Brown Soup Thing

Brown Soup Thing is a comedy-drama about the Mansaluds - a comfortably disconnected Pilipino American family who puts the “fun” in dysfunctional.

In order to raise her unacceptable “A-“ grade average at school, the youngest Mansalud, 10 year-old Lita (Sari Arambulo), must submit a video project about “what it means to be a Pilipino in America”. Luckily for her, Lita’s upcoming birthday provides the perfect setting to unite everyone: parents Alfred (Russ Bautista) & Philomena (Anne Santiago), brother Jude (Wil Olandria), sisters Fely (The Flip Side’s Rona Par), Maria (Kimee Balmilero from Hi-5), & Shana (The Bold & The Beautiful’s Cheryl Noe), an array of cousins including Cousin Jenilee (Jenilee Reyes from Deal or No Deal), Cousin Bong-bong (Room to Improv’s Earl Baylon, Cousin Joey (Joey Guila from HBO’s P Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy), and her Lola (grandmother) who just wants to cook a myriad of mouth-watering delicacies, including the movie’s titular dish – the Brown Soup Thing.

The film "Brown Soup Thing" recently had a successful screening at the inaugural Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles this past weekend (click here for what else played there), but the movie's premiere happened at the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.  Now preparing for their 6th annual festival, it will take place in the historic Portage Theater from November 6-8, 2009, and they just announced their list of selections.  I also got the chance to talk with a former entrant to get his take on his experiences and what he wants to see come from the Pilipino film community.

Acclaimed Brown Soup Thing, featuring Manny Pacquiao, is official selection for Filipino International Film Festival in Los Angeles October 17th. Film's stars will walk red carpet, including Jenilee Reyes, Bernardo Bernardo, Earl Baylon, and Kimee Balmilero, along with writer/director Edward J. Mallillin. Legendary actor Eddie Garcia to receive a lifetime achievement award prior to screening.

Words & (rehearsal) Images by Edward J. Mallillin, stage photos & images courtesy of Earl Baylon & Room To Improv

While temperatures should go down this weekend, Room To Improv will keep things hot at Two Roads Theatre in Studio City.  The Friday night institution in Southern California charges into its eighth season of providing affordable laughs, as well as a glimpse of tomorrow's Asian American entertainers in television and cinema.