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
- Page 2 and 3: VP/EDITORIAL #VPTEAM EVOLUTION RED
- Page 4 and 5: VP/TRAVEL VP/NEWS PURINA PH HOSTED
- Page 6 and 7: VP/LIFESTYLE SHARP BETTER SOLUTIONS
- Page 8 and 9: VP/COVER Tony Labrusca IS SERVING T
- Page 10 and 11: TONY LABRUSCA IS A MELTING POT Tony
- Page 12 and 13: HAVING HIS CAKE AND EATING IT TOO
- Page 14 and 15: “I ALSO LIKE TO FIND TIME FOR MYS
- Page 16 and 17: Wardrobe from Lee Jeans Philippines
- Page 18 and 19: He has the talent to make us feel a
- Page 20 and 21: If given the opportunity, Jeric has
- Page 22 and 23: Rocco Nacino stars in the most meta
- Page 24 and 25: VP/EXCLUSIVE TIMELESS AS ENCHANTRES
- Page 26 and 27: For a timeless actress like Carmina
- Page 28 and 29: VP/FASHION Femininity: THE ULTIMATE
- Page 30: 30 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipo
<strong>VP</strong>/SPOTLIGHT<br />
IT'S ALL GOOD WITH<br />
MARK MCMAHON<br />
BY LORD HARVEY MONTEROSO<br />
<strong>VP</strong>/TRAVEL<br />
RELIVE THE PAST WITH<br />
LAS CASAS FILIPINAS<br />
DE ACUZAR NEWEST<br />
ATTRACTION HISTORY<br />
LAND<br />
BY ANGELA BALTAN<br />
<strong>VP</strong>/FASHION<br />
THE ARTISANAL<br />
JOURNEY OF THE PAST<br />
AND PRESENT<br />
BY SHAWN KLIFF SACAL<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 1
<strong>VP</strong>/EDITORIAL<br />
#<strong>VP</strong>TEAM<br />
EVOLUTION<br />
RED ENTERTAINMENT, INC., THE COMPANY THAT PUBLISHED THE 1 ST<br />
FREE ONLINE AND PRINTED NEWS MAGAZINE IN THE PHILIPPINES,<br />
VILLAGE PIPOL, WAS ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 2007. #CHEERS!<br />
Another year is about to end, and we are truly grateful for all the amazing people who<br />
supported us in our journey. <strong>2019</strong> has become a year of exploration and excitement — as<br />
“your guide to the big city,'' we always made sure to provide compelling content every<br />
issue.<br />
In this last issue of <strong>2019</strong>, we are featuring two of the most bankable male stars of this<br />
generation — Tony Labrusca and Jeric Gonzales. These two men proved that they are<br />
more than just leading men. As long as they pursue those things that they are really<br />
passionate about, there will always a bright future ahead of them.<br />
PUBLISHER RICHIE DE QUIÑA<br />
GWYNN CRISOSTOMO<br />
MANAGING EDITOR JOHN LUKE CHICA<br />
PR & MARKETING MANAGER JOSH AUSTRIA<br />
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JIM REYNOLD ZAMORA<br />
<strong>DIGITAL</strong> MANAGER PHILIP ANDAYA<br />
LAYOUT ARTISTS FRAME RIVAS<br />
ZISA BLANCA<br />
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ANGELA BALTAN<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
PHOTOGRAPHERS<br />
VIDEOGRAPHER<br />
INTERNS<br />
SHAWN KLIFF SACAL<br />
LORD HARVEY MONTEROSO<br />
ARTHUR TOLENTINO<br />
MIKE GELLA<br />
DOM CRUZ<br />
ONIN ESTRELLA<br />
VINCENT SY<br />
NICKO TALAVERA<br />
FERN ESTREBELLO<br />
SHEILA ORDINARIO<br />
CANDIE RAMOS<br />
Grab a copy of our December issue!<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<br />
“Innovation is change that unlocks new value”<br />
Village Pipol – The Evolution of Advertising!<br />
Richie de Quina<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
RED Entertainment, Inc.<br />
Unit 419 & 420 One Oasis Hub B Building M,<br />
Ortigas Ext. Ave., Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City 1600<br />
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2 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 3
<strong>VP</strong>/TRAVEL<br />
<strong>VP</strong>/NEWS<br />
PURINA PH HOSTED DOG<br />
FOOD EATING CHALLENGE<br />
DURING ANIMAL RUN <strong>2019</strong>!<br />
RED Sports, under RED Entertainment, started the month of<br />
December with Animal Run <strong>2019</strong>. Dialysis PH Support Group and<br />
Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) remained the official<br />
and main beneficiaries of this sporting event under #Run4UrLife.<br />
In partnership with Purina Philippines, Animal Run <strong>2019</strong> was<br />
definitely a success with almost a thousand runners and a<br />
thousand more onlookers.<br />
Quirino Grandstand was definitely jam-packed! Filled with almost<br />
500 fur babies, pets shed fur and excitement all around. With<br />
PAWS as their main beneficiary, this sporting event aimed to help<br />
stray animals who remained caged in shelters. Veterinarians Dr.<br />
Adelaida Suller and Dr. Froilan Calip conducted free check-ups to<br />
fur babies present at the event while giving away free Supercoat<br />
from Purina Philippines.<br />
As every race category prepares to do their runs, they were<br />
invited to a Zumba warm-up lead by Coaches Johnrev Sayson<br />
Binondo and Paolo Domingo.<br />
PURINA PARTNERS WITH RED SPORTS.<br />
As a major sponsor, Purina had their own segment during Animal<br />
Run where they hosted a Dog Food Eating Challenge. Eight fur<br />
parents encouraged their babies during the challenge. Although<br />
not all participants won, they all received packets of Supercoat<br />
from Purina. The brand also had their own photo booth where<br />
pets took turns at a slide fit for every breed.<br />
4 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 5
<strong>VP</strong>/LIFESTYLE<br />
SHARP<br />
BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR<br />
A BETTER LIFE 2<br />
The application or use of these products<br />
are not only limited to homes, as they<br />
can also be utilized in venues such as<br />
offices, schools, hospitals and other<br />
establishments with high population<br />
densities sure to benefit its occupants.<br />
HEALTH & BEAUTY SOLUTION<br />
We try to keep ourselves healthy through<br />
proper exercise and appropriate diet. This<br />
also reflects on the food that we consume<br />
and how it is cooked. With SHARP’s<br />
Helsio Hotcook, healthy cooking is made<br />
possible as the natural moisture and<br />
original flavor from ingredients together<br />
with its nutritional values are retained,<br />
compared to conventional cooking.<br />
Dishes are hassle-free with automatic<br />
control and various cooking programs<br />
depending on your menu, just place all<br />
the necessary ingredients and wait until it<br />
is finished. Voila! Your meal is now ready<br />
to be served.<br />
With the continuous evolution of<br />
technology and the significant role it<br />
plays in the everyday lives of people,<br />
Sharp Philippines Corporation(SPC)<br />
continues to introduce products that aim<br />
to incorporate ease and convenience into<br />
the Filipino household.<br />
SPC’s products are categorized into four<br />
sections, or what they refer to as solutions<br />
– that seek to address the needs of the<br />
consumers. These are Entertainment<br />
Solutions, Clean & Comfort Solution,<br />
Health & Beauty Solution and Business<br />
Solution.<br />
Products highlighted last November<br />
28, <strong>2019</strong> at The Madison Events Place<br />
complement those that were launched<br />
earlier in July. Though SHARP’s global<br />
direction is to bring in the latest products<br />
with 8K and AIoT technology, the<br />
company also devotes its resources<br />
in coming up with items packed with<br />
technologies that enable efficiency,<br />
provides comfort and promote good<br />
health.<br />
The audience was treated to a visual<br />
display as well as live demonstrations<br />
conducted by their corresponding<br />
Product Specialists, showcasing the<br />
features and capability of the items.<br />
ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTION<br />
Having introduced the AQUOS 8K LED TV<br />
for the Filipino market last July, SHARP<br />
now presents its Artificial Intelligence of<br />
Things (AIoT) series of FULL HD and 4K<br />
HDR Android Televisions.<br />
Eligible Android TVs are Google Assistant<br />
ready, enabling users to interact with their<br />
devices and perform tasks such as playing<br />
music/video, searching for the latest news<br />
among others, all hands-free. The new line<br />
of Android TVs comes with features such<br />
as Comfort mode, a special AV Mode that<br />
reduces 50% of blue light. It also has an<br />
advanced Bluetooth version, which allows<br />
users to connect the television to their<br />
external Bluetooth speakers.<br />
Have your own personal cinematic<br />
sound system with the AQUOS Sound<br />
Partner AN-SX7A. It is compatible with a<br />
wide variety of devices and is extremely<br />
portable, resting comfortably on one<br />
shoulder. The acoustic Vibration System<br />
provides powerful sound and heavy bass.<br />
It ensures an immersive audio-visual<br />
experience that is perfect for when you are<br />
playing video games or enjoying the latest<br />
shows on Netflix.<br />
CLEAN & COMFORT SOLUTION<br />
Personal hygiene is an important aspect<br />
of a Filipino’s life. Apart from ensuring the<br />
cleanliness of our own being, we want<br />
this to be reflected in our homes as well<br />
a place considered as a sanctuary for<br />
individuals and families alike.<br />
SPC has your well-being in mind; that<br />
is why they develop products that help<br />
achieve and maintain a fresh comfortable<br />
environment. These are Washing<br />
Machines, Ractive Air Vacuum Cleaner,<br />
Mite Catcher, Air-conditioner with AIoT<br />
J-Tech Inverter Technology and Air<br />
Purifier/Cleaner equipped with SHARP’s<br />
original Plusmacluster Ion Technology.<br />
Looking good is also tantamount to<br />
feeling good. When we exert even the<br />
littlest effort in fixing ourselves up, be it<br />
reporting to work every day or attending<br />
an event, we feel much more confident<br />
in facing the world. Beauty appliances<br />
for women, such as the Hair Dryer, Hair<br />
Iron and Curling Ion with Plusmacluster<br />
feature lessens dirt and prevents hair<br />
damage. The Scalp massager on the other<br />
hand, reduces dry scalp and keeps our<br />
hair healthy.<br />
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS<br />
Understanding the needs of the business,<br />
SHARP also has dedicated products that<br />
cater to the corporate sector through<br />
their dynamic displays that project clear<br />
and beautiful images for application as<br />
digital signages or for business meetings<br />
via the internet.<br />
SHARP has also acquired and further<br />
develop the Dynabook Laptop,<br />
designed for business professionals and<br />
workplace environments. Combining<br />
their technologies (displays, sensors<br />
etc.) with that of Toshiba, they seek to<br />
produce market-leading computers and<br />
other devices. The dynabook features a<br />
thin design with long-lasting battery and<br />
is rated with MIL-STD-810G for utmost<br />
durability.<br />
Committed to quality and innovation,<br />
SHARP will continue to develop products<br />
that will bring Better Solutions for Better<br />
Life to consumers.<br />
6 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
PETS SHED THEIR FUR<br />
AND EXCITEMENT DURING<br />
ANIMAL RUN <strong>2019</strong>!<br />
<strong>VP</strong>/EVENTS<br />
ANIMAL RUN <strong>2019</strong>: 500M, 1K, 3K<br />
AND 5K.<br />
Kids were able to win the 500m and 1k<br />
race categories while adults were able to<br />
dominate the 3k and 5k. They all received<br />
a gift pack which includes bottles from<br />
Sip Water, Fit n Right, Mogu Mogu and a<br />
packet from Milku. They also received a<br />
loot bag from Lubie, a water-based multipurpose<br />
lubricant and moisturizer.<br />
Aside from that, they also got a bag<br />
from Chlo-Relief, anti-itch and anti-rash<br />
lotion, a pack of Supercoat from Purina<br />
Philippines and gift certificates from<br />
Zoomanity Group. All champions, then,<br />
received a brand-new electric fan from<br />
Sharp Philippines.<br />
Organizers also conducted a raffle<br />
where the grand prize was a brand new<br />
automatic washing machine from Sharp<br />
Philippines presented by Marketing<br />
Supervisor Theresa Bates and Kyle<br />
Vergara.<br />
RED Sports, under RED Entertainment,<br />
started the month of December with<br />
Animal Run <strong>2019</strong>. Under the #Run4UrLife<br />
series, this sporting event was meant<br />
to benefit Dialysis PH Support Group<br />
and Philippine Animal Welfare Society<br />
(PAWS). This is partnership with<br />
National Parks Development Committee<br />
(NPDC) and Purina Philippines.<br />
ANIMAL RUN <strong>2019</strong>.<br />
With almost a thousand runners and a<br />
thousand more onlookers, Animal Run<br />
<strong>2019</strong> was definitely a success. Quirino<br />
Grandstand was filled with almost 500<br />
fur babies, shedding fur and excitement<br />
all around. With PAWS as their main<br />
beneficiary, this sporting event aimed<br />
to help stray animals who are caged in<br />
shelters.<br />
ZUMBATHON.<br />
As every race category prepares to do<br />
their runs, they were invited to a Zumba<br />
warm-up lead by Coaches Johnrev<br />
Sayson Binondo and Paolo Domingo from<br />
Anytime Fitness.<br />
PURINA PARTNERS WITH<br />
RED SPORTS.<br />
DOG FOOD EATING CHALLENGE.<br />
As a major sponsor, Purina had their own<br />
segment during Animal Run where they<br />
hosted a Dog Food Eating Challenge.<br />
Eight fur parents encouraged their<br />
babies during the challenge. Although<br />
not all participants won, they all received<br />
packets of Supercoat from Purina.<br />
PHOTO BOOTH.<br />
The brand also had their own photo booth<br />
where pets took turns at a slide fit for<br />
every breed at their assigned area near<br />
the stage.<br />
GIVEAWAYS.<br />
Veterinarians Dr. Adelaida Suller and Dr.<br />
Froilan Calip conducted free check-ups<br />
to fur babies present at the event while<br />
giving away free Supercoat from Purina<br />
Philippines.<br />
PET FASHION GALA<br />
Pets also came up on stage as they strut<br />
their stuff in a fashion show. Although<br />
not all participants won, they all received<br />
packets of Supercoat from Purina<br />
Philippines. The winners, on the other<br />
hand, received premium adult dog food<br />
from Magnus Philippines. Daschund<br />
Basha dressed up as a mini Santa Claus,<br />
ready to give delightful gifts to nice kids<br />
and cold coals to naughty ones.<br />
Mini Pomeranian mother-and-daughter<br />
duo Chow and Cinnamon, along with Shih<br />
Tzu Coco, dressed up as mini dinosaurs.<br />
Shih Tzu Oreo dressed as a butterfly<br />
ready to dazzle the judges and fly away.<br />
Shih Tzu twins Yumi and Curtis, dressed in<br />
their winter jackets ran up and down the<br />
stage as they accompany their adolescent<br />
owner. Meanwhile, the only muse Persian<br />
Kitten Snow just sat in the middle of the<br />
stage, unbothered by everyone’s antics.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 7
<strong>VP</strong>/COVER<br />
Tony Labrusca<br />
IS SERVING<br />
THE FULL<br />
PLATTER<br />
All the flavors of the world got nothing on what Tony Labrusca has in the oven. With eyes set to becoming<br />
the best version of himself, Tony has been steadily cruising upwards after a blazing start. Adding a spoonful<br />
of honey and a bit of chili to that mixing bowl — you get a sweet and spicy combo personified with a striking<br />
jaw, firm shoulders, and a zesty soul. Simmering to a slow cook, he’s ready to serve us a platter of a fullcourse<br />
meal. And we’re left bingeing off his hands, begging for seconds, and looking for crumbs.<br />
by Lord Harvey Monteroso<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER | MIKE GELLA FILM BY VINCENT SY ASSISTED BY GABE GAVINA<br />
STYLIST | CHYNNA MAMAWAL ASSISTED BY KRISTEL JOY NUYDA & STEPHANIE BELLE PALOMATA MAKEUP ARTIST | GUILLANO<br />
VALENZUELA HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO SHOT IN EATOGETHER, SM MEGAMALL<br />
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE JEANS PH, JULIE VENTURA, JESSICA MIRABEL, MARIO COLMENARES, STAR MAGIC, AND AJ SANCHEZ<br />
8 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
<strong>VP</strong>/COVER<br />
Wardrobe from Lee Jeans Philippines<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 9
<strong>TONY</strong> <strong>LABRUSCA</strong> IS A<br />
MELTING POT<br />
Tony’s been pretty busy the last time<br />
we saw him on the cover Village Pipol<br />
Magazine. His filmology has clearly<br />
become a melting pot of different<br />
flavors. With a psychological sportscentered<br />
thriller, a political drama, a<br />
glorious May-December love affair,<br />
a coming-of-age barkada flick, and<br />
even a mainstream romcom — Tony’s<br />
tendency to genre-bend is quite<br />
impressive. Not to mention: half of<br />
his movie projects have been solid<br />
contenders for local film festivals.<br />
Suit by Chynna Mamawal<br />
Drastically jumping from one<br />
character to another and portraying<br />
each role differently (but still<br />
showing his signature brooding<br />
persona) makes him worthy of all the<br />
praises.<br />
“I always believe in destiny. But at the<br />
same time, I did have the opportunity<br />
to say yes and no for roles. My<br />
management team and I are kinda<br />
picky about that. We wanted to curate<br />
how my filmography would go, how it<br />
would separate me from the rest,” he<br />
shares.<br />
“We really go roles that are full of<br />
substance. It’s only this year that<br />
I’ve been accepting roles that are<br />
mainstream. This honestly helped<br />
me move out of my comfort zone. It’s<br />
different to star in films that everyone<br />
talks about. It’s exciting and very new.<br />
I’m very humbled by it all,” he explains<br />
further.<br />
10 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
Wardrobe from Lee Jeans Philippines<br />
THAT’S THE WAY HIS COOKIE<br />
CRUMBLES<br />
But with each praise comes criticism. And in show<br />
business, criticism comes from the most unexpected<br />
places and the most inappropriate of times. Amid<br />
the challenges he’d gone through at this early in his<br />
career, Tony thinks it’s all a test of perseverance.<br />
With all the things that happened and still happening<br />
to him, it does seem that he’s become wiser and<br />
grounded. A lot has changed but he thinks it’s for the<br />
best.<br />
“I’ve definitely experienced the good and the bad of<br />
showbiz now. I’ve grown more and I’m in a different<br />
place with a different perspective. Change isn’t<br />
necessarily what we want but it’s what we need as<br />
a person and an artist,” he says knowingly and with<br />
self-awareness.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 11
HAVING HIS CAKE AND<br />
EATING IT TOO<br />
“Everything happens for a reason.<br />
I feel like, as a human being, we’re<br />
bound to make mistakes. It’s part of<br />
what makes us unique. But there’s<br />
this vicious cycle. A lot of people<br />
forget when something is an honest<br />
mistake, when it’s out of ignorance,<br />
or when it’s basically wrong. Our<br />
society really doesn’t know how to<br />
differentiate that anymore.”<br />
Suit by Chynna Mamawal<br />
Fame and popularity, like most<br />
things, have two sides. For him, it’s a<br />
matter of how you take it all in. In a<br />
society where people are scared to<br />
make mistakes or be afraid to be the<br />
first one who’d do something wrong,<br />
he believes it’s more about accepting<br />
one’s self and being proud of it.<br />
“You do something not entirely right,<br />
and all of a sudden, you don’t deserve<br />
the good things coming your way.<br />
Just because we’re celebrities, it<br />
doesn’t mean we don’t have feelings<br />
or that we have to be picture perfect<br />
all the time. That we’re not allowed to<br />
have bad days or to be grumpy, you<br />
know?” his rhetoric echoes clearly.<br />
<strong>12</strong> | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
NOT EASY AS PIE<br />
“I feel like I’m a character in the sense<br />
that if I’m on a day off, I won’t wear my<br />
expensive clothes and be all that in public.<br />
I’d keep it simple, like a hat and shades.<br />
It’s so that people won’t recognize me. But<br />
even then, people still recognize me.”<br />
As a public figure, Tony knows he’s put on<br />
a round table for everyone to feast over.<br />
He isn’t complaining about it because<br />
that’s what he signed up for. But he’s<br />
gotten to a point where he values privacy,<br />
too, but still maintains a certain level of<br />
swag and professionalism.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 13
“I ALSO LIKE TO FIND TIME FOR<br />
MYSELF BECAUSE I’M ALWAYS<br />
SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE. WHEN<br />
IT’S MY DAY OFF, I DON’T WANT TO<br />
BE TOO SURROUNDED, YOU KNOW<br />
WHAT I MEAN? BUT, HEY, THIS IS<br />
MY BREAD AND BUTTER. THESE ARE<br />
THE PEOPLE WHO MADE ME WHO<br />
I AM TODAY, “ HE CONTINUED<br />
14 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
THE MAIN COURSE<br />
“I honestly tell myself to do your best. And<br />
that whatever you’re doing whether you<br />
like it or not, do your best. Because God<br />
gave that to you.”<br />
Tony is a lot of things, but he surely isn’t<br />
someone who makes a fuss about the<br />
small stuff. He takes his bite and then<br />
shares what he can. He also believes in<br />
giving his all in situations but pulling back<br />
if he has to.<br />
“Speak your truth. But always keep the<br />
parts of yourself that are important to you<br />
that you want to be kept private, keep<br />
those things to yourself. You don’t have to<br />
give everything to everybody. God really<br />
knows your truth, where your heart is<br />
at. Just keep on doing you. It’s not easy.<br />
There’s no easy answer for it. But if you<br />
just stay true to yourself and you know<br />
you’re not intentionally hurting anybody,<br />
that’s enough,” he ends by showing off<br />
those perfect teeth of his.<br />
Life’s a buffet. You get what you want<br />
and sometimes you get more than you<br />
can. For Tony Labrusca, he’s beyond<br />
happy to even get a decent meal. With an<br />
upcoming movie for <strong>2019</strong>’s Metro Manila<br />
Film Festival, a film with Viva Films,<br />
another with Dreamscape Entertainment,<br />
and possible projects outside the country,<br />
his new year is glazed with the best<br />
intentions.<br />
Show business is a tough endeavor with<br />
critics who are even tougher. Tony knows<br />
he’d have to be the better by staying on<br />
his lane and doing what he knows best<br />
— to entertain. All the world’s flavors got<br />
nothing on him, and he sure does make<br />
a good snack — the one that’s isn’t only<br />
good for the body, but also for the mind<br />
and the heart.<br />
W<br />
Suit by Chynna Mamawal<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 15
Wardrobe from Lee Jeans Philippines<br />
GRAB YOUR PLATES,<br />
LADIES AND<br />
GENTLEMEN. <strong>TONY</strong><br />
<strong>LABRUSCA</strong> IS OUT<br />
TO SERVE THE FULL<br />
PLATTER..<br />
16 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
<strong>VP</strong>/SPOTLIGHT<br />
<strong>VP</strong>/SPOTLIGHT<br />
JERIC<br />
GONZALES<br />
Is More Than Just A<br />
Leading Man<br />
We have all seen heartthrobs on television series or movies. The entertainment industry continues to give us quality content with<br />
actors and actresses who look straight out of a fashion catalog. Aside from their exceedingly good looks, they also wow us with their<br />
pure and amazing talent — Jeric Gonzales is one of those actors.<br />
by Angela Grace Baltan<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER | DOM CRUZ FILM BY ONIN ESTRELLA ASSISTED BY CHARLES CABICO STYLIST |<br />
CHINO AGUILAR MAKEUP ARTIST | ANGEL TATO HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT | CANDIE RAMOS<br />
SHOT IN STUDIO 808<br />
SPECIAL THANKS TO CHESTER JAN SINGIAN AND GMA ARTIST CENTER<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 17
He has the talent to make us feel as if<br />
we’re with them. Although he admits<br />
that singing actually remains his forte,<br />
he immediately realized his love for<br />
acting. He falls in love with every<br />
character he portrays. He finds the craft<br />
interesting due to the experience and<br />
knowledge he gets from each role.<br />
Jeric never expected to have such a<br />
huge following. He just wants to be the<br />
best at what he does and seeing his fans<br />
completely support him makes him well<br />
up with gratitude. Before, he experienced<br />
harsh criticisms with people telling him<br />
he’s not a good actor and that he isn’t<br />
meant to be a leading man.<br />
The thought of those sentences from his<br />
critics made him work harder for it. With<br />
his growing success on screen, he can see<br />
his path to his dream and he promised to<br />
remain fearless and vigilant in achieving<br />
it. Truthfully so as he stars as the leading<br />
man of two wonderful ladies in GMA<br />
Network’s Magkaagaw: Sheryl Cruz and<br />
Klea Pineda.<br />
With Jeric’s eighteen-year gap with<br />
Sheryl, his role as Jio in Magkaagaw<br />
certainly looks as if it’s his hardest. Their<br />
intimate workshops gave way to his desire<br />
to do good as they film hot and daring<br />
scenes. He also shows off his versatility<br />
as he portrays the more vulnerable side of<br />
his character alongside Klea.<br />
Magkaagaw instills a little bit of pressure<br />
on our leading man as he never imagined<br />
portraying such role. Aside from Sheryl<br />
and Klea, he also acts alongside Sunshine<br />
Dizon, showing off a whole roster of<br />
talented actresses that he has to level<br />
with. He shared that he is in almost all of<br />
intense scenes in the show, making him<br />
feel more pressure than he’s used to.<br />
Jeric Gonzales admits he is a little similar<br />
to Jio. However, it doesn’t particularly<br />
mean he would have an affair with<br />
women older than him. He discloses their<br />
similarities in a way that Jio dreams big<br />
when it comes to his family. He wants to<br />
give them a big house and a comfortably<br />
happy life. He shares his dream to have a<br />
family, with a wife that he could share and<br />
work everything with.<br />
18 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
When it comes to performing, he reveals<br />
he feels a little bit anxious especially<br />
when it’s a live event. He deals with his<br />
own nervousness and using it as a fuel to<br />
his fiery desire of doing good. Preparing<br />
himself for a role or a performance, he<br />
makes himself certainly ready and alert<br />
for the things he is about to do. Before he<br />
works, he tries to relax and even exercise<br />
to make every move and action perfect.<br />
Jeric has learned a lot through his years<br />
in the industry. He shared that one should<br />
remain humble every single time and<br />
to every single person one will interact<br />
with. He also pointed out that one should<br />
remain kind to everyone he works with.<br />
His argument remains valid as he noted<br />
that one wouldn’t be in the industry if it<br />
weren’t for the said people.<br />
If he didn’t pursue acting, Jeric would<br />
probably be a nurse. He would have took<br />
a job after he graduated as a nursing<br />
student. Aside from that, he would have<br />
started his career in music and started a<br />
band which remains one of the things he<br />
always wanted to do.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 19
If given the opportunity, Jeric has<br />
something to say to his younger self.<br />
“Siguro mas naging aware, mas naging<br />
responsible. Maraming opportunities ang<br />
nagdaan or chances, pero parang nagrelax<br />
lang ako ng ganun. Dumaan lang.<br />
Dapat lahat ng ginagawa mo, galingan mo<br />
na. Make the most out of it while enjoying<br />
it.”<br />
Jeric also remains grateful to his dear fans<br />
who continue to support him every single<br />
step of the way.<br />
“Sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, thank<br />
you so much for believing. Sana patuloy<br />
niyo akong suportahan kahit ano man<br />
gawin ko… Kahit anong role ang gawin ko,<br />
sana suportahan niyo pa rin ako. Thank<br />
you. Thank you so much.”<br />
20 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
<strong>VP</strong>/EXCLUSIVE<br />
ROCCO NACINO<br />
PEELS BACK<br />
THE LAYERS<br />
OF MOVIE<br />
‘WRITE ABOUT LOVE’<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 21
Rocco Nacino stars in the most meta<br />
Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Write<br />
About Love. He stars alongside Miles<br />
Ocampo as writers teaming up to make<br />
a blockbuster romantic movie. In an<br />
exclusive interview, Rocco shares a<br />
few details about the movie that only a<br />
handful of people found out by watching<br />
the trailer.<br />
ROCCO NACINO IN WRITE ABOUT<br />
LOVE<br />
Admittedly, Rocco wants to send a<br />
message through his character. Fueling<br />
the fire, he hoped that people would<br />
understand that nothing actually goes to<br />
plan. He, then, continued to encourage<br />
people to remain open to the real world.<br />
“Not everything should go accordingly<br />
to your plan. Be open to take in or be<br />
a sponge to other things or the outside<br />
world. Even though you’ve made it,<br />
everything is still a learning process even<br />
when it comes to love or your perception<br />
of love. The smallest of things can actually<br />
change your view on the world.”<br />
ROCCO NACINO IN A NEW<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
As his first time working with TBA Studios<br />
and the three Kapamilya stars, Rocco<br />
admitted that it felt different. He noted<br />
that he had to adjust and try to fit in with<br />
the whole cast and crew. He makes it a<br />
point to talk to them even when they’re<br />
not shooting a scene. This way, he could<br />
establish rapport and break the ice to<br />
make everything smoother.<br />
Aside from that, this also gave way to<br />
starting the chemistry between the<br />
characters. Working on the movie made<br />
him feel as if he just entered the showbiz<br />
industry all over again. Seeing the cast<br />
and crew work together, he pointed out<br />
that he learned a lot from all of them.<br />
The production made him realize why he<br />
became an actor in the first place.<br />
PRODUCED BY ANGELA BALTAN<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER | DOM CRUZ<br />
FILM BY ONIN ESTRELLA<br />
ASSISTED BY CHARLES ALDRICH<br />
CABICO<br />
STYLIST | CHINO BROWNLEE AGUILAR<br />
MAKEUP ARTIST | ELVIE RECALDE<br />
HAIRSTYLIST | ARTHUR TOLENTINO<br />
22 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
SHOWCASING THE LIFE AND PAIN<br />
OF SCRIPTWRITERS<br />
Rocco portrays a seasoned writer paired<br />
with Miles Ocampo, a newbie trying to<br />
make a movie about love. He gets the<br />
idea to convince Miles to gather some<br />
real-life experience from a past lover.<br />
However, she has yet to experience love<br />
and heartbreak despite trying a few<br />
mobile dating applications. With her lack<br />
of experience, how can she ever write a<br />
movie about love?<br />
Noticeably, Rocco only described his<br />
character as male writer and Ocampo’s<br />
as a female writer. This remains a huge<br />
difference from their characters, Joy<br />
(Yeng Constantino) and Marco (Joem<br />
Bascon), who actually have names. Rocco<br />
smiled and noted that this movie was<br />
made to pay homage for scriptwriters.<br />
“After, so long, people always remember<br />
lines na patok sa puso. Lines na<br />
nakakaiyak, lines na nakakatawa. Lines<br />
that by word of mouth tumatatak sa mga<br />
tao. So, bakit ganun? It’s because of what<br />
these scriptwriters go through. Kung<br />
dramatic ‘yung line, it’s because of the<br />
pain that these scriptwriters go through,<br />
maybe through love, maybe through heart<br />
break, family loss or kung anuman. ‘Yun<br />
‘yung pain na nararamdaman natin galing<br />
sa kanila kasi story nila ‘yun… So, it’s<br />
about time na sila naman ‘yung bida.”<br />
CATERED TO THE MILLENNIAL<br />
GENERATION<br />
As a complete opposite of his character,<br />
Rocco pointed out he had to dig deep to<br />
find what his character really embodies.<br />
Aside from showcasing scriptwriters,<br />
Write About Love remains unique in<br />
showing different kinds of love. Catering<br />
to the millennial generation, he noted<br />
that it will surely be relatable to people<br />
everywhere.<br />
Directed by Crisanto Aquino, Write About<br />
Love shows different kinds of love and<br />
actually using pain to write something<br />
beautiful.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 23
<strong>VP</strong>/EXCLUSIVE<br />
TIMELESS AS<br />
ENCHANTRESS, CARMINA<br />
VILLARROEL IS AN AGELESS<br />
NAME IN THE WORLD OF<br />
ACTING. DECADES OF<br />
PASSION AND DEDICATION<br />
SUSTAINED HER SPARKLE<br />
– TIME PASSES AND SHE’S<br />
STILL HERE, STRONG AND<br />
PREVAILING.<br />
24 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
Carmina’s longevity in show<br />
business mirrors her love for<br />
her craft. She has been giving<br />
us a feast of talent through<br />
her impeccable performances<br />
as an actress in TV and movie<br />
setting. In fact, her enthusiasm<br />
is contagious, making her<br />
environment a garden of<br />
enjoyment and excitement.<br />
Before this year ends, she is<br />
set to make her biggest big<br />
screen comeback – and we are<br />
confident this will be big.<br />
CARMINA’S SUNOD IN<br />
MMFF <strong>2019</strong><br />
On this year-end holiday,<br />
Carmina is the lead star of<br />
Sunod, a Metro Manila Film<br />
Festival (MMFF) <strong>2019</strong> official<br />
entry. In fact, this is the only<br />
horror genre in the list, making<br />
it a real stand out.<br />
Even though Sunod is tagged<br />
as a horror film, it is also about<br />
a heartfelt mother-daughter<br />
story. In the film, Carmina is a<br />
loving mother who works as<br />
a call center agent to pay the<br />
hospital bills of her child. While<br />
she is desperately seeking ways<br />
to prolong her daughter’s life,<br />
she will encounter unexpected<br />
horror that will definitely<br />
change her life and the people<br />
around her.<br />
It was three decades ago<br />
when Carmina starred in a<br />
MMFF entry, thus making this<br />
film extra memorable for the<br />
seasoned actress.<br />
SUNOD AS UNUSUAL<br />
HORROR FILIPINO FILM<br />
So, for a long time, what<br />
makes Carmina decides to<br />
grab and take the role? “Iba<br />
siya sa typical local horror film<br />
because our movie is so quiet,”<br />
she described the movie with<br />
confidence.<br />
The movie trailer gives<br />
its viewers both chill and<br />
calming vibe. Yes, ‘chill<br />
and calm’, opposite to the<br />
typical Philippine horror film.<br />
Tikbalang, manananggal, kapre<br />
or whatsoever, the movie does<br />
not have it – but it has the<br />
story that will nerve-wrack the<br />
audience. It does not warn the<br />
audience what to expect, but<br />
be prepare for a dynamic mood<br />
ride that will shiver amid the<br />
coldness of December.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 25
For a timeless actress like<br />
Carmina who had already<br />
played countless roles, the<br />
movie is indeed exquisite in its<br />
own way. Whereas, the veteran<br />
actress felt a spark that push<br />
her to take the role. “When they<br />
offer this to me, when I read the<br />
script, I said, ‘This is it. Ito na.<br />
Gusto ko na ‘tong gawin.’”<br />
THE NOSTALGIC RETURN<br />
ON BIG SCREEN<br />
Unlike any other actor who<br />
had a long hiatus from the big<br />
screen, Carmina has no specific<br />
preparation for her comeback,<br />
she only made sure to embrace<br />
her character – diligently.<br />
“I just read the script, I talk<br />
to my director and then from<br />
there, parang nagmo-morph<br />
ako when I get to the scene,<br />
when I get to the location,<br />
parang naa-absorb ko na<br />
lang ‘yong character na kung<br />
sino man ako – I’m not like<br />
other actors na mayroong<br />
preparations, may kanya kanya<br />
kami kung paano mag prepare.<br />
So, ako, chill lang!” she claims.<br />
Produced and Written by<br />
Nicko Talavera, Sheila Ordinario,<br />
and Fern Estrebello<br />
Photographer | Dom Cruz<br />
Assisted by Miguel Famularcano<br />
Film by Vincent Sy<br />
Assisted by Candie Ramos<br />
Styling | Myrrh Lao To,<br />
Carvey Samonte of<br />
#teammesmyrrhized<br />
Makeup Artist | Rick Calderon<br />
Hairstylist | Jhoan Soria &<br />
Raffy Prieto Francisco<br />
Special Thanks To Joshua Roque,<br />
TEN17P, and Globe Studios<br />
Shot in Cornerstone Studios<br />
The actress doesn’t even mind<br />
asking a bunch of questions to<br />
her co-actors and directors as<br />
long as it is for the betterment<br />
of the production. Apart<br />
from acting, she believes that<br />
collaboration with the people<br />
behind the camera helps the<br />
working relationship at ease<br />
and productive.<br />
26 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
Upon knowing that her<br />
comeback film was chosen as<br />
one of the MMFF entries, the<br />
actress thought that this would<br />
be her nostalgic return. After<br />
starring in Shake, Rattle & Run<br />
2, the multi-talented actress<br />
will once again bring chill and<br />
creeps to festival critics and<br />
viewers.<br />
CARMINA AS AN ACTRESS<br />
As an actress who has been<br />
in the industry for so long,<br />
Carmina sees herself as<br />
someone who is dedicated and<br />
passionate about her craft.<br />
She also wants to believe<br />
throughout these years on her<br />
career where she has already<br />
established her name, she can<br />
already be labeled as one of the<br />
country’s versatile actresses.<br />
With her decades of experience<br />
and contribution to Philippine<br />
Cinema, we can really say that<br />
she is one of the country’s most<br />
versatile actresses – ONLY<br />
FACTS.<br />
“I think because I can do<br />
drama, I can do horror and I<br />
can do comedy obviously dahil<br />
mahilig ako magpatawa and I<br />
get to host,” she affirms.<br />
Carmina revealed that she<br />
never had a specific dream<br />
role, she just wants to do<br />
something that sparks her<br />
heart. But if there’s one role<br />
she would never accept over<br />
anything else, it would be a<br />
exorcism-themed film.<br />
“In this movie we have<br />
possessions but hindi ako ‘yung<br />
napo-possess so okay naman<br />
ako doon. If that’s the theme<br />
of the story, it’s fine with me.<br />
Unang una, matatakutin ako at<br />
palapitin ako so I don’t want to<br />
invite,” she explains.<br />
Being in this tough business for<br />
a long time means working with<br />
a lot of different people behind<br />
and in front of the camera.<br />
Carmina believes that a good<br />
actress is someone who has a<br />
good sense of professionalism,<br />
discipline, and treats her coworkers<br />
with respect regardless<br />
of position. On the other hand,<br />
her pet peeve is someone who<br />
lacks discipline especially those<br />
who are always late – and I<br />
could’t agree more.<br />
WORDS OF WISDOM<br />
Carmina’s longevity in the<br />
industry is the only thing that<br />
she is really proud of. Her<br />
‘sustaining power’ is what<br />
makes her still alive and kicking<br />
in the industry despite the<br />
bloom of the new generation<br />
of actors. “For you to be able<br />
to sustain that long in this<br />
business is something else, I<br />
guess because it’s really hard<br />
work. I may not have a title, I<br />
may not be a superstar star for<br />
all seasons, or kung ano mang<br />
title ‘yan, that’s fine with me as<br />
long as I am still here.”<br />
For someone who’s truly<br />
passionate like Carmina,<br />
keeping one’s sparkle is the<br />
most challenging role.<br />
However, she believes<br />
that discipline, hard work,<br />
professionalism mirror her<br />
endurance in this world of fame<br />
and unending competition.<br />
“Sana ‘yong mga younger stars,<br />
‘yong bagong artista ngayon,<br />
sana ‘yon yong maano ko sa<br />
kanila na just to be professional<br />
and respectful to one another,<br />
not only to your co-actors but<br />
everyone on the set,” she urges<br />
new and aspiring actors.<br />
TIMELESS PASSION<br />
Carmina shares a piece of<br />
advice to all new generation<br />
actors: to pursue their dreams<br />
no matter what their dreams<br />
are. Above all, she wants<br />
to emphasize the value of<br />
gratitude despite fame and<br />
successes.<br />
“Be grateful sa lahat ng mga<br />
tumulong sa inyo in the past<br />
up to the present. Always<br />
be thankful to your fans. Put<br />
yourself in their position.”<br />
As time flies so fast, everything<br />
we’ve seen on television for<br />
so long seems to be merely a<br />
product of yesterday’s hard<br />
work. Yet, Carmina’s passion<br />
and skills in acting still remain<br />
‘out of the ordinary’ that no one<br />
could seem to surpass.<br />
TRAVEL• LIFESTYLE• ENTERTAINMENT<br />
www.villagepipol.com | 27
<strong>VP</strong>/FASHION<br />
Femininity:<br />
THE ULTIMATE FORM OF<br />
SOPHISTICATION<br />
What is the essence of being a woman? This<br />
question, alone, poses a myriad of actualities<br />
with varying degrees. Whether by sexual<br />
orientation or gender identity, femininity<br />
cannot be defined into one category. It<br />
continues to echo culturally over time<br />
through fashion and the arts, among several<br />
others.<br />
IN TRUTH, HOWEVER, MUCH OF OUR<br />
PERCEPTION RELIES HEAVILY ON<br />
STEREOTYPES.<br />
Take vulnerability for example. Society has<br />
shackled women under a glass ceiling of<br />
sexism. Not to mention, this prejudice proves<br />
detrimental and polarizing at worst. Even the<br />
color pink has stood to symbolize delicateness<br />
when, as it happens, it can also represent<br />
fierceness. Hence, the wild incongruity led to a<br />
revolution in heels.<br />
THIS IS WHAT MODERN FEMININITY<br />
LOOKS LIKE.<br />
Women are taking control of their vulnerability<br />
using the clothes they choose to wear. In<br />
hindsight, long have they transformed their<br />
wardrobe as creative outlets of expression. It<br />
has made a powerful statement of vulnerability.<br />
This placed them on top of the tier we so<br />
desperately try to climb on.<br />
WHAT WAS ONCE A MARKER OF<br />
FRAGILITY LAUNCHED A THOUSAND<br />
SHIPS OF DEFIANCE.<br />
Now, their hushed whispers amplified to<br />
thundering roars. Never again could anyone<br />
preclude them from using their clothes to show<br />
the multitude of emotions residing within. For<br />
the holidays, going for the unconventional is<br />
the norm. Wear pink boldly to strengthen your<br />
sartorial approach.<br />
It may stand as a stark contrast to the standard<br />
hues, but its use exudes elegance and chicness.<br />
Your incisive choice of blush nude and rose<br />
quartz will earn you a well-deserved spotlight.<br />
Besides, there’s nothing in the fashion rule<br />
book that says pink isn’t within the realm of the<br />
Christmas spirit.<br />
PERHAPS, GEARING FOR A NEW<br />
YEAR, WE BECOME EMBOLDENED TO<br />
CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO.<br />
Allow vulnerability to be your highly-possessed<br />
accessory. Certainly, the most attractive<br />
attribute you can wear on your sleeves is selfconfidence.<br />
My hope is that women would<br />
start to love, honor, and be the best version of<br />
their true and authentic selves. Embracing your<br />
femininity means knowing your power.<br />
Written by Shawn Kliff Sacal<br />
Photography by Wayne Eda<br />
Assisted by Joy Beronio<br />
Model | Ella Eiveren Lubag of Mercator Models<br />
Makeup Artist | Jewel Navoa<br />
Hairstylist | John Carl Diaz<br />
Stylist | James Bradlee Gomez<br />
Assisted by Lanz Aron Bendana<br />
28 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol
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30 | VILLAGE PIPOL MNP @villagepipol