L-R: Carlo Orosa, Sam’s manager, Sam Concepcion, and United International Picture GM Selina de Venecia

Another first for the Pinoy: Teen performer Sam Concepcion is the first Filipino artist to sing for Dreamworks, which has done animated films such as Shrek, Shark Tale, Over the Hedge, and the most recent Bee Movie.

Concepcion’s version of “Kung Fu Fighting” is included in the soundtrack of the upcoming animated film Kung Fu Panda. It will also be played during the end credits of the Philippine run.

• Pinoycentric went with a group of birdwatchers to Candaba marsh, where migratory birds come to rest during the winter. Read about it here.
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Judy Ann Santos and child actor Cedric Amit in a scene from Ploning.

While I am not a big follower of the career of Judy Ann Santos, her recent film Ploning piqued my interest way before its release. Everything about Ploning was promising—from the idea of combining indie filmmaking sensibility with the business mindset of commercial production, to its raw, stirring stills—a very small project with high hopes.

From the makers of award-winning indie hits ICU Bed #7 and Saan Nagtatago Si Happiness? comes a new short film from Cinemalaya best director Rica Arevalo, Gusto Kita Too.

Shot in the US, this …

Real-life sweethearts Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos recently unveiled Ploning: The Making, a coffee-table book featuring black-and-white photographs of Agoncillo, at M Café, Ayala Museum.

With foreword by Tony Mabesa and main text by film director Dante Nico Garcia, the book is a perfect companion to the graded-A film Ploning, which premiered at SM Cinemas and will be shown in more theaters this week, including those at Robinson’s Galleria/Ermita/Metro East, Ever Gotesco, and Sta. Lucia malls, plus various provincial theaters.

First-time film producers Judy Ann Santos and Panoramanila Pictures Co., cast and crew, friends from local show business, and fans are going all out for the film Ploning. From contributing personal investments to committing time to promote the film on two major TV networks, in the malls, and on the Internet, the support from these people seems extra-special.