LAKBAY2LOVE
Dennis Trillo and Solenn Heusaff ignite the silver screen with their third and biggest team-up: the film “Lakbay2Love” from Erasto Films. The two first starred in a TV commercial, and were last seen together in the family drama “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” (directed by Jun Lana), wherein their characters unleashed the fire of their passionate love. Incidentally, I was a bit player in YTT, an entry for the 37th MMFF, and appeared in the restaurant dinner scene (shot at the erstwhile Kiss Bar at A-Venue). Interestingly, like Honor Thy Father last year, YTT was also disqualified for the Best Picture Award. But that’s another story….
“L2L” is a love story, with lines that convey the need to fall in love with nature. As an added attraction, Dennis and Solenn, together with co-star Kit Thompson, immersed themselves in the world of bikers. They biked through scenic biking spots such as La Mesa Dam, Timberland Heights, and Benguet, to bring to life the film’s environmental-themed message.
Dennis plays a forester and biker (Jay-R), while Solenn portrays the role of videographer Lianne Beaupre, who is making a feature about climate change. A special friendship develops between them, and slowly, Lianne is able to recover from a heartbreak. But just as Lianne is starting to move on, her ex-boyfriend and Jay-R’s good friend Macky Tyrell (played by Kit) returns to turn her world upside-down.
Dennis is a real biker who has been into the sport since he was about 8 years old. In fact, the actor had long wanted to portray a biker, and his wish came true when director/producer Ellen Marfil offered him the role in “L2L”. Dennis reveals, “Mahilig talaga akong mag-bike. Ito ang madalas kong ginagawa kapag may free time ako. Kahit marami akong work at meron kasabay na ginagawang movie, I make time to go biking. Ito ang rest ko.” The star took to the role easily, because, like Jay-R, he is fond of nature, and concerned about the environment. For Direk Ellen, no other actor could have played Jay-R. She describes him as perfect, because aside from his professionalism, “He is 100 percent alpha male. He exudes mystery, a guy you cannot have, so you are hooked forever”.
Meanwhile, fans of the sultry Solenn will not be disappointed, because her beauty radiates in the entire film. Her irresistible charisma shines through in her every scene. Behind Solenn’s beautiful face and the sexy body lies a real trouper who is willing to endure long travels and challenging weather conditions.
Solenn discloses one unforgettable shoot, “We were supposed to shoot in a forest, pero umuulan noong day na ‘yon. So everyone, including the bikers from different groups who were part of the scene, sumilong kame sa tents, nagsiksikan. Super fun! We were just eating ice cream and having fun!” Like Dennis, Solenn also found her role relatable. She explains, “I am always questioning my path, so I relate to Lianne in that way. Plus Lianne is ‘mahilig’ sa boys….Ako rin! Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Direk Ellen explains Solenn’s natural but undeniable appeal this way, “Solenn is softly in control and can put on the sexiest act, even. But if you meet her, hmmm, she is almost child-like, an Audrey Hepburn – she of classic innocence!”. Beyond the sophisticated goddess image, direk says that what the public will see is a vulnerable Solenn. As Katti Sta. Ana, founder of the bikers’ group Firefly Brigade said after a preview, “Totoong-totoo siya.”
Completing the “L2L” love triangle is Pinoy Big Brother discovery Kit Thompson, whose manliness can unnerve even the most confident woman. But, the staff members swear, when Kit clasped hands with Solenn for a scene, the guy seemed so nervous and smitten!
“L2L” is the third released-movie of award-winning writer, producer, and director Ellen. Her debut “Pusang Gala (Stray Cats)” won for her a Docker’s First Feature Award at the San Francisco Frameline Film Festival. Her second, “Boses (Voice)” has toured many international film fests, won several awards, and continues to be screened here and abroad since its release in 2008.
In the name of love for romance and love for the environment, join Dennis, Solenn, and Kit in their “Lakbay2Love” opening in cinemas on February 3… Check out and listen to Dennis and Solenn’s duet of the song “Overdrive” by the Eraserheads, where this time, the word “drive” has been changed to “bike”, just as the biking communities are growing fast in various places in the country. Listen to the OST of almost a dozen superkilig songs, including Kai Honasan’s “Liwanag”, and the newly-launched “Kilig” by Solenn, written and composed by Edward Fernandez of Gig Manila.
The film is supported by La Mesa Ecopark, Timberland Heights, 7-Eleven, Firefly Brigade, and the Cordillera Conservation Trust. For more information, log on to facebook.com/Lakbay2Love, www.lakbay2love.com.ph
After the film, a video was shown of Dennis Trillo, Solenn Heusaff, and Kit Thompson, thanking everyone for coming tonight.
Dennis mentioned the film outdoor Premiere on 29 January in UP behind the Oblation, inviting everyone to come (Green Carpet premiere).
Solenn thanked everyone for coming tonight, the Bloggers’ Night. Asked everyone to Tweet her the audience reactions, and Instagram. Sorry she couldn’t come tonight, having just arrived from abroad.
Kit Thompson is currently in New York to study Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy. Kit mentioned that `Lakbay2Love’ is a beautiful love story with great cinematography. He was one in raising awareness about caring for Mother Nature. Mother Nature provides us with natural resources. If we continue to consume these natural resources, we will soon run out. Future generations will suffer. For a healthy and happy lifestyle, we should look after Mother Nature.
During the Question and Answer segment after the film showing, Direk Ellen Marfil iterated the problem with the environment, and the objectives in making the film, including the possibiliities of exploring the Philippines. See how beautiful it is! Have people marvel and say, `Meron palang ganitong area dito!’ Show the possibility of exploring these areas, explore your city, isang paghihikayat para sa duon na gustong maging part ng solusyon. Fall in love with nature!
Ellen mentioned that the hardest parts during filming was access to the physical locations. There was also a time when it rained during the shoot. Also, she had to contend with the schedule of the actors. There were about two months with only one shooting day, and a total of seven months for the shoot. `But it was so worth it’, says Direk Ellen. She praised Solenn, whom she had undergo a workshop before the shoot. `She clinched it!’ Dennis, on the other hand, was a real biker, making it easier for her. Overall, it was hard, but the good attitude of the people made it less difficult. `During the shoot, maiiyak ka, but once it’s done, I am now happy, I feel so blessed!’ The `Lakbay2Love FB page has plenty of Likes from bikers, as well asthose who want to bike. People want to go back to nature. Direk Ellen recalled that shooting in the outdoors was difficult because of the rain, among others, but it was enjoyable to be out there, even if you’re just waiting. It can actually be infectious.
She praised Dennis, who, during change of location, would prefer to ride his bike, while others took the van. The scene with the Igorot bikes, however, were scary, because they had no brakes. Solenn was really scared riding it, and it showed on the screen. The bikers in the Baguio scenes were really from Baguio.
There are several bike communities now in the Philippines. Numbers are mushrooming. Is it because it has become Fashionable? Or is it the public reaction to traffic? Still, there is some way to go before biking can be a staple transportation mode like in the Netherlands. One has to contend with lobbying the government, for road sharing with cyclists.
Viper Bicycles were among the sponsors of "Lakbay2Love". Two models were on display at the front of Cinema 10 of Robinson's Galleria. A red fixed MTB X-300 costing P10000, and an orange foldable Viper Force bike, costing P8000.
Viper range is developed under the technical management and designed last ten years by Stephane Brasseur to offer premium products elaborated for the most exigent practitioners.
From: http://entertainment.inquirer.net 09 November 2015
The gravity of the situation gave me the will to get the film off the ground,” said director Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, when asked where she got her inspiration in making her new film “Lakbay2Love,” a romantic coming-of-age story about a videographer Lianne (Solenn Heussaff) who is torn between forester-biker JR (Dennis Trillo) and her ex-boyfriend, road biker Macky (Kit Thompson).
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