“After I have successfully launched the careers of my sexy angels (AJ Raval, Angeli Khang, Ayanna Misola and Cara Gonzales), and their movies continue to dominate Vivamax live streaming until now, I find it more challenging to discover new male actors who can act and yet willing to do daring roles or frontal nudity, if needed, just like their female counterparts. And I’m glad I found my hunks.” – Jojo Veloso, Talent Manager Philmoda Artist Management.

         In a short span of time, amid the pandemic, Jojo Veloso was able to re-establish himself as the talent impresario that has an “eye for beauty.”  
            And any showbiz newbie who aims to be discovered and make a name in the industry will find it easier to reach her goal if managed by Veloso.
         This year, Veloso put more time and effort to his male discoveries. A month ago, he launched the careers of Rash Flores (“Palitan”) and Massimo Scofield (“Mahjongg Nights”), and soon, his recent addition of male artists, Benz Sangalang and Chadd Solano, both signed a 5-year, 10-picture contract under Viva Film’s.
         Rash, who shocked the set of Brillante Mendoza while filming “Palitan” because he refused to use a plaster during love scenes, earned the admiration of some members of the production crew and his co-artists, in the set due to his professionalism. Even the internationally-acclaimed director, direk Brillante had only good words for him.
         Because of the success of “Palitan,” and his good work attitude, Rash was immediately given a new project, “Island of Desire” under another award-winning director, Joel Lamangan. Hopefully, it will be released next month.
         “I’m very happy sa takbo ng career ko now because I was able to work with two great directors (Brillante Mendoza and Joel Lamangan). 
             And for a new comer like me in the industry, malaking bagay na ito sa aking portfolio as an actor. And I have learned so much from them, lalo na the value of hard work, how to respect your co-workers and to be professional in your career. Magka-iba man ang kanilang style as a director, marami kang matutunan sa kanilang dalawa at puede mong magamit sa mga susunod mong movies, lalo na pag ibang director na ang makakatrabaho mo. Maraming baguhan ang gusto makatrabaho sila, and I’m very lucky to have worked with them,” said the half-Pakistani, half-Filipino hunk who is eager to work with Lamangan again in his next film.
       On the other hand, Massimo feels so elated with his soon-to-be filmed movie “Iskandalo” with AJ Raval, Cindy Miranda, Ayanna Misola, Sean de Guzman and Jay Manalo, under the erotic-thriller director, Roman Perez, Jr. And by March, his launching movie “Putahe” with Ayanna Misola, will be shot, also under direk Perez. He’s also part of the movie “Island of Desire” where he played dual roles – Taong Grasa and Bangkero.
        “Sa role ko as Taong Grasa, medyo may “pasilip” lang ako ng kaunting, but as Bangkero, total nude na ako sa love scenes ko with Sheree, yung dating Viva Hot Babes. And okay lang sa akin ang nudity as long as needed sa scenes. Ang importante, proud naman ako kung ano meron ako ” claimed the car sales businessman. For his movie “Putahe” he is willing to show everything; “kung okay Kay Tito Jo na may frontal nudity, gagawin ko,” he added.
            As a newcomer, Massimo shared that he learned many things in the industry – that time is very important, and to love your work.
            For upstart hunk Benz Sangalang, showbiz is not really new to him. He appeared in the Joel Lamangan movie “Rainbow Sunset,” and other indie film “Men In Uniform.” Since the pandemic started, he launched his basketball YouTube channel “Draftroom” where he earned a regular monthly pay.
           “I joined Philmoda kasi mas malaki ang opportunity na makilala ka, lalo na you are in showbiz. You need a manager na makakatulong sa career mo,” said the YouTuber, with quite a number of social media followers.
               As a newbie, doing sexy scene is not a problem. “okay lang maghubad basta kailangan at may plaster lang, at siempre may permission from Tito Jo, ” he stressed. He wants to work with sexy stars like Ivana Alawi, Cara Gonzales and AJ Raval. Does he entertain indecent proposals? “Sa showbiz hindi na po mawawala ‘yan. Nasa tao or artista na po kung magpapadala ka sa temptation,” he replied. And what is his goal in showbiz? “Gusto ko po magawa yung pangarap ko na role, action at parang psycho killer, at ma-nominate sa kahit anong award-giving body.” 
             While Richard (Chadd) Solano, who was a former member of the all-male singing group, Masculados, had been in showbiz for years. He appeared in the movie “Bamboo Flowers” (directed by the late Maryo J. Delos Reyes), and also appeared in some TV shows.
               Because of the pandemic, he opened a small business (fruit shakes and meal plan, like sandwiches) in a gym where he also work as gym instructor.
            Why did he join Philmoda? “Actually marami ang nag-offer sa akin na i-manage ako, pero Philmoda ang pinili ko kasi maraming artista na galing Kay Tito Jojo na sumikat at hanggang ngayon yung iba nasa showbiz pa din. It means marunong siya mag alaga ng kanyang mga talents,” he answered.
             Soon, he will start his first Viva movie “Virgin Fores,” under Brillante Mendoza. As a hunk, he has no qualms doing daring scenes. “Walang problema sa akin ang sexy or nude scenes. Kahit ano ang ipagawa ng director, gagawin ko,” he said. He is willing to work with any sexy star, but his dream leading lady is Nadine Lustre.
         Being good-looking and macho, Chadd admits that he had received several indecent proposals, but all he can offer is friendship. And his showbiz goal? “Gusto ko ipakita someday kung ano ang kaya kong gawin bilang artista. At sumikat man ako o hindi, ang importante naipakita ko ang talent ko and at the same time, makakatulong ako sa pamilya ko,” he explained.
          The Good Guys program was started in 2019 to foster community spirit, promote healthy lifestyles and develop secure and safe neighborhoods across SMDC developments.
          At the onset of the pandemic and the subsequent quarantine, SMDC beefed up its The Good Guys program to mitigate the health risks posed by the pandemic and to address the needs of its communities.
          The Good Guys learning assemblies, which used to be conducted every weekend in the SMDC properties, have taken on a new format and have introduced topics relevant to the times. A series of webinars touching on mental health, wellness, online safety, and entrepreneurship have been conducted regularly for the benefit of residents and other SMDC stakeholders.
          In keeping with the health advocacy of The Good Guys, SMDC partnered with the Red Cross and SM Foundation to conduct a Health and Wellness Caravan in SMDC properties. The Caravan was intended to provide non-Covid health services to elderly and PWD residents and staff. To date, the Caravan has been in 12 properties. Living-alone elderlies and PWD residents have been provided with personal shopping services for their food and medicine needs. This initiative not only has helped the residents; motorcycle riders have also had an extra source of income doing essentials deliveries for the PWD and elderly residents.
          SMDC went beyond its own communities to provide assistance to individuals displaced by the pandemic.
          Around 26,000 local farmers benefitted from the Good Guys Weekend Market.  The Market has provided a safe avenue for residents to purchase fresh produce. It has become a regular fixture at SMDC developments, servicing 15 properties around the Metro.
          The Weekend Market was expanded into a Mercato, a business platform for more than 300 resident-entrepreneurs affected by the lockdown. These are overseas Filipino workers (OFW) forced to come home, business owners who had to close shop, laid off employees who needed a new source of income. SMDC allowed them to set up shop at the Weekend Market to be able to augment their family income.
                 Residents have donated blood in the Bloodletting program, a partnership with the Red Cross, Philippine Blood Center, and the Department of Health. More than 300 blood bags have so far been donated to the Department of Health for Covid-19 patients.
         HappyNings, on the other hand, is another community program that provides opportunities for residents of various SMDC communities to come together in family-friendly activities that encourage residents to come out of their units, socialize and enjoy family fun days with other members of their communities.
              The pandemic may have limited physical movements and on-the-ground HappyNings events, but it has not stopped SMDC from continuing its community-building programs. It provides continuous entertainment to its communities through Good Times with The Good Guys, Friday night virtual concerts featuring the country’s top OPM artists.#
                To know more about these programs, log on to www.smdc.com