‘Stars Aligned’ as Warner Bros., Mentorque Team Up for ‘Mallari’ | ABS-CBN

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‘Stars Aligned’ as Warner Bros., Mentorque Team Up for ‘Mallari’

‘Stars Aligned’ as Warner Bros., Mentorque Team Up for ‘Mallari’

Grace C. Diez

 | 

Updated Nov 29, 2023 10:36 AM PHT

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Is Mallari slated for international release? The possibilities appear to be massive.


The recent contract signing and historic announcement of the partnership between Hollywood film studio Warner Bros. and Mentorque Productions for the Piolo Pascual-starrer horror film Mallari set the local entertainment industry abuzz as it is seen as a move to help reawaken Philippine cinema.


The partnership announcement was led by Rico Gonzales, Distribution Director of Warner Bros. Philippines, and John Bryan Diamante, President of Mentorque Productions, at the recent contract signing held at Okada Manila. The agreement begins with Warner Bros. handling the theatrical distribution of Mallari, considered its first local mainstream film distribution. According to Gonzales, it was a project that was first pitched to them by Enrico Santos, the scriptwriter of the film.




Metro.Style took the opportunity to ask the executives during the launch on this decision to partner together.“I liked the idea so I was able to give recommendations to the regional head offices. This year, box office-wise, among the top movies that really earned big are horror films so I was really curious that they pitched a horror movie. It was an easy decision to agree after seeing the movie. It was very good, it’s a horror genre, there’s Piolo Pascual whom I’ve known for quite some time and I’m a fan of Piolo from day one. All the elements were… [I would say], stars have aligned. I think this is something that was meant to happen. It was so easy for me to decide and endorse this to my bosses after seeing the movie and have this distributed for Warner Bros. at [the same time that it’s the] 100 years celebration of Warner Bros. Pictures here in the Philippine,” Gonzales remarks.

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With Gonzales being given the go-signal by the regional and head offices in Burbank to initiate Warner Bros.’s entry into strategic local ventures, Mentorque’s production of Mallari enters the picture and the partnership begins. Warner Bros.’s recent interest in local films happened to start at the same time Diamante had decided to level up Mentorque’s lineup, from regional concerts and indie films, to major film productions with mainstream and international potential.



Mallari is the first mainstream film to be distributed by Warner Bros. in the Philippines. May this partnership be a gateway to more collaborations and give more opportunities to this industry. Maraming salamat po sa tiwala. From The Nun to the priest, now from Valak to Mallari,” Diamante says.“Our country is overflowing with amazing filmmakers and actors. I am very lucky to bump into some of them. I am proud to say that everyone who worked on this project, ibinigay nila lahat,” the Mentorque executive adds.


Mallari is one of the top ten official entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023, inspired by the true story of Fr. Severino Mallari, the Philippines’ first and only serial killer. Directed by Derick Cabrido, from a screenplay by Enrico Santos, Mallari also boasts a powerhouse cast which includes Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, and Gloria Diaz.



There were several of Mallari’s strengths that made it attractive to Warner Bros. The film has epic horror ambitions: three time periods, extensive special effects, and the rare alchemy of popcorn jumpscare horror and mind-bending mystery that will certainly intrigue the viewers.


Mallari had to be shot in two distant provinces for authenticity, and inside a soundstage, for effects. An entire Pampanga 19th century plaza was constructed in a remote land in Batangas, complete with a whole church.


Piolo, who plays the titular role of Mallari and two other characters in the film, shares his excitement for the project especially since this is his first ever horror movie.





“It’s very different. My director would tell me about beats and how to approach a scene because, you know, I grew up in rom-coms so doing a horror film and three characters in a movie at the same time were a bit of a stretch but I enjoyed the process of it. It was too tough for me because you’re talking about Mallari and as intriguing as the person may sound, it was hard but the challenge was just definitely worth the experience. Everyone just worked hand in hand from Mentorque to the productions and then knowing that Warner Bros. was also on our back na talagang you have to deliver. I wouldn’t shortchange the experience. I just went full-on and did what I had to do and I enjoyed every minute of the experience,” Piolo shares of his experience doing the project.


“To have Warner Bros. as a partner for this project not just here but to be shown abroad, malaking responsibility iyon to carry but at the same time, it ‘s not just an honor but a privilege to be able to be a part of something this big. It gives a certain sense of international brand to it so we’re really thankful and honored to be in this partnership,” the actor continues.



The other cast members were also elated to be a part of this historic film project and partnership with Warner Bros.“Actually, I was a bit scared to do this film when it was first pitched to me. I knew it was going to be big and nag-dalawang isip ako. Pero noong nabasa ko iyong script, hindi na ako nag-dalawang isip. It was a really good script. Script pa lang iyon so what more kapag lumabas na?” Janella Salvador confesses.



Ang laking start of an opportunity for Philippine cinemas. It makes me feel like this is not the end for us from mga nangyari noong pandemic na it’s not easy to get into the cinema scene. It’s making me feel like there’s more and better things for us and for the actors, we’re very excited because it means that someday, somewhere out there, there’s going to be a role for us that will make us enter the international scene,” Elisse Joson says, evidently proud of the project.



Legendary actress Gloria Diaz was also present at the partnership launch and shared her thoughts about the welcome development for Mallari.“I’m thrilled with the partnership [Mentorque and Warner Bros.]. I didn’t really know how it would turn out but I’m thrilled that Warner Bros. is giving us a chance and I hope, like they say, it would open up many doors for the Philippine film industry because talagang we need all the help we can get,” Diaz remarks.




Along with local film distribution, Warner and Mentorque are exploring paths to Warner distributing Filipino films to the Asian region, collaborations in streaming, and further along the game, the possibility of co-productions. As Gonzales quoted Warner Bros.’s classic Casablanca, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”


Mallari opens on December 25, 2023 as an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023.


Lead photos from @mentorqueproductions


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Watch BINI Maloi Jam With Kitchie Nadal

Watch BINI Maloi Jam With Kitchie Nadal

Grace Libero

 | 

Updated Feb 14, 2025 07:29 AM PHT

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Kitchie Nadal and BINI Maloi Ricalde | Photo from @bini_maloi


The "Same Ground" hitmaker Kitchie Nadal on the same stage with BINI's Maloi Ricalde? Epic! 

The OPM icon, who's based in Spain, returned to Manila for the "Tanaw: The Repeat Concert" with her sisters in the music scene: Barbie Almalbis, Lougee Basabas, Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, and Hannah Romawac. 

After their sold-out show last February 9 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Kitchie performed at Turning Tides Cafè and Gastropub in Marikina a couple of days later, where there were surprise performances from BINI Maloi, Barbie, Hannah, and Lougee. 

Guests were treated to an epic jamming with BINI Maloi performing alongside Kitchie, singing the latter's hit, "Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin." Kitchie posted a video of their onstage performance with Zild Benitez and Blaster Silonga, captioning her post with the hashtags #millennial and #genz which prove how universal and timeless music can be. The said song was released in September 2004, and two decades later, it still resonates with the younger generation.  

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BINI Maloi is a fan of Kitchie Nadal. In July last year, they had a social media interaction when Kitchie said "hello" to Maloi on Instagram as a caption to a photo of the BINI member holding a signed copy of Kitchie's self-titled debut studio album on vinyl. 

"I LOVE YOU PO FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY RIBBONED HEART," Maloi commented. To which, Kitchie replied, "Un eso muy fuerte!!!! Collab soon?"



Their recent onstage performance sure is a great start for a collaboration!

BINI Maloi also shared snaps from their epic night together, captioning it with a long hashtag of the lyrics of "Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin"— #huwag_na_huwag_mong_sasabihin_na_hindi_mo_nadama_itong_pagibig_kong_handang_ibigay_kahit_pang_kalayaan_mo

Maloi also shared photos with Barbie, Lougee, and Hannah, as well as a photo of a paper where the titles of Kitchie's songs are listed: "Fire," "Run," "Breathe," "Ligaya," "214," "Same G" ["Same Ground"], "Lahat," "Landas," "Wag" ["Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin"], and "Bulong."



BINI Maloi is gearing up for their group's Biniverse World Tour 2025, which kicks off tomorrow, February 15, at the Philippine Arena. BINI also just released a new R&B-pop single titled "Blink Twice."


Lead photos from @kitchienadal @bini_maloi

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