Sheila Barrios @ Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa

PETER SOLIS NERY’s ILONGGO FILM SET FOR SCREENING IN ILOILO AND SINGAPORE

“Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa (Love in the Time of the Bakunawa),” the full-length feature film debut of Ilonggo literary icon Peter Solis Nery will have its gala premiere screening at SM Cinema 3, SM City Iloilo on Wednesday, September 5 with two schedules 4p.m.-6p.m. and 6p.m.-8p.m. with tickets available for Php100 at the venue.

The movie is scheduled for international screening at La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore on Sunday, September 9 at 3 p.m. as part of Singapore Portraits. A day before the Iloilo screening of the movie, Tuesday, September 4 at 2 p.m., Nery will have a book launch at Al Dente Restaurant at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. The multi-awarded Ilonggo writer who will be honored with a First Place and a Second Place wins (Children’s Poetry Category) at 2012 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards on September 1 at Manila Peninsula Hotel is optimistic to launch his books-- the novel version of the movie and his Imelda Marcos-inspired book “If the Shoe Fits.” 
While steep with Filipino values and commentaries on issues like poverty, tourism, social and ecological responsibilities, the movie is really a classic love story that entertains more than moralizes. Under the deft hands of Nery, the movie, which stars Pinoy Dream Academy alumnus Eman Abatayo, upcoming actress Priscilla Fontana, and sexy actor-model Jet Alcantara, has raised the bar for Hiligaynon films, and regional filmmaking in the Philippines. Other featured Ilonggo talents in the film are Sol Fernadez School of Dance, Low Nook Dance Company and a cameo by Ilongga artist Sheila Barrios. Co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the film was a finalist at the 1st Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition in Davao City last July.  The movie is also recommended for the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece this November and will be screened at the 6^th Karay-a Arts Festival on October 19 at San Jose, Antique.  For updates, check out www.facebook.com/loveinthetimeofthebacunaua or visit www.petersolisnery.com. 

Sheila performs for a Book Launch

Ilongga singer Sheila Barrios was recently invited to perform for the Book Launch of Palanca Hall of Famer awardee, Ilonggo writer and film director Peter Solis Nery last September 4, 2012, 2pm at Al Dente in Sarabia Manor Hotel complex. Nery launched two books—the English novel version of the movie “Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa” where Sheila had a cameo role and her song “Nabatyagan” is one of the soundtracks, and “If the Shoe Fits,” a Palanca award-winning play about former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos.

Sheila performed “Dance with My Father” which Nery dedicated for his late father and her song “Nabatyagan,” the movie’s soundtrack.

Sheila @ RMN to Promote Ilonggo Movie

Ilonggo artist Sheila Barrios together with Ilonggo filmmaker and multi-awarded writer Peter Solis Nery, film producer Randy Graydon and movie cast Liezel Rose were special guests at RMN’s Sunday Special program last September 3, 2012 to promote their movie “Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa” [Love in the Time of the Bakunawa]. The film had its Gala Premiere Screening at SM Cinema 3, SM City Iloilo on September 5, 2012, 4-6pm and 6-8pm. The movie will also premiere at La Salle College of Arts in Singapore on September 9, 2012.

“I am very pleased to be a part of this movie as an Ilonggo artist. I’m thankful for director Peter Solis Nery for believing in my talent, giving me a cameo role and making my song one of the theme songs of the movie,” says Sheila on air. They were interviewed by program host, Raymar Lawayon and Tina Mayor.  

Sheila @ The News Today promoting Indie Film

Ilonggo pop artist, Sheila Barrios was recently featured at The news Today to promote her first indie movie cameo entitled Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa (Love in the Time of the Bakunawa) showing on September 5, 2012 at SM Cinema 3 in SM City Iloilo with two scheduled screening- 4-6p.m. and 6-8p.m. Sheila performed her Ilonggo song Nabatyagan (Feelings) in the movie. Her song is also considered as the second theme song of the movie. The movie is scheduled to premiere in Singapore on September 9, 2012 and recommended for Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece on November. The Ilonggo movie is produced, written and directed by Ilonggo literary icon, Peter Solis Nery.

Ilongga  Sings her way to Indie Film

An interview with Sheila Barrios

(Published in The News Today, The Daily Guardian, The Watchmen Journal and Panay News)

Music might be one of her passions that made her became a significant Ilonggo artist in Western Visayas but for Sheila Barrios, being featured in a mainstream independent movie ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa’ [Love in the Time of the Bacunaua] is another feather to her cap. Since her Ilonggo song ‘Ginpalangga’ was released in the internet, local FM stations in Iloilo and then spread throughout Western Visayas, a lot of people took noticed of her soulful voice. Somehow her popularity became an unexpected sensation among young Ilonggos who are fond of supporting local independent music. She was nominated as Best Female Artist at 2010 Ilonggo Music Awards by ABS-CBN Iloilo.

When Palanca award-winning Ilonggo writer and debuting film director, Peter Solis Nery started his online search for cast and talents in his first full-length film ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa,’ a finalist for Sineng Pamabansa National Film Competition and co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, he immediately took noticed of Sheila’s singing talent in facebook and youtube. He immediately offered her a cameo part in his movie as a singing rival to the film’s lead actor Eman Abatayo. Her soulful rendition of her original song entitled ‘Nabatayagan’ [Feelings] in the movie convinced the Ilonggo director to consider it as the second theme song of the movie. Likewise, she was also appointed as first line producer and production assistant during the 6-day movie shoot in Dumangas, Iloilo and white sand beaches of Guimaras.

“Being part of this movie is a great honor for me as Ilonggo artist. I was surprised when Peter Nery approached me in facebook. I am also very thankful for choosing me as one of his staff and making my Ilonggo song the soundtrack of the movie,” says Sheila who is currently an academic scholar at the University of Iloilo and taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is thankful to God for giving her a lot of blessings with the success of her other Ilonggo songs such as ‘Sa Handum Na Guid Lang’ and ‘Salamat Iloy’ not only played in Iloilo but as far as Bacolod and Negros.

When asked about her inspiration for her song ‘Nabatyagan’ featured in the movie, she has these words to say: “The song is about falling in love to the right person that truly cares for you and loves you unconditionally.” Since her cameo part in the movie is a singing competition with lead actor Eman Abatayo, she didn’t felt any pressure because he was very appreciative. She also pointed out that the whole cast and crew became a one big happy family who supported each other.

“As part of the production staff, there was really pressure because we had to finish the movie in 6 tiring days and sleepless nights.  But as we go on, we realize that our bonding and friendship on the set helped us tackle the hardship,” she expressed. The movie was also co-produced by Hopeboat Films based in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. who stayed in Iloilo for more than a week to shoot the movie. This coming August 26, 4PM at CAP Auditorium, Sheila together with the whole cast and crew of the movie will once again reunite to attend the Gala Premiere of ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa.’ The film was recently recommended by the Film Development Council of the Philippines to the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece.

So, what’s next for Sheila Barrios after the movie premiere? “I will continue to chase my dream of finishing my studies and explore new places. Maybe I’ll also take part in any future projects of our talented director Peter Nery and Hopeboat Films. And I hope to finish and release a full-length independent album very soon this year,” Sheila enthused, a true Ilonggo artist by heart. Check her out at www.facebook.com/sheilabarrios. ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa’ is slated for Gala Premiere on August 26 at CAP Auditorium with 2 screenings—4PM-6PM and 6PM-8PM, visit www.facebook.com/loveinthetimeofthebacunaua for updates   

"Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa" premieres in Iloilo

Sheila Barrios together with the major cast of the Ilonggo movie "Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa" (Love in the Time of the Bacunaua" is excited for the gala premiere on Septempber 5 at SM Cinema 3 of SM City Iloilo with two screenings -- 4-6p.m. and 6-8p.m. The movie is an entry to the 1st Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival last June 29- July 3, 2012 at Davao City. It was co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, US-based Hopeboat Films and Ilonggo film director Peter Solis Nery who also wrote the movie's screenplay. The movie was recently recommended for Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece this coming November. The movie cast include Pinoy Dream Academy alumnus and Ilonggo singer Eman Abatayo, TV actress-model Priscilla Fontana and sexy actor-model Jet Alcantara. It also featured Ilonggo dance talents such as Sol Fernandez school of dance and Low Nook Dance Company. Sheila was a featured Ilonggo artist in the movie who performed her original Ilonggo song "Nabatyagan" (Feelings) and is also the film's second movie soundtrack. 

Iloilo River song was Praised at International River Summit

Sheila Barrios together with other Ilonggo music artists such as Irish D., Cherry Callao, M.I.C. Muzik, SYK Unit, Stan and Mz. JT who recorded the song "Aton Manggad" (Our Treasure), a special track dedicated to promote the preservation and protection of Iloilo River was given a citation and praise during the 1st Iloilo International River Summit. The event was also attended by Philippine President, Benigno Aquino. Independent Ilonggo music producers RSLPhoenix wrote the lyrics of the song and M.I.C. Muzik's Zpinx Angel and Joemarie Regacho produced the music. Sheila is one of the four lead vocalists of the song with rap interludes from selected Ilonggo rap artists. The song became the theme song of "Sinadya sa Suba" (Festival of the River) of Iloilo City last May 2011 and Run for Iloilo River, an eco-friendly campaign project of JCI Metro Iloilo Dinagyang.


"Last year, a group of young Ilonggo singers and musicians wrote and performed a theme song for the emerging movement to protect the Iloilo River. Written in the local language, the title of the song is “Aton Manggad.” In English, that means “Our Treasure”. Indeed, these young music artists have captured the wisdom of the ages. The rivers are our treasure. Let us care for them with the same dil...igence and devotion that they nurture us."-----These are the significant words taken from the speech of Mr. Manny Pangilinan, special guest speaker at the 1st Iloilo International River Summit held at the Centennial Resort, Hotel and Convention Center last June 1, 2012.