Given the latest credential of star at the Walk of Fame at the Eastwood City Central Plaza are Liza Soberano, Barbie Forteza and Jodi Sta. Maria who were inducted recently. Founded by the late Master Showman German Moreno in the ‘70s, Walk of Fame honors distinguished showbiz personalities who achieved world recognition.
Liza and Barbie thus earned the youngest honorees tag. While Jodi’s world class talent as contender in the International Emmy Awards for Pangako sa Iyo paved her way to be included. The highlight of the affair was the audio-visual presentation of German’s life.
Jodi confided to scribes that for years she had yearned to make it at the Walk of Fame and now it serves as an advanced Christmas gift for her by the people behind it. On the other side, Barbie’s grateful that her best actress in the World Film Festival has been acknowledged locally. Liza’s fame in beauty internationally via social media propelled her to be in the Walk of Fame.
Trivia:
The recent demise of one of the greatest actresses in the history of Philippines movies Lolita Rodriguez at 81 brings to my mind her background, together with her contemporary the late Rita Gomez. The duo had similarities in their lives. Both were built up by the deceased Dr. Jose Perez, the producer of Sampaguita Pictures.
Just like Rita, Lolita was no overnight star. She started it bit roles before given a second lead role in Pilya, a Gloria Romero starrer. Rita was a supporting actress under Premiere Productions before she transferred to Sampaguita Pictures. Dr. Perez catapulted Rita to stardom via the comedy flick Maldita.
Akin to Rita, Lolita got lead assignments in comic stuffs Sabungera, Jack and Jill with Dolphy, Bondying, opposite Fred Montilla and Lola Cinderella. Later Lolita enacted the title role Gilda that brought her the first FAMAS best actress trophy and the reputation of a versatile actress through and through.
After a light drama role in Society Girl, Rita bagged too the FAMAS best actress award for Pasang Krus that put her in the vicinity of Lolita. From then on, Lolita and Rita were considered the arch rival in the Dramatic Queen category. Their co-Sampaguitan Gloria Romero was named the Box Office Queen that time.
This writer had not been attached to Lolita. On the contrary, Rita’s closest writer-chums Rustom Quinton and Emil Tidalgo happened to be my barkada. The two would often tag me along in going to Rita’s digs. But what made me special to her was she found out that her favorite UST professor Dr. Eufronio Alip was my uncle-historian, the author of Philippine History.
Love-wise, Lolita and Rita suffered heartaches prior to their marriage. Once more they underwent the same fate when Lolita ended in split with her husband Eddie Arenas, noted off-screen Eddie Cuadrado, a famous national golf player. Same occurred to Rita who broke off with hubby-actor Ric Rodrigo.
Both Lolita and Rita concentrated on their acting career, gaining accolades even abroad. Most specifically Lolita whose starrers under Lino Brocka, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Mortal, Stardoom and Ina, Kapatid, Anak garnered recognition in several international film fests.
Curiously, when Sampaguita Pictures closed shop, Lolita and Rita finally worked together in the dramatic opus Ako’y Tao May Dugo at Laman, with another awarded actress Perla Bautista. Eventually, Rita passed away. One thing I can’t forget about Rita was despite her busy schedules, she graced my wedding.
In the early ‘80s, Lolita opted to migrate to U.S., the place of her American dad. In any case, she staged an acting comeback in the Philippines in 1995 through the memorable vehicle Lucia.
Geoff Talks on Ex Carla, New Love Maya
A colleague relayed what Geoff Eigennman spoke about his ex-girlfriend Carla Abellana and his new love singer Maya. For 10 months he has a lubricious relationship with Maya yet he doesn’t close the door on doing a movie or TV project with Carla.
“I’ve not seen Carla since our break up but we’re not enemies when we separated. Mahirap mangyari pero willing ako makipagtrabaho uli with her. I believe nothing is impossible.” My informant quoted Geoff as saying.
Geoff expounded that albeit he transferred to ABS-CBN, he’s not under contract with the said network. Thus, to do a TV series with Carla under GMA-7 could be probable. Very soon Geoff has a new assignment with ABS-CBN after his recent tele serye Be My Lady.”
In a nutshell, Geoff has described Maya as an amazing singer, gifted with an awesome voice which ignited their closeness. Love beckoned during the time she guested an affair of his owned establishment. The lovers have the same manager, so to speak.
First Pinoy to make it at North Pole Marathon
After his successful stints at the Japan, U.S. marathons, at 38, Victor Consunji became the first Pinoy to finish the 42.195 North Pole marathon, known as the coldest venue in the arctic region. Victor who’s a noted real estate magnate is the husband of former beauty queen-actress Maggie Wilson.
Among Victor’s showbiz chums are Piolo Pascual, Anne Curtis and broadcaster Kim Atienza. Apparently, they’ve the passion to join the international marathons that’s why. Just recently Anne successful ran at the New York marathon, proving wrong the critics who belittled her capabilities.
In offing, Victor keeps his high hope to make it in the list of world top runners by next year. He has two more international marathons to finish.
Fitting Yuletide Gifts
Christmas season is on the air. Thus, herewith goes our Yuletide gifts to the following showbiz people. Claudine Barretto: a book on how to sooth your temper. Many, including her ex-husband Raymart Santiago, adhere to their opinion that she’s easily enraged even on small issues, putting her in bad light. Aljur Abrenica-Kylie Padilla: A marriage contract. After their reconciliation, to be wed deserves them. Canada based Beverly Vergel: A recognition for her in the Philippines. Her directorial debut in Living Instead won accolades in Brazil, Spain and Canada (best director in Canadian Diversity Film Festival). Now, Living Instead garnered the third best actress award (Emily Bolanos) at the Hollywood Film Festival in U.S. and bagged also best original story, Honorable Mention (actress) at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Blind Item:
A veteran actress has no chap-trap words when she expressed disappointment on how a TV network management treats her daughter actress. “Imagine she’s under contract with the network but for quite a time but she’s not given assignment. What hurts me most she just won the best actress award given by a prestigious group. It was not even announced in its TV news. Binale wala nila ang anak ko,”
Latest Tidbits:
In his acceptance speech after he got the FAMAS FPJ Memorial Awards Robin Padilla avouched his admiration at the achievements of Coco Martin and Dingdong Dantes as today’s top action stars, both Action King in the making. In their Instagram, the two accepted the apercu of Robin with gratefulness to him.
A confidante of QC mayor Herbert Bautista shrugged off the folderol talks he’s back in the arms anew of Kris Aquino. “Oh yes, they were seen having a dinner in a resto. But it was a friendly meeting, not a date. In fact, Kris is on good terms now with his longtime partner Thates Gana, so my source uttered.
Definitely, the Miss Universe pageant to be held at the Mall of Asia, Manila on Jan. 30, 2017 will be hosted by Steve Harvey, together with Miss Universe runner up Olivia Jordan and Pinay TV emcee Joey Mead. In an American TV show interview, Steve shared his effulgent idea to be at his best for the Filipino people excited that he is to visit their country.
So it’s true that Vice Ganda felt bad to hear that good chum Kris Aquino chose to watch first Vic Sotto’s film Enteng Kabisote 10 than Super Parental Guardians, his starrer with Coco Martin. In any case, Vice didn’t eschew Kris who voluntarily joined Vice in seeing his movie to emasculate his ‘tampo.’
Followers of Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia anticipated that the duo would divulge they’re lovers at the recent debut of Gabbi. Albeit the reel love team showcased sweetness, no admittance of their real score transpired. Nonetheless, Ruru hinted that whatever occurs in offing, Gabbi would always be a very special girl for him.
