Oct 2, 2023
S4E11: 1521 with Exec Producer, Francis B. Lara Ho
Check out my latest podcast episode with the Executive Producer of the movie 1521, FRANCIS B. LARA HO.
Francis is born in the Philippines famous City of Love, Iloilo City. His father, Anotnio L. Ho was both a businessman and a statesman. His mother, Nenita L. Balaran was a teacher. Francis was raised and trained in a Filipino-Chinese family of entrepreneurs, military, educators, and politicians. He first ventured as an entrepreneur in the United States in 2011 and was honored as one of the top entrepreneurs in Forbes Magazine (Nov 2013) and in Fortune Magazine (July 2016).
In 2018, Francis pioneered Inspire Studios in California, USA with the compelling vision of winning the first Oscars for the Philippines. His ultimate mission is to uplift and transform the international image of the Filipino by producing history-in-the-making Hollywood-Philippines global-audience, worldwide-release movies based on incredibly inspiring true to life stories of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.
*About 1521*
"1521,” a global feature film that showcases Filipino-American talent, is finally premiering across the United States on Oct. 2.
Shot completely in the Philippines with a predominantly Filipino production team, “1521” brings the history and heritage of the Philippines to life on the big screen.
The Philippines’ Bea Alonzo stars as princess-seer Diwata alongside Hollywood legend Danny Trejo (Ferdinand Magellan), Filipino-American actor Michael Copon (who you may remember from “One Tree Hill” and “Power Rangers Time Force”), and Hector David Jr. (who also actually starred in a couple “Power Rangers” TV series).
The film will premiere in nearly 700 theaters across the United States, making it the most distributed Fil-Am-produced film in the US. That said, it’s not without its fair share of criticisms when its trailer dropped in June, prompting netizens to point out “historical inaccuracies” and concerns over “casting decisions.”