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!

Born in America, but trained and wrestled at Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom since 2014, Filipina American wrestler Kris Wolf recently embarked on her 2018 Wolf Tour currently competing at various wrestling promotions all over the world.  Third time’s a charm as she returns to the Los Angeles region at Baldwin Park’s Bar Wrestling this Thursday, April 12 with a match against current Impact Wrestling’s Knockouts Champion, Allie.

The following interview is almost a year in the making since July, 2017 as I found Kris’ story fascinating; from how she began to where she is going. Not to mention, she is the first female wrestler of Filipino descent that came to my attention. Finally met up with her at the RISE 6 – BRUTALITY wrestling show in October, 2017.  Intuitive and personable, her journey is universal — especially among creative artists.
​
Read my exclusive interview with the Box Breaker, Kris Wolf.

Edwin Santos:  This interview is going to be a bit about creativity and inside the wrestling ring, it is all about telling stories.  Your backstory is close to becoming folklore.  So please, introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit of your journey -- presented in a folkloric tale..

Kris Wolf:  My animal beginnings started two weeks into my stay in Japan.  Prior to my migration, I worked as a freelance photographer, running around hustling and juggling five part-time jobs.  As my photography took off, I was able to shed the part-time work.  Unfortunately, my fiancee at the time felt distanced and decided that we weren’t gonna work out.  I was devastated but understood. Yanno?  I mean feelings change, people grow apart.  It’s unfortunate, but these things happen.  Nevertheless, I was broken.  I had a friend living in Niigata, Japan who offhandedly suggested I come for a visit, and without much thought I bought a ticket and set out to another world.  I spent two weeks crying on the sofa watching Breaking Bad. When I finished the series, resolved to GET UP.  I rented a bicycle and tent, and cycled from Niigata to Hiroshima.  It was almost 1000km and I spent twenty days crying up mountains and camping and pissing wherever I pleased.  In the madness of hallucination, fever, hunger, and exhaustion, I think the soul of Kris Wolf was born…or released.  Somehow I made it to Hiroshima. The biggest lesson I took from the experience, was that no matter what the odds, risks, or opinions of others are…if I want something I can get it…as long as I just keep going.

Edwin Santos:  Wikipedia states you’re originally from Chicago, Illinois while other interviews mention New Jersey.  Which is it?  Or, are you one of those transcendent werebeasts?

Kris Wolf:  AHAHAHA  Good question!  I flew out of the birth canal in Chicago, but spent much of my adolescent years in New Jersey.

Edwin Santos:  Two years ago, I was there with my friends at the live taping of Lucha Underground when I saw the match between Pentagon Dark against Io Shirai, Mayu Iwatani and Kairi Hojo (currently Kaire Sane at WWE NXT).  If it wasn’t for Lucha Underground, I wouldn’t have known about World Wonder Ring Stardom.  Tell us about your home promotion and why you chose them to train at.

Kris Wolf:  Stardom I imagine is like any other promotion that grows and evolves with time.  The promotion I’m in is not the same as the promotion I joined in the beginning.  I think there are many things that have improved since then and management knows how to handle their product. Believe it or not, was the first result in a YouTube search, and was also a suggestion from a friend.  The fact that they were these little Asian girls, flying through the air doing all these amazing things made me believe I could do it too.  Their image was much different from the image I had of the average pro wrestler.

Edwin Santos:  Tell us about Oedo Tai?  And to see original member Ruby Riott(Heidi Lovelace) challenging Charlotte Flair’s WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship title at WWE Fastlane?

Kris Wolf:  I may have grew up in Stardom, but Oedo Tai is my home.  For everyone that didn’t quite belong, Oedo Tai became their family. Misunderstood monsters is how I like to think of it.  Misunderstood outcasts with the biggest hearts.  I…f**king…love Heidi…and her as Ruby Riott makes me so proud.  She has worked so hard and continues to do so.  I admire her and wish her all the best!  Nikki Storm (currently Nikki Cross with the faction, Sanity at WWE NXT) is also Oedo Tai alumni.  But yes, Heidi is OG.

Edwin Santos:  Are there any wrestlers, then and now, you look up to, appreciate the work that they do or motivate you to keep on going?

Kris Wolf:  Act Yasukawa, Kairi Hojo, Alpha Female (Jazzy Gabert), Kay Lee Ray, Nixon Newell, Deonna Purrazzo, Toni Storm, Viper (Piper Niven), Thunder Rosa, Santana..man…really there are too many.  Reality is I admire all the girls I meet.  I admire each and everyone for gambling their luck and health in this game.

Edwin Santos:  Being from a Filipino American family, I take it that your parents weren’t too thrilled with your career choice?  What did you major in college?  And, what career choice(s) your parents wanted you (or still wants you) to pursue instead?

Kris Wolf:  Haha yeah, my mom wasn’t exactly thrilled with my decision.  I majored in photography and graphic design, which she eventually approved of….but really now.  What Filipino family doesn’t want their child to be a nurse, doctor, or some sort of lawyer?

Edwin Santos:  Based on the 2010 U.S. Census, Filipinos are the second largest group of Asian Americans in the U.S. and are the largest population of Asian Americans within the City of Los Angeles.  Since your first visit to Los Angeles in 2015, how was the welcome like when you returned two years later with RISE Wrestling and the Alternative Wrestling Show (AWS)?
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Kris Wolf:  It was raaaad.  I saw some fellow “Balut Club” members out in the crowd.  I felt the love.  I hope this time around I can grab some FILIPINO FOOD cuz it’s been a while yo.

Edwin Santos:  What are your thoughts on the growing interest of women in professional wrestling overall (examples: the Knockouts at Impact, WWE’s Mae Young Classic / WWE’s pay-per-view main event women’s matches and Ring of Honor’s Women of Honor tournaments?). 

Kris Wolf:  I think it’s amazing that women are getting featured more all over the place.  I love that women’s rights and issues are being discussed more openly.  And I’m proud to have been in a ring with these awesome humans.  Having these different talented women on TV and in these tournaments is great.  It shifts the idea of who can be a wrestler and what’s cool or admirable.  More variety and appreciation for all is what I’m after.

Edwin Santos:  Tell us about RISE Wrestling, its mission statement and your involvement with the promotion?
​
Kris Wolf:  They’re pretty neat! They’re a wrestling promotion that holds seminars and gives chances to new wrestlers of all backgrounds to connect with people in the business who can help them grow as wrestlers and within the business.  I’m pretty new to RISE myself, but I assisted Bull Nakano as her translator and helped with a training session before.  I will be doing the same again in Chicago, so I’m looking forward to that.

Edwin Santos:  What would be your dream match?

Kris Wolf:  A deathmatch with Jelly beans, dorito chips, and tacos…ah..and beer….Also I would like to wear a sumo costume…or something of that nature.

Edwin Santos:  Who are your musical influences?  I ask this based on your singing, guitar playing and piano playing from your videos.  Were there thoughts of pursuing a musical career early on?
​
Kris Wolf:  I grew up listening/watching Broadway musicals and old folk bands that my mom liked.  So that definitely played a hand at developing my musical tastes.  I thought about singing or being in a band for a bit, but not seriously.  I don’t think I sing that well to be honest.  I like to do it though.

Edwin Santos:  If you were inducted into a wrestling hall of fame, who would you want to induct you and why?

Kris Wolf:  I think they’d have to be some crazy mofo, I’m not so much for awards to be honest.  I think I live too much in a realm of chaos where nothing means anything.  My prize is energy and adventure.

Edwin Santos:  If you could go back in time, what would Kris Wolf today say to Kristina Hernandez then before she made the big life change?

Kris Wolf:  Keep going…you’re gonna hit something that’ll change your life…but stretch and do yoga!

Edwin Santos:  Lastly, to end this interview, do a promo as Kris Wolf, or in a folkloric presentation (or both). Your choice.
​
Kris Wolf:  DEAR UNIVERSE,
THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS TERRIFYING, EXCESSIVE ENERGY.
I WILL TRY MY BEST TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY AND SHARE MY JOY.
SINCERELY YOURS,
KRIS WOLF

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.

A film I acted in - WHAT YOU DON'T SAY - is now on YouTube in its entirety.  It made its premiere at the 33rd Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in 2017.  

The film was written (with Bernard Badion) and directed by Rommel Andaya. Carlin James, Mari Lauren, Dante Basco, Erica Juliet, Michael Kuya, Joy Regullano, Sheila Tejada, Junot Lee, Jaclyn Aimee, Dante Swain, Melanie Padernal, Lianne Lin and I round out the cast.  With songs from AJ Rafael.  

And, check out the outtakes and bloopers afterwards.  Enjoy!

This is off my bucket list -- to record and perform on a radio play...or, in this case, a podcast play at Super Awkward Funcast!  Been wanting to this sort of performance ever since I was a little boy listening to mystery detective thrillers presented as radio plays on the AM dial.  

This staged reading (recorded earlier this month) is of the modern classic cult hit "so bad it's almost good" film titled "The Room" by misunderstood genius Tommy P. Wiseau ("The Disaster Artist"). 

I was sent the screenplay in late November and were given the characters I would be playing.  Not having seen the film, I read the script and broke it down.  The not proper screenplay format and its run on lines were almost easy to catch on and the description of the characters (based on their dialogue) I didn't take offense since it took place a decade ago when unlike my peers are deemed blasphemous.  As much mockery and insults the film receives, I planned on performing the characters of 'Mark,' 'Billy,' 'Neighbor #2' and other characters as straight and serious as possible.

If you're not familiar with the film, you don't have to watch it before listening in order to properly appreciate this original version but it helps. This reading is as serious an interpretation as we could manage and we hope you enjoy our work. Bloopers will soon follow, I assure you.  

I had a lot of fun and I would love to do more of these staged readings / radio plays!

CAST OF CHARACTERS
 
Brandon Burkhart (The Pack Theater) as Lisa, Bran, Crowd, Other Guys and Neighbor #1
 
Steven Robles (World Domination Designs) as Narrator, Johnny, Michelle and Crowd
 
Edwin A. Santos (Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance) as Mark, Billy, Crowd, Other Guys and Neighbor #2
 
Elle Latham (SciFi4Me) as Claudette, Jimmy, Peter, Susan and Crowd

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: 
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- 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