Character pictorial

Yesterday, the cast members dawned their costumes for the character pictorial held at Koolpix Photography, the photographer being Henry Sanchez. The photos are multipurpose, since they will be used in every publicity material possible, such as billboards, tarpaulins, press releases, websites, etc.

Watch out for the pictures in this blog! Meanwhile, enjoy the following behind-the-scenes and fooling-around photos:

Raco Del Rosario (escaped from thesis partners) as Rhodskie

Albina, Dette, Kool while waiting for the other props to arrive

Nicolette looking forward for a pic with snake

Jon, the Production Designer, and Nicolette... and the ubingan

Happy birthday, Peter Danganan (John Joy)! Pa-burger na ka man!

Cheng and Niket

Kularyut ampo i Bernadette

As emo as Kool; belt freshly purchased

Atsing Puring out of costume, waiting for the "daster"

Aries practicing kulam, waiting for the HAU Nursing uniform

Audience area

Bangag king thesis, ne?

Atsing Edith in costume, Cheng, and Jayvie (Kenneth) in HAU Engineering uniform

John Joy Manalang checking out a flask of herbs

Aldana to leave for Japan; change in main cast lineup

Even though the main cast of Kalam has been completed already, the producers decided to make a sudden change in the lineup due to an unexpected emergency.

KC Aldana, who is vocalist of the band Freshmen, is bound to leave the country mid-July. According to him, he signed a contract with his band for Japan last November. "I thought e na kami malaus anya puru raket ku. Linual no kanu ring visa mi at ing tentative flight mi July 17."

Aldana will play with his band mates in Japan for six months.

(Aldana in rightmost lower row)

Having no power to hold back Aldana (because the cast hasn't still signed contracts with Kalam), the producers deemed it necessary to find at once a replacement for the band vocalist.

Thus, we welcome freelance model and actor Peter Danganan (Magalang), a Kalam final auditions participant who was also one of the top choices for the role of John Joy Manalang, a single father sustaining his and his son's expenses by running an underground potions and charms shop, the items of which he creates himself due to his being a mangguguna (Kapampangan potion chemist and gayuma expert).


Danganan will miss the acting workshop but will start participating as part of the main cast in Kalam by joining the rest of the actors in the character photo shoot on June 29 care of Koolpix Photography.

Kalalangan Kamaru on Sip Magazine

There's this glossy magazine distributed in Metro Manila. It's Sip Magazine, the first ever magazine targeting coffee shop addicts.

Inspired by the ever-growing high-end Café market here in the Philippines, No Bounds Group - the freshest, hottest and most talented Events and Publishing team in the country today, in partnership with the largest coffee retailer in the United States and the leading per store café-coffee retailer in the Philippines – The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL)...

Our magazine targets young, dynamic yet very discerning café aficionados ages 18-35 years old in Classes A, B and Upper C (CBTL’s very solid target market – covering college students, yuppies and even lifestyle mavens). SIP hopes to represent, entertain and inspire this “restless and determined” market by featuring articles on the hottest trends in personal care, gadgets, fitness, travel, fashion, music and most importantly, youth volunteerism (in helping others and saving the environment).


This June in their Independence Day issue, they have a feature on our Kapampangan cultural development group, Kalalangan Kamaru, and our advocacy for Kapampangan. View the feature here:



In the July issue of Sip, Kalam will be featured, the first ever Kapampanganovela. It's as historical as Sip Magazine, because it's also a first in Philippine history!

Angeles, Guagua, Porac, Mabalacat musicians make 'Kalam' opening song

Four members of 2007 Angeles City San Miguel Beer Battle of the Bands champion 5 Against The Wall (Jon Tanganco, bass; Jaynard Bengo, drums; Nhoel Austria, guitar; Arnold Espino, vocals), the vocalist of Guagua-based Red Horse Muziklaban finalist rock band Nora Aunor Fans' Club (Ramcos Nulud), and a Mabalacat-residing teenage violinist John Canlas collaborate to create the opening theme song of 'Kalam.'

Lyrics written by 'Kalam' head writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, the title of the song is Alang Anggang Sugat (Eternal Wound). It talks about the dark betrayal of a person whom one used to trust deeply. Such betrayal causes one a traumatic and deep wound bound to last for eternity.

The genre of the song is metal, fused with a bit of classical, thanks to the violin of Canlas, who is a college senior from the Holy Angel University and a member of its Theater Guild.

A minus one, unmixed track of Alang Anggang Sugat may be heard keni. Watch out for the final mix of the track with vocals!

Alang Anggang Sugat
Taladtad: Jason Paul Laxamana
Tigtig: 5 Against The Wall feat. Ramcos Nulud and John Canlas

Siwala: Ramcos Nulud, Arnold Espino (rap)
Gitara: Nhoel Austria
Bass: Jon Tanganco
Tambul: Jaynard Bengco
Biolin: John Canlas

I

Lisya ka, tung, oyan na'ing patianak
Mamapi ya pa mata ing kularyut
Kabira ating sinagakgak
Talan ka kanaku, amanu mu

CHORUS

Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu, nanumang panulu
Ing likuan mu kanaku
Ing likuan mu, ing likuan mu

Sugat yang e kinayap (Sugat yang e kakayap)
Sugat yang e kumayap

II

Kaibat mu kung tiki king dalumdum
Mabilug ya ing bulan, e ka minapun
Kabang mangadi ku siping mu
Metilus ka pangil, sigpang mu ku

CHORUS

Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu, nanumang panulu
Ing likuan mu kanaku
Ing likuan mu, ing likuan mu

INSTRUMENTAL

[RAP]

CHORUS

Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu, nanumang panulu
Ing likuan mu kanaku
Ing likuan mu, ing likuan mu

The track was recorded at Aldrene Tuazon's studio at Brgy. Salapungan, Angeles City.

Watch Jessica Soho episode on 'Kalam'

A few weeks ago, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA-7) featured the mass media, particularly broadcast, industry of the Philippine provinces which employ the use of the local language. Because we are doing the first ever Kapampangan TV drama, they decided to feature us to represent the Kapampangans.



This is the second time a Kamaru project has attracted national television. If you can still remember, RocKapampangan was also featured months ago when they did a segment on Promdi Rock.



What's negative about Jessica Soho is that she doesn't see the distinction between a language and a dialect. She would call the Kapampangan language a dayalekto (dialect), sometimes, wika (language). Researchers should advise her on the difference of the two, and that non-Tagalog Philippine languages are, well, languages, not dialects.


Second is the constant labeling of provincial products as Promdi products. Promdi rock, promdi telenovelas, etc. It implies a centralized view of the Philippines -- Manila is Philippines, and if you come from the province, there's a special label for you.



If you failed to watch the 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' episode featuring Kalam, it's now on YouTube:

Tarlac band makes closing song for 'Kalam'

Last Sunday, Tarlac-based Kapampangan band Mernuts -- popular for rendering Kapampangan translations of songs such as Rihanna's Umbrella and Beyonce's Irreplaceable in YouTube -- recorded their original composition Oras, which will serve as the closing song of 'Kalam'.

The song, penned by vocalist Jhaye Arzaga, is written in Kapampangan. It is their second original Kapampangan composition after 'Aliwa Kang Talaga,' their contribution in the RocKapampangan album released last March.

'Oras' is a love song of longing, inviting a loved one after a serious fight to turn back time, when love was still pure. An incomplete, acoustic version of the song may be heard here.


Oras
Mernuts

I

Mimisip kung malalam
Nu ku wari umpisan
E na ka lulub king buntuk ku
E ku na balung sabian
Sobrang sakit ing penamdaman
Nung agawan ku mung paralan
Sana atiu ka pa siping ku
Ala na kung isipan

II

Kaluguran da ka pa
Balu mu sa ita
Ala nang aliwa king pusu ku
Nung aliwa ika
Gewa ku na ngan ing dapat
E na ku man migkulang
O't e mu akuang akit a
Maibug kung mibulang

Pre-Chorus

O't deng lalaki
E ra balu nung kapilan ka manasakit
Akakit da na
Magbulag-bulagan la pang pilit

Chorus

Mibalik na ka kaku
Uling e ku agyu
Ibalik ta ing oras
Na ning pamiyabe tamu
Uling nung lumaut ka
Ing pusu ku
Makataid ya keka
Ibalik ta ing oras
Kaluguran da ka

III

Ing masakit kasi
E ta buring aminan
Sasalikut ta ing katutuan
A mikalugud ta' naman
Maski pa dakal ta na
Kaguluan a delanan
Ing maling dapat tamu
O't e ta nea' samasnan

[repeat Chorus]

Bridge

Tatakut kung salubungan ing aslag ning aldo
Mesane na kung atiu ka mu siping ku
Nung mibalik ka man king oras a ini
Kaulan da ka't panuman
E ra na ka 'tabili, oh

Rap

Nu ke ilulan ing sarili ku nung ala ka keni
Aldo-aldo isipan ding masanting a bageng
Milyari king pamiyabe
O't nanu mo ing milyari
Arapan ta ya ing tutu
Kailangan pa waring mikawani
E ku agyung ala ka siping ku, sayang ing oras
Oras tamung adua king isip ku e ya kukupas
Pakiramdaman mu ku sana
Keka e ku sumawa
Pisabian ta'ng pasibayu
Mibalik na ka kaku

[repeat Chorus]

Coda

Kaluguran da ka
Ibalik ta ing oras
Ing oras, ing oras
Oh, ibalik ta ing oras

Main actors for Kapampanganovela unveiled

By Jason Paul Laxamana

ANGELES CITY—The eight main actors of Kalam, the Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan telenovela) being produced by Infomax-8 and Kalalangan Kamaru, have been chosen out of approximately 60 hopefuls. They were unveiled last June 14 during the final auditions held at the Kapampangan Center of Holy Angel University, Angeles City.


The story of ‘Kalam’ (a Kapampangan word which means ‘gift’ or ‘blessing’) is a mixture of urban fantasy, action, romance, comedy, and social relevance featuring the struggle of modern day magkukulam (folk witches/healers) in urban Pampanga. It follows the life and adventures of Yubs, a delinquent college Nursing student who, with the aid of both normal and magical allies, reunites with his folkloric roots and enhances his skill in order to counter cases of harmful witchcraft and to prove to society that kulam is not absolutely evil, but a gift that can be used in service of the people.

Grabbing the lead role is Aries Yap of Angeles City, who became a finalist in ‘Close Up to Fame 2’ last 2006.


Reachel Mucho of the City of San Fernando, a Financial Management and Accounting student of the University of the Assumption, gets the role of Dette, a lagayan (spirit seeing) rich girl who captures images of ghosts and elementals through her camera. Mucho became a finalist in the 2008 teen model search Circle of 10.


Freshmen boyband member KC Aldana (former screen name: Roel Aldana) of the same city takes the role of John Joy, a drop-dead-gorgeous but snobbish mangguguna (potion and charm maker) who will become Dette’s object of infatuation.


Mutya ning San Fernando 2006 and Mutya ning Kapampangan 2006 beauty pageant winner Nicolette Henson of San Fernando grabs the lead antagonist’s role. She will act as Albina, the more-than-a-hundred-year-old but still young-looking and pretty ukluban (powerful sorceress) seeking to punish people who discriminate witches. Unlike the typical villainess, Albina does “evil things” in a calm and elegant but cunning and precise manner.


Jayvie Dizon of San Fernando, a Mass Communication student of Angeles University Foundation and a member of its Repertory Theater, takes the role of Kenneth, the uple (illusion master) sidekick of Albina.


Yap, Mucho, Aldana, Henson, and Dizon join Alex Tiotuico, Raco Del Rosario, and Ms. Edith Chu in the main cast.

Tiotuico, a resident of Angeles City and an Architecture student of Holy Angel University, will act as Kulubasa Kularyut, the 300-year-old loud and comic laman labuad (elemental) who serves as Yubs’ guide in the world of magkukulam. Tiotuico is a theater actor from the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) who acted as Gorio in the stage play ‘Ang Lihim.’


Taking the role of Rhodskie is Del Rosario (son of APA founder Bicong Del Rosario), a Nursing student of AUF and also a theater actor and dancer from APA. Rhodskie is the ghetto ex-boyfriend of Dette who speaks balid (twisted) Kapampangan.


Last but not the least is local businesswoman Ms. Edith Chu, who takes the role of Puring, the mother of Yubs who acts as the community’s fake faith healer.


Before the producers start taping ‘Kalam’ in July, the main actors will undergo acting workshops, personality development seminars, and photo shoots. They will also undergo a crash course on the Kapampangan language to make them more comfortable in reading and speaking Kapampangan lines.

“This is more than a TV show,” the producers said. “It is also an advocacy project seeking to promote Kapampangan culture and language to the people, especially the youth, while showcasing and enhancing the Kapampangans' media-related skills.”

‘Kalam’ is set to premiere on the final week of August, the language month. Visit http://kalamtv.blogspot.com for more information and updates.

[photos of Yap, Tiotuico, Del Rosario, Aldana, and group picture courtesy of Rachel of Enterprise school paper, College of Business Administration, Holy Angel University]

They have been chosen

We congratulate the following for making it to the main cast of Kalam! They will now be joining Edith Chu (Atsing Puring), Alex Tiotuico (Kool), and Raco Del Rosario (Rhodskie) in the list of the first ever main stars of the first ever Kapampanganovela in the archipelago.


Watch TV Patrol Pampanga on June 16 (Monday), 5:30 PM (ABS-CBN Pampanga Channel 46; Channel 42 for ACCTN subscribers) for their news coverage of the final selection of actors held at the Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies.

Congratulations, 'Kalam' auditions finalists!

Congratulations! In no particular order, these are the applicants whom Kalalangan Kamaru had selected to move on to the second, final screening on June 14 (Saturday) at the Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City (calltime: 1 PM).

To the finalists, prepare to give your all during the final screening! Confidence, acting skills, and so-called X, or this time, K-factor (Kapampangan factor!).

[no picture]
Nigel Laxamana
Angeles City

[no picture]

Edith Chu
City of San Fernando

[no picture]

Reachel Mucho
City of San Fernando

KC Aldana
City of San Fernando

[no picture]
Maikka Rustia
City of San Fernando

Aaron Christian Rivera
City of San Fernando

Shayne Fontillas
City of San Fernando

Peter Danganan
Magalang

Frency Rodriguez
City of San Fernando

Aries Yap
Angeles City

Jayvie Dizon

City of San Fernando

Bor Ocampo
Sta. Rita

Nicolette Henson
City of San Fernando

Dennis Dizon
Angeles City

Jeramie Mendoza
Angeles City

If an applicant is not chosen, it doesn't mean he's bad. Of course, we are also taking into account factors such as: schedule flexibility, command of the Kapampangan language, and most importantly, if they match the descriptions of the characters we have in mind.

If an applicant is not chosen as part of the main cast, several supporting roles are still waiting to be occupied, and he might just fit in any of those.

As much as we would like to make everyone happy (since we are pleased that a lot of Kapampangans responded to this "call of Indung Kapampangan") by giving them a break in local show business, we, as of the moment, cannot easily make it happen, as we are still in the early, exploratory stage of television drama production.

But eventually, we'll get there, and take part in the thriving global cultural industry.