VP 2019-12 TONY LABRUSCA DIGITAL

VP/SPOTLIGHT 

IT'S ALL GOOD WITH 

MARK MCMAHON 

BY LORD HARVEY MONTEROSO 

VP/TRAVEL 

RELIVE THE PAST WITH 

LAS CASAS FILIPINAS 

DE ACUZAR NEWEST 

ATTRACTION HISTORY 

LAND 

BY ANGELA BALTAN 

VP/FASHION 

THE ARTISANAL 

JOURNEY OF THE PAST 

AND PRESENT 

BY SHAWN KLIFF SACAL 

TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT 

www.villagepipol.com | 1

VP/EDITORIAL 

#VPTEAM 

EVOLUTION 

RED ENTERTAINMENT, INC., THE COMPANY THAT PUBLISHED THE 1 ST 

FREE ONLINE AND PRINTED NEWS MAGAZINE IN THE PHILIPPINES, 

VILLAGE PIPOL, WAS ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 2007. #CHEERS! 

Another year is about to end, and we are truly grateful for all the amazing people who 

supported us in our journey. 2019 has become a year of exploration and excitement — as 

“your guide to the big city,'' we always made sure to provide compelling content every 

issue. 

In this last issue of 2019, we are featuring two of the most bankable male stars of this 

generation — Tony Labrusca and Jeric Gonzales. These two men proved that they are 

more than just leading men. As long as they pursue those things that they are really 

passionate about, there will always a bright future ahead of them. 

PUBLISHER RICHIE DE QUIÑA 

GWYNN CRISOSTOMO 

MANAGING EDITOR JOHN LUKE CHICA 

PR & MARKETING MANAGER JOSH AUSTRIA 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JIM REYNOLD ZAMORA 

DIGITAL MANAGER PHILIP ANDAYA 

LAYOUT ARTISTS FRAME RIVAS 

ZISA BLANCA 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ANGELA BALTAN 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

VIDEOGRAPHER 

INTERNS 

SHAWN KLIFF SACAL 

LORD HARVEY MONTEROSO 

ARTHUR TOLENTINO 

MIKE GELLA 

DOM CRUZ 

ONIN ESTRELLA 

VINCENT SY 

NICKO TALAVERA 

FERN ESTREBELLO 

SHEILA ORDINARIO 

CANDIE RAMOS 

Grab a copy of our December issue! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

“Innovation is change that unlocks new value” 

Village Pipol – The Evolution of Advertising! 

Richie de Quina 

PUBLISHER 

RED Entertainment, Inc. 

Unit 419 & 420 One Oasis Hub B Building M, 

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For Inquiries: 

(02) 218-8683 | 0917-844-5981 

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A PART OF RED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 

2 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol



VP/TRAVEL 

VP/NEWS 

PURINA PH HOSTED DOG 

FOOD EATING CHALLENGE 

DURING ANIMAL RUN 2019! 

RED Sports, under RED Entertainment, started the month of 

December with Animal Run 2019. Dialysis PH Support Group and 

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) remained the official 

and main beneficiaries of this sporting event under #Run4UrLife. 

In partnership with Purina Philippines, Animal Run 2019 was 

definitely a success with almost a thousand runners and a 

thousand more onlookers. 

Quirino Grandstand was definitely jam-packed! Filled with almost 

500 fur babies, pets shed fur and excitement all around. With 

PAWS as their main beneficiary, this sporting event aimed to help 

stray animals who remained caged in shelters. Veterinarians Dr. 

Adelaida Suller and Dr. Froilan Calip conducted free check-ups to 

fur babies present at the event while giving away free Supercoat 

from Purina Philippines. 

As every race category prepares to do their runs, they were 

invited to a Zumba warm-up lead by Coaches Johnrev Sayson 

Binondo and Paolo Domingo. 

PURINA PARTNERS WITH RED SPORTS. 

As a major sponsor, Purina had their own segment during Animal 

Run where they hosted a Dog Food Eating Challenge. Eight fur 

parents encouraged their babies during the challenge. Although 

not all participants won, they all received packets of Supercoat 

from Purina. The brand also had their own photo booth where 

pets took turns at a slide fit for every breed. 




VP/LIFESTYLE 

SHARP 

BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR 

A BETTER LIFE 2 

The application or use of these products 

are not only limited to homes, as they 

can also be utilized in venues such as 

offices, schools, hospitals and other 

establishments with high population 

densities sure to benefit its occupants. 

HEALTH & BEAUTY SOLUTION 

We try to keep ourselves healthy through 

proper exercise and appropriate diet. This 

also reflects on the food that we consume 

and how it is cooked. With SHARP’s 

Helsio Hotcook, healthy cooking is made 

possible as the natural moisture and 

original flavor from ingredients together 

with its nutritional values are retained, 

compared to conventional cooking. 

Dishes are hassle-free with automatic 

control and various cooking programs 

depending on your menu, just place all 

the necessary ingredients and wait until it 

is finished. Voila! Your meal is now ready 

to be served. 

With the continuous evolution of 

technology and the significant role it 

plays in the everyday lives of people, 

Sharp Philippines Corporation(SPC) 

continues to introduce products that aim 

to incorporate ease and convenience into 

the Filipino household. 

SPC’s products are categorized into four 

sections, or what they refer to as solutions 

– that seek to address the needs of the 

consumers. These are Entertainment 

Solutions, Clean & Comfort Solution, 

Health & Beauty Solution and Business 

Solution. 

Products highlighted last November 

28, 2019 at The Madison Events Place 

complement those that were launched 

earlier in July. Though SHARP’s global 

direction is to bring in the latest products 

with 8K and AIoT technology, the 

company also devotes its resources 

in coming up with items packed with 

technologies that enable efficiency, 

provides comfort and promote good 

health. 

The audience was treated to a visual 

display as well as live demonstrations 

conducted by their corresponding 

Product Specialists, showcasing the 

features and capability of the items. 

ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTION 

Having introduced the AQUOS 8K LED TV 

for the Filipino market last July, SHARP 

now presents its Artificial Intelligence of 

Things (AIoT) series of FULL HD and 4K 

HDR Android Televisions. 

Eligible Android TVs are Google Assistant 

ready, enabling users to interact with their 

devices and perform tasks such as playing 

music/video, searching for the latest news 

among others, all hands-free. The new line 

of Android TVs comes with features such 

as Comfort mode, a special AV Mode that 

reduces 50% of blue light. It also has an 

advanced Bluetooth version, which allows 

users to connect the television to their 

external Bluetooth speakers. 

Have your own personal cinematic 

sound system with the AQUOS Sound 

Partner AN-SX7A. It is compatible with a 

wide variety of devices and is extremely 

portable, resting comfortably on one 

shoulder. The acoustic Vibration System 

provides powerful sound and heavy bass. 

It ensures an immersive audio-visual 

experience that is perfect for when you are 

playing video games or enjoying the latest 

shows on Netflix. 

CLEAN & COMFORT SOLUTION 

Personal hygiene is an important aspect 

of a Filipino’s life. Apart from ensuring the 

cleanliness of our own being, we want 

this to be reflected in our homes as well 

a place considered as a sanctuary for 

individuals and families alike. 

SPC has your well-being in mind; that 

is why they develop products that help 

achieve and maintain a fresh comfortable 

environment. These are Washing 

Machines, Ractive Air Vacuum Cleaner, 

Mite Catcher, Air-conditioner with AIoT 

J-Tech Inverter Technology and Air 

Purifier/Cleaner equipped with SHARP’s 

original Plusmacluster Ion Technology. 

Looking good is also tantamount to 

feeling good. When we exert even the 

littlest effort in fixing ourselves up, be it 

reporting to work every day or attending 

an event, we feel much more confident 

in facing the world. Beauty appliances 

for women, such as the Hair Dryer, Hair 

Iron and Curling Ion with Plusmacluster 

feature lessens dirt and prevents hair 

damage. The Scalp massager on the other 

hand, reduces dry scalp and keeps our 

hair healthy. 

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 

Understanding the needs of the business, 

SHARP also has dedicated products that 

cater to the corporate sector through 

their dynamic displays that project clear 

and beautiful images for application as 

digital signages or for business meetings 

via the internet. 

SHARP has also acquired and further 

develop the Dynabook Laptop, 

designed for business professionals and 

workplace environments. Combining 

their technologies (displays, sensors 

etc.) with that of Toshiba, they seek to 

produce market-leading computers and 

other devices. The dynabook features a 

thin design with long-lasting battery and 

is rated with MIL-STD-810G for utmost 

durability. 

Committed to quality and innovation, 

SHARP will continue to develop products 

that will bring Better Solutions for Better 

Life to consumers. 


PETS SHED THEIR FUR 

AND EXCITEMENT DURING 

ANIMAL RUN 2019! 

VP/EVENTS 

ANIMAL RUN 2019: 500M, 1K, 3K 

AND 5K. 

Kids were able to win the 500m and 1k 

race categories while adults were able to 

dominate the 3k and 5k. They all received 

a gift pack which includes bottles from 

Sip Water, Fit n Right, Mogu Mogu and a 

packet from Milku. They also received a 

loot bag from Lubie, a water-based multipurpose 

lubricant and moisturizer. 

Aside from that, they also got a bag 

from Chlo-Relief, anti-itch and anti-rash 

lotion, a pack of Supercoat from Purina 

Philippines and gift certificates from 

Zoomanity Group. All champions, then, 

received a brand-new electric fan from 

Sharp Philippines. 

Organizers also conducted a raffle 

where the grand prize was a brand new 

automatic washing machine from Sharp 

Philippines presented by Marketing 

Supervisor Theresa Bates and Kyle 

Vergara. 

RED Sports, under RED Entertainment, 

started the month of December with 

Animal Run 2019. Under the #Run4UrLife 

series, this sporting event was meant 

to benefit Dialysis PH Support Group 

and Philippine Animal Welfare Society 

(PAWS). This is partnership with 

National Parks Development Committee 

(NPDC) and Purina Philippines. 

ANIMAL RUN 2019. 

With almost a thousand runners and a 

thousand more onlookers, Animal Run 

2019 was definitely a success. Quirino 

Grandstand was filled with almost 500 

fur babies, shedding fur and excitement 

all around. With PAWS as their main 

beneficiary, this sporting event aimed 

to help stray animals who are caged in 

shelters. 

ZUMBATHON. 

As every race category prepares to do 

their runs, they were invited to a Zumba 

warm-up lead by Coaches Johnrev 

Sayson Binondo and Paolo Domingo from 

Anytime Fitness. 

PURINA PARTNERS WITH 

RED SPORTS. 

DOG FOOD EATING CHALLENGE. 

As a major sponsor, Purina had their own 

segment during Animal Run where they 

hosted a Dog Food Eating Challenge. 

Eight fur parents encouraged their 

babies during the challenge. Although 

not all participants won, they all received 

packets of Supercoat from Purina. 

PHOTO BOOTH. 

The brand also had their own photo booth 

where pets took turns at a slide fit for 

every breed at their assigned area near 

the stage. 

GIVEAWAYS. 

Veterinarians Dr. Adelaida Suller and Dr. 

Froilan Calip conducted free check-ups 

to fur babies present at the event while 

giving away free Supercoat from Purina 

Philippines. 

PET FASHION GALA 

Pets also came up on stage as they strut 

their stuff in a fashion show. Although 

not all participants won, they all received 

packets of Supercoat from Purina 

Philippines. The winners, on the other 

hand, received premium adult dog food 

from Magnus Philippines. Daschund 

Basha dressed up as a mini Santa Claus, 

ready to give delightful gifts to nice kids 

and cold coals to naughty ones. 

Mini Pomeranian mother-and-daughter 

duo Chow and Cinnamon, along with Shih 

Tzu Coco, dressed up as mini dinosaurs. 

Shih Tzu Oreo dressed as a butterfly 

ready to dazzle the judges and fly away. 

Shih Tzu twins Yumi and Curtis, dressed in 

their winter jackets ran up and down the 

stage as they accompany their adolescent 

owner. Meanwhile, the only muse Persian 

Kitten Snow just sat in the middle of the 

stage, unbothered by everyone’s antics. 



VP/COVER 

Tony Labrusca 

IS SERVING 

THE FULL 

PLATTER 

All the flavors of the world got nothing on what Tony Labrusca has in the oven. With eyes set to becoming 

the best version of himself, Tony has been steadily cruising upwards after a blazing start. Adding a spoonful 

of honey and a bit of chili to that mixing bowl — you get a sweet and spicy combo personified with a striking 

jaw, firm shoulders, and a zesty soul. Simmering to a slow cook, he’s ready to serve us a platter of a fullcourse 

meal. And we’re left bingeing off his hands, begging for seconds, and looking for crumbs. 

by Lord Harvey Monteroso 

PHOTOGRAPHER | MIKE GELLA FILM BY VINCENT SY ASSISTED BY GABE GAVINA 

STYLIST | CHYNNA MAMAWAL ASSISTED BY KRISTEL JOY NUYDA & STEPHANIE BELLE PALOMATA MAKEUP ARTIST | GUILLANO 

VALENZUELA HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO SHOT IN EATOGETHER, SM MEGAMALL 

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE JEANS PH, JULIE VENTURA, JESSICA MIRABEL, MARIO COLMENARES, STAR MAGIC, AND AJ SANCHEZ 


VP/COVER 

Wardrobe from Lee Jeans Philippines 



TONY LABRUSCA IS A 

MELTING POT 

Tony’s been pretty busy the last time 

we saw him on the cover Village Pipol 

Magazine. His filmology has clearly 

become a melting pot of different 

flavors. With a psychological sportscentered 

thriller, a political drama, a 

glorious May-December love affair, 

a coming-of-age barkada flick, and 

even a mainstream romcom — Tony’s 

tendency to genre-bend is quite 

impressive. Not to mention: half of 

his movie projects have been solid 

contenders for local film festivals. 

Suit by Chynna Mamawal 

Drastically jumping from one 

character to another and portraying 

each role differently (but still 

showing his signature brooding 

persona) makes him worthy of all the 

praises. 

“I always believe in destiny. But at the 

same time, I did have the opportunity 

to say yes and no for roles. My 

management team and I are kinda 

picky about that. We wanted to curate 

how my filmography would go, how it 

would separate me from the rest,” he 

shares. 

“We really go roles that are full of 

substance. It’s only this year that 

I’ve been accepting roles that are 

mainstream. This honestly helped 

me move out of my comfort zone. It’s 

different to star in films that everyone 

talks about. It’s exciting and very new. 

I’m very humbled by it all,” he explains 

further. 



THAT’S THE WAY HIS COOKIE 

CRUMBLES 

But with each praise comes criticism. And in show 

business, criticism comes from the most unexpected 

places and the most inappropriate of times. Amid 

the challenges he’d gone through at this early in his 

career, Tony thinks it’s all a test of perseverance. 

With all the things that happened and still happening 

to him, it does seem that he’s become wiser and 

grounded. A lot has changed but he thinks it’s for the 

best. 

“I’ve definitely experienced the good and the bad of 

showbiz now. I’ve grown more and I’m in a different 

place with a different perspective. Change isn’t 

necessarily what we want but it’s what we need as 

a person and an artist,” he says knowingly and with 

self-awareness. 



HAVING HIS CAKE AND 

EATING IT TOO 

“Everything happens for a reason. 

I feel like, as a human being, we’re 

bound to make mistakes. It’s part of 

what makes us unique. But there’s 

this vicious cycle. A lot of people 

forget when something is an honest 

mistake, when it’s out of ignorance, 

or when it’s basically wrong. Our 

society really doesn’t know how to 

differentiate that anymore.” 


Fame and popularity, like most 

things, have two sides. For him, it’s a 

matter of how you take it all in. In a 

society where people are scared to 

make mistakes or be afraid to be the 

first one who’d do something wrong, 

he believes it’s more about accepting 

one’s self and being proud of it. 

“You do something not entirely right, 

and all of a sudden, you don’t deserve 

the good things coming your way. 

Just because we’re celebrities, it 

doesn’t mean we don’t have feelings 

or that we have to be picture perfect 

all the time. That we’re not allowed to 

have bad days or to be grumpy, you 

know?” his rhetoric echoes clearly. 

12 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol

NOT EASY AS PIE 

“I feel like I’m a character in the sense 

that if I’m on a day off, I won’t wear my 

expensive clothes and be all that in public. 

I’d keep it simple, like a hat and shades. 

It’s so that people won’t recognize me. But 

even then, people still recognize me.” 

As a public figure, Tony knows he’s put on 

a round table for everyone to feast over. 

He isn’t complaining about it because 

that’s what he signed up for. But he’s 

gotten to a point where he values privacy, 

too, but still maintains a certain level of 

swag and professionalism. 



“I ALSO LIKE TO FIND TIME FOR 

MYSELF BECAUSE I’M ALWAYS 

SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE. WHEN 

IT’S MY DAY OFF, I DON’T WANT TO 

BE TOO SURROUNDED, YOU KNOW 

WHAT I MEAN? BUT, HEY, THIS IS 

MY BREAD AND BUTTER. THESE ARE 

THE PEOPLE WHO MADE ME WHO 

I AM TODAY, “ HE CONTINUED 


THE MAIN COURSE 

“I honestly tell myself to do your best. And 

that whatever you’re doing whether you 

like it or not, do your best. Because God 

gave that to you.” 

Tony is a lot of things, but he surely isn’t 

someone who makes a fuss about the 

small stuff. He takes his bite and then 

shares what he can. He also believes in 

giving his all in situations but pulling back 

if he has to. 

“Speak your truth. But always keep the 

parts of yourself that are important to you 

that you want to be kept private, keep 

those things to yourself. You don’t have to 

give everything to everybody. God really 

knows your truth, where your heart is 

at. Just keep on doing you. It’s not easy. 

There’s no easy answer for it. But if you 

just stay true to yourself and you know 

you’re not intentionally hurting anybody, 

that’s enough,” he ends by showing off 

those perfect teeth of his. 

Life’s a buffet. You get what you want 

and sometimes you get more than you 

can. For Tony Labrusca, he’s beyond 

happy to even get a decent meal. With an 

upcoming movie for 2019’s Metro Manila 

Film Festival, a film with Viva Films, 

another with Dreamscape Entertainment, 

and possible projects outside the country, 

his new year is glazed with the best 

intentions. 

Show business is a tough endeavor with 

critics who are even tougher. Tony knows 

he’d have to be the better by staying on 

his lane and doing what he knows best 

— to entertain. All the world’s flavors got 

nothing on him, and he sure does make 

a good snack — the one that’s isn’t only 

good for the body, but also for the mind 

and the heart. 

W 





GRAB YOUR PLATES, 

LADIES AND 

GENTLEMEN. TONY 

LABRUSCA IS OUT 

TO SERVE THE FULL 

PLATTER.. 




JERIC 

GONZALES 

Is More Than Just A 

Leading Man 

We have all seen heartthrobs on television series or movies. The entertainment industry continues to give us quality content with 

actors and actresses who look straight out of a fashion catalog. Aside from their exceedingly good looks, they also wow us with their 

pure and amazing talent — Jeric Gonzales is one of those actors. 

by Angela Grace Baltan 

PHOTOGRAPHER | DOM CRUZ FILM BY ONIN ESTRELLA ASSISTED BY CHARLES CABICO STYLIST | 

CHINO AGUILAR MAKEUP ARTIST | ANGEL TATO HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT | CANDIE RAMOS 

SHOT IN STUDIO 808 

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHESTER JAN SINGIAN AND GMA ARTIST CENTER 



He has the talent to make us feel as if 

we’re with them. Although he admits 

that singing actually remains his forte, 

he immediately realized his love for 

acting. He falls in love with every 

character he portrays. He finds the craft 

interesting due to the experience and 

knowledge he gets from each role. 

Jeric never expected to have such a 

huge following. He just wants to be the 

best at what he does and seeing his fans 

completely support him makes him well 

up with gratitude. Before, he experienced 

harsh criticisms with people telling him 

he’s not a good actor and that he isn’t 

meant to be a leading man. 

The thought of those sentences from his 

critics made him work harder for it. With 

his growing success on screen, he can see 

his path to his dream and he promised to 

remain fearless and vigilant in achieving 

it. Truthfully so as he stars as the leading 

man of two wonderful ladies in GMA 

Network’s Magkaagaw: Sheryl Cruz and 

Klea Pineda. 

With Jeric’s eighteen-year gap with 

Sheryl, his role as Jio in Magkaagaw 

certainly looks as if it’s his hardest. Their 

intimate workshops gave way to his desire 

to do good as they film hot and daring 

scenes. He also shows off his versatility 

as he portrays the more vulnerable side of 

his character alongside Klea. 

Magkaagaw instills a little bit of pressure 

on our leading man as he never imagined 

portraying such role. Aside from Sheryl 

and Klea, he also acts alongside Sunshine 

Dizon, showing off a whole roster of 

talented actresses that he has to level 

with. He shared that he is in almost all of 

intense scenes in the show, making him 

feel more pressure than he’s used to. 

Jeric Gonzales admits he is a little similar 

to Jio. However, it doesn’t particularly 

mean he would have an affair with 

women older than him. He discloses their 

similarities in a way that Jio dreams big 

when it comes to his family. He wants to 

give them a big house and a comfortably 

happy life. He shares his dream to have a 

family, with a wife that he could share and 

work everything with. 


When it comes to performing, he reveals 

he feels a little bit anxious especially 

when it’s a live event. He deals with his 

own nervousness and using it as a fuel to 

his fiery desire of doing good. Preparing 

himself for a role or a performance, he 

makes himself certainly ready and alert 

for the things he is about to do. Before he 

works, he tries to relax and even exercise 

to make every move and action perfect. 

Jeric has learned a lot through his years 

in the industry. He shared that one should 

remain humble every single time and 

to every single person one will interact 

with. He also pointed out that one should 

remain kind to everyone he works with. 

His argument remains valid as he noted 

that one wouldn’t be in the industry if it 

weren’t for the said people. 

If he didn’t pursue acting, Jeric would 

probably be a nurse. He would have took 

a job after he graduated as a nursing 

student. Aside from that, he would have 

started his career in music and started a 

band which remains one of the things he 

always wanted to do. 



If given the opportunity, Jeric has 

something to say to his younger self. 

“Siguro mas naging aware, mas naging 

responsible. Maraming opportunities ang 

nagdaan or chances, pero parang nagrelax 

lang ako ng ganun. Dumaan lang. 

Dapat lahat ng ginagawa mo, galingan mo 

na. Make the most out of it while enjoying 

it.” 

Jeric also remains grateful to his dear fans 

who continue to support him every single 

step of the way. 

“Sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, thank 

you so much for believing. Sana patuloy 

niyo akong suportahan kahit ano man 

gawin ko… Kahit anong role ang gawin ko, 

sana suportahan niyo pa rin ako. Thank 

you. Thank you so much.” 


VP/EXCLUSIVE 

ROCCO NACINO 

PEELS BACK 

THE LAYERS 

OF MOVIE 

‘WRITE ABOUT LOVE’ 



Rocco Nacino stars in the most meta 

Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Write 

About Love. He stars alongside Miles 

Ocampo as writers teaming up to make 

a blockbuster romantic movie. In an 

exclusive interview, Rocco shares a 

few details about the movie that only a 

handful of people found out by watching 

the trailer. 

ROCCO NACINO IN WRITE ABOUT 

LOVE 

Admittedly, Rocco wants to send a 

message through his character. Fueling 

the fire, he hoped that people would 

understand that nothing actually goes to 

plan. He, then, continued to encourage 

people to remain open to the real world. 

“Not everything should go accordingly 

to your plan. Be open to take in or be 

a sponge to other things or the outside 

world. Even though you’ve made it, 

everything is still a learning process even 

when it comes to love or your perception 

of love. The smallest of things can actually 

change your view on the world.” 

ROCCO NACINO IN A NEW 

EXPERIENCE 

As his first time working with TBA Studios 

and the three Kapamilya stars, Rocco 

admitted that it felt different. He noted 

that he had to adjust and try to fit in with 

the whole cast and crew. He makes it a 

point to talk to them even when they’re 

not shooting a scene. This way, he could 

establish rapport and break the ice to 

make everything smoother. 

Aside from that, this also gave way to 

starting the chemistry between the 

characters. Working on the movie made 

him feel as if he just entered the showbiz 

industry all over again. Seeing the cast 

and crew work together, he pointed out 

that he learned a lot from all of them. 

The production made him realize why he 

became an actor in the first place. 

PRODUCED BY ANGELA BALTAN 

PHOTOGRAPHER | DOM CRUZ 

FILM BY ONIN ESTRELLA 

ASSISTED BY CHARLES ALDRICH 

CABICO 

STYLIST | CHINO BROWNLEE AGUILAR 

MAKEUP ARTIST | ELVIE RECALDE 

HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO 


SHOWCASING THE LIFE AND PAIN 

OF SCRIPTWRITERS 

Rocco portrays a seasoned writer paired 

with Miles Ocampo, a newbie trying to 

make a movie about love. He gets the 

idea to convince Miles to gather some 

real-life experience from a past lover. 

However, she has yet to experience love 

and heartbreak despite trying a few 

mobile dating applications. With her lack 

of experience, how can she ever write a 

movie about love? 

Noticeably, Rocco only described his 

character as male writer and Ocampo’s 

as a female writer. This remains a huge 

difference from their characters, Joy 

(Yeng Constantino) and Marco (Joem 

Bascon), who actually have names. Rocco 

smiled and noted that this movie was 

made to pay homage for scriptwriters. 

“After, so long, people always remember 

lines na patok sa puso. Lines na 

nakakaiyak, lines na nakakatawa. Lines 

that by word of mouth tumatatak sa mga 

tao. So, bakit ganun? It’s because of what 

these scriptwriters go through. Kung 

dramatic ‘yung line, it’s because of the 

pain that these scriptwriters go through, 

maybe through love, maybe through heart 

break, family loss or kung anuman. ‘Yun 

‘yung pain na nararamdaman natin galing 

sa kanila kasi story nila ‘yun… So, it’s 

about time na sila naman ‘yung bida.” 

CATERED TO THE MILLENNIAL 

GENERATION 

As a complete opposite of his character, 

Rocco pointed out he had to dig deep to 

find what his character really embodies. 

Aside from showcasing scriptwriters, 

Write About Love remains unique in 

showing different kinds of love. Catering 

to the millennial generation, he noted 

that it will surely be relatable to people 

everywhere. 

Directed by Crisanto Aquino, Write About 

Love shows different kinds of love and 

actually using pain to write something 

beautiful. 



VP/EXCLUSIVE 

TIMELESS AS 

ENCHANTRESS, CARMINA 

VILLARROEL IS AN AGELESS 

NAME IN THE WORLD OF 

ACTING. DECADES OF 

PASSION AND DEDICATION 

SUSTAINED HER SPARKLE 

– TIME PASSES AND SHE’S 

STILL HERE, STRONG AND 

PREVAILING. 


Carmina’s longevity in show 

business mirrors her love for 

her craft. She has been giving 

us a feast of talent through 

her impeccable performances 

as an actress in TV and movie 

setting. In fact, her enthusiasm 

is contagious, making her 

environment a garden of 

enjoyment and excitement. 

Before this year ends, she is 

set to make her biggest big 

screen comeback – and we are 

confident this will be big. 

CARMINA’S SUNOD IN 

MMFF 2019 

On this year-end holiday, 

Carmina is the lead star of 

Sunod, a Metro Manila Film 

Festival (MMFF) 2019 official 

entry. In fact, this is the only 

horror genre in the list, making 

it a real stand out. 

Even though Sunod is tagged 

as a horror film, it is also about 

a heartfelt mother-daughter 

story. In the film, Carmina is a 

loving mother who works as 

a call center agent to pay the 

hospital bills of her child. While 

she is desperately seeking ways 

to prolong her daughter’s life, 

she will encounter unexpected 

horror that will definitely 

change her life and the people 

around her. 

It was three decades ago 

when Carmina starred in a 

MMFF entry, thus making this 

film extra memorable for the 

seasoned actress. 

SUNOD AS UNUSUAL 

HORROR FILIPINO FILM 

So, for a long time, what 

makes Carmina decides to 

grab and take the role? “Iba 

siya sa typical local horror film 

because our movie is so quiet,” 

she described the movie with 

confidence. 

The movie trailer gives 

its viewers both chill and 

calming vibe. Yes, ‘chill 

and calm’, opposite to the 

typical Philippine horror film. 

Tikbalang, manananggal, kapre 

or whatsoever, the movie does 

not have it – but it has the 

story that will nerve-wrack the 

audience. It does not warn the 

audience what to expect, but 

be prepare for a dynamic mood 

ride that will shiver amid the 

coldness of December. 



For a timeless actress like 

Carmina who had already 

played countless roles, the 

movie is indeed exquisite in its 

own way. Whereas, the veteran 

actress felt a spark that push 

her to take the role. “When they 

offer this to me, when I read the 

script, I said, ‘This is it. Ito na. 

Gusto ko na ‘tong gawin.’” 

THE NOSTALGIC RETURN 

ON BIG SCREEN 

Unlike any other actor who 

had a long hiatus from the big 

screen, Carmina has no specific 

preparation for her comeback, 

she only made sure to embrace 

her character – diligently. 

“I just read the script, I talk 

to my director and then from 

there, parang nagmo-morph 

ako when I get to the scene, 

when I get to the location, 

parang naa-absorb ko na 

lang ‘yong character na kung 

sino man ako – I’m not like 

other actors na mayroong 

preparations, may kanya kanya 

kami kung paano mag prepare. 

So, ako, chill lang!” she claims. 

Produced and Written by 

Nicko Talavera, Sheila Ordinario, 

and Fern Estrebello 

Photographer | Dom Cruz 

Assisted by Miguel Famularcano 

Film by Vincent Sy 

Assisted by Candie Ramos 

Styling | Myrrh Lao To, 

Carvey Samonte of 

#teammesmyrrhized 

Makeup Artist | Rick Calderon 

Hairstylist | Jhoan Soria & 

Raffy Prieto Francisco 

Special Thanks To Joshua Roque, 

TEN17P, and Globe Studios 

Shot in Cornerstone Studios 

The actress doesn’t even mind 

asking a bunch of questions to 

her co-actors and directors as 

long as it is for the betterment 

of the production. Apart 

from acting, she believes that 

collaboration with the people 

behind the camera helps the 

working relationship at ease 

and productive. 


Upon knowing that her 

comeback film was chosen as 

one of the MMFF entries, the 

actress thought that this would 

be her nostalgic return. After 

starring in Shake, Rattle & Run 

2, the multi-talented actress 

will once again bring chill and 

creeps to festival critics and 

viewers. 

CARMINA AS AN ACTRESS 

As an actress who has been 

in the industry for so long, 

Carmina sees herself as 

someone who is dedicated and 

passionate about her craft. 

She also wants to believe 

throughout these years on her 

career where she has already 

established her name, she can 

already be labeled as one of the 

country’s versatile actresses. 

With her decades of experience 

and contribution to Philippine 

Cinema, we can really say that 

she is one of the country’s most 

versatile actresses – ONLY 

FACTS. 

“I think because I can do 

drama, I can do horror and I 

can do comedy obviously dahil 

mahilig ako magpatawa and I 

get to host,” she affirms. 

Carmina revealed that she 

never had a specific dream 

role, she just wants to do 

something that sparks her 

heart. But if there’s one role 

she would never accept over 

anything else, it would be a 

exorcism-themed film. 

“In this movie we have 

possessions but hindi ako ‘yung 

napo-possess so okay naman 

ako doon. If that’s the theme 

of the story, it’s fine with me. 

Unang una, matatakutin ako at 

palapitin ako so I don’t want to 

invite,” she explains. 

Being in this tough business for 

a long time means working with 

a lot of different people behind 

and in front of the camera. 

Carmina believes that a good 

actress is someone who has a 

good sense of professionalism, 

discipline, and treats her coworkers 

with respect regardless 

of position. On the other hand, 

her pet peeve is someone who 

lacks discipline especially those 

who are always late – and I 

could’t agree more. 

WORDS OF WISDOM 

Carmina’s longevity in the 

industry is the only thing that 

she is really proud of. Her 

‘sustaining power’ is what 

makes her still alive and kicking 

in the industry despite the 

bloom of the new generation 

of actors. “For you to be able 

to sustain that long in this 

business is something else, I 

guess because it’s really hard 

work. I may not have a title, I 

may not be a superstar star for 

all seasons, or kung ano mang 

title ‘yan, that’s fine with me as 

long as I am still here.” 

For someone who’s truly 

passionate like Carmina, 

keeping one’s sparkle is the 

most challenging role. 

However, she believes 

that discipline, hard work, 

professionalism mirror her 

endurance in this world of fame 

and unending competition. 

“Sana ‘yong mga younger stars, 

‘yong bagong artista ngayon, 

sana ‘yon yong maano ko sa 

kanila na just to be professional 

and respectful to one another, 

not only to your co-actors but 

everyone on the set,” she urges 

new and aspiring actors. 

TIMELESS PASSION 

Carmina shares a piece of 

advice to all new generation 

actors: to pursue their dreams 

no matter what their dreams 

are. Above all, she wants 

to emphasize the value of 

gratitude despite fame and 

successes. 

“Be grateful sa lahat ng mga 

tumulong sa inyo in the past 

up to the present. Always 

be thankful to your fans. Put 

yourself in their position.” 

As time flies so fast, everything 

we’ve seen on television for 

so long seems to be merely a 

product of yesterday’s hard 

work. Yet, Carmina’s passion 

and skills in acting still remain 

‘out of the ordinary’ that no one 

could seem to surpass. 



VP/FASHION 

Femininity: 

THE ULTIMATE FORM OF 

SOPHISTICATION 

What is the essence of being a woman? This 

question, alone, poses a myriad of actualities 

with varying degrees. Whether by sexual 

orientation or gender identity, femininity 

cannot be defined into one category. It 

continues to echo culturally over time 

through fashion and the arts, among several 

others. 

IN TRUTH, HOWEVER, MUCH OF OUR 

PERCEPTION RELIES HEAVILY ON 

STEREOTYPES. 

Take vulnerability for example. Society has 

shackled women under a glass ceiling of 

sexism. Not to mention, this prejudice proves 

detrimental and polarizing at worst. Even the 

color pink has stood to symbolize delicateness 

when, as it happens, it can also represent 

fierceness. Hence, the wild incongruity led to a 

revolution in heels. 

THIS IS WHAT MODERN FEMININITY 

LOOKS LIKE. 

Women are taking control of their vulnerability 

using the clothes they choose to wear. In 

hindsight, long have they transformed their 

wardrobe as creative outlets of expression. It 

has made a powerful statement of vulnerability. 

This placed them on top of the tier we so 

desperately try to climb on. 

WHAT WAS ONCE A MARKER OF 

FRAGILITY LAUNCHED A THOUSAND 

SHIPS OF DEFIANCE. 

Now, their hushed whispers amplified to 

thundering roars. Never again could anyone 

preclude them from using their clothes to show 

the multitude of emotions residing within. For 

the holidays, going for the unconventional is 

the norm. Wear pink boldly to strengthen your 

sartorial approach. 

It may stand as a stark contrast to the standard 

hues, but its use exudes elegance and chicness. 

Your incisive choice of blush nude and rose 

quartz will earn you a well-deserved spotlight. 

Besides, there’s nothing in the fashion rule 

book that says pink isn’t within the realm of the 

Christmas spirit. 

PERHAPS, GEARING FOR A NEW 

YEAR, WE BECOME EMBOLDENED TO 

CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO. 

Allow vulnerability to be your highly-possessed 

accessory. Certainly, the most attractive 

attribute you can wear on your sleeves is selfconfidence. 

My hope is that women would 

start to love, honor, and be the best version of 

their true and authentic selves. Embracing your 

femininity means knowing your power. 

Written by Shawn Kliff Sacal 

Photography by Wayne Eda 

Assisted by Joy Beronio 

Model | Ella Eiveren Lubag of Mercator Models 

Makeup Artist | Jewel Navoa 

Hairstylist | John Carl Diaz 

Stylist | James Bradlee Gomez 

Assisted by Lanz Aron Bendana

VP 2019-12 TONY LABRUSCA DIGITAL

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