talaga ang movie... i know Lex and co. are capable of much better films... kahit na masasabing exploitative sa mga mga lalaking artista ang parola at antonio, i would still call those films as ART.... kaya i can't help but wonder kung sinadyang papangitin ang pelikulang Kambyo. Indie films are wither ART or JUNK. sad to say, Kambyo is JUNK.

-------------------------

Dear anonymous and Marga,

I absolutely respect and understand where you are coming from. How I wish I'm in a position to be totally honest just as you are guys.

If you'd send me a personal email, I can respond to you privately.

Thank you for your patronage.

Kambyo Review

Do not be deceived into thinking that Kambyo is another one of those shallow, pretentious digital dreck that serves no sensible purpose but to be an excuse to gratify the director and the public's insatiable lust for a gay fuckfest and gratuitous nudity. Yes, there is nudity in Kambyo, yes there are torrid sex scenes, yes there are gay issues, and surprisingly, yes, there is a lot of heart in this movie.

Read the complete review at:

http://verbosecity.blogspot.com/2008/07/slice-of-gay-lite.html

Snapshots from Kambyo Premiere

It has been raining here in Hongkong. While watching the cable cars glide by through the large window of my sister's pad in Lantau island, I was browsing the multiply site of actor Rayan Dulay. I stole some his photos in there so I can share it with you guys.

How I wish I was there in UP for the premiere of Kambyo. By the way, Kambyo is showing starting July 9 at Robinsons Galleria, Metroeast and Ermita.

Johnron and Rayan's love scene

One of the highlights of the film "Kambyo" is the love making scene of Johnron Tanada and Rayan Dulay in the film. Johnron plays the long lost friend of Rayan. And their first night of reunion ends up in a steamy love scene.

According to Kambyo's director Joselito Altarejos, this scene is the most beautiful love scene he has ever directed in his past three adult gay films (Ang Lihim ni Antonio and Ang Lalake sa Parola)

Watch "Kambyo" and be the judge.

Kambyo Presscon: One of The Boys is Gay?

Here are some photos I took during the presscon of Kambyo a while ago at Jayjay's restaurant in Timog. One of the female reporters naughtily insinuated that one of the actors are gay saying, "Ako may naamoy ako" (I can smell someone gay from one of these actors).

Who could that be? I have spent time with the "Kambyo boys", and I have not really sensed any "gay tendencies" from any of them.

This makes me remember that the original actor (a newcomer) we first tapped to play the role of Xavier, was an actual gay man whom I met through a friend. He could have been a very lucky gay man because his scenes would require him to have sex with Gabz del Rosario in three different situations! Must be a dream project for many gay men out there. Well, he was eventually replaced by a more experienced actor Harold Macasero since the role is quite challenging for a newbie.

Rayan Dulay being interviewed by GMA, ABS-CBN and Cinema One Staff

Harold Macasero on a table with press people. At the foreground in white shirt is entertainment editor and "Manay Po" screenwriter Dinno Erece

another TV interview

Rayan and Gabz del Rosario busy answering questions

KAMBYO Trailer

Finally, this is the trailer of our new film Kambyo, which I and ickyg (of vivahotmenofprovoq blog) edited last night :)

Just to reiterate the major change on the premiere night schedule: it will be on JULY 5 (Saturday) at the UP Film Institute.

Final Kambyo Sked

I am upset.

The Kambyo premiere night has again been moved to JULY 5 (Saturday). This is the final schedule at the UP Film Institute at 7pm.

I, myself can't attend the premiere, as I have a scheduled yoga class in Hongkong on that day.

Hope you guys can watch the screening. And tell me what you think about this film.

Kambyo Boys Pictures

Here are some publicity photos of the Kambyo boys.

Final schedule of premiere night is on JULY 5 (Saturday), 7pm at the UP Film Institute.

Kambyo Snapshots 2

I'd like to share more stills from our shoot in Kambyo.

Johnron Tanada with Mayi Fabros, who plays his wife in the film

Kenjie Garcia, TV actor Harold Macasero and Gabz del Rosario during the first night of the shoot

Gabz needs a dry towel.

In Demand: Johnron

Due to several requests for more pictures of model (who's now an actor) Johnron Tanada, here are some of the other photos I took during our break in our shoot "Kambyo" in Urbiztondo, La Union.

Snapshots from Kambyo

Here are some snapshots from the shoot of Kambyo. Photos courtesy of one of our lead actors, Harold Macasero.

4:30 am. Philcoa, Quezon City. (from L to R) Kenjie Garcia, Johnron Tanada, Rayan Dulay and Gabz del Rosario waiting for the pullout of the whole team.

Kenjie Garcia and Rayan Dulay rehearsing their lines inside the Van.

First night. Who wants to sleep beside Johnron?

Gabz del Rosario posing in a fake, concrete wave inside the resort in La Union.

This writer and Gabz waiting for our bottled water

Remember your first Queer Summer?

Here's the poster of Kambyo showing the lead actors Kenjie Garcia (Ang Lihim ni Antonio), Rayan Dulay (Bath house), Harold Macasero, Johnron Tanada and Gabz del Rosario.

Photography by Edward dela Cuesta and the beach at the back of the boys is at Urbiztondo, La Union

Kambyo is Coming Very Soon!

Kambyo: Synopsis

From the makers of “Ang Lihim ni Antonio” (Antonio’s Secret) comes a heartwarming story of four men, their friendship and a road trip that will change their lives forever.

It’s the last summer of their university life. Cousins Macky (Rayan Dulay, Bathhouse) and Manuel (Kenjie Garcia, Ang Lihim ni Antonio) start on a road trip to look for the Macky’s long lost friend Philip (Johnron Tanada). They bring along with them their fun loving friend Xavier (Harold Macasero), who tags along a hunky guy named Aldo (Gabz del Rosario), whom he just met right before their trip.

As the engine of Macky’s old van begins to accelerate, their relationships start on a new journey. Love blooms. Secrets unfold. Insecurities collide. And hidden desires set in.

As they drive their way up north of Manila, this unrestrained group of three friends and a stranger explore the boundaries of their friendships, their sexualities, their dreams and the future that lies ahead of them.

COMING VERY SOON!

Screenplay: Lex Bonife

Production: Viva Digital and Beyond the Box Production

Direction: Joselito Altarejos

Kenji's Fan

Just like so many people writing me professing how much they have become a fan of Kenji Garcia after watching “Ang Lihim ni Antonio”, I admit, I’m also his fan.

Kenji (Rikiboy, in real life) is a natural actor whose face can ignite any scene within a frame. Aside from his talent, I’m a fan of Kenji, because unlike any other young men of his age (he’s about 20, now) he is very determined to succeed in his craft. He’s discipline in the set is impressive. He’s never late. And he has studied all his lines prior to his shoot.

I remember my acting teacher in University of the Philippines, the theater icon Behn Cervantes, once said that to become a good actor, one must be totally comfortable with his body. And Kenji was definitely comfortable with every inch of his skin despite his lanky frame and barely there muscles. He was able to be in his character with all his nakedness. That for me is a test of a good actor.

I really hope Kenji gets somewhere with his craft.

(Kenji Garcia is one of the stars of our upcoming digital film “Kambyo”)

Kambyo
Screenplay: Lex Bonife
Produced by: Viva Digital and Beyond the Box Productions
Direction: Joselito Altarejos

Raving about Rayan

I first saw Rayan Dulay in his role as as newbie gay man in Crisaldo Pablo's "Bath house" a few years ago. And I was impressed by the sensitivity of this young actor. So, when we were looking for a good actor to fill in one of the lead roles in our film "Kambyo", I immediately suggested Rayan to my director Jay Altarejos. It was a good thing that director Cris Pablo gladly shared his prized talent to Viva Digital.

And I was pleasantly surprised to observe that Rayan was very different from his roles in his movies. For one, he is straight. He was certainly not innocent in so many things in life. He is a free spirited man, grounded and determined.

And aside from being a very talented actor, Rayan gave Jonron Tanada a sexual experience in front of the camera, Jonron could never forget!

Rayan Dulay is one of the lead actors in Viva Digital's upcoming film "Kambyo"

KAMBYO

Direction: Joselito Altarejos

Screenplay: Lex Bonife

Trip with Johnron

Johnron Tanada is one of the most sought after members of Viva's Men of Provoq. "Kambyo" is my third project with him after the special interest videos "Cruise" and "Hubad: Striptease Sessions for the Daring Men".

Among the cast of "Kambyo", Johnron is the most reserved type. During the shoot, he experienced some slight fever as he just came from another shoot of another film. This guy is hardworking and is determined to go somewhere.

Here's an excerpt from Johnron's profile, which I have written for the Cruise Coffee table book.

"Johnron is a former Catholic seminarian from the province of Quezon. His winning of a mall based modeling search in Manila marks his entry in the industry. Despite of his picture perfect muscle toned body, he still claims to feel uncomfortable when other people call him sexy every time he bares in front of the camera.

He is not exactly choosy when it comes to dating women. But when a woman starts to smoke, she is automatically out of his list. Being a health buff, he enjoys helping other people with their weight training programs in the gym.

When asked why he has always wanted to be a priest, he recalls how amazed he was as a child with the attention and the respect that a priest can command from his parishioners. But he doesn’t have to worry. With his drop dead gorgeous looks, he certainly can command more than attention and respect. Some of his fans would even gladly worship him."

Above are some photos of him I took during our four day trip to Ilocos.

Jonron Tanada is featured in Viva Digital's upcoming film "Kambyo"

"Kambyo"

Direction: Joselito Altarejos

Screenplay: Lex Bonife