5 decades of the best Filipino movies

Piolo Pascual introduced “Every Breath You Take” at the recent “Hooq Hangouts”. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

Remember the classic or “old” movies of Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano and other veteran actresses directed by National Artists for Film Lino Brocka, Gerardo de Leon and Ishmael Bernal?

How about those of the young Christopher de Leon, Charo Santos and Hilda Koronel?  They are films being studied in schools and whose copies are so hard to find, even in your favorite DVD stores. They are also far from being downloaded because no one has the interest to do so. Where do we find them?

With close to 1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost five decades and more than 4,000 hours of local television, Hooq video-on-demand service, leaves the competition way behind when it comes to its rich catalog of local content.

This was the highlight of the second “Hooq Hangouts,” the biggest outdoor cinema event series held on September 23 at the Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio Global City.

In July, “Hooq Hangouts” made a successful debut as hundreds of superhero and comic book fans gathered for an evening of fun and surprises and to watch a triple episode preview of “DC Legends of Tomorrow”—a Hooq exclusive TV Series.

Hooq marketing head Shiela Paul. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

This month, #LovePinoy was the theme of the second “Hooq Hangouts” as it showcased its massive catalogue of local movies with a screening of “Every Breath You Take,” starring Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban.

“With the start of the –Ber months everyone is expecting the weather to be a bit colder, so we chose a romantic comedy that’s guaranteed to rekindle that warm fuzzy feeling and make our subscribers feel some Pinoy Love,” says Jane Cruz-Walker, country manager of Hooq Philippines.

Pascual was there to introduce the film he considered one of the most memorable he had done. He said it had the longest shooting days—about 60—for a commercial film that he did.

Hub of homegrown movies

Besides having the thousands of foreign movies and TV series, Hooq is the prime destination for Filipino entertainment on demand with the largest library of local movies among any of the video-on-demand services in the country.

“In addition to thousands of Filipino movies spanning almost four decades (1980’s to 2016), we also have over 4,000 hours of local television content which includes the best teleseryes, comedy and reality shows,” reveals Cruz-Walker.

“Pinoy films/TV shows are closest to our hearts because it tells the stories of our lives, that is why we have signed licensing deals with the top Philippine studios including ABS-CBN, Regal, Viva and GMA ,” Cruz-Walker adds.

Stream or download Hooq’s certified romantic flicks featuring star couples such as James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s “Diary ng Panget” and “This Time”. John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo top-bill romantic blockbusters “One More Chance”, “Close To You” and “The Mistress”.

Hooq country manager Jane Cruz-Walker. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

For those who love sexy melodrama, there’s “A Secret Affair” starring Derek Ramsay and Anne Curtis.

Hooq also has Pinoy Action Blockbusters with “On The Job,” “Muro Ami,” FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano,” “Deathrow” and “Dugo ng Panday” leading the list. There are horror classics like “Feng Shui,” “Sukob,” “Shake Rattle and Roll” series and “The Healing”.

There are also the blockbuster comedies starting with “Sisterakas,” “Kimmy Dora,” “Wang Fam,” “My Amnesia Girl” and “Girl,Boy,Bakla, Tomboy” with top comedians Vice Ganda, Eugene Domino, and Toni Gonzaga as headliners.

Hooqs all Pinoy catalog likewise lets you enjoy hard-to-find classics from “Bagets,” “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” to “Temptation Island,” “Rizal” and Ishmael Bernal’s “City After Dark.”

Finally for fans of TV series, there are the entire season of “Imortal,” “Encantadia,” “Walang Hanggan” and catch-up episodes of “Sinungaling Mong Puso” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”, which are currently airing on GMA.

Hooq is also home to a rich collection of independent titles such as “Metro Manila,” “Sonata,” “Six Degrees Of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay,” “Zombadings,” “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”; and the works of top Filipino directors such as Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, Real Florido and award-winning writers Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone and Michiko Yamamoto.

The video-on-demand service has likewise shown its annual support to the Metro Manila Film Festival and short film/animation category hosted on Hooq.

“Hooq Hangouts,” also brought to you in cooperation with Samsung, turns the BGC Amphitheater into a free outdoor cinema venue with massive LED screens, beanbags, blankets and cushions to fully enjoy the show.

“Hooq Hangouts” will regularly showcase blockbusters and all-time favorites through several massive LED screens at the Globe Iconic Entertainment Zone, transforming the BGC Amphitheater into a free outdoor cinema venue.

Participants of “Hooq Hangouts” can also enjoy on-ground entertainment, munch on free popcorn and check out on-ground activities and win raffle prizes.

Hooq is Asia’s largest video-on-demand service hosting over 10,000 movies and TV shows available for streaming or download.  Globe customers can get free access to Hooq with selected GoSURF mobile data plans and as well as Broadband Plan 1299 and up.  Visit www.hooq.tv to sign up for a 7-day free trial.

How to get Hooq

It’s easy to get Hooq.  Sign up today for a 7-day free trial on www.hooq.tv.  Globe mobile customers can up to 90 days free Hooq on selected GoSURF plans.  Broadband customers also get Hooq for free on Globe Home Broadband.  Once the trial period expires, Globe customers can continue enjoying Hooq at P149 subscription fee monthly charged to your Globe bill.  Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888.