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Aquino stops protest trip to disputed shoal

dmeemai — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:01:23 +0000

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. (MNS Photo).

MASINLOC, Philippines, May 18, 2012 (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino convinced protesters to abort plans to sail Friday to a disputed South China Sea shoal as he sought ways to resolve a tense stand-off with China.

A group of about 20 people, led by outspoken former Philippine Marine officer Nicanor Faeldon and including television crews, was all set to depart to Scarborough Shoal from the northern coastal town of Masinloc.

But Aquino placed a last-minute phone call to Faeldon, convincing him not to go, the president’s spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters in Manila.

“The president did indeed speak to Mr. Faeldon and had asked him to reconsider his plan of going to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal because it might be construed in a negative way,” Valte said.

China claims the shoal along with most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its Asian neighbours, while the Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Cranking up tensions, both countries have had ships posted around the shoal since April 10, after Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship from arresting Chinese fishermen.

China and the Philippines have since imposed separate fishing bans around the disputed area that came into effect on Wednesday, moves that were seen by some observers as a face-saving way for both to back away from the row.

Faeldon told reporters he spoke to the president on his mobile phone as the protesters were about to set sail for the trip, which would have taken nine hours each way.

“I consulted the group and we agreed to concur with the wisdom of the government to postpone it,” he added.

Faeldon has served time in prison and was discharged from the Philippine Marines for a 2003 coup attempt, but was granted amnesty last year. He had planned to stay on the disputed shoal for three days.

There was also talk of hoisting a Philippine flag there – a move likely to infuriate Beijing and ratchet up tensions – but Faeldon later said the group would not commit any “provocative” actions.

Faeldon said the president told him Philippine government representatives were currently in China to negotiate over the maritime row.

“He said that he believed the postponement of this activity may do better for the resolution of this dispute.”

Both Valte, the presidential spokeswoman, and foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez however said they were unaware of any ongoing talks in China.

Aquino has named two special envoys to China to help improve ties, but the Aquino government would not say if they were already in Beijing.

Faeldon said earlier the trip aimed to galvanise global support for the Philippine government’s efforts to bring a peaceful solution to the maritime stand-off with its giant neighbour.

The foreign department on Thursday said it did not want the trip to go ahead but Faeldon initially ignored the call, dismissing fears China would see it as provocative.

Scarborough Shoal sits about 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the Philippines’ main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometres northwest of the shoal, according to Philippine navy maps.

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Thursday he expected “modest” economic fallout from the territorial dispute.

China had imposed stricter quarantine restrictions on key Filipino fruit exports, the Philippine government said, and warned its citizens about travel safety in the Philippines.

Philippine resorts have been hit with Chinese tourist cancellations, while a Chinese airline cut flight frequencies to Manila.

Valte said the Philippines is to send agriculture department officials to China next week to negotiate over the quarantine impasse.

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dmeemai — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:06 +0000

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dmeemai — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:05 +0000

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China travel agencies halt PHL trips

dmeemai — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:04 +0000

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III salutes to the men in uniform upon arrival for the 70th Memorial Commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor (Day of Courage) at the Dome Altar, Pacific War Memorial, Topside, Corregidor Island Sunday May 06, 2012. Corregidor Island, also known as “The Rock”, earned the distinction as the stumbling block of the Japanese Imperial Army to completely annihilate the Allied Forces in 1942 in the Pacific. Had it not been for Corregidor Island’s tenacious defense, Australia would have been overrun by the Japanese that would deprive Gen. MacArthur’s regrouping of forces to mount counter-attacks two (2) years later. It is one of the most dramatic and historical landmarks in the Pacific, geographically located in the Luzon Area west of capital city Manila. (MNS photo)

Beijing, May 10, 2012 (AFP) – Chinese travel agencies said Thursday they had suspended trips to the Philippines due to a tense territorial row between the two nations that has prompted state media to raise the possibility of war.

The firms, which include China’s biggest travel agency China International Tour Service (CITS), cited safety concerns for the suspension, just two days after Beijing said it was ready for “any escalation” in the row with Manila.

The month-long flare-up is one of the most high-profile incidents for years between the two countries over their competing territorial claims to parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits.

The two countries have been locked in the row since April 8, when Beijing’s vessels blocked a Philippine warship from arresting crews of Chinese fishing boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal – or Huangyan island in Chinese.

Both Beijing and Manila claim the shoal as their own, and have since sent ships to the area that are currently facing off against each other, racking up tensions in the region.

“We stopped organizing for tourists to go to the Philippines because of the current situation,” an employee at the CITS Beijing branch told AFP.

China Youth Tour Service, another prominent travel agency, confirmed the suspension, saying tourism authorities had asked them to stop sending groups of tourists to the Philippines.

Another agency – Zhongtang International Travel Service – said it was currently “too dangerous” to send people to the country.

On Thursday an editorial in the official, English-language China Daily newspaper hinted at the possibility of war over the incident.

“No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms,” it said.

“Since ancient times, our nation has deemed war the last resort in handling state-to-state relations. But Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity.

“This is a dangerous delusion. We have never been a trigger-happy nation. But nor have we ever been afraid to fight when necessary.”

The Philippines argues the shoal is well within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, as recognized by international law.

But Beijing claims almost the whole of the South China Sea as its historical territory – including the shoal.

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China warns citizens in PHL

dmeemai — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:02 +0000

President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the historical Corregidor Island after gracing the 70th Memorial Commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor (Day of Courage) at the Dome Altar, Pacific War Memorial, Topside in Corregidor Island on Sunday (May 06). Corregidor Island, also known as “The Rock”, earned the distinction as the stumbling block of the Japanese Imperial Army to completely annihilate the Allied Forces in 1942 in the Pacific. (MNS photo)

Chinese media warned of war

By Jason Gutierrez

Manila, May 10, 2012 (AFP) – China told its citizens Thursday they were not safe in the Philippines and its state media warned of war, as a month-long row over rival claims in the South China Sea threatened to spill out of control.

Chinese travel agencies announced they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders, and the embassy in Manila advised its nationals already in the country to stay indoors ahead of planned protests.

“Avoid going out at all if possible, and if not, to avoid going out alone. If you come across any demonstrations, leave the area, do not stay to watch,” the embassy’s advisory said.

The safety alerts came as government-controlled media in China warned the country was prepared to go to war to end the stand-off over Scarborough Shoal – small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own.

“No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms,” the China Daily said in an editorial.

“Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was committed to a peaceful resolution.

But the editorial echoed other warnings in recent weeks in the state-run media that China was prepared to use its massive military advantage to crush the Philippines’ challenge for the shoal.

The two nations have had non-military vessels stationed at the shoal since April 8 in an effort to assert their sovereignty to the area.

The dispute began when Philippine authorities detected Chinese ships fishing there. They attempted to arrest the crew, but were blocked by Chinese surveillance vessels that were quickly deployed to the area.

The Philippines insists its claims to the area are backed by international law, as the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

The shoal sits about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the Philippines’ main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometers northwest of the shoal, according to Filipino navy maps.

But China claims virtually all of the South China Sea as its territory, even waters close to the coasts of the Philippines and other Asian countries.

Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim parts of the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas resources. The rival claims have for decades made the waters one of Asia’s potential military flashpoints.

The Philippines, which admits to having an extremely weak military, has repeatedly said it wants to solve the stand-off over the shoal through diplomatic means.

But it has also said it secured a pledge from the United States, its main military ally, to protect the Philippines from attacks in the South China Sea.

A coalition of Filipino activist groups is planning to hold rallies at Chinese embassies around the world on Friday to support the Philippines in the dispute.

Organizers are hoping thousands of people will attend what they expect to be the biggest of the rallies, in Manila, and the Chinese embassy’s safety alert was circulated chiefly to warn its nationals about that protest.

But Jackson Gan, a Filipino-Chinese businessman who is one the rally’s organizers, said there was no need for such a warning because the protest would not target individuals and there had been no inciting of violence.

“This is going to be peaceful. No burning of Chinese flags, just singing of patriotic songs and making our presence felt,” Gan told AFP.

Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez also said Chinese nationals were in no danger of being attacked because of the diplomatic tensions.

“The Philippines remains a safe and welcoming country,” he told AFP, adding Friday’s protesters would not target Chinese people.

“There is nothing for our Chinese friends to be apprehensive about regarding this protest action.”

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Megafight with Mayweather ‘still possible,’ says Pacquiao

dmeemai — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:53:25 +0000

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao began training Wednesday for his June world title defence against US challenger Timothy Bradley, saying he has God in his corner. Pacquiao is regarded as one of the best 10 southpaws in boxing history.

By Nimfa U. Rueda

LOS ANGELES – A megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. “is still possible,” Manny Pacquiao said after watching the unbeaten American subdue Miguel Cotto in their 12-round super welterweight title bout in Las Vegas.

“May pag-asa pa [There’s still a chance], depending on the negotiations,” the Filipino ring idol told this reporter in his condominium unit in Los Angeles, where he watched the last two rounds of the Mayweather-Cotto fight on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).

“It was a good fight. They both fought well,” Pacquiao added in Filipino.

Mayweather used his speed and accuracy to win a unanimous decision over a game Cotto in one of his toughest fights ever.

Mayweather dominated late, rocking Cotto in the 12th round to pull out a win and remain unbeaten in 43 fights. But it wasn’t easy, with Mayweather getting his nose bloodied and Cotto fighting until the final bell.

Two judges scored the fight 117-111 and the third had it 118-110.

Fight with Pacquiao

Mayweather was guaranteed $32 million for the fight. After the decision was announced, Mayweather discussed a possible fight with Pacquiao, his rival for the title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.

Fans have been clamoring for the megafight, which has hit various stumbling blocks, including Mayweather’s insistence that Pacquiao agree to blood testing and how the revenue from the fight is to be divided.

“I tried to make the Pacquiao fight and that didn’t work, so I fought Miguel Cotto instead and gave the fans a great fight,” Mayweather said. “I want to fight Pacquiao but he has to take the test, and I’ll fight him.”

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum has said Pacquiao is willing to take blood and urine tests in the weeks and months leading up to a fight with Mayweather.

Jeers for Mayweather

Pacquiao stopped Cotto by a 12th-round technical knockout when they fought in 2009, also in Las Vegas. The Filipino knocked down Cotto twice – a feat Mayweather failed to achieve against the Puerto Rican.

Pacquiao arrived with his entourage at Los Angeles International Airport just as the fight started in Las Vegas. He went straight to his Los Angeles condominium, where he caught the tail end of the fight. Family members and friends, who watched the fight with him, all rooted for Cotto.

The Filipino is scheduled to face American Timothy Bradley on June 9 at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where the Mayweather-Cotto bout was held. Pacquiao will start training here on Monday.

When HBO announcer Larry Merchant began his post-match interview with Mayweather, Pacquiao reached for the remote control and turned up the volume. As Pacquiao expected, Mayweather talked about him.

When Mayweather told Merchant that Pacquiao should take the drug test before he would fight him, the crowd gathered in Pacquiao’s home jeered.

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Mayweather wins but no Pacquiao fight in sight

dmeemai — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:53:24 +0000

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (right) delivers a right hook to Miguel Cotto's head in this bit of action on his way to a unanimous victory to remain unbeaten in his professional career. Photo: Dr. Ed dela Vega

By Rod Mijares, Balita, Las Vegas

Pound for Pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. captured the WBA Super Welterweight World title last Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas by defeating the defending champion Miguel Cotto in a unanimous decision in front of 16,047 boxing fans that translated into four dollars short of $12 million in gate receipts. With the win, Mayweather also captured the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Diamond Belt.

Including circuit TV telecast, Richard Schaeffer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions said that around 26,000 people in Las Vegas alone watched the fight. What was different from the previous fights was that the arena was already full to capacity even from the start because of the quality of the protagonists that lined-up “Ring Kings” boxing event on Cinco De Mayo which was jointly promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions.

It was not an easy win for Mayweather as Cotto did not lose without a good fight. The fight was even close than what the judges’ cards suggested, 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.

From the start of the first round until the end, Mayweather was always pinned to the corner where Cotto did his damage. Did Mayweather run? Mayweather shed his old tactic and showed up fighting toe-to-toe with Cotto. He defended himself mostly with his upper left arm and ducking from Cotto’s punches. But, some hit their intended targets. Mayweather either trade punches at the corner or moved to the center where he would unleash his two left upper cuts and right hooks in combination.

“Things happened tonight and we both had to fight. But the main thing is that we got the victory. I think tonight was a cool fight. The fans were happy. It is about impressing fans and giving them what they want to see,” Mayweather said. “The right hook and the uppercut were working for me tonight. I knew the right hook was going to be my money shot. A lot of times and these days you don’t see fighters using the right hook, only the left. But tonight I wanted to use the right hook and that is what I did.”

In the second round, Cotto literally lifted Mayweather to the ropes as the crowd reacted.

The sixth round belongs to Cotto as he connected with a power left punch to Mayweather’s head. Cotto was bouncing up and down full of energy. Mayweather surmised Cotto was ready for the fight. “I sensed that sometimes Miguel was breaking down and then he would come back sharp. Miguel Cotto is in shape.”

The eight round resulted in an almost even exchanges between the two protagonists at close range. Mayweather’s nose was bleeding and has to be attended meticulously.

In the twelve round, as both fighters were bouncing. Mayweather threw a left hook but missed. Cotto pushed him down almost out of the ropes. Mayweather was so upset and questioned Cotto for it. Mayweather fuming bombarded Cotto with a series of combinations as they met in the center of the ring. Mayweather scored with a left hook to end the fight and finally got the win.

At the post-fight news conference, Mayweather blamed Bob Arum for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight debacle. “Bob Arum is not going to let the fight happen. It’s not on me. I went to him (Pacquiao) and offered him 40 million dollars and will talk to him directly. I will wire him 20 million dollars within 24 hours but he turned me down. He basically said 50-50. How can you ask for 50-50 when you are not doing the same numbers I have been doing. At first, you go back to read the article, he said he will do it for less. Then it was like I don’t want to take my blood. So there is a problem just to make this fight and the public is being fooled. Bob Arum is not going to let this fight happen. So when Pacquiao is free from Bob Arum, will the fight happen? Absolutely.”

Will Pacquiao bolt out of Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions the same way Shane Mosley absconded out of Golden Boy Promotions to fight Manny Pacquiao? Filipinos believe in some adage that “You don’t bite the hand that feeds you” and “Those who did not look back where they came from won’t reach their new destination.” As Pacquiao is loyal to Michael Koncs even how many bad issues he brought to Pacquaio’s team, what more of Pacquiao’s loyalty and appreciation to Bob Arum who has been promoting him since the very start of his young boxing career and who sees to it that only success come his way. Pacquiao will not jeopardize this mutual relationship. Barring any miracle, let us not keep our fingers cross as hoping for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is only an exercise of futility.

In the other co-featured main event, the 21-year old Saul Canelo Alvarez (40W(29KOs), 0, 1) retained his WBC Light Middleweight title by defeating Shane Mosley who is almost twice his age at 40-years old but stood his ground and fight till the end. Canelo was calling for Mayweather, Cotto and even Pacquiao for his next fight.

“Yes I’m definitely ready to fight on a higher level. I’m ready for the best. I’ve gained a lot of experience tonight and I am ready to fight bigger fighters. I would like to fight one of the two main fighters, Mayweather or Cotto. This is what I deserve the most.”

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Top 10 most-anticipated summer blockbusters

dmeemai — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:53:16 +0000

The Amazing Spider-Man 3

(LOS ANGELES) – Sci-fi films, superhero stories and action-adventures command screens this summer, joined by kids’ animated movies, with sequels and reboots big along with a couple of original tales.

In what is already a record-breaking year at the box office, May releases kick off the hits early with The Avengers, Battleship, Dark Shadows and Men In Black 3 in 3D released early to avoid competing with the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship in June.

These heroes aren’t just fighting villains taking over the world – intergalactic invasions intend to destroy the planet and annihilate the human race. Perhaps with the predictions of the end of the world on December 21 as the “inspiration,” the superhuman forces expect to draw super-sized audiences.

1. Snow White and the Huntsman
Release dates: May 30-June 1

Twilight’s Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as the Huntsman and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen. This twist on the Grimm fairy tale packs a punch with the hunted and hunter joining forces against the witch.
http://www.snowwhiteandthehuntsman.com

2. Prometheus
Release dates: May 30-June 1 in the UK, France and half the world, rolling out to the rest of the markets June 7-9

Related to his film Alien, Ridley Scott’s latest sci-fi horror thriller stars Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron and Idris Elba as a team of space explorers who must battle to save the planet and escape back to earth. Circa 2090, Michael Fassbender plays an android as they travel to the darkest part of the universe. http://www.prometheus-movie.com

3. Madagascar 3
Release dates: June 6-7 in North America and France, followed by Denmark, Brazil, Turkey, and Australia in July; other markets including the UK through October
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo join a circus in hopes of getting home to New York. The third installment of this comic romp in 3D features the voice talent of Ben Stiller (The Fockers, Megamind) Jada Pinkett Smith (Ali), Chris Rock (Death at a Funeral) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Hugo).
http://www.madagascar-themovie.com/

4. The Amazing Spider-Man
Release dates: debuts in Japan May 30, rolling out worldwide July 3-6

This reboot of the successful DC Comics superhero franchise stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), replacing Tobey Maguire as a teenage Peter Parker juggling human problems that turn into a crisis when he meets his father’s former partner. Emma Stone costars as girlfriend Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as villain The Lizard.
http://www.theamazingspiderman.com

5. Brave in 3D
Release dates: June 21-22 in Australia, Brazil and North America, followed by Europe in July and August
Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter), Emma Thompson (Nannie McPhee), Billy Connolly (Gulliver’s Travels) and Craig Ferguson (How To Train Your Dragon) join Kelly MacDonald as Princess Merida in a modern animated fairy tale of a young girl whose archery and bravery stop a beast and end a curse.
http://disney.go.com/brave/
6. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Release dates: June 21-22 in Russia, Turkey and Singapore, followed in July and August by most international markets
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and Channing Tatum, this sequel to the sci-fi action thriller brings the surviving elite special-ops agents against Zartan’s forces and government leaders under the enemies’ influence.
http://www.gijoemovie.com/
7. The Dark Knight Rises
Release dates: July 18-20 in North America and Europe, rolls out July 25-27 worldwide

Christian Bale reprises his role for the last time as Batman/Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s last tale in his Batman trilogy, taking on the evil Bane, played by Inception’s Tom Hardy. The DC Comics thriller also stars Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman.
http://www.thedarkknightrises.com

8. Bourne Legacy
Release dates: August 3 to 23 in most markets, followed in September by France, South Africa and Japan

With Matt Damon on hiatus from this franchise, the fourth installment, based on Robert Ludlum’s novels, features Oscar winner Jeremy Renner (The Avengers), Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton in the story of a CIA operative on the run. Directed by Tony Gilroy (Duplicity).
http://www.thebournelegacy.net/

9. Total Recall
Release dates: August 2-3 in Asia and North America, followed by Sweden, South America, Russia, Japan, France, the UK and European markets through August

In this remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1990 hit, Colin Farrell stars as a factory worker who suspects he’s a spy but doesn’t know which side he’s on, the nation state of Euromerica or New Shanghai. Also stars Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Bryan Cranston. Directed by Les Wiseman (Underworld). http://www.welcometorecall.com/

10. The Expendables 2
Release dates: August 16-17 in Russia, the UK and North America, followed by most of the world through the month and Japan in October

Starring classic action heroes Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Van Damme, Lundgren and Jet Li, plus a new breed with Liam Hemsworth and Jason Statham, who join the team. This sequel brings the Expendables together again on a quest for revenge and an unexpected threat. Directed by Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider).
http://theexpendables2film.com/

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‘The Road’ to Hollywood: History in the making for Philippine movies

dmeemai — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:53:16 +0000

AFTER FREAKING the hell out of moviegoers in the Philippines with its unique but effectively haunting storyline and superb cinematography, GMA Films’ 2011 thriller movie The Road will pave the way to Hollywood fame as it becomes the first all-Filipino film to be commercially released in North America and Canada this May.In a well-attended news conference held at Barrio Fiesta Restaurant in Glendale, the ghost story movie will the Philippines’ first-ever film to break into the Hollywood with 50 theaters playing in the U.S. beginning May 11.

Through an international distribution agreement with Philippine film production company GMA Films, Hollywood-based international film distribution outfit Freestyle Releasing will commercially release The Road in the mainstream American and Canadian markets.

The movie, a brainchild of internationally-acclaimed film director Yam Laranas, held a glitzy red carpet premiere in Los Angeles, last Wednesday that included Manny Pacquiao gracing the occasion.

“I think this is the first time that a locally-produced Filipino film will be distributed commercially by an international releasing outfit in the U.S. and Canada, and treated like a Hollywood-produced movie. This is not simply a special off-shore screening of a locally-produced film; this is in fact a full-fledged commercial distribution deal, and there’s a big difference between the two,” said GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to exhibit the ingenuity and creativity of our artists and directors in the international market. It’s about time that we show the world that we, Filipinos, are not only good in boxing or singing, we can also excel in the field of movie-making. The release of The Road in the U.S. and Canada is good news not just for GMA Films but also for the Philippine film industry because this would inspire especially our new generation of directors, writers, cinematographers and artists to perfect their skills and aspire for greater heights,” said GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon.

Laranas also expressed his happiness on the outcome of his film. He said the movie cost at least $450,000. He told Weekend Balita that he’s hoping the movie would make at least $5,000 from each of the 50 theaters playing all over the U.S., including AMC Theaters.

“I am very excited for GMA in this history-making and pioneering development for The Road. This opens a ton of possibilities in the international arena not just for GMA Films or GMA Network but also for GMA Pinoy TV. This only proves that quality entertainment of international standard is of high importance to the network,” he said.

The Road’s U.S. release is co-presented by GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV.

The Story

Described by international film critics as “creepy to the extreme” (KillerFilm.com) and a “beautifully shot supernatural tale with incredible effects and great scares” (Bloody Disgusting), The Road is a story about a twelve-year-old cold case, which was recently reopened when three teenagers went missing while traversing an infamous and abandoned road. As investigators try to find leads to the whereabouts of the missing teens, they also unearth the road’s gruesome past that spans two decades – a history of abduction, crimes and murders. Although the road is isolated, anyone who tries to pass through it can be sure that he is not alone. Lingering in the dark and desolate pathway is a vengeful ghost who makes sure no one leaves the road – alive!

The movie stars Rhian Ramos, Carmina Villarroel, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, tween stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Louise delos Reyes, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez, Ynna Asistio and Renz Valerio. Also starring in the film are John Regala, Lloyd Samartino, Gerald Madrid, Allan Paule and Ms. Jacklyn Jose.

The Road will also be simultaneously released in digital home video format (DVD) and will be made available globally via subscription-based and online distribution platforms including Video-on-Demand (VoD), Amazon Prime, Netflix, and iTunes.

The Philippine’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines and The Belo Medical Group are partners of GMA Films in bringing The Road to the U.S..

GMA Films is the movie production arm of Philippine media giant GMA Network, Inc.

: The Road

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