MALINIUS NEWS: Univ of Florida Speaker Series to Welcome Edward J. Mallillin and Screening of Brown Soup Thing at 3rd Annual AASU Week

University of Florida’s Asian American Student Union to host special screening of acclaimed star-studded movie Brown Soup Thing, featuring Manny Pacquiao and Christine “HappySlip” Gambito. AASU’s popular Speaker Series to also welcome writer/director Edward J. Mallillin.

GAINESVILLE, FL – Gator Nation is ready to feast on the celebrated Asian American movie Brown Soup Thing, as well as the film’s writer/director Edward J. Mallillin.

The University of Florida will host Brown Soup Thing on Wednesday, March 31^st at 6:00pm as part of their 3^rd Annual AASU (Asian American Student Union) Week. The FSA (Filipino Student Association) is a joint sponsor with the AASU for the highly-anticipated screening. Another of UF’s programs, the AASU Speaker Series, has invited writer/director Edward J. Mallillin to be a part of the popular event. Event information is available at the AASU website, http://www.ufaasu.com.

“We are thrilled that Brown Soup Thing will be a part of our annual AASU Week,” said Phillip Cheng, AASU Co-President. “Furthermore, we are delighted to have Ed Mallillin as the last speaker of the semester’s Speaker Series.”

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, 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.

Although Brown Soup Thing keeps Mallillin busy, the writer/director is excited to bring his hosting and speaking talents to the AASU Speaker Series. In addition to being a music supervisor and voiceover artist, Mallillin stars in the series Flipped Switch and is an active voice in the Asian American and education community. Mallillin is also preparing to produce his 2nd feature film, to be released in 2011.

This year’s AASU Week addresses shedding light on the roots, issues, and identity of Asian Americans. Those attending the event will have the opportunity to get involved in the community, initiate programs, and enjoy a week’s worth of entertainment, featuring the UF premiere of Brown Soup Thing and Speaker Series appearance by Mallillin.

“I would like to thank Co-President Phillip Cheng, the AASU, FSA, and everyone at the University of Florida who worked with Malinius to put these events together,” said Mallillin. “Everyone from the BST family is excited about this screening, and I am personally honored to have been invited to speak on campus. The Asian American community is one that is of great importance to me.”

Fans in South Florida unable to make the drive to Gainesville can catch Brown Soup Thing four days earlier on Saturday, March 27th at the Delray Beach Film Festival.

Brown Soup Thing features 2-dozen special appearances by some of the most recognizable Filipinos and other Asians in the world. Among them: 7-time World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao, internet star Christine “HappySlip” Gambito, Filipino stars Raymond Bagatsing and Bernardo Bernardo; 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, Miss Saigon), 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 (The Tonight Show), Wil Olandria (LA Forensics), and Nickelodeon’s Sari Arambulo, all starring in their first feature film.

Brown Soup Thing is an official selection of Florida’s Delray Beach Film Festival, the Filipino International Film Festival Los Angeles, the Pacific Media Expo (PMX) in Los Angeles, the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival, and was the featured film at the UNLV FASA Screening Series.

Brown Soup Thing, Flipped Switch, and Mallillin’s yet-to-be-named third labor of love are Malinius productions.

The acclaimed Brown Soup Thing tours Florida this month, with stops at the Delray Beach Film Festival on Saturday the 27th at 4:00 pm, and on Wednesday the 31st in Gainesville at the University of Florida for the AASU Speaker Series and 3rd Annual Asian American Student Union Week. Ticket information is available below.