Fearless, unbothered, and inspiring, these multifaceted voices remind us all to take courage and take up space whenever, wherever.
Here at NYLON Manila, we are always on the lookout for the dauntless and confident; for those who remain resolute and unflinching in the face of adversity. We are looking for those whose shine can never be dulled. And 2022 had its fair share of personalities, pages, and online spaces who embodied this spirited sense of fearlessness. In forwarding narratives that are relevant, responsible, and radical, they dared and triumphed. From leaving them bashers’ mouth shut to making a global impact because of their sheer talent, let’s all bow down to the winners of the Big Bold Brave Awards: We’re H3re’s Brave category.
Making a daring impact in the world of fashion, beauty, music, lifestyle, and entertainment, here are the boldest names and brands that got your seal of approval.
After two weeks of your passionate and relentless expression of support, we have finally reached the destination of the Big Bold Brave Awards: We’re H3re. With millions of votes tabulated across over a hundred nominees and several categories, it has been quite an overwhelming and humbling journey for us here in NYLON Manila to experience. And thanks to you, the fans, the enthusiasts, the decision-makers, who have significantly guided us in this endeavor of once again looking for the most impactful voices in the complex and colorful map of the youth culture. Just like the winners of this year’s Bold category, whose admirable zeal and daring in their respective fields have made an indelible mark in different aspects of your lives. Be it in fashion, beauty, or entertainment, here are the boldest winners.
The votes are in and you have spoken. Here the are the winners for the Big category.
The destination was set and the journey began when we launched the Big Bold Brave Awards: We’re H3re earlier this February. As our way to celebrate the names, faces, personalities, moments, and brands who made it with a definitive period in the last year, the awards went bigger, bolder, and braver this year with our largest yet: over 24 categories and 120 nominees.
We always hope for BBB to be a moment where fans have the chance to express their support to their faves. But what we didn’t expect was how you all nearly caused traffic jams with your intense support. The fervor of voting this year was off the charts as across all our website polls, we tallied over 82 million votes, making it our biggest online milestone to date. It was a journey hundreds of thousands of you were willing to embark on, and for that, we thank you.
And among our three categories, you guys showed so much love to the Big category and its eight sub-categories. The nominees in this category were groups, loveteams, and individual who definitely put the big in Bold Bold Brave Awards. While they may differ in age, background, and occupation, they are all connected by the fact that they are leaders and conversation-starters in their respective fields.
With millions of votes counted across the eight sub-categories, you guys made it the most popular category this year. It’s safe to say that all the nominees deserve their flowers, but eight names and individuals came out on top.
Without further ado, here are the winners for Favorite P-pop Group, Favorite Ship, Favorite Game Streamers, Favorite Beauty Content Creator, Favorite YouTuber, Favorite Rookie P-pop Group, Favorite Pop Culture Moment, and Favorite Fashion Content Creator.
FAVORITE P-POP GROUP
SB19 – WINNER
BINI
1ST.ONE
BGYO
ALAMAT
FAVORITE SHIP
DONBELLE
JANENELLA – WINNER
FRANSETH
FILAY
KDLEX
FAVORITE GAME STREAMERS
OHMYV33NUS AND WISE
VALKYRAE
SHARLENE SAN PEDRO – WINNER
KARLTZY
CHOOXTV
FAVORITE BEAUTY CONTENT CREATOR
MISS NATE
KYLIE CELEBRE
PAULA PELAEZ – WINNER
MARJ MAROKET
KAI JAVIER
FAVORITE YOUTUBER
TONI SIA
RY VELSACO – WINNER
REI GERMAR
MIMIYUUUH
RANZ KYLE
FAVORITE ROOKIE P-POP GROUP
VXON – WINNER
G22
KAIA
CALISTA
R RULES
FAVORITE POP CULTURE MOMENT
MIMIYUUUH’S MONDAY MOTIVATION VIDEOS
DRAG RACE PHILIPPINES: POP OFF ATE
2 GOOD 2 BE TRUE: FIRST LOCAL SHOW TO PREMIERE ON NETFLIX
Oh, and ena mori also needs your help to get to this historic event!
There is always that distinct sense of pride and delight when a homegrown Filipino artist is given the opportunity to get that much-deserved international spotlight. That is the case with emerging Manila-based singer-songwriter ena mori, who has just been announced as one of the music acts to be featured in Tiger Den, an all-Asian music event to be held in South by Southwest® Music Festival (SXSW®) next month. The only Filipino musician in the lineup, Ena Mori is set to rep local talent in the world stage this year. And she needs all of our support to make that possible.
Organized by Asian-owned American entertainment company, Jaded, and the Seoul-based alternative K-pop band, Balming Tiger, Tiger Den is the first full-day music event in SXSW history to exclusively feature artists from the Asian region and diaspora. They have curated a lineup of a whopping 19 artists on this historic event that will make some noise at the stages of Cheer Up Charlies in downtown Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2023.
“Balming Tiger and Jaded share a mutual goal to champion Asian youth culture throughout the world,” says Balming Tiger’s director San Yawn. “We are excited to introduce many rising talents to a new audience, and to bring our positive message and energy to Austin once again.”
Tiger Den poster
Tiger Den is an evolution of Jaded and Balming Tiger’s individual inaugural events at SXSW 2022, both making histories as the first pan-Asian cross-genre official showcase and the first Korean artist-presented official showcase in SXSW history. This synergistic partnership continues and even gets expanded this year as they host young and up-and-coming artists from all of Asia.
Headlined by Balming Tiger, Tiger Den features performances from Asian music acts like Singaporean pop artist Shye, Malaysian R&B artist Lunadira, Indonesian hip-hop artists Yacko & Tuan Tigabelas, and of course, the Philippines’ very own pop soloist ena mori among others. Most of these exciting artists, including ena mori, mark their first-time traveling and performing stateside.
ena mori
“Not only it will be my first time performing in the States but being able to represent my heritage as an Asian artist at Tiger Den is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time,” the half-Japanese, half-Filipino ena mori enthuses. “I am looking forward to experiencing incredible music with many artists and meeting them in person!”
HELP ENA MORI GET TO SXSW!
Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conferences and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. Every March, it becomes an essential destination for global professionals which features sessions, music, film screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities.
And for a Filipino artist to be included in this high-profile event is definitely a big deal as it gives one a great amount of exposure to the international audience and creatives. Ena mori, being the only Filipino music act in the Tiger Den pack, is single-handedly representing Pinoy talent in this history-making event, and for that, we’re already proud of her feat.
But ena mori still needs our help to realize her dream. Because most of the expenses in the event will be shouldered by the artist, it proves to be too great an undertaking for the pop wonder that we all need to rally behind her, stat.
“I am so grateful that I got this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it would mean the world to me if you can help me reach my dream,” writes ena in an Instagram post. Describing herself as a “walking musical paradox,” she released her debut album, Don’t Blame The Wild One!, last year and was considered as Asia’s best. “I love you all and I’m hopeful and excited for what’s about to come.” Donations can also be made through ena mori’s digital bank details as posted on her Instagram account. Let’s help a fellow Pinoy get that dream come true.
Turning the traditional routine into a ritual anchored in self-love? Exercise and express the full scope of self-love through love language and skincare.
In the conversation of modern romance, nothing has come to forefront more than the expression and experience of love languages. While for the most reared by the ideals of fairytales and Disney films, knowing that love isn’t end all and be all to propel a relationship to its happy ending has become more matter of fact than a bitter pill to swallow. With the further discovering of the nuances of human condition, psychology has taught us that to really bring out the true and full potential of someone significant to us, we should communicate not solely with words (or thoughts), but through their love language.
Focused on, but not limited to, five key points of consideration, the exercise of emotional currency has made it imperative than before giving, one must make sure that your own love language is articulated. Whether it be through words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch, it is just as important to honour these for yourself. With a deeper understanding of this pursuit, one brand has committed to make sure that you practice the easier said than done art of self-love.
If its name is any indication, Y.O.U Beauty has really persisted at the long-lasting beauty, one that is unique to the self, as well as individual accessible beauty with advanced technology. Here, the result is beyond just skin deep, but one that radiates from within.
The Love Language Of Skincare
Looking beyond the limits of time, Y.O.U Beauty seeks to understand self-love through the languages detailed earlier, and of course, its innovative portfolio of products. With the Y.O.U Beauty Advanced Youth Skin Series, a Planted XTM-focused product line meticulously designed and developed to future-proof your skin, you can go through the love language of your choice and more, which guarantees to bring out the very best of you. After all, nothing says self-love more than carving out and honoring me time with a skincare routine.
Making a ritual out of the typical routine, you can begin by looking at the mirror and uttering your words of affirmation. Whatever brings peace of mind and joy to your spirit, keep reminding yourself of such words until it becomes action within the soul. In this definitive gift that is quality time, the process of realizing love languages continues with the standard skincare session. Cherry pick through Y.O.U Beauty’s Revitalizing Micro Essence (strengthen the skin’s barrier) and Recharging Peptide Eye Cream (reducing puffiness and dark circles) and generously lathering it on your skin.
In this moment where time doesn’t exist, expand the sense of physical touch with the addition of two new products to the best-selling Y.O.U Beauty Advanced Youth Series: the Line-Smoothing Peptide Day Cream with SPF 15 and Line-Smoothing Peptide Night Cream that when used together maintains the skin’s elasticity and combats early signs of aging.
To Love And Be Loved
In life we learn, more so along the way than in our early introductions to its complexities, that there is no one way of showing love. Even in the contemporary psychology, the discussion of love languages has expanded beyond the known five. Ever evolving and ever expressing, it truly is something that is best experienced and when one has fully comprehended and honors the concept of self-love. So, whether it be through the religious-like exposition of skincare, giving one the world through the varied love languages, or simply expressing emotions unequivocally and unapologetically, there really is nothing greater than to love and be loved in return.
We’re only two months into the new year, and already, Philippine entertainment has been firing on all cylinders. So far, ABS-CBN hit us with the one-two punch of Dirty Linen and Batang Quiapo. And as February comes to a close and Maria Clara at Ibarra ends its top-rated run, GMA is gearing up to unleash its first big series of 2023 that’s also set to take over MCI‘s timeslot. It combines Philippine history and mythology with a modern-day setting and some butt-kicking action. Here’s what you need to know about GMA’s first “megaserye” of the year, Mga Lihim ni Urduja.
STORY
This isn’t the first time the story of Urduja was adapted for the screen as there was the 2008 animated filmUrduja with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid voicing the titular legend. Mga Lihim ni Urduja though looks to offer a modern-day twist. It centers on two protagonists; Gemma Davino (Kylie Padilla), an uptight rookie cop, and Crystal Posadas-Davino (Gabbi Garcia), a businesswoman and jewelry designer with a spontaneous go-getter attitude. While the two may seem like polar opposites, they are connected in the fact that they are descendants of Hara Urduja, the legendary warrior queen of Pangasinan from the 1300s.
Fate has intertwined Gemma and Crystal together, and they must put aside their differences and work together on Mission Urduja, an operation to retrieve the lost jewels of Urduja’s amulet. Completing such is said to grant the owner one wish. But danger is on the horizon as Gemma and Crystal aren’t the only ones looking for the jewels, so too are a group of bounty hunters named Team Onyx.
CAST
GMA didn’t spare any expense in bringing together an A-list cast and the jewels of primetime back on our TV screens. Aside from Gabbi Garcia and Kylie Padilla, Sanya Lopez will also star in the show where she plays the titular Urduja. Other actors joining the trio include Winwyn Marquez, Michelle Dee, Rochelle Pangilinan, Jeric Gonzales, Zoren Legaspi, and Arra San Agustin. Already, the black cat and golden retriever vibes we’re getting from Gemma and Crystal in the trailer are making us excited.
PAST MEETS PRESENT
GMA hit the jackpot when they saw how a well-done story that mixes the old and the new can be a hit with audiences. Mga Lihim ni Urduja is looking to do its take on the formula. The epic tale will span hundreds of years as aside from the modern storyline that follows Gemma and Crystal on the hunt for the jewels, the show will also go back to the past as audiences get to follow the legendary Urduja on her adventures.
As the leader and queen of the Kingdom of Tawalisi, she led an army of strong women ala The Woman King. The show teases that Urduja will be up against an evil force that will try to take her powers from her to use them for their nefarious schemes. It will be interesting to see how the series bridges the gap between Urduja and her modern ancestors.
ACTION-CENTRIC
One thing that Urduja has been putting front and center of its promotions is that it’s going to involve a lot of action. Gabbi, Kylie, Sanya, and the rest of the cast underwent months of training to prepare for the show’s numerous action scenes. Mga Lihim ni Urduja looks to give another dose of action to our weeknights. And let’s not forget how this primetime teleserye is spotlighting badass women in lead-action roles. It’s the kind of representation primetime needs.
ENCANTADIA CONNECTION
Seeing Gabbi Garcia, Kylie Padilla, and Sanya Lopez together again on a teleserye is welcome news to many. But it’s made even better by the fact that the ladies used to star in the 2016 edition of Encantadia. They played Sang’gres with Gabbi playing Alena, Kylie as Amihan, and Sanya taking on Danaya. They kicked butt then, and they’re about to kick butt once more.
CREW
Leading this big production is the show’s director, Jorron Lee Monroy, the man behind teleseryes such as Bolera and Artikulo 247. Joining him are co-director Dominic Zapata and associate director Ralf Malabunga. Jojo Nones, meanwhile, will serve as the head writer. You may have seen some of his other shows before as he also helped create First Yaya, First Lady, Agimat ng Agila, and I Left My Heart in Sorsogon. The rest of the writers’ room will be composed of John Roque, Renei Dimla, Patrick Ilagan, and Jai Canete.
Mga Lihim ni Urduja begins airing on GMA this February 27, 8 PM.
Few things in this world give that same buzz you get when you experience live music, whether it be at the concert of your fave artist or a music festival with dozens of musicians. The artist, music, crowd, and whole vibe make for an unforgettable experience. Concerts are one of the few places where you have permission to scream and jump to your heart’s content. However, just because concerts and music festivals are spaces where you can and should have fun, that doesn’t mean you have free reign to go wild.
They don’t give you a free pass to do whatever you want and neglect your well-being. If you aren’t careful, you can get into an accident and get hurt. With that being said, we rounded up some essential tips to keep in mind the next time you attend a concert or festival so that you can still get your life without losing it.
STAY HOME IF YOU DON’T FEEL GOOD
Ticket prices these days can be quite steep. This is why, as much as possible, we don’t want to waste them. However, if you’re feeling sick or unwell on the day of the concert, then don’t go. More often than not, concerts are full-day events that require a lot of energy from you. The last thing you want is to let your illness get worse, spread it to other people, or worse, end up at the hospital. So, stay home and rest up. There’s always next time.
PLAN YOUR DAY AHEAD
You can never fully predict what may happen at a concert or festival. But you can plan for it ahead of time. Before you head off to the venue, make sure you have a plan on how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay, and go home. Be aware as well of where and when you’re supposed to queue at the venue so that you don’t end up lost or caught in the crowd. You and thousands of other people will be going to the same place, so you should have a plan set and bring all the things you’ll need.
LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING
If possible, let someone know where you are going before the concert and what time you plan on going home. It can be a family member, friend, co-worker, or classmate, just make sure that person is trustworthy. You can also send this person important updates regarding your whereabouts. That way, someone is aware of your plans and can act accordingly in case things go wrong. If you’re going to a concert with friends or family, that’s also great as you’ll have companions to be with and can implement a buddy system.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
The music, lights, and energy of a concert just make you want to get lost in the moment. Just being outside the arena is already exciting. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore what’s going on around you. You’re in a crowd of thousands who, just like are, are eagerly awaiting to see their faves live. Keep aware of your person amidst all the craziness because the last thing you want is to lose something or get caught in a crowd. When it’s time to queue to enter the venue, don’t rush, push, or panic. If you’re at the barricade but feel too cramped, ask for space or just back away.
STAY AWAY FROM SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS
As fine as it is to make new friends at concerts, it becomes an issue when you don’t apply your critical thinking skills in scenarios that feel off. You don’t know the kind of people you’ll meet at these events. If the vibe is off or your gut is telling you something’s wrong, then it’s time to head to safety. It’s during moments like these when you may want to bring a self-defense weapon in your purse or bag just for that extra protection.
WEAR EARPLUGS
Wearing earplugs at a concert? Yes, it’s real, and it actually helps you. Aside from how it may read like an oxymoron, wearing earplugs at concerts is beneficial for the health of your ears. The human ears aren’t meant to be subjected to the loud volume of concerts frequently. If you go to a concert sporadically, then this may not be a concern. However, if go to concerts and festivals weekly, you may want to consider investing in a pair.
Earplugs stop excessive sound from reaching your hearing organ, preventing your eardrums from getting damaged and suffering from tinnitus or other forms of hearing loss. It should be noted though that not all earplugs are fit for concerts, so find that pair that fits you.
In the action-packed Topakk, Arjo Atayde and Julia Montes fight for their lives while being hunted by corrupt and powerful enemies.
After playing a deranged killer in the six-part international series, Cattleya Killer, and getting critical acclaim for his performance in the socio-political suspense, Bagman, Filipino leading man Arjo Atayde is set to bring us more thrill and action soon as he stars in another gripping and intense offering, Topakk.
First unveiled in November of last year, Topakk (known internationally as Trigger) is an upcoming Filipino action thriller written and directed by Richard Somes. headlined by Arjo Atayde and Julia Montes, the films follows the story of a security guard (Atayde) previously discharged from the military because of post-traumatic stress disorder. When a young woman (Montes) seeks his protection against a corrupt police death squad, he finds himself entangled in a different kind of war and must confront his inner demons as they both fight for their lives.
Apart from Arjo and Julia, Topakk’s cast list also includes Sid Lucero and Kokoy de Santos. Somes’ Strawdogs Studio Productions and Wilfredo Manalang of local production house Fusee will produce the film. Fusee previously produced the Cinemalaya film Blue Room and the Cannes-winning Japanese drama, Plan 75. Joining them are Arjo’s sister, Ria Atayde, and his mother, Sylvia Sanchez, who will co-produce with their own production company, Nathan Studios.
Topakk is also an international collaboration with Toronto-based genre specialist Raven Banner Entertainment to executive produce and handle its international sales and Canadaian post sound house Theo & Atlas Productions to co-produce. As per the Variety report on February 19, 2023, Topakk has already wrapped filming and is currently beginning sales at the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market.
While there’s no definite schedule of release announced yet, knowing that it boasts a powerhouse cast, an intriguing premise, and creative experts backing it up, Topakk deserves to be included in our watchlist. “We’re excited to bring a new kind of action film from the Philippines,” says Fusee’s Wilfredo Mangalang. “Topakk is hopefully a spark to reignite a trend in such films coming out of Southeast Asia. With our partnership with Raven Banner, we’re hoping to do just that.”
Another musical idol in the making, Tyson Venegas is repping Filipino talent once more on the world stage.
It’s an established fact that in the world of singing competitions, Filipino talent always rules. From Marcelito Pomoy’s spellbinding turn on the America’s Got Talent stage to 4th Impact making waves at The X Factor UK to Jessica Sanchez popstar-making moment in American Idol, Pinoys will always, always, slay the mic. And speaking of American Idol, another vocal talent of Filipino heritage is poised to be a star. His name is Tyson Venegas, a teenager with a vocal prowess that will resonate with everyone. Let’s get to know him more.
Tyson Venegas was born and raised in the city of Port Moody in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to parents of Filipino descent. In an interview, the 17-year-old shares that he started singing at the age of three and learned by repeating the lullabies sung to him by his mother. Since then, Tyson has been in several local and national competitions, sharing his musical talent with everyone.
In 2013, Tyson was the winner of the B.C. Junior Talent Contest at age seven, and in the same year, became the youngest champion of the Pacific National Exhibition’s Star Showdown, a singing competition previously joined and won by no less than Carly Rae Jepsen and Michael Buble. In the latter, Tyson performed a classic blues song Get Your Kicks On Route 66 by Nat King Cole, already flexing his flair for jazz music at such a young age. With this kind of experience early on, it’s not surprising that Tyson Venegas has eventually conquered the American Idol stage.
THE VOICE TEENS ALUM
Before his successful American Idol audition (more on that later), Tyson Venegas first wowed the judges of The Voice Teens Philippines in 2020, turning three out of four chairs in the blind audition with his mesmerizing rendition of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come. Industry greats Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, and apl.de.ap couldn’t help but shower the Fil-Canadian youngster with praises.
After impressing them once more with his performance of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind while playing the piano blindfolded, Tyson finally settled with apl.de.ap as his coach. For some undisclosed reason, Tyson was not able to push through with the competition’s knockouts stage. But, as you all may know, that was not the end of Tyson’s musical journey.
MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST
Learning music at a very young age, Tyson Venegas has evolved into a multifaceted musical prodigy. Apart from his impeccable vocal range, Tyson can also masterfully play the guitar, drums, and the piano (see his flawless version of Alicia Keys’ I Ain’t Got You above for reference). Oh, and apparently, Tyson can also spin some tunes when needed. The talent this young man holds!
If you’ve been visiting Tyson Venegas’ Instagram and TikTok accounts (as you should), then you are one of the lucky ones who have been blessed with his satisfying song covers. From Michael Jackson to Lewis Capaldi, Ariana Grande to Sam Smith, Tyson’s heavenly voice never fails to make its magic. Just listen to his 90s reinvention of Adele’s Easy On Me and you’ll get what we’re saying.
And then there’s the sensational start of his American Idol journey. In the ABC show’s premiere episode a couple of days ago, Tyson Venegas did what he’s been doing all these years: make everyone in awe with his talent. Not only did the teenage musical wonder get a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan for his goosebump-inducing performance of New York State of Mind, he also received the first-ever Platinum Ticket of the season.
The only recipient of the exclusive ticket from all the Las Vegas auditionees, Tyson is not only on his way to Hollywood but also, he gets to skip the first round of eliminations and coast through the second Hollywood Week. And just like how American Idol’s IG page puts it, we’re all in the new idol state of mind as we have more of him to look forward to.
ORIGINAL SONGS
Oh, and to know Tyson Venegas even more, listen to his original ballads What Ifand Never Give Up that are both on Spotify. For some trivia, Tyson performed Never Give Up in B.C. Children Hospital Foundation Crystal Ball Gala in 2020, where the American Idol aspirant was introduced by his own idol and inspiration, Michael Buble.
Coming off of the heels of the top-grossing and award-winning success of the psychological horror movie, Deleter, last year, Filipina multi-hyphenate Nadine Lustre and filmmaker Mikhail Red are once again reuniting for another exciting project. This comes after an awards haul in the last edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival where Deleter bagged eight accolades (including best actress, best director, and best picture) and earned a whopping P240 million locally.
Truly, it seems that the Nadine-Mikhail team-up, which makes for a cinematic offering that has an engaging storyline plus a tour de force performance, proves to resonate with a lot of Filipino audience. And this year, courtesy of Viva Films and Mikhail’s new production studio, we’ll get to see more of this tandem as another blockbuster in the making is in the works right now with the working title, Nokturno. Here’s what we know about it so far.
A HORROR MOVIE
Known for crafting effective genre works, director Mikhail Red is the storyteller to go if you’re looking for the chills and thrills. From his neo-noir thriller, Neomanila, and mystery horror, Eerie, to his zombie flick, Block Z, and his latest action-packed Arisaka, Mikhail has proven himself to be one of the most exciting cinematic voices in the country today.
So, it is not surprising that Nokturno also runs in the same vein of his past works as a full-blown horror film. As revealed in a press release, Nokturno centers on a Filipino family and a daughter who lives overseas as they get haunted by a primal and supernatural curse. Direk Mikhail also describes it as a “bigger” and “scarier” project than Deleter.
As already mentioned, award-winning actress Nadine Lustre is set to be the protagonist of Nokturno. “I really appreciate her appetite for challenging roles and genre films,” says director Mikhail in a press conference. While the full casting details have yet to be unveiled, it’s reasonable to expect another powerful performance from the FAMAS and Gawad Urian winner who, after Deleter, is now on her way to becoming the country’s new muse of horror movies.
VIVA FILMS X EVOLVE STUDIOS COLLAB
Nokturno also marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Viva Films and Evolve Studios, a new production company helmed by Mikhail Red. As its chief creative officer, the Filipino genre master aims to make Evolve Studios as a home to local stories that feature “exciting plots and imaginative ideas” and “quality genre films that strive to both entertain and engage.” Meanwhile, his brother and longtime collaborator, Nikolas Red, will serve as the studio’s creative producer.
About his decision to work with Viva Films, Mikhail shares that the media giant has always given him the creative freedom and thus is “the best platform” for him to continue creating his genre works and “making sustainable cinema.” “We try to make films that we would want to see as an audience,” adds Mikhail. “And we hope that a lot of people out there looking for a different kind of a filipino genre film think like us or want the same things as us.”
More so, Mikhail Red’s Evolve Studios also aims to search and hone other Filipino genre talents and to always be an “audience-first” film company. “We want to foster genre talent and collaborate with new and established artists and voices, to reinvigorate the industry and help diversify film output for the average Filipino audience,” Mikhail says in a statement.
2023 RELEASE
While there’s no exact date yet, Nokturno is slated for a 2023 release. Another “more ambitious” sci-fi horror offering from Evolve Studios, Helel, is also expected to go out this year. Mikhail Red further explains that in the succeeding years, they plan to release two films annually made by different local storytellers.
Starting with Nokturno, Viva Films and Evolve Studios aim to produce works that will go at par with the increasingly global demand for quality storytelling, especially because of the rise of international streaming platforms. And it’s just fitting that an internationally acclaimed filmmaker like Mikhail Red is at the forefront of this mission. Birdshot is the first Filipino film to be distributed by streaming giant, Netflix, while the heist movie, Dead Kids, is Netflix’s first original Filipino movie.
“We will take wild swings, aim for spectacle and fresh concepts, yet ground them in sustainable and feasible production,” shares Mikhail Red in an interview. “Our films aim to be accessible and exciting to the everyday Filipino audience and will have the craft, production value, and sensibilities for international export as well.” What an exciting and vibrant future for mainstream Filipino cinema indeed.
