I will be signing autographs for Samurai Cop 2 at DragonFest this Saturday, August 25 in Burbank, CA.

It will be held at Burbank's Pickwick Gardens Convention Center.  I will be there tomorrow Saturday for autographs and pictures so, bring your "Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance" stuff. (I am the Producer and Actor in the film) Come by and say "Hi." I'll be at the Cinema Epoch booth from 10am - 5pm.

I will have a supply of Blu-rays, DVDs and official tees for me to sign.  If nothing to sign, come by and say "Hi," shoot the breeze and feel free to take a picture, if you want.  Hope to see you all there!

As many panels I've attended and after seven panels I've created and produced since 2015, last week I was asked to partake as a special guest panelist.

I was asked in 2017 to be one of the guest panelists about Film Distribution, but my plate was full at the time.  This year, I accepted the invitation at the Long Beach Acting and Film Association's themed guest panel discussion, "Asian in Showbiz" last week Sunday, May 27 at Forbidden City in Long Beach, CA.

My entire career flashed before my eyes at first look of the other guest panelists on the card.  And, this was before I spoke.  Some of them I have worked with before in various capacities while another handful were of mutual friends we've known for years.

I was the last one up and decided to speak the truth.  My first time as a guest speaker who has gone thru the trenches for more than twenty-five years, the intent was to have all those listening (including some of the panelists) to be alert and to be prepared.  Because there are "sheeps in wolves' clothings" out there.  No one is immune from the negatives the Hollywood industry seem to attract, unfortunately.   

I was about to write what my speech was about but, I remembered I was rambling on near the end .. like as I did three times while typing this sentence and deleting it three more times.  I think it is best for me (and to my readers) to expand more about my speech in greater detail on future blogs (under Beyond The 4th Wall category) from here on out.  So much has happened since; each with defined increments of hindsight, perspective and outlook.

It's Friday today and I have a busy week ahead of me.  I want to spend this weekend to not think of serious things.

Although, the one thing I was reminded of before and after my guest speaking engagement as well as networking with the attendees just starting out -- as I try to expel my knowledge to them without rambling -- was that I am not comfortable being me on stage.  I am very comfortable playing and portraying characters in front of the camera (it is the actor in me) and very comfortable playing an exaggerated extension of myself on stage (it is the improvisor / comedian in me).  

But, being real?  I had my MTV: The Real World moment last week.  I was real with battle scars and war stories at LBAFA.  I was honored to have been asked to participate and to share my experiences.

 Last week, I had the pleasure co-presenting three films at 34th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.  The first film was the documentary, THE CLEANERS which premiered on May 7th.  

​The filmmakers of this fascinating documentary were unable to attend, but the people featured in this fascinating doc, United Nations Special Rapporteur/University of California, Irvine Law Professor David A. Kaye and Artist Illma Gore (pictured below) were present for audience Q&A after the screening held at the Regal L.A. Live Cinemas in Downtown Los Angeles.

Two nights later, myself along with filmmaker Craig Obligacion-Wilson (Lolo Pepe) co-presented both THE FRET AND THE FEVER and NEOMANILA, each one having premieres as well on May 9th.

All three films won awards from each of their respective categories.  ​Thanks to Janna Wang, Lailanie Gadia and Melanie Ramos for guiding us along the way. And, much thanks to the Executive Director of Visual Communications Francis Cullado for another successful film festival! Until next year!

Spend Lent this year at "Asian AF Presents: Filipino AF" this Friday, March 2, 2018 at 9:30pm at the Upright Citizens Brigade's Inner Sanctum Stage at UCB Sunset in Los Angeles.  FREE Admission!  

"Asian AF Presents: Filipino AF" is a comedy variety show featuring the best Filipino American talent in Los Angeles. Improv, sketch, standup, and maybe even some music and dance.

STAND UP by Nico Santos (Superstore)

CHARACTER by Marques Ray

SKETCH by Jason Palmer 
Featuring Jason Palmer, Gilbert Galon, Tony Garbanzos, Daryl Jim Diaz, and Vince Yap 
Directed by Allyn Pintal

MUSICAL COMEDY by Alfred Aquino II

COMEDIC SPOKEN WORD by Laurie Len Magers

CHARACTER by Mark Bertuldo, Madonna Refugia, and Angelie Meehan

VIDEO by Alfred Aquino II & Gilbert Galon

HIP HOP DANCE SKETCH written by Joy Regullano
Choreographed by Ally Vega
Featuring John Bacolores, Melanie Anne Padernal, Joy Regullano, Jeffrey Sabino, and Ally Vega

IMPROV with Sini-Gang, a UCB Fil-Am mashup team
with guest monologist Tess Paras (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)
guest improviser Rene Gube (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)
guest accompanist AJ Rafael
and improvisers Albert Andrade, Kay Kaanapu, PJ McCormick, Allyn Pintal, Joy Regullano, Christopher Renfro, and Erich Tamola

ACHARA the food truck will be providing a special seafood option for those observing Lent.

Hosted/Produced by Allyn Pintal, Joy Regullano, & Erich Rheinhart Tamola
Executive Produced by Will Choi & Asian AF

Asian AF Presents: Filipino AF
Friday, March 2nd at 9:30pm
UCB Sunset Inner Sanctum - 5419 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (entrance through the cafe)

FREE ADMISSION - seating first come, first served. The space will be able to fit everyone!
Parking: RIDE-SHARING RECOMMENDED. Valet for $5 (may fill up quickly) or street parking available. 

I just realized that after originally writing these memories back in February 13, 2018 - when it was announced that iO West was closing - that I never took a class in improv or sketch writing there... 

I knew of Improv Olympic's existence since its Complex Theater years and while I was with Monkey Butler Comedy (the latter closed in 2014). After studying improv at Upright Citizens Brigade in 2012, I was indecisive on which sketch classes I'd take... iO West or the Pack Theater?  

During that time, I joined the sketch comedy team, Oi! Oi! Oi! (Elizabeth Ebeling, Javier Ortiz, Kate Rodman and Corey Slater) and we performed live at iO's Mainstage in the last three consecutive Saturday nights of 2013 -- performed a Christmas sketch called Twas The Night Before Drunk at the Sketch Holiday Theme Party Show hosted by Animal Style...

...performed a musical sketch at the Comedy Music Circus! show hosted by Keith Saltojanes...

...and performed a sketch I originally wrote for Go Sketch Yourself hosted by CLIVE RICE! -- in front of Saturday night audiences (except for the one drunk guy in the back who was booted out of the club).

Recorded the 13th 'Super Awkward Funcast' episode with Elle Latham and Linnea Snyder at iO during the SNL 40th anniversary year...

...help in making the documentary short for the host about improvisor, actor and teacher Craig Cackowski about improv at iO...

Our team "The Olympian Beers" from the last two games became "Brainiac 3" and won the Pub Quiz hosted by Suzi Barrett.  Also, I joined the three-persons team at the "Win, Lose, Draw, or Drink...The Booty Call" drawing competition at iO WEST Main Stage (April 27, 2012). We were tied from the get-go against the other team but, sadly we lost. But, I did learn how to draw simpler illustrations to get my team to guess the right answers quicker. 

Received words of wisdom and practical applications from casting director Dorian Frankel, Jessica Makinson, actress Janet Varney, comedian Jason Horton and Joshua Mattingly at iO's 10th LA Improv Comedy Festival. And, supported my friends' (Nick Rasmussen, Moses Storm, etc.) shows by seeing their shows at iO. Lastly, assembled and edited a video tribute about my late friend, Billy Spindler. It was screened at his memorial hosted by Joanna Ke and Ai Yoshihara held at iO West in 2014

Participated in afternoon trivia games with other improvisors and comedians while I wondered if that one comedienne/actress who hosts a popular podcast stared at me or stared out the window from the bar, attended live WWE Viewing Parties hosted by Joshua Lassman and Steve Kaufmann along with other improvisors and comedians who happen to be wrestling fans (thank you!).

...and took a date to see a show at iO only to be abandoned when she went to Second City to get her friends yet never returned. Still wondering if that was a bit? In any case, iO West will surely be missed especially all my favorite improv teams. Most importantly, the trio of Dasariski.  Because with them, it is okay to perform improv slowly...and not always quick and fast all the time.  The trio consists of Bob Dassie, Rich Talarico, and Craig Cackowski. And, Dasariski is known for their “slow play” style of longform improvisation, creating an hour-long piece of theater with a focus on believable characters and relationships inspired from a single audience suggestion.  Love them!  iO, thanks for the crazy and humble memories -- like this February 23, 2013 (4 years ago today) Harlem Shake video we did at iO.

BUY TICKETS NOW: https://lapiff.chillhound.pro/event/5b3ca4d7-e2ca-4204-92c7-a64f8ba35316 to see my three new films as:  Principal Actor in LOLO PEPE, Supporting Actor in WHAT YOU DON'T SAY and a cameo in UNCLE EDDY.

The 1st Wave of FilAm Creations short films are: 
*************************************************************
- The Last Straw -- dir. Vince Cruz & Stanley Wong 
- What You Don't Say | Uncle Eddy -- dir. Rommel Andaya
- Plaza Blvd -- dir. Cassandra Pimental
- I Don't Love You -- dir. Mara De La Rosa
- The Legend of the Basketball Ghost | Miss Understanding -- dir. Gabe Pagtama
- Madeira -- dir. Kaitlyn Fae
- Man Of My Dreams -- dir. John Cruz & Mark Dormitorio
- Finding Ronwe -- dir. Angela Paviera
- Lolo Pepe -- dir. Craig Obligacion-Wilson
- Pictures of Perla -- dir. Lynn Harrod 

The 2nd Annual Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival presents a Special Screening of "Fil-Am Creations: A Filmmaker Movement 1" with Q&A on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 10:00am.

Cinemark Carson and XD Theaters
inside the South Bay Pavilion Mall
20700 South Avalon Blvd #285 
Carson, CA 90746

In an effort to inspire, motivate and mobilize the Filipino American and Filipino filmmaking community, FilAm Creative started a movement called "Fil-Am Creations" to challenge up-and-coming FilAm filmmakers to create new & original short films. Of these 1st Wave of short films, they made their World Premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on May 3, 2017 to a sold out house in just one hour!

Tickets: $10.00

Free parking lot available! 

LOLO PEPE is a finalist at FACINE's 24th Annual Filipino International Cine Festival.  The film screens at the Opening Reception & Short Films Competition on Thursday, October 19 at 6:00pm at the Philippine Consulate General located at 447 Sutter Street, Social Hall, 5th floor in San Francisco, CA.

Directed by Craig Obligacion Wilson and starring Jaime Barcelon, Jay Costelo Abe Pagtama, Virgil Apostol, Edwin A. Santos, Junot Lee, Sarnica May, Che Landon, Kathleen Neubauer and Niloo Khodadedh.  

FACINE 24 formally opens with screenings of short films selected by a three-member jury for competition for Best Film and Special Awards. Filmmakers from the Philippines and across the United States will be on hand to welcome San Francisco audience. Winners will be announced at the Awarding Ceremonies on October 22 at 9:00pm at the Roxie Theater located at 3117 16th Street, San Francisco, California.  

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facine-24-opening-reception-short-films-competition-tickets-38569943740