Top Video List

I was browsing around Kabayan Central website, the Filipino version of amazon.com and I thought it was interesting to note their Top 10 Videos of February 2010.

4 out of the 10 films here were written by yours truly (one of which as a co-writer) and were all directed by Joselito Altarejos. Considering two of these films (Antonio and Parola) have been released 2 years ago, they still made it to the top 10 of the second month of this year.
Thank you to everyone who buy original DVD's! Mabuhay kayo!


Here's the list from Kabayancentral.com:

Febuary 2010 Top 10 Videos


1. Dahil May Isang Ikaw Teleserye
2. I Love You, Goodbye
3. Ang Laro Ng Buhay Ni Juan
4. Boylets
5. Tayong Dalawa Teleserye
6. Little Boy, Big Boy
7. Ang Lalake Sa Parola
8. Ang Lihim Ni Antonio
9. Bigasan
10. Rome & Juliet

Filipino Films in New York

Scene from "Ang Lihim ni Antonio", one of the featured films
2010 New York Filipino Film Festival

The 2010 New York Filipino Film Festival this June will feature several Filipino film classics as well as some of the most acclaimed Pinoy movies from the last 5 years. It will feature works from Filipino masters Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Mario O' Hara and Brillante Mendoza.

My first two screenplays "Ang Lalake sa Parola" and "Ang Lihim ni Antonio", directed by Joselito Altarejos is also featured in this season's roster.

For more info, you may visit Sari-Saring Sineng Pinoy for the complete list of films.

Female Admirer

(Scene from Ang Lihim ni Antonio featuring Nino Fernanez and Kenjie Garcia)

Hi Lex!

I'm a big fan of yours from the US, I loved the script that you wrote for "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" and "Ang Lalake Sa Parola"...keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future! Mabuhay!

-Karen

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Hi Karen,

I am surprised. I never expected any female to appreciate my works. Thank you very much. Mabuhay ka!

Lex

Refusing Gay Sex

Anthony, a student from UP Cebu doing a thesis on the films I have written "Ang Lihim ni Antonio" (Antonio's Secret) and "Ang Lalake sa Parola" (The Man in the Lighthouse) confronted me with a very sharp question, which I found myself a bit difficult to answer.

He asked me, why is that in both of the films, the main characters had to refuse a particular gay sexual act -- Antonio vehemently refusing anal sex and Mateo refusing to suck the character Jerome's dick -- both incidents led to the climax of the stories.

It made me think. Is it because I believe that appreciating complete gay sex takes time for a gay man? For a gay man, who is just starting to appreciate man-to-man sex, immediately sucking a dick or getting fucked, may not be very easy to achieve. To my experience and to many other people I know, this holds true.

Sexuality is so diverse, that it's difficult to pin down a behavior and proclaim it as true for everyone else. Hence, I know I could be wrong as well.

Parola Secrets 2

Here's the second part of the behind-the-scenes of "Ang Lalake sa Parola" (The Man in the Lighthouse)

• The original title of this film is "Sayaw ng Diwata" but it was changed to the present title as the producers from Viva want a more sexually suggestive idea.
• Harry Laurel hails from Bicol just like his character Mateo. This was one of the major reasons he got the role.
• The cellphone number used by Justin De Leon in the film obviously does not belong to him. But many people still text this number hoping that this is the actual phone number of the actor.
• If you'd listen closely to Harry Laurel's interview in this video, he has indirectly admitted having sex with a gay man :)

Parola Secrets 1

Here are some quick facts on the making of "Ang Lalake sa Parola" (The Man in the Lighthouse)

• Harry Laurel was the first actor to audition for the role of Mateo
• Justin De Leon was the last actor to audition for the role of Justin
• A few day's before the shoot of this digital film, Harry Laurel's manager and mentor Joey Diego committed suicide. The film was dedicated in memory of him.
• The movie was shot in Lobo, Batangas ang in Quezon city. Some "provincial scenes" were actually shot in the city.
• Harry admitted he had a huge crush on Jennifer Lee. His controversial erection in one of his sex scenes with her was a testament to this.
• In recent Filipino cinematic history, this is the only gay film that have actually shown an erect phallus.