"One Night Only" red carpet premiere =]

It all happened in one night.

Free-spirited and money hungry Jasmine (Katrina Halili) was all set to leave for Hong Kong with her new Chinese lover when her Congressman-benefactor Facundo (Ricky Davao) decided to have his return of investment. Forced to comply with a rather angry lawmaker, Jasmine had no other choice but to give in to the demands of this hot-blooded sponsor lest she be exposed for her frivolities.

Meanwhile, in a movie set, hunk actor Diego (Paolo Contis) was wrestling with a major issue involving a reporter named Meliton (Ogie Diaz) whom he beat up when the latter exposed his shady past. But this was really beyond Diego’s concerns for he had his eyes set on one of the talents on his set, a naive looking extra named Angela (Alessandra de Rossi). As he was manipulating events to get this girl in bed, he remained in touch with his best friend, Pons (Jon Avila).

Pons was a stud who worked as an advertising executive. And he too wanted to bed Vicky (Valerie Concepcion), a girl he met in Boracay. After spending so much on Vicky when they met on vacation, Pons realized that he was short-changed when she passed out on him. Unknown to the man, another girl-–Vivian (Diana Zubiri), a friend of Jasmine, was feeling guilty because she did not give in to the demands of Pons the night before when they went out on a date. So now she was determined to make appropriate amends.

The gay hairdresser of Facundo’s wife, Inday, was equally excited that day. Edward (Chokoleit) was a flamboyant beautician who was finally having his moment of truth with a man whom he has been taking care of for the past months. Edward mas madly in love with Nestor (Joross Gamboa) and this was the night that he will propose to him.

On the set where Diego was trying to get into the pants of Angela, the supervisor of the talents was a bull dyke named George (Manilyn Reynes). She was carrying on an affair with the make-up artist named Elvie (Jennylyn Mercado). Elvie, who happens to be the cousin of Vicky, wanted to end this relationship because she wanted to live a normal life. And this sent the lesbian’s world crashing.

Because of certain twists and turns and circumstances, all these characters ended up in the same motel called Lover’s Hideaway.

What happened was a night of chaos and confusion. What transpired for the next twelve hours ..will forever be traumatic!

Grade A for “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” by the Cinema Evaluation Board!♥ =]

“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia,” the Philippines’ first all-digital, full-length animated film entry to the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), has received a grade of A from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) when it was reviewed yesterday (Dec. 18), a day prior to its red carpet premiere at SM Megamall Cinema 10. This merits a 100 percent rebate on amusement tax for the animated feature produced by Cutting Edge Productions.

The CEB, which operates under the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), grants tax rebates to well-crafted local films.

“Dayo,” which is also being endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), follows the adventure of Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas), an 11-year-old boy from Antipolo, who takes on a journey to save his beloved grandparents abducted into Elementalia—a fantasy land thriving with strange flora and fauna and home to several enchanted creatures of Philippine mythology.

Bubuy meets Anna (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a young and energetic manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) with a special fondness for all things human, except to eat them. The two live out an adventure full of wild, will-testing and comical experiences all over Elementalia—from an enormous lake heaving with gravity-defying merfolk to the breathtaking crystal cave dwelled by colorful alitubi (a cross between a firefly and dragonfly) to a magnificent old tree that is home to a motherly kapre (a sort of big ogre who lives on trees and smokes cigars) and finally to a majestic mountain protected by a big pack of hungry aswangs (shape-shifting creatures).

"Dayo" is a hybrid product of combining 2D and 3D animation, powered by Toon Boom using Macintosh and Linux platforms. 2D animation is used for the characters while 3D animation is used for the backgrounds especially for the big scenes.

At an estimated production budget of USD 1.3 million, “Dayo” is produced in Dolby 7.1 surround sound. The team behind “Dayo,” led by its executive producer Jessie Lasaten and director Robert Quilao, has collaborated with Technicolor in Thailand for its post- production.

The soundtrack of “Dayo” highlights the world-renowned Filipino performer Lea Salonga of her rendition of the movie theme song “Lipad.” Her performance and the entire musical score by Lasaten were recorded together with the FILharmoniKA under the baton of Gerard Salonga.

Apart from Aguas and Legaspi, the film features the voices of Pokwang (Vicky), Michael V (Narsi), Noel Trinidad (Lolo Meong), Nova Villa (Lola Nita), Johnny Delgado (Carpio), Peque Gallaga (Nano), Laurice Guillen (Diwata/Bruha), Gabe Mercado (Jo) and Pocholo Gonzales (Toti). Temi Abad, Jr. and Eric Cabahug team up for its screenplay.

The film is rated G or GP (General Patronage) by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

“Dayo” supports the Cancer Warrior Foundation as its beneficiary.

For more information, log on to www.dayomovie.com

“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia,” an official entry to the 34th MMFF, is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, FUJI YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, MTV Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio, iAcademy and New Media.

Dayo OST in stores now! =]

‘Dayo’ OST in stores now

Even before “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” hits the cinemas on December 25, it has already registered a lot of firsts for the Philippine movie industry. “Dayo” has been brave in meeting heads on with films under proven box office formulas. But not only it is brave, it proves to be daring as it introduces another first in filmmaking, that of releasing its musical score recorded in full orchestra. “Dayo” is poised not only as a feast to the eyes but will seek to establish a deeper connection with the audience through its music.

Jessie Lasaten, multi-awarded film music composer and executive producer of “Dayo,” weaves magic this time complementing the digital animated film with an ensemble of an all-Filipino musical talent and the use of indigenous instruments. Providing for a multi-sensorial treat to audiences of all ages, “Dayo’s” soundtrack highlights the rendition of world-renowned performer Lea Salonga of the movie’s theme song, “Lipad.” Her version of “Lipad” and the whole film score were recorded together with the FILharmoniKA under the baton of Gerard Salonga.

It will be recalled that Lea had already lent her singing voice to Mulan and Princess Jasmine, both from Disney’s animated films. Lea’s track will accompany the first flight of Bubuy and Anna manananggirl. “Lipad is a song about believing in dreams and making them come true,” explains Jessie who collaborated with Temi Abad, Jr. in

writing the lyrics. “Kaya mong lumipad,” is a line from the movie’s theme song. It speaks of an aspiration to soar and at the same time, talks about the readiness to reach new heights.

Aside from Lea’s inspirational version, upcoming band Roots of Nature sang an upbeat version of “Lipad.” This is currently released on the airwaves under the Sony BMG label.

Several notable artists also rendered their artistry for the completion of “Dayo’s” sound. Among them was Moymoy Palaboy singing "Kapit," a song about friendship. New band Juan Lunar performed "Daybreak," a song about being there for someone when they need you most.

“We have music that combines full orchestral instrumentation with the ethnic instruments of Joey Ayala. I've composed new themes for the major characters. In terms of scoring the scenes, I've combined orchestral score with Filipino ethnic instruments especially when Bubuy enters Elementalia. We asked Joey to sing the Elementalia Dayo song as well as have him perform his "hegalong " a two-string lute instrument. He also played kubing (jaw harp), kulintang (ethnic gong), and nose flute which added texture to the score in the Elementalia scenes,” narrates Jessie about the extent of his team’s efforts in coming up with the movie’s full soundtrack. This multi-faceted musical scoring will guarantee to carry the viewers from one scene to the next, bridging animation and real life.

Despite Jessie’s proven track record in garnering awards, he has something else in mind when it comes to “Dayo’s” music. “I'd choose Dayo to be commercially popular. I guess instrumental albums, much less an original score for a movie are rarely released nowadays. I would want the public to know that we can still come up with original instrumental music for orchestra,” stresses Jessie on the direction he’d want to head in.

“Dayo’s” original soundtrack recording is in stores now. It is released through Sony BMG.

For more details about the movie, log on to www.dayomovie.com.

“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia,” an official entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, FUJI YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio, iAcademy and New Media.