The feels are coming, and they will hit you hard. Set in a pandemic-struck music camp, Still puts the spotlight on young aspiring artists as they navigate through a period of isolation and struggle. Heartstrings will be pulled as they latch on hope through their music. This is their ode to the quarantine generation.
Its Exclusive PreViu on Ticket2Me.net was set on September 10, but because of delays due to recent lockdowns, the new release date has been moved to November 12 this year. With this new release date and with teaser videos already up and making waves via Still’s social media channels, film, theater, and music enthusiasts remain in anticipation.The series is what some consider a momentous crossover of Filipino talents in these industries.
Still is Viu’s first Filipino Original musical narrative series and will consist of 8 episodes. Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service, provides premium Asian content in different genres, from top content providers with local languages and subtitles.
Filipinos from the creative industry came together to echo the voices of artists during this difficult time without live concerts, live stage plays, and cinemas. Working on a production in the time of a pandemic is uncharted grounds for the teams involved. Behind the scenes, masks and face shields are worn at all times and safety protocols are at 100%. Yet despite all the logistical humps and scheduling issues, Still was born out of a necessity to assure the viewers that artists will not stop creating and that the show or in this case, the music, must go on.
We need to reinforce just how star-studded Still is, with top Filipino talents contributing both on screen and behind the scenes.
Prominent headliners in the cast are Julie Anne San Jose and Christian Bautista. Julie Anne, a multi-awarded and well-loved singer-songwriter, actress, and television personality takes on the role of Laura Ramirez, a relentless dreamer filled with ambition. Christian, a Filipino household name with his successful career in music and television not just in the Philippines but also across Southeast Asia, plays the role of Nikolas, one of the camp heads going through an introspective journey.
Joining them are local theater superstars Bituin Escalante and Gab Pangilinan. Undoubtedly an icon in Philippine theatre, Bituin plays Annette Carreon, the owner of the home where the camp is held. Gab Pangilinan, praised for her unforgettable performances in Ang Huling El Bimbo, Side Show, and Mula sa Buwan, plays Sab, a voiceless writer who struggles with the thought of following her dreams.
Rising multitalented stars Gabby Padilla (FAMAS Best Actress Nominee for Billie and Emma, Kalel, 15), Lance Reblando (Ang Huling El Bimbo. Wanted: Male Boarders, Disney’s The Lion King), Mike Shimamoto (up-and-coming singer-songwriter, founder of haru), and Abe Autea (Dekada ‘70 the Musical, Nana Rosa) are also gracing the series. MC Dela Cruz, Chaye Mogg, Roco Sanchez, Ian Hermogenes, Shaira Opsimar, Matthew Chang, and Nica Del Rosario are theater and music standouts that make up the rest of the cast.
As a musical-narrative series about a music camp, the music and lyrics will be nothing short of spectacular. Nica Del Rosario, Matthew Chang, and Mike Shimamoto make up the incredible team behind the music. Nica is the credited songwriter of “Tala,” a chart topping hit song which went viral online. Matthew created and directed the music for Dekada ‘70 the Musical. Mike is a singer-songwriter and, as mentioned, one of the lead actors in the series. He plays the character Iggy Gomez, the “golden boy” camp veteran of the bunch.
The creators of Still feature big names in the industry with the likes of Pat Valera (Dekada ‘70 the Musical and Mula sa Buwan), Giancarlo Abrahan (Sila Sila, Paki, and Dagitab), and Nicco Manalo (renowned film, TV, and theater actor). It’s directed by Treb Monteras (Respeto) and produced by Monster Jimenez (Respeto, Apocalypse Child).
Still is presented by Viu Philippines and This Side Up, in collaboration with Arkeofilms, TheaterFansManila.com, Flip Music, and Black Box Collab.
It’s made possible by the support of Smart 5G, FWD Life Insurance, Enervon Activ, McDelivery, Smart GigaPay, and Belo SunExpert.
The Exclusive PreViu tickets are now available for purchase at https://bit.ly/ViuStillSeries.