VIVAMAX, the direct-to-consumer streaming platform service started by Viva three years ago this January, undoubtedly churns out content online, making Viva the busiest studio in the country.
Viva brilliantly launched Vivamax in January 2021, giving jobs to production people and artists.
What started as a dream project of Vivaâs Boss Vic del Rosario to bring entertainment directly to Filipinos here and abroad while everyone was stuck in their homes, has produced two streaming platforms to date, Vivamax and the newest Viva One, that debuted early this 2023.
Vivamax is now 3 years old
Vivamax will be three years old this January and has not stopped actively producing content. The platform has successfully gained nearly 10 million subscribers.
âEvery week, we have new content on the platform that we give to the audience,â disclosed Valerie del Rosario, senior vice president for Content Creation and Development, TV Production, and Creative Research of Viva Communication, Inc.
Who’s That Girl?
âVivamax has risqué or more adult theme and edgy content for mature audiences, while Viva One is the new platform launched and it caters to more family-oriented releases appreciated by more audiences,â added Del Rosario.
The streaming platform discovered a lot of new names and faces, who were launched by Vivamax in its many film and series offerings.
AJ Raval, the daughter of action star Jeric Raval, made her foray into sexy flicks streamed by Vivamax.
While she earlier made her acting debut in director Dado Lomibaoâs âS.O.N.S. (Sons of Nanay Sabel),â starring Ai-Ai de las Alas (2019), followed by Paul Alexei Basinilioâs âIndakâ with Nadine Lustre and Sam Concepcion (2019), Raval was later seen venturing into sexy flicks this pandemic.
‘Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar’
She started playing support in Darryl Yapâs âPaglaki Ko Gusto Kong Maging Pornstarâ (2021), but in no time, graduated to lead status in Yam Laranasâ âDeath of a Girlfriend,â where she was paired with Diego Loyzaga.
Raval was cast in Lawrence Fajardoâs âNerissa,â with Cindy Miranda and Aljur Abrenica. The film ignited her real-life romance with Abrenica, too.
Last August, famous Vivamax stars Raval and Abrenica were paired in Fajardoâs âSugapa,â which also starred Lander Vera Perez and Lou Veloso.
Erst, while host of Viva events Ataska Mercado contented herself with merely playing supporting roles in early films released by Viva, like Joyce Bernalâs âMiss Grannyâ (2018) and Jason Paul Laxamanaâs âHow To Love Mr. Heartlessâ (2022).
However, when Mercado decided to go sexy early in 2023, there was no more turning back for her. She did one sexy flick after another â from Yam Laranasâ âBugawâ to Daniel Palacioâs âBisyo,â Jose Javier Reyesâ four-part series, âSecret Campusâ and Roman Perezâs series, âHalo Halo X.â
Azi Acosta got her biggest and most dramatic role to date stars in Mac Alejandreâs âCall Me Alma,â where she pitted her acting talents with multi-awarded actress Jaclyn Jose. The film, with a screenplay by Ricky Lee, was even shown at the Cinemalaya Film Festival this year.
Acosta also headlined Alejandreâs âSex Games,â again written by Ricky Lee. Josef Elizalde and Benz Sangalang were in the cast.
Another young actress who made a name on Vivamax is Christine Bermas, who has charted several starrers on the streaming platform where she debuted on Joel Lamanganâs âSilabâ (2021).
‘Siklo’, ‘Sisid’, ‘Lampas Langit’
The year 2022 saw Bermas completing seven films streamed on Vivamax. She was in Roman Perez, Jr,âs âSiklo,â opposite Vince Rillon, Brillante Mendozaâs âSisid,â Joel Lamanganâs âMoonlight Butterflyâ and âIsland of Desire,â Lawrence Fajardoâs âScorpio Nights 3,â Jeffrey Hidalgoâs âLampas Langitâ and Crisanto Aquinoâs âRelyebo.â
This 2023, Bermas started with Lawrence Fajardoâs âNightbird,â followed by Reynold Gibaâs âSapulâ and GB Sampedroâs âHilom,â where she acted alongside Arron Villaflor. She did one more sexy flick before she became missing in action since she left for Canada with her boyfriend Nico Locco.
Meanwhile, Canadian actor Nico Locco got his biggest break when he starred in the Linneth Zurbano project, âAfam,â with Jela Cuenca and Robb Guinto.
While others were discovered, some artists were reintroduced to tread a different path in their showbiz career.
Arron: Won’t Do Frontal
Arron Villaflor, who had to constantly contend with supporting parts early on in his showbiz career, was signed up by Viva Artists Agency (VAA) two years ago when he was made him join the sexy bandwagon.
He started playing daring roles, which brought him back to the acting arena after two years of staying in limbo, with no film projects on his calendar.
This time, Villaflor still set limitations for himself. Back in 2018, he already did a daring butt exposure in Rod Singhâs sexy comedy, âMamu: And A Mother, Too.â
âSexy, yes, but I donât think I can do frontal nudity,â Villaflor said. âYou can expect that my projects with Vivamax will be intense. I laid down my cards.â
Villaflorâs first project with Vivamax is director Mac Alejandreâs eight-part drama series, âWag Mong Agawin ang Akin,â where he figured in intense dramatic and love scenes.
‘Ligaw Na Bulaklak’
He has since also appeared in Jeffrey Hidalgoâs psycho-sexy thriller, âLigaw na Bulaklak,â with Chloe Jenna, Shiela Snow and Jeric Raval, GB Sampedroâs âHilom,â with Christine Bermas and Pam Mirasâ âStar Dancer,â with Rose Van Ginkel and Denise Esteban.
Veteran actor Jay Manalo also agreed to go sexy anew in his projects for Vivamax, since he acted on the streaming platform â from Fajardoâs âMahjong Nightsâ (2021) to Mac Alejandreâs âSelinaâs Goldâ (2022), Jao Daniel Elamparoâs âHostoâ and Yam Laranasâ âBugaw.â
Manalo is not one actor who chooses his leading ladies in a film or TV project. âEver since, whoever it is who is paired with me, I donât choose and I donât complain,â Manalo said.
Jay: Any role, Any Leading Lady
âEven if sheâs new or veteran, I will opt to do any role given to me with any leading lady. I will leave it to the producer or director to choose my leading lady as long as we can execute the scenes with the characters weâre portraying.â
Sid Lucero is another reborn actor in Vivamax. He went the sexy route and was even paired with young talents with whom he essayed love scenes. The latest was Bobby Bonifacioâs âKahalili,â with Stephanie Raz and Victor Relosa. Lucero also did Mac Alejandreâs âBela Luna,â with Angeli Khang.
Towering actor Joko Diaz went sexy on Vivamax, as well. He executed love scenes in Vivamax releases and even starred in horror flicks like Roni Benaidâs âMary Cherry Chua.â
‘Sex Hub’
Diaz was in Bobby Bonifacioâs series âSex Hub,â with Micaella Raz.
Mark Anthony Fernandez did not mind going sexy when he joined Vivamax. While he did dramatic roles, particularly opposite Claudine Barretto in Joel Lamanganâs âDeceptionâ (2021), Fernandez became ready to go daring, too.
He did Lawrence Fajardoâs âScorpio Nights 3â and âNightbird,â both opposite Christine Bermas, Mac Alejandreâs âBela Luna,â with Angeli Khang and Daniel Palacioâs âBisyo.â
‘Kabayo’
Gianfranco Morcianoâs âKabayoâ is a steamy drama with former âPinoy Big Brotherâ housemate Rico Barrera.
Even actress Jamilla Obispo found a second wind for her acting career by daring on Vivamax. She was seen in Perezâs âLitsoneras,â which starred Yen Durano with Carmelo, Diaz, and Relosa.
Azi Acosta gets to pit her acting skills against the award-winning Jaclyn Jose in Alejandreâs âCall Me Alma,â written by Ricky Lee.
Christopher Novabosâ âLangitngitâ signaled the acting debut of Manang Medina, with veteran actresses Ruby Ruiz and Aurora Yumul.
Daniel Palacioâs âBisyoâ starred a host of young artists such as Gold Aceron, Ataska, Carmelo, Angelica Hart, and Fernandez.
Serious, Talented Directors, Too
Joel Lamangan is perhaps the first veteran megman to direct Vivamax productions that were consistently suggestive. He has churned out nearly a dozen sexy flicks for the platform, the latest of which is the sexy political drama, âFall Guy,â which competed at the Barcelona Film Festival.
Sean de Guzman won Best Actor at the Chithiram International Film Festival in India and Anatolian Film Awards in Turkey in âFall Guy.â Hershie de Leon, Tiffany Grey Quinn Carillo, and Marco Gomez were in the cast.
Mac Alejandre has done nearly a dozen films for Vivamax. Some even joined international film festivals and won awards. He bagged the coveted Best Director honors at the Wallachia Film Festival for âSelinaâs Gold,â which premiered in 2022.
‘Silip Sa Apoy’
The film starred Angeli Khang and Jay Manalo. Khang was also recognized last year by the same award-giving body for âSilip sa Apoy.â
Derick Cabrido came out with the suspense thriller, âDeadly Love,â which starred Louise de los Reyes, Marco Gumabao and McCoy de Leon.
Both platforms bring a myriad of film offerings to specific audiences. âWhatever audience our platforms cater to, we are able to define them,â Valerie said. âWe have 7 million for Vivamax, while Viva One had half a million after only three months.â
The numbers apparently, continue to grow. Vivamax is eyeing 10 million subscribers by the end of this year.
The personality of Vivamaxâs platform is clear. Cutting-edge is how one will describe it.
‘Martyr or Murderer’
Viva One boasts a treasure trove of much-awaited titles and new content. Director Darryl Yapâs âMartyr or Murdererâ debuted on the platform.
The widely followed âThe Rain in Españaâ series that gave birth to the MarVen loveteam of Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo, also successfully debuted on Viva One.
Directed by Theodore Boborol, âThe Rain Españaâ was followed by the sequel, âSafe Skies Archer,â with Gino M. Santos at the helm.
Into its fourth year, will these Vivamax Stars go bolder?
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