AGELESS actress, brand ambassador and lifestyle authority Angel Aquino told us that she was pleasantly surprised by the buzz being generated by the independently produced movie, titled Glorious, for the iWant digital platform of ABS-CBN.
iWant, formerly known as iWant TV, is the content platform exclusively available in Philippine territories, where registered users are allowed access to live video streams or content produced specifically for this platform, on any screen and device.
“Majority of the content on the new iWant will be free,” said Elaine Uy-Casipit, the Digital Media Head of ABS-CBN, “so viewers and fans are able to stream original films and series, music and concerts, and their favorite shows.” The streaming service went live last weekend on the Web and via its app available as a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Produced by Dreamscape as iWant’s initial offering, Glorious is written and directed by Concepcion Macatuno. With its much talked-about trailer registering more than 17 million views before it was launched last Saturday, the network and all its subsidiaries are ecstatic over the overwhelming feedback the film has been getting.
Happiest is Dreamscape head Deo Endrinal, who personally handpicked Aquino to play the lead character in the movie. Aquino, who is also part of the main cast of the long-running TV series Ang Probinsyano, shared that she’s grateful for the trust and care that the Dreamscape team has been giving her since she first worked with the unit in 2013, for the very successful TV series Honesto.
“I have to admit I had questions when Glorious was first presented to me and my manager, and we knew it will be a leap-of-faith type of decision in the event that we accepted. But we gave our full trust to Deo knowing that he has an eye for projects that can be game-changers. We’re happy the way things have evolved and I’m personally glad that my character is able to empower and inspire both men and women within my age bracket, and to remind many that age is just a number and that love, like happiness, is a decision.”
Aquino is glad that the leading-man role landed on the lap of promising actor Tony Labrusca. “I think Tony and I are a match. He is such a gentle soul. I’m glad we worked on this together and made even the most challenging days of the shoot more manageable because we were a real tandem.”
Principal photography took less than half a month in scenic Sagada and beautiful Baguio during the monsoon months of August and September. Having lived in Baguio during her university years, Aquino immediately felt at ease when filming started.
“I suggested to our director that the sensitive scenes should be done with utmost realism, like how two people who are madly and deeply in love with each other express their innermost passions and emotions—of course in the most creative and cinematic ways that the camera can allow,” Aquino explained.
During the special screening of Glorious at the new Power Plant Santolan, Aquino was very happy to see industry bigwigs and her fellow celebrities who came in full force to support her movie.
“I was very surprised with the outpouring of love. It was very humbling that so many of them took time out to support us. It was such a glorious occasion. We’re very blessed indeed.”