THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 5 | FEBRUARY 2016
Hip-hopping
Filipinos go
Bollywood
EIGHT FilipinoAustralian dancers
have been cast in
a sequel of major
Bollywood feature
movie ‘Sardaarji’.
Sharmaine Amurao
SYDNEY-based Sharmaine Amurao, Jovi Hartley, Geraldina Hnitko,
Tiana Balgos, Glen Gaspi, Vinz Suarez and Bernie Van Tiel join Brisbane’s Brooke Estillore performed
in a two-day movie shoot.
Fifty Australian dancers and
more than 100 extras have been cast
in the sequel led by India’s movie
star Diljit Dosanjh.
The Opera House and Sydney
Harbour Bridge was the backdrop
to two dance scenes shot at McMahon’s Point and inside a cruise ship.
At press time, a third and final scene was being shot at a winery
area in Camden Valley.
“It’s a really good experience
as it is my first time to ever be in a
movie. It’s so cool to work with a
different culture,” Ms Amurao said.
“The dance we had to learn is a
fusion of hip-hop and Bollywood
style.
“At first it was new to us, but
we started to get the hang of it after a while.
“I’ve made so many new friends
and hopefully I can work with the
production company again,”
Canadian-based Company
White Hill Production produced the
movie and is directed by Punjabi director Rohit Jugrag.
Marco Selorio’s talent and production organisation MAS Presents
provided all the hip-hop dancers and
50 extras on the set.
The Sardaarji Returns movie
will be released worldwide on June
26, 2016.
Looking for
love? Read
the fine print
Fair Trading warns
consumers to
check the fine print
before signing up
for introduction
or dating agency
services or sites.
ENTERTAINMENT
Marayong teener Second
in Manila ‘Global Idol’ final
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD ElysaVillareal of Sydney's western
suburb of Marayong was voted First Runner-up in the
DZMM Global Singing Idol finals in Manila, Philippines last
month.
By VIOLI CALVERT
ELYSA represented Australia together
with Brian Lorenz, and was the youngest
entry in the competition.
The field comprised two representatives each from Australia, Hong Kong,
Taiwan and USA.
The Filipino-Australian happily
shared the stage with winner Shane Erica
Liand, and second runner-up Aloida Alcala both of whom represented the USA.
Elysa and this writer, who was in
Manila, caught up through email to share
insights on Elysa's performance. Despite
her busy schedule, Elysa was glad to respond to a few questions posed to her:
What went through your mind or
what was your initial reaction when
you heard you were announced as
First Runner-up?
Elysa: I was very surprised and
humbled that I was placed in the top 3. I
didn't expect it as everyone was amazing
that night.
In the lead up to the finals, what
activities were you involved in Sydney, and once already in Manila which
would be the highlights for you? What
were the challenges and difficulties?
Elysa: In Sydney, I had training with
tito Albie Prias and tito Charles Chan
for a few weeks before we went to the
Philippines. I also had a couple of sessions of vocal training with the Francis
Voc