Gillian Vicencio hopeful her edgy look will bring her more success in showbiz

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Sep 7, 2024 10:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Talahib" is one of the officialentries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. Theawards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

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Gillian Vicencio (Instagram)

Gillian Vicencio opted for an edgy look as she attended the screening of the slasher film "Talahid," in which she played her first lead role.

During an interview at Gateway 2 Cinema in Araneta City on Sept. 5, Gillian decided to cut her hair short to get noticed with her new look finally.

"Feeling ko kapag naka-long hair ako, hindi ako nag-stand out. So I try to do the other na usually hindi ginagawa ng mga tao. So baka doon mag-standout ako," Gillian said. 

Gillian added: "Sana magustuhan ng mga tao yung movie kasi every movie has a deeper meaning and message."

The actress expressed her belief that each project presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

"Hindi ko masasabi na comfortable ako sa kahit na anong project kasi bawat project is a challenge na hindi siya ganon kadali gawin talaga, kinikilala mo pa rin yung character," she added. 

"Talahib" is one of the official entries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. The awards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

Directed by Alvin Yapan, the movie also stars Kristoff Garcia, Joem Bascon, Jess Mendoza, Kate Alejandrino, Dax Alejandro, Angellie Sanoy, Timothy Castillo, Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Mercedes Cabral, Sue Prado and Johnny Revilla. "Talahib' is produced by Feast Foundation and Est N8.

Synopsis

"Talahib" is a slasher film, in the tradition of the franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and other local massacre films. A ghost killer preys upon hapless victims who happen to pass by this talahiban (large weeds with razor-sharp edges) in an abandoned subdivision. 

Their bodies are always found asphyxiated before being disposed of in the same talahiban. The story is told from the point of view of PO2 Bong, the police investigator. 

Gillian Vicencio and Kristoff Garcia

He does not believe in ghost killers; even though at one point he will have a close encounter with the killer, shooting him at close range, and slashing through the wild grass that bleeds. 

However, Bong begins to reassess his belief when he encounters a band of friends, all in their 20s or early 30s, conducting a spirit quest at the talahiban, or so they say.

The leader of the group is Mario. He is joined by Vernie, Paul, Patrick, Ria, and Joyce. As it turns out, this band of friends are children of a group of parents who killed the ghost killer (who used to be a hired assassin) and buried his body in the talahiban of that subdivision. 

Now, to stop the violence, the band of friends is trying to exhume the body. But the ghost killer, intent on continuing his killings even in the afterlife, will not let them. He enjoys killing too much. The band of friends will be killed off by the ghost killer one by one, leaving only Joyce behind. 

The cast of 'Talahib'

The movie will be mostly chase scenes among the bleeding grasses of the talahiban which seems to have a mind of its own.

To keep Joyce alive, Bong together with his police partner, PInsp. Roman, will encounter a mysterious character in Stephen, caught loitering in the talahiban. Bong thinks Stephen is only pretending to be mentally deranged to avoid suspicion. 

But as it turns out, Stephen is the son of a real estate mogul who used to hire the killer to do assassination jobs for him. Stephen will become the key to the origin story of the ghost killer.
The movie will be about the problem of forgiveness and the legacy of violence being passed on from parents to their children.

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 winners reveal their favorite beauty queens

Jul 14, 2024 03:47 PM

  

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The winners of the 60th Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant (Facebook)

By Robert R. Requintina

In a moment of vulnerability, the newly crowned queens of Binibining Pilipinas 2024 expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the fans' support and acknowledged their pivotal role in the pageant community. They emphasize the need for sensitivity in comments, as they, too, are human. 

Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra and Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024 Jasmin Bungay made the appeal during their visit to the Manila Bulletin main office in Intramuros last July 12.

"We appreciate your support. Thank you for posting. Without you, pageants would not have reached this far. But we must be sensitive about what we say because we are also human," said Myrna.

She added: "We are not perfect, and we commit mistakes. But that doesn't mean we can be criticized that much to the point you will break a woman down. Let's be kind to one another."

Jasmin said, "To the pageant fans, two things: we appreciate you guys. We thank you for all the support throughout the pageant journey. You are the reason why pageants are still thriving and relevant in the Philippines and why many people and ladies aspire to be beauty queens.

"And No. 2, I hope the pageant community is kinder to one another, especially the ladies. We are on a platform where we are open to criticism, but that does not give us the license to bring a lady down. I hope we embody pageants, which are women's empowerment. We empower women regardless of how they look and regardless of size. The standard now is diverse, and we are starting to appreciate different kinds of beauty," Jasmin said. 

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 queens visit the Manila Bulletin main office in Intramuros on July 12. From left: Crystal Jean Dela Cruz, Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up; Myrna Esguerra, Bb. Pilipinas International 2024; Mae Kimberly De Luna, winner, 2024 Manila Bulletin Readers Choice Award;  Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2024 Jasmin Bungay; and Trisha Martinez, Bb. Pilipinas 2024 second runner-up.

Emotional

At the Manila Bulletin office, pageant veteran Trisha Martinez, who placed 2nd runner-up in the Bb. Pilipinas 2024 beauty contest, became emotional as she remembered the criticisms she faced from fans during the prestigious national pageant on July 7.

"There's too many to mention. Although she was not there, it was Mariel De Leon. We have a similar body type. So, I was body-shamed for being a bit bigger than the prototype of a beauty queen.

"So I'm size-medium, I am size-large. So when I knew Mariel was crowned, I think in 2017, I thought na puwede rin pala. So Mariel was a huge part of my motivation," Trisha said.

Jasmin was visibly moved at this moment.

"Whenever Ate Trisha mentions bashing, I feel that the people outside do not know what's happening inside. If you ask any of the ladies kung mananalo so Trisha, kung may reklamo sila just because of her extra excess, walang makakapag-sabi. We see how she is throughout the journey. If she won a crown that night, no one would contest because of her size.

"People say Ate Trish was a front-runner; some would say na hindi because she's big. Pero sa amin talaga, she is a deserving winner," said Jasmin.

Trisha commented: "Last year, when I joined Binibining Pilipinas, I was not bashed. I was one of the fan favorites.

"Pero hindi nila nakita yung part of me na malaki ako. But the second time was difficult because one single mistake, people would see you.

"This time yung body ko ang napansin nila. I improved on my pasarela and my communication skills. Pero hindi nila napansin yun.

"Pero I became a runner-up and I could still see comments na hindi raw kasi ako nag-diet kaya runner-up lang siya. It hurt so much," she said.

Trisha, who shed tears, said she felt her efforts for this year's competition were invalidated. She believes there will always be bashers in her life.

"But you know what, kahit na ano pa ang marating mo sa buhay, there will always be trolls. May comment talaga sila sa'yo. That's part of being a beauty queen," Trisha also said.

Myrna said criticisms do not define a person, but "you define who you are."

She added: "Comments that matter will come from people who matter. The people you love."

"Ate Trish, we love you," Jasmin said.

Favorite beauty queens

The Binibinis continued to answer the question about their favorite beauty queens.

"As for favorite beauty queens, I go for the current ones. I would say Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray.  Dalawa talaga. Hindi kasi ako makapili," Jasmin said.

She also said: "Aside from bringing honor and pride to the country by winning Miss Universe, they represented multi-faceted women. Like Pia, now she is venturing into an image of being an author and international brand ambassador. So, it just attests to how far we can go as women.

"Even with Catriona Gray, during her journey, she set the standard so high for the next beauty queens, for us, the next generation, to further develop ourselves into holistic women so that they will not look down on beauty queens. During her stint, she used the platform to introduce our country well. So I admire both of them because they represent powerful women," said Jasmin.

Myrna voted for Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj.

"She was there during the coronation. During rehearsals, we gathered around her, and she prayed for everyone. Sobrang special ng moment na yun because maraming girls ang umiyak during that moment.  It tells a lot about how God works in our lives. As a born-again Christian, it's amazing how God can make your life bigger than you can imagine. 

"In life, it's not enough that you are doing better. There should be a purpose for why you are doing things you are good at. So I love how Venus influenced people, and she's fearless in showing how God transformed her life. I applaud her for that," the beauty queen from Abra said.

Manila Bulletin Readers Choice Award

Crystal Jean Dela Cruz, 2024 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up, said she also admires Venus.

"I can relate to her because she came from the province with no water or electricity, and I felt that, too. Even if I look like a girl with a multicultural background, I have to make my way to the places I want to go. She has changed many lives by bringing positivity and inspiration to me and other girls. She came from humble beginnings, and she worked her way up. I like to be her. During the rehearsals, I saw her. I was a fangirl at that moment. You can feel her authenticity, and she's like a storyteller to me," she said.

Mae Kimberly De Luna, winner of the Manila Bulletin Readers Choice Award, said Samantha Bernardo inspires her.

"The first time I saw her, it was love at first sight. She's so beautiful, and I met her two years ago. I learned her stories, and that's when I realized she inspired me. But if I were to choose,  dalawa sila: Samantha Bernardo, and Pia Wurtzbach. We've seen their struggles and challenges in Binibining Pilipinas, which left a mark. They said never to give up on your dreams. They also came from humble beginnings. And no matter their challenges, they fight for it," said Kim.