Robert and Sandy mislead people for a living, working as fake miracle workers.
When they get caught, they move to another place where they could continue their cunning ways.
Relocating to a new town, the pair meets Terio.
The young boy is rumored to have a visions of a mystic woman in the mountains.
Upon knowing this, Robert and Sandy quickly jump in Terio's bandwagon, thinking it would be beneficial for their business.
Robert was very persistent in this sneaky endeavor.
On the other hand, conscience got the best out of Sandy, who wanted out.
They eventually part ways.
In the end, Terio finds out that there is no miraculous apparition as he finds out that the image he sees is of his mother who left him and his father, trying to make amends and apologizing for all her shortcomings
SYNOPSIS:
In the tradition of MACHO DANCER, BURLESK KING revisits the gay underbelly of Manila. The son of an abusive American father and a Filipina mother, Harry escapes to Manila with his friend James, and with vengeance on his mind. After finding work as a "macho dancer" in the city's gay clubs, Harry expands his circle of friends. Realizing the cyclical pattern in which he is trapped, Harry sets out to find his father, locating him dying from AIDS deep in the heart of the city. There, he discovers that his mother is still alive and the two are reunited. Learning forgiveness from her, Harry learns to accept his past and finally attains his salvation.
DIRECTOR:
Mel Chionglo
"Burlesk King" is the second installment of director Mel Chionglo and writer Ricky Lee's trilogy about Macho Dancers. The first part was Sibak: Midnight Dancers in 1994, and the third part was "Twilight Dancers" in 2006. The trilogy took inspiration from Lino Brocka's film "Macho Dancer" in 1988. "Burlesk King" is a look at the harsh lives of Filipino 'macho dancers,' young men who dance and turn tricks with foreign businessmen in Manila night clubs. One such dancer, Harry, son of an abusive American father and a Filipina mother, Harry escapes to Manila with vengeance on his mind. After finding work as a Macho Dancer in the city's gay clubs, Harry creates a nurturing circle of friends and finds the strength to confront the family he left behind. In 1999-2000 the film was shown at the Berlin International, Chicago International, Toronto International Film Festivals and the European Film Market.
Independent Review:
"Challenging and Very Hot"
It is rare, these days, to see a film with a plot that truly surprises, but this one does. It takes the audience to a completely foreign world - the underbelly of the city of Manila. The central character is a straight boy who becomes a Macho Dancer and gay hustler working in gay nightclubs. In this world, prostitution is completely normal - even an honorable way of life. These characters have a wholly different set of values and ethics than we have in America, and watching them in a world where things are topsy turvy is fascinating. The film drags a bit about 3/4 of the way through, but the scenes of Macho Dancing in the gay bar are some of the sexiest I've ever seen on film. There's also a reunion scene between long-lost relatives that will knock your socks off. It isn't light entertainment; this is very challenging stuff, but its ultimately rewarding.
~ Anonymous
Harry leaves Olongapo, the former site of American bases, with his best friend James. They end up in Manila where they soon find work as macho dancers in a gay bar run by Mama Odette. Harry has a troubled past- his American father used to pimp him and his mother, Betty. When his father accidentally killed his mother, Harry struck out on his own. He made a vow to kill his father. In Manila, Harry witnesses various kinds of relationships. He meets Aileen, the sister of James. Aileen is a lesbian whose lover's family frowns on their relationship. He strikes an unusual friendship with Mario, a gay writer whose love life with a former live-in partner, Michael, is not as rosy as the romance novels he dishes out. Harry finds love with Brenda, a teenage hooker with a soft heart for street kids and a mind for superstitions. She teaches him love and survival in its right time. A group of thugs Harry and James encountered in Olongapo, comes back to exact vengeance. James dies and Harry is inconsolable. He starts pimping Brenda who opens his eyes to the reality that he has become like his father. Now, Harry sets out to hunt him. He looks for his father everywhere . He finds him in a lonely shack in a squatters' area in the heart of the city. His father, nearly skin and bones and dying of AIDS, is being taken care of by an old friend, Miong. His father tells him his mother, Betty, is alive after all. Harry looks for her in Angeles City, where aging hookers ply their trade in darkened side streets. Harry and mother are reunited. She teaches him forgiveness. They seek out Harry's father to bring him home. Harry learns to accept his part and finally attains his salvation.
~ Anonymous (United States)
Independent Review:
". . a lot of heart at the center of this seemingly lurid story . ."
A movie in which both the boy and his girlfriend sell their bodies for money? Then we find out his mother does too? Wow! I'd love to see Americans try to fit these characters in a movie this side of the ocean. Truth be told, they couldn't, but Filipino director Mel Chionglo finds a lot of heart at the center of this seemingly lurid story, his follow-up to the last macho dancer film "Sibak: Midnight Dancers". While this, the second installment in the series probes deeper depths of characters and the effects that dancing for money has on its main character, "Sibak: Midnight Dancers" had a much better storyline and invigorating pace. The story follows teenager Harry who comes to Manila from Olongapo to find his American father who he'd escaped as a child when he was beating Harry and his mother senseless and pimping them off to friends for money. To survive in the big city, Harry dances at a gay club, temporarily losing sight of his goal in his devotion to his work, but accomplishing it nonetheless. It drags on a bit, but it's not a bad film at all.
~ Bil-3 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Post Information: "Burlesk King" PDF Read Me
Film Background Information:
Title: "Burlesk King"
Web: Cast, Bios and Additional Details at IMDb
Director: Mel Chionglo
Writer: Ricardo Lee
Complete Credits:Full Cast, Crew & Credits
Genre: Drama
Awards: 1 Wins & 2 Nominations
Runtime: 109 min
Spoken Languages: English | Tagalog | Filipino
Subtitles: English
Another gay-themed indie movie is set to the silver screen, but the critics say this one’s not a sexually-explicit skin-flick type of film but the one that can be listed together with the award-winning “Maximo Oliveros”, “Masahista” and “Selda.”
From the Director of the film Sikil (Unspoken Passion) whose film was screened at Valencia, Spain; Cancun, Mexico and Palm Springs, California and from his another film Kurap (Blink), Ronaldo Bertubin helmed a coming-out tale starring acclaimed actors Boots Anson Roa and Tommy Abuel.
Lovebirds stars new actor Joseph Izon and, imported from Puerto Rico, Andres Alexis Fernandez, who will play the role of Alexis and Mario respectively.
Alexis is a foreigner who came to the Philippines to meet his chat mate Mario. As a filipino culture, visitors are welcome by family host with welcoming party of food, fiesta and people. When Alexis visited Mario, Mario’s parents told to the neighborhood that Alexis is a girl, but surprisingly it was Alex. Mario’s mother denied that he was Alexis and introduced him as Alex the brother of Alexis to the neighborhood. His parents known about Mario’s sexuality until at the end Alexis become closer and fell inlove with Mario. With all the laugh and cry. A story of a foreigner in another country, different culture, and acceptance of love will have all a happy ending.
"Brokeback Mountain" is based on the short story by E. Annie Proulx and director Ang Lee deserves accolades aplenty for his handling of this deeply moving love story involving two cowboys - Ennis del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). They meet in 1963 in Wyoming whilst working for rancher Joe (Randy Quaid), which produces a lifelong friendship, which is fraught with tragedy, emotional turmoil and constantly questioning the implications of their love affair.
The film follows Ennis and Jack, through their initial meeting, their realisation that their bond is stronger than just mere friendship, their both becoming married and having children whilst maintaining their friendship illicitly over the course of many years.
The dramatic and stunning setting of the Brokeback Mountains is coupled with a beautiful and satisfying soundtrack thanks to Gustavo Santaolalla, which further emphasises and enhances the emotional journey of Ennis and Jack.
Heath Ledger is just dynamite as Ennis and perceptively displays the all-consuming feelings he has for Jack and is almost faultless. His anguish his palpable as is Jake Gyllenhaal's pain as Jack. Jake is allowed a little more freedom with his character who is a little more at ease with the situation and he is equally inspiring. Michelle Williams is a revelation as Alma, Ennis' wife, as is Anne Hathaway as Lureen, Jack's wife and both provide ideal portrayals.
Never slipping into sentimentality and always keeping a steady undertone of loyalty and love, "Brokeback Mountain" is sometimes slow but that is not in any way a negative, rather it allows for the development of the emotion to its fullest. This is one of those rare movies that doesn't come along too often and will continue to be talked about for years to come for its honesty, beauty and depth of emotion.
SYNOPSIS:
In the tradition of MACHO DANCER, BURLESK KING revisits the gay underbelly of Manila. The son of an abusive American father and a Filipina mother, Harry escapes to Manila with his friend James, and with vengeance on his mind. After finding work as a "macho dancer" in the city's gay clubs, Harry expands his circle of friends. Realizing the cyclical pattern in which he is trapped, Harry sets out to find his father, locating him dying from AIDS deep in the heart of the city. There, he discovers that his mother is still alive and the two are reunited. Learning forgiveness from her, Harry learns to accept his past and finally attains his salvation.
DIRECTOR:
Mel Chionglo
"Burlesk King" is the second installment of director Mel Chionglo and writer Ricky Lee's trilogy about Macho Dancers. The first part was Sibak: Midnight Dancers in 1994, and the third part was "Twilight Dancers" in 2006. The trilogy took inspiration from Lino Brocka's film "Macho Dancer" in 1988. "Burlesk King" is a look at the harsh lives of Filipino 'macho dancers,' young men who dance and turn tricks with foreign businessmen in Manila night clubs. One such dancer, Harry, son of an abusive American father and a Filipina mother, Harry escapes to Manila with vengeance on his mind. After finding work as a Macho Dancer in the city's gay clubs, Harry creates a nurturing circle of friends and finds the strength to confront the family he left behind. In 1999-2000 the film was shown at the Berlin International, Chicago International, Toronto International Film Festivals and the European Film Market.
Independent Review:
"Challenging and Very Hot"
It is rare, these days, to see a film with a plot that truly surprises, but this one does. It takes the audience to a completely foreign world - the underbelly of the city of Manila. The central character is a straight boy who becomes a Macho Dancer and gay hustler working in gay nightclubs. In this world, prostitution is completely normal - even an honorable way of life. These characters have a wholly different set of values and ethics than we have in America, and watching them in a world where things are topsy turvy is fascinating. The film drags a bit about 3/4 of the way through, but the scenes of Macho Dancing in the gay bar are some of the sexiest I've ever seen on film. There's also a reunion scene between long-lost relatives that will knock your socks off. It isn't light entertainment; this is very challenging stuff, but its ultimately rewarding.
~ Anonymous
Harry leaves Olongapo, the former site of American bases, with his best friend James. They end up in Manila where they soon find work as macho dancers in a gay bar run by Mama Odette. Harry has a troubled past- his American father used to pimp him and his mother, Betty. When his father accidentally killed his mother, Harry struck out on his own. He made a vow to kill his father. In Manila, Harry witnesses various kinds of relationships. He meets Aileen, the sister of James. Aileen is a lesbian whose lover's family frowns on their relationship. He strikes an unusual friendship with Mario, a gay writer whose love life with a former live-in partner, Michael, is not as rosy as the romance novels he dishes out. Harry finds love with Brenda, a teenage hooker with a soft heart for street kids and a mind for superstitions. She teaches him love and survival in its right time. A group of thugs Harry and James encountered in Olongapo, comes back to exact vengeance. James dies and Harry is inconsolable. He starts pimping Brenda who opens his eyes to the reality that he has become like his father. Now, Harry sets out to hunt him. He looks for his father everywhere . He finds him in a lonely shack in a squatters' area in the heart of the city. His father, nearly skin and bones and dying of AIDS, is being taken care of by an old friend, Miong. His father tells him his mother, Betty, is alive after all. Harry looks for her in Angeles City, where aging hookers ply their trade in darkened side streets. Harry and mother are reunited. She teaches him forgiveness. They seek out Harry's father to bring him home. Harry learns to accept his part and finally attains his salvation.
~ Anonymous (United States)
Independent Review:
". . a lot of heart at the center of this seemingly lurid story . ."
A movie in which both the boy and his girlfriend sell their bodies for money? Then we find out his mother does too? Wow! I'd love to see Americans try to fit these characters in a movie this side of the ocean. Truth be told, they couldn't, but Filipino director Mel Chionglo finds a lot of heart at the center of this seemingly lurid story, his follow-up to the last macho dancer film "Sibak: Midnight Dancers". While this, the second installment in the series probes deeper depths of characters and the effects that dancing for money has on its main character, "Sibak: Midnight Dancers" had a much better storyline and invigorating pace. The story follows teenager Harry who comes to Manila from Olongapo to find his American father who he'd escaped as a child when he was beating Harry and his mother senseless and pimping them off to friends for money. To survive in the big city, Harry dances at a gay club, temporarily losing sight of his goal in his devotion to his work, but accomplishing it nonetheless. It drags on a bit, but it's not a bad film at all.
~ Bil-3 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Post Information: "Burlesk King" PDF Read Me
Film Background Information:
Title: "Burlesk King"
Web: Cast, Bios and Additional Details at IMDb
Director: Mel Chionglo
Writer: Ricardo Lee
Complete Credits:Full Cast, Crew & Credits
Genre: Drama
Awards: 1 Wins & 2 Nominations
Runtime: 109 min
Spoken Languages: English | Tagalog | Filipino
Subtitles: English
Twilight Dancers offers a disturbing yet a humorous look at the country's social realities through the eyes of three macho dancers or male strippers.
One of them is Dwight(Tyron Perez), young and at the peak of his trade who loses the girl he loves to a politician's son. Then there's Alfred, who at 28, is past his prime and is kicked out of the club. Finally there's Bert,30, who has long since given up dancing and is now the bodyguard-driver of a corrupt businesswoman. But Bert's boss, Madame Loca (Cherry Pie Picache), manipulates the events that push the three dancers to fight for survival, and to finally confront issues of love, friendship and betrayal.
Adding to these conflicts are a deaf-mute wife who refuses to go back to her macho dancer husband; a director who keeps promising stardom to a male dancer named Michael(Terence Baylon). A transvestite performer who fakes being a virgin as well; a tyrannical mayor who cross-dresses at his birthday party; and a union leader who gets shot by an assassin in broad daylight.
But as their club's manager Taurus always says. They are only here to serve the carnal desires of men. The show has to go on. Twilight Dancers is the third movie from director Mel Chionglo about Philippine's macho dancer industry.
What can you say about the movie Salo? Have you experience this kind of relationship they had?Is it happen in real life?To tell you honestly ive experienced this kind of relationship, I had also a Boyfriend and I love him so much but I dont know why I have to make an affair to other person. I know that this is wrong but why I always do this. I know that this relationship we had will not last long because someday I want to have my own family.
Synopsis
Rene (Paolo Rivero) is 30. Every day, he routinely leaves his steaming cup of coffee on his way to work. He runs a business that his family has left for him. Though relatively well off, Rene keeps to himself. He leads a solitary, albeit lonely life. He also employs a driver Levi (Kristofer King) who waits for him all day. Back home, his grandmother Mila (Anita Linda) lies on her sick bed in a coma. Rene gets regular visits from his “tita” (Perla Bautista) who does odd things for them: she (supposedly) takes care of her bedridden friend. His grandmother’s friend is constantly trying to set him up with various women, hoping that he’ll finally settle down. But he never quite connects with anyone. He in fact harbors a secret that had dire consequences one time he unraveled it. They do not have any idea that that Rene is gay and that he’s in love with his driver, Levi (Kristoffer King). And he harbors affection on Levi who unfortunately is in a committed relationship.
Santuaryo is an indie film that centers on the unfolding narration of a young man named Archie (Basti Romero). Archie went looking for a treasure when he came into the possession of an ancient map left by an old adventurer. His journey left him battered and cloudy with memories as he was found drifting on the ocean and later, rescued by island fishermen. When his long time lover, William (Wil Sandejas) arrives at his side, he is forced to painfully recall what happened to him and describes how he crossed paths with a group of boys looking for the same treasure. In the end, Archie realizes what is most valuable in life and it is in his relationship with William that he finds his greatest fortune.
The film introduces a set of new indie actors led by former commercial and ramp model, Basti Romero. He is joined by Justin Dizon, Nicos Bacani, Gino Quintana, A.J. Ona and Ralph Mateo.
Supporting cast: Gino Quintana, AJ Ona, Ralph Mateo, Justin Royce Dizon and Nicos Bacani.
Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, aka Intoy, is secretly in love with his friend Jenny, the most beautiful girl in the campus. Jenny is rich and quirky; Intoy is street-smart and ordinary. But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other. Before graduation, Intoy feels that he has to shed his pretensions of being astig and finally profess his love for Jenny. But he is devastated to learn that Jenny is pregnant. Worse, Jenny tells him: “Don’t worry, this is not yours.” Based on the bestselling novel of Eros S. Atalia, Ligo na U, Lapit na Me is an examination of postmodern love and relationship and the way this generation deals with their love and fear. Starring Edgar Allan Guzman and Mercedes Cabral. Also starring Mel Kimura, Simon Ibarra, Tolyts “Shalala” Reyes, Evelyn Vargas, Beverly Salviejo, Malouh Crisologo, Jojo Saguin, Joseph Bitangcol, Lucky Mark Mercado, Joe Vargas, Christian Tan, Ian Lazibal, Alex Tiglao, Ardie Bascara. Introducing Victor Medina. Special Guest Appearance of Luis Alandy
