Acclaimed Filipino American movie Brown Soup Thing, featuring Manny Pacquiao, to premiere in Las Vegas at UNLV during the weekend of Pacquiao vs. Cotto super fight. Film's stars expected to attend as well, including comedian Joey Guila, leading ladies Jenilee Reyes & Cheryl Noe, and writer/director Edward J. Mallillin.
LAS VEGAS, NV – Movie and boxing fans around Nevada were thrilled to learn that the acclaimed film Brown Soup Thing will make its Las Vegas premiere the same weekend that boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will be in town to face Miguel Cotto.
With over a million Filipinos and Asians visiting Las Vegas the weekend of November 14-15, it sets up the perfect time to premiere Brown Soup Thing at UNLV’s Student Union on Saturday and Sunday (1:00pm both days). The weekend screenings are co-sponsored between UNLV’s Filipino American Student Association (FASA) and Malinius, producers of Brown Soup Thing.
Tickets are on sale through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com (enter in search: "Brown Soup Thing"). Remaining seats will be available at UNLV on the days of the events, although FASA and Malinius officials encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance before the movie’s anticipated sell-out. Demand for tickets has been high in the weeks leading up to the official announcement.
“We’re presenting Las Vegas fans with the safest and best bet,” joked writer/director Edward J. Mallillin. “Watching Brown Soup Thing is no gamble; everyone will get their money’s worth. Nobody is leaving this movie losing their paycheck.”
Brown Soup Thing is a comedy-drama about a comfortably disconnected Filipino American family. In order to raise her unacceptable A- average, 10 year-old Lita must submit a video project about what it means to be a Filipino in America. Her upcoming birthday provides the perfect setting to unite everyone: parents who can't relate to their kids, immigrant sister Fely, the always-guilty over-achiever brother Jude, hip-hop sister Maria, an array of cousins, her grandmother who just wants to cook, and favorite sister Shana, who moved out of the country to get away from everyone.
Stars Jenilee Reyes (Deal or No Deal), Cheryl Noe (The Bold and The Beautiful) Earl Baylon (The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien), Wil Olandria (LA Forensics), and Mallillin are among the dozen members of the cast and crew expected to attend the weekend screenings.
Brown Soup Thing features 2-dozen special appearances by some of the most recognizable Filipinos and other Asians in the world. Among them: World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao, internet star Christine “HappySlip” Gambito, Filipino stars Raymond Bagatsing, Bernardo Bernardo and Cora Ugalde Yellen; singers Becca Godinez and Anthony Castelo; and popular Asian-American comedians Paul “PK” Kim and KT Tatara.
Brown Soup Thing’s principal cast includes Kimee J. Balmilero (Hi-5), Jenilee A. Reyes (Deal or No Deal), Cheryl Noe (The Bold & The Beautiful), comedian Joey Guila (HBO’s P Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy), and Rona Par (The Flip Side). BST is also proud to introduce Earl Baylon, Wil Olandria, and Sari Arambulo, all starring in their very first feature film.
Brown Soup Thing is an official selection of the Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles, the Pacific Media Expo (PMX), and the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.
"FASA is very excited to be bringing Brown Soup Thing to the UNLV campus and Las Vegas community,” added Rocky Manzon II, FASA Public Relations Officer. “It is a feeling of pride knowing that this movie was made by a Filipino for Filipinos. This event will be different from anything that FASA has done, and I can't wait for others to take a peek into our world of being Filipino in America."
The collaboration between FASA and Malinius is the first in what Mallillin hopes to be many more joint events with other Filipino American student, cultural, and professional organizations in the future throughout the world.
“This movie is about being a Filipino in America, so it makes sense that Filipino Americans are eager to bring the film to their own local communities,” said Mallillin. “I’m enjoying getting to know the business and community leaders in Las Vegas; this is going to be a special event for everyone. And FASA is the perfect partner for us.”
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas' FASA is a non-profit student organization that promotes Filipino American culture and heritage to students and the greater community.
Mallillin is also the creator and executive producer of the hugely popular internet series Flipped Switch, which will provide fans with exclusive coverage of Brown Soup Thing's weekend in Las Vegas. Among the many guests who have appeared on the show: director Quentin Tarantino, actor Neil Patrick Harris, UFC champion Randy Couture, and Filipino personalities such as Jo Koy, Camille Velasco, and Christine “HappySlip” Gambito. Baylon, who is also one of the show's stars/hosts, will be joined by his co-star Svetlana Dekic.
Brown Soup Thing and Flipped Switch are Malinius productions.