Trivia:
In this era, perhaps only a handful of Pinoys are familiar with ex-veteran actress Gloria Sevilla or know a little about her showbiz background. But her accomplishments attest the fact of a deserving tribute to her. Did you know before she enplaned to Manila from Cebu where she resided, she was tagged queen of the Visayan movies? Her starrers were all blockbusters and most popular celebrity in the Visayas.
Together with her late husband-actor Mat Ranillo Jr., the two embarked to stay in Manila from Cebu to try Tagalog films. Both made good albeit Mat had a shorter time as an actor. He died in a plane crash in 1960, leaving a son Mat 111 and daughter Suzette under the care of their mom Gloria.
Career-wise, Gloria rose not only in demand all around actress but a multi-awardee performer. After several nominations as best supporting actress and best actress, Gloria bagged the FAMAS best supporting award for Madugong Paghihiganti and best actress in the Visayan pic Badlis sa Kinabuhi and other heavy drama stuffs.
Then her starrer Destiny (Badlis sa Kinabuhi) was the first Filipino movie that was shown, earned plaudits in the Berlin International Film Festival. Another Gloria’s flick I Miss You (Gimingaw Ako) was the initial Filipino film handed citation at the Moscow International Film Festival in Russia.
In 1974, Gloria and daughter Suzette Ranillo made history as the first mom-daughter who won the FAMAS best actress, best supporting actress in the same opus I Miss You (Gimingaw Ako). All the more the duo received more vital movie assignments from various companies.
Added to her acting triumph, Gloria enacted lead female character in the boob tube show Biyenan kong Mangkukulam with Pancho Magalona and Chichay. This inspired Gloria to produce her own TV sitcom Mommy ko si Mayor. Her co-stars were her kids Mat 111, Suzette, Dandin and Lilibeth.
About her private life, after the demise of Mat Jr., Gloria tied the marital knots with actor Amado Cortez from the famous Padilla clan. Amado eventually impacted her path to a new direction. He was appointed the Philippine Ambassador to the United States. For years the couple lived in U.S, where Gloria learned the rudiments of working under the government service.
Not only that, for the first time she was offered to be a columnist of a Fil-Am newspaper in U.S. Once, in a visit in the Philippines, we met anew through our mutual close chum Perla Bautista. She whispered to me on misjudging movie scribes in the past.
“When I turned columnist, I realized reporters are just doing their job to report the real happenings Yes, I’ve enraged some kababayan natin kasi sinulat ko lang what transpired in the community which upset them.”
Unfortunately, Gloria lost her second husband Amado who passed away 2005. Most often, she would travel back and forth to U.S. and the Philippines. One time, back in the Philippines, this writer queried Gloria if she was aware of the rumor that befell her lovely granddaughter Krista Ranillo by Mat 111.
Allegedly, Krista had a romantic fling with world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. For Gloria it was a funny gossip leaving her in guffaw. As it was, during the time Krista opted to live in U.S., followed by her marriage, reportedly to a Filipino businessman, the talks about Manny ceased.
Jodi, Raymart Move on love-Wise
Finally, Jodi Sta. Maria and Raymart Santiago have moved on, love-wise. After jodi’s split with ex-husband Pampi Lacson and former boyfriend Jolo Revilla, she refrained to fall for another romance. In the case of Raymart, his separation with erstwhile wife Claudine Barretto. He simply played with various women.
However, just recently Raymart voiced out to media men his sweet, serious involvement with Jodi for quite a time. As it, Raymart is not timorous in admitting a possible relationship with Jodi for keeps. Heard that Jodi neither confirmed nor denied it. But reportedly, she exudes happy countenance in the mention of Raymart’s name.
It’s not surprising to hear that a film producer has already mapped out a plan to cast the duo as love team in a forthcoming project.
Another Venture for Gerald
Did you know that despite Gerald Anderson’s fully occupied time in showbiz, thorough assistance to the victims of COVID-19 pandemic, he ventures to a new business. Gerald puts up a private resort named Hayati Private Resort, located in Batalan, Zambales which opened days past.
Someone did spread that not only once she saw the presence of Julia Barretto there. Remember the news ignited by broadcaster Jay Sonza that she’s pregnant by Gerald ? Thus, Julia filed a case against Jay.
Janella”s Mom Accepts Markus
Contrary to what others brick-bat that Janella Salvador’s boyfriend actor Markus Paterson not accepted by her family, in truth it’s the opposite. In fact, her mom Jenine Desiderio enplaned to England to be with Janella. Jenine affirmed she would stay there in time of Janella’s giving birth to her baby by markus.
Janella disclosed her mom feels so touch by the love, care hand to her by Markus and his father George Trevor Paterson, who’s ex British Air Force pilot, living in Wiltshire, England. Seemingly, Janella and Markus have not hinted their marital plunge or if both would temporarily leave showbiz world or for good.
Sadness Engulfs Bong
My chum-scribe Linda Rapadas recounted that a fully recovered from COVID-19 infection Senator Bong Revilla was able to celebrate his recent birthday. But sadness engulfed him. It was his first natal day get together without his late father Ramon Revilla Sr. Bong was teary-eyed in recalling many surprised gifts for him by his dad then.
Linda related that Bong soon would reactivate his acting career. A new movie producer will cast Bong, wife lani Mercado and their son Jolo in an action-drama project, so they say.
Blind Item:
A young, pretty celebrity was asked by a scribe why she’s unmindful and cool despite being bashed many times. She replied that in her pre-teen years, not a few had bashed her, so with her family, all in showbiz. But the advice from her mom keeps her not to mind the rants since then.
The actress ’mom impacted to her the case of a best chum-actress who suffered a lot, did face law suits out of fighting with those attackers. And she admitted her mistake she should have controlled her anger. “So she advised my mom not to be affected by bashers. Up to now, I do it. Much more so, other stars suffer the same path sa pagpatol sa bashers.” My co-writer quoted the words of the actress.
Current Tidbits:
Maja Salvador turned down the offer to replace Bea Alonzo in her supposed starrer Kahit Minsan Lang. Reports have it Maja to recant gossips she’s at loggerhead indeed with Bea for their friendship still exists. Yet in spite of her TV-5 show, Maja is all willing to be back under ABS-CBN.
For his meaningful message of Aga Muhlach to his colleagues he has caught admiration of non-showbiz people. Aga’s dulcet words boiled down at this time of pandemic for the good of the industry to unite would be the best, not division and conflict. Well, knowing Aga since a kid, having been the pro of Wonder Films owned by his dad Cheng and his uncle Alex, this writer knew his inherent good character sans involvement to misdeeds up to this time.
Another victim of fake death news is erstwhile sexy star Ana Marie Gutierrez. My informant related to me she happily lives in New York with her American husband and only daughter. Reportedly, the source of her alleged demise took cognizance of his fault, a mistaken identity. Anne Marie happened to be my close friend in the ‘80s and even in her early stay in U.S. we contacted each other via face book
This writer vividly recalled that when Joey de Leon courted Anna Marie I was often in her company. This brought Joey to be my close pal. When I met Joey years back during my vacation in the Philippines , his first query was if I still had a communication with her. With a grin, he was frank to nod on his unforgettable past with Anna.
Congratulations to Pinoy Vibes Toronto on its first anniversary celebration .People behind the show, including actor-host Cesar Marquez will surely make more Filipinos and Fil-Canadian talents to fully appreciate its forthcoming episodes. Thanks to Cesar for requesting me to send a video message about Pinoy Vibes Toronto.