Writer-Director Joven Tan Assembles A Cast Of Talented Young Stars In The Timely Youth Movie, 'Petmalu'

 WRITER-DIRECTOR JOVEN TAN has assembled a cast of young stars in his new movie about a “barkada” who joins a reality talent search, “Petmalu”. “The title stands for the initials of their first names,” he says. “P is for Pete, played Marlo Mortel, E is for Edwin played by Charles Kieron, T is for Tim played by Diego Loyzaga, Max is for M played by Brian Gazmen, A is for Albert played by Vitto Marquez, L is for Lester played by Jairus Aquino and U is for Unice, played by the only girl among them, Michelle Vito. Sa story, they all study in the same school, but iba-iba ang courses nila. Then they form a group na sumali sa isang singing contest looking for the Tropa of the Year, hosted by Robi Domingo. Kasama rin sa movie si Vivoree Esclito as a girl na may gusto kay Charles.”

The total beginners in the cast are Charles Kieron, who is with the Hashtags; Vivoree who’s a PBB Discovery; and Brian Gazmen, a singer with Star Music. “First movie nila itong tatlo, but they all deliver. Si Jairus ang most senior rito as he started as a child actor. Sina Marlo and Michelle, nakagawa na ng movies and teleseryes. Si Vitto, Hashtag din and did a movie sa Viva Films.”

Each of them has his own story. “Si Vitto, parents niya sina Yayo Aguila and William Martinez at siya yung naligaw ng landas sa barkada nila. Magkakaproblema siya na ililihim niya sa family niya. Si Jairus naman, parents niya sina Sue Prado and Richard Quan and he’ll have identity problems. May love triangle conflict naman between Michelle, Brian and Charles. Brian comes from a singing family. His parents are forcing him to take a course na hindi naman niya gusto. Parents niya sina Mitoy Yonting and Marissa Sanchez at brother niya si Ronnie Liang, all singers. Si Diego Loyzaga, both parents are OFW’s so he lives with his uncle, Dennis Padilla. May neighbor silang ise-seduce siya, si Sheree. Kasama rin sa cast si Irma Adlawan as the mother of Marlo and Arlene Muhlach as the mother of Michelle Vito.”

The film is partly musical. “There are five sequences na kinakanta ng characters ang dialogue nila,” says Joven, who wrote the award-winning hit song “Anong Nangyari sa Ating Dalawa”. “I composed everything, including the theme song. Parents and young people can all relate with the situations portrayed in the movie kasi lahat, nangyayari sa mga pami-pamilya sa tunay na buhay, so tiyak na may mapupulot silang magagandang insights dito.”

“Petmalu” opens in cinemas on September 5.
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