A NEW BREED OF ENTERTAINERS
By Butch Macaro
Screenwriters’ Guild of the Philippines


Masculados! Musclemen! Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes formed a singing group composed of five young men three years ago-- young men who would do anything to crash into the entertainment world. One of them was Zoltan Amore (a.k.a. Prexy Facto in private). Zoltan was one of the candidates for the Ginoong Bacoor in Cavite I organized in Bacoor in 1997 with the help of then Cavite Governor Bong Revilla Jr. and his younger brother Edwin “Strike” Revilla then a Bacoor councilor.

Direk Maryo J. was one of the judges I invited for the male pageant together with fashion designer Oscar Peralta, Director Cloyd Robinson, Eddie Marfori, Greg Palacio, Scriptwriter Rei Nicandro and Ms. Lani Mercado. Prexy Facto was declared second runner-up to winner Michael Cruz Estayo. The other winners included Christian Galura, Ryan Gerome Rusit and Anthony Lao. They were the official candidates to the 1997 Maharlikang Pilipino Pageant held at the Manila Hotel representing the province of Cavite. The winner Michael Estayo failed to join the national competition where Jericho Barrios of Batangas was declared winner and Juan Carlos Castro his runner-up. Castro even appeared in some forgetable movies.

After the Maharlika tilt, Direk Maryo J. put Zoltan Amore in most of the films he directed. Zoltan was featured in several write-ups in some sex magazines. Then Direk Maryo put together a group of five singing boys that included Zoltan Amore. He baptized them the Musculados, like the Minudos of Puerto Rico. The last time I saw Zoltan, he promised to visit me as soon as he is free from his commitments. Until now, he never paid me a visit. I don’t know where he is now.

Just recently, Direk Maryo J. has come up with a new group of boys in between his movie and TV assignments. The new group is called M-Gage (short for male engagement) and is now starting to serve notice to people in the entertainment business. M-Gage is composed of Blumark Roces, Orlando Sol, Joe Armas, Saj Hufalar and Craig Alcantara. It is very noticeable that M-Gage vocalist Orlando Sol is a spitting image of actor Yul Servo. Both of them are cute and chinito. Maybe a movie casting them as brothers is a good idea. The group completed a year-long training in vocalization and dancing in preparation for their initial public appearance.

M-Gage members from left to right: Soloist Orlando Sol, Saj Hufalar, Blumark Roces , Craig Alcantara and Joe Armas

I remember in the birthday bash of designer Oscar Peralta in December of 2005, Direk Maryo was one of the well wishers together with two good looking aspiring young boys he introduced me to. I remember the name Blu (most probably Blumark Roces). The other could be Orlando Sol. When I attended the last birthday party of Direk Maryo last October in Judy Ann Santos’ digs, I failed to see either of the two boys. There were lots of young boys and young girls in the party anyway.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo starts it’s celebration as early as December 16 every year, after the midnight masses or the simbang gabi, with a nightly stage present- attion in Plaza Miranda, right infront of the church. It usually lasts until the eve of the actual feast on January 9 the following year. I never failed to watch the entertainment every night since I live in the heart of Quiapo which is several meters away from home.

In the early part of last January, a few days from the feast day, I was there once again, watching a comedy skit that featured a father-son-daughter team. The emcee announced the arrival of Direk Maryo J with his M-Gage singing group. I did not waste time and edged myself through the thick crowd towards the stage. There I saw Direk Maryo near his car and approached to talk with him. In a few more minutes, the group of Craig Alcantara, Orlando Sol, Blumark Roces, Joe Armas and Saj Hufalar were seen performing infront of the cheering crowd. They can sing alright, and can dance well with the lead vocalist Orlando Sol. Three songs in a row and the boys bade the crowd good night though the people were clamoring for more songs. I thought, this is it. They made it, they have arrived, and well! But the group must leave earlier for another engagement.

Orlando Sol, the lead vocalist of the group, is 20 years old and was once a member of church choir. Of the group, Sol has the highest voice pitch. Direk Maryo J. met him during a school play presentation where he was one of the cast. Sol has the potential looks of a movie star with a strong sex appeal. He too can do a solo number and can act as well. In his free time, Sol never fails to work out in a nearby gym to maintain his attractive physique.

In the album they just recently completed, Sol sang Dahil Ikaw Lamang Sa Akin. The quintet has already come up with their self-titled debut album. The following singles are included in the album: Tanging Ikaw, composed David Granado, Nang Makita Kita composed by Rannie Raymundo with Hay Naku and Oras.

Direk Maryo J, after a long search, has finally come up with a group of mixed talents to complete his dream band—a much younger version of the old Masculados who are no longer under his management. Orlando Sol, Craig Alcantara and Blumark Roces are from the Southern part of the country while Joe Armas who was a Ginoong Pilipinas title holder and Saj Hufalar are both native Manilans. Their one year of hard work culminated in a grand concert and launching at the Metro Bar last January 31. Direk Maryo J. was also the concert director.

Their list of impressive guests was headed by Rannie Raymundo, the Viva Hot Babes, Alma Moreno, Let’s Go Girls, the Musculados, Yul Servo, Jimmy Marquez and Baron Geisler. Oscar Peralta, Avel Bacudio and Shanon Pamaong provided the costumes for the new performers.

I am doing this short write-up on my own and without any request or pressure from any party because I was so impressed by the performance of the group. I saw them for the first time during the Feast of the Black Nazarene. I am also doing these with some touches of little reminder of humility and to keep their feet in the ground always. Remember that once they are blown up by success out of proportion, they will all be blown apart into oblivion.

There were others before them in this business who were really good in the beginning but with beginning success, they lose foothold of solid ground and eventually suffered the inevitable consequences of being back into limbo. I will pray to the Black Nazarene every time I visit HIM for their guidance and to keep them intact and successful. More shows, more assignments and hopefully, one of them or all of them will get the proper break for a movie.