And the winner is…..Charo, who’s a recipient of countless awards and recognitions did it again! This time for her fine acting performance in “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” at the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. You must remember that Charo got her first major acting award in her very first film ITIM as Asia’s Best Actress (1978) held in Sydney, a feat that is tough to duplicate.
But why was CHARO not present at the awards night?
We were in an intimate chat close to Dec. 25th. Her husband Cesar was rushed to the hospital and it was there that they celebrated Christmas. Then, this victory! As it was announced, I couldn’t help but both be happy and sad for Charo though I still found myself screaming and clapping bravos even from a long distance.
“I didn’t have any expectations but in my heart I knew the film will be recognized for its excellent production values, the director’s brave vision and ensemble performance,” Charo confessed. “I went back to acting after a long hiatus. This is my 3rd film. Ang Babaeng Humayo, Eerie and Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (actually the international title is Whether the Weather Is Fine) have all been an amazing experience. Every character is different. All three made me go out of my comfort zone. I guess at this stage in my life, I’m drawn to projects that will continue to challenge me and make me grow as an artist and a person. Kun Maupay Man It Panahon is special because I was given the opportunity to be part of the narrative of the Filipino people (Taclobenos) set in the aftermath of one of the strongest typhoons (haiyan) to hit our country…a story of survival and hope, of madness and choices.”
Speaking of comfort zones – being comfortable in acting is actually working against the flow of the craft. A drama professor said when you are comfortable with no challenge, there are no sparks of passion, there is no vulnerability and there is no desire on the part of the audience to watch.
Actors who are comfortable are backing away from what affects their audience. And you can’t explore your vulnerability when you are backing into your comfort zone. If you have to jettison your old habits and your surefire routines, do it. In their place experiment, test, and reinvent. Reinvent your acting by challenging your comfort hideaways.
Charo has not stopped learning and has not rested on her laurels.
I remember her response years ago when she was asked ‘What’s your criteria in choosing what project to do?’
“I always go back to the story. Anong gustong sabihin? Is it interesting? Is it something I want to tell? And as an actress, what character do I get to play? How do I challenge myself? What new thing can I bring to the role to make it my own?”
Congratulations again! This is just the beginning of another chapter in her storied life well-lived both as a celebrity and a person. ENCORE!!!!
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Celebs Thank 2021
Another year, another bittersweet holiday season during an ongoing pandemic but we manage to smile finding some joy from some stars who are grateful and filled with optimism to herald 2022. Let’s hear them.
Maricel: Grateful that I stayed healthy this 2021 and did not get Covid 19; Grateful for my You Tube Channel, Official Maricel Soriano that I started this 2021; 3. Grateful for my family to have stayed healthy and somehow have been able to be together this 2021 .
PIP: First and foremost, is that the Lord has kept my family safe throughout 2021. Second, I am also thankful for the blessing of work and followers who have been supportive of my career. And Third, is thank you to all my friends and who have been faithful all throughout.
Lloyd Samartino: 1. Thanful that my beautiful mother Carmen is a happy healthy sassy 81 yr old who looks 60; 2. that despite undergoing thru this horrible pandemic, it has strengthened my relationship with my God and 3: That I continually am blessed with health, some financial balance & renewed hope in my heart that somehow we will all pull thru this realizing that kindness & love really matter and needs to be practiced & lived.
Eula Valdez: Thankful for my life, my family and work! After making my family take anti-gen tests, just eating together and talking about the past and the differences made between now and then, is a happy note. We laugh at ourselves! Being alive makes us happier and every moment spent with one another makes it more special.
Joey Marquez: 1. Family and loved ones are intact and all of us are healthy; 2. Blessed for still working and getting offers to work; 3. Blessed to have a partner I can depend on in all aspects, who shares my enthusiasm and passion for farming, gardening and carpentry.
Albert Martinez: (He was among the very first to greet us this holiday season from California where he spent a few days to be with family.) I appreciate the three big gifts – health, family and my new shows at GMA.
Rayver Cruz: Thanks to our Lord, my family and my work.
I asked, what about love? (He and Janine G have split.) “I pour all my efforts to work.”
Ali Sotto: I turned 60 this 2021, so it was a milestone year for me. In the midst of the pandemic that sometimes makes FB read like an obituary, I am grateful just to be alive. It sounds cliché-ish but cliches are cliches because they are true.
“Why have others been called Home, and why am I still here?” I am grateful that at least for the first 10 months of the year before I was coaxed out of retirement, I got to enjoy the quiet, the pause, the stillness that made for perfect mornings of deep prayer and meditation. Slow languid mornings stroking my pet Maltese’s belly before finally getting up, long tranquil walks soaking in the sun, and lazy afternoons digesting a book or a movie – some of the mundane that we lost in the mad rush of a world we were in. Ironically, I am grateful for being thrown back into the noise and turmoil of broadcasting a daily news commentary – a strong platform for public service. We are alive while others aren’t because we still have His mission to fulfill.
Lotlot de Leon: Grateful for the small and big blessings. 1. Family, for my husband and my kids who are always there for me for the unconditional love and support ; 2. Good health, because we all know how scary times are now with the covid and just to be healthy and well is already such a blessing; 3. Work, even in these trying and scary times the entertainment industry has managed to work around situations for everyone to give our Filipino audience the best shows. To adapt to the new settings around us and still be offered beautiful roles. What we have all realized and learned in these past two years is how capable we are, identifying our strengths and our weaknesses and acknowledging them to know what really matters and what is important to us as human beings. Life is so precious and fleeting. To be alive and just be with the people who love us and we love is such a gift.
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Yummy Corner and Asia’s Best Chef: Bumped into Margarita ‘Gaita’ Fores on FB and who wouldn’t know her – she’s the famous and awarded Asia’s Best Chef! In Pinas, her two restaurants (among others) Cibo and Lusso are among the top favorites. Listen to our chat.
What are the 3 most popular dishes at Cibo and Lusso?
Cibo
a) Spinaci and Gorgonzola Dip with Crostini; b) Penne al Telefono; c) Tagliata di Manzo and d) Tiramisù Croccante. These 4 dishes are our bestsellers, and probably my most iconic creations for Cibo from the start in 1997.
Lusso
1) Three Organic Egg Omelette with Truffle Cream; 2) The River Prawn- Lobster Roll; 3) The Foie Gras Burger; 4) Spinach Taglierini Pasta with Prosciutto and Truffle Paste.
These are the most ordered dishes at Lusso and best represent my concept of a champagne bar, with elegant all-day dining,…a classic old-world cafe European experience not found anywhere else in Manila.
What Pinoys love most about Italian food- are Pinoys taste buds hard to please?
When I started Cibo 25 years ago, I wanted to bring authentic Italian cuisine to Manila. It was challenging at first because the Pinoy palate was looking for sweet Bolognese sauce and taken aback by pasta done al dente. But being a purist, I persevered and tried to make the market appreciate the real way of enjoying Italian cuisine. Fast forward 25 years later, the Pinoy taste buds now appreciate our concept and welcome everything we do at Cibo. We have been able to present products that Pinoys love, but are authentic at the same time, without compromising the true Italian way of cooking. (Part 2 of her interview in our next issue)
Here comes Joel Torre, one of our fine actors and owner of the famous JT’S MANUKAN GRILLE. It offers grilled chicken items marinated the Ilonggo way. This started in May 2003,when Joel was offered a space at one of the properties of the Vera Perezes in Greenhills. The original plan of only having a take out counter for their chicken eventually became a restaurant as word got around of how juicy and tender the chicken is being served at his restaurant.
“I am so thankful – we have survived the pandemic and our business is even better. Thanks to my wife and family who have supported me all the way. We have added new restos and I have more time to focus on my business now that I am on sabbatical leave from showbiz,” Joel added.
And what about our local chefs here in our own city in GTA?
We have praises for Jannie Luz-Benico, a co-owner of Republika Bar and Grill at Wilson. Their media noche package was a huge blockbuster (starring embotido, ham, lechon baka, macaroni sisig, chicken inasal). The current favorite now if you go and dine in is their clams soup (tinola style).
Last but not the least, breaking order records during this recent Yule season is Pocket Bites (by Janet Lim)
“All the three items — empanadas, sansrival and squares — are equally popular. Customers usually request all three in a single order. The 12 Days of Christmas Sansrival Bombs though, which is the limited edition, takes center stage because of its uniqueness — 12 premium flavours beautifully packaged and gift ready.
I asked how the food business is fighting to stay alive during the pandemic.
Janet: Food businesses stay afloat by consistently meeting the challenges of innovation and creativity such as product development, marketing and delivery, as well as presence in social media. They must also be consistent in the quality of their product and excellent customer service.
SEE YOU NEXT ISH and let the bells ring in merrily, HAPPY 2022!!!!