Trivia:
For many decades megastar Sharon Cuneta has been endeared to countless people around her, especially close chums out of her unique yet pleasant personality. This writer can attest to it, out of our durable friendship. With the resounding box office of her screen comeback via Three Words to Forever and the touchingly joyous celebration of her birthday last January 6, it’s worth to bestow a fitting tribute to Sharon.
In the showbiz world, seldom would a celebrity express gratitude to press people through personal concern. Unlike Sharon who has not ceased to manifest it by tirelessly sending to them scribbled messages in card, plus gifts on one’s birthday, during Yuletide season or special events that displayed to the hilt her thoughtful nature. In my case, colleagues relay up to this day, Sharon would query them in their meeting if I’m ok and doing well in Canada.
A throwback in my past years, despite Sharon’s top star stature as megastar, two happenings in my path permeated my deep admiration for her. Then under contract with Viva Films, once we bumped into each other. With an inquisitive query she told me how come I was not present at the press cons of her movies.
This compelled me to divulge my misunderstandings with the outfit’s pro made the latter to actuate the move to ban me. At that, in her next confab, Sharon sort of badged me to attend for she would settle the issue. That day, Sharon went out of her way to privately ditch the inimical feelings between me and the publicist that turned out alright.
Most importantly, at the time ABS-CBN management nearly filed a libel suit against me out of not retracting what I had written about its star. It came out through the letter of one of the executives Johnny Manahan sent to me, Sharon once again came to my defense. The incident occurred when I visited Sharon in her TV program directed by Johnny who was in consternation over my presence.
With bulwark statement, Sharon expounded to Johnny, she personally requested me to drop by, saying being friends for years she knew I had no intention to pen destructive items. Eventually, the Kapamilya network did no sue me. Albeit Sharon kept mum, this writer appreciated to the fullest she was instrumental for it. She’s indeed a chum who won’t avert her sincere assistance.
Financially speaking, Sharon exudes an ever supportive celebrity in terms of support for a worthy cause. As president of Movie Writers, Press Photography of the Philippines for four years which was founded by the late Fernando Poe Jr. to aid scribes, lens men who were bed-ridden or jobless, I consistently received big amount in checks from Sharon to fill the funds of the club, second to FPJ. Truthfully it’s another Sharon’s accomplishment worthy of a tribute.
As a daughter and a mom too, this writer vividly cherished what a frank ex-top actress Amalia Fuentes visualized about Sharon. “She should be emulated by her peers. I envied her mom Elaine for having a daughter she brought up to be obedient, with positive reactions to solve differences. I’m sure Sharon’s children will be in her mold, character-wise.”
Intrigue on Vice Ganda, Maine Mendoza Crop Up
The exchange of insipid comments between Vice Ganda and Maine Mendoza on the Tweeter Accounts crops up an intrigue between them and respective followers. But instantly Maine posted her denial that it was a fake news. Maine did the gumption to explain she never wrote flighty, insulting words on Vice Ganda’s film Fantastica which competes with Jack em Popoy, her pic at the film fest.
“Gosh, it’s Yuletide season. Let us all be positive and respectful. Pretty sure Vice Ganda’s harmful reply was a fake too . I’ve begged my followers not to meddle.” A colleague quoted Maine to say.
At this writing, Jack em Popoy and Fantastica still fight it out as number one top grosser among the entries at the Metro Manila Film Festival, both on extended showing. Curiously, Jack em Popoy which banners too Vic Sotto and Coco Martin won the FPJ Memorial Award and the parade best float while Fantastica got nothing at the awarding rites.
Aga, Janice: Commendable as Parents
Ex=teen lovers who broke up with a son Luigi then, people in and out of showbiz hold Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen in high esteem. They avouch fully that the two are commendable for rearing up Luigi to a high level, a successful businessman that he is. Aga has his own kids by his wife Charlene Gonzales and Janice too by John Estrada, yet the two mutually helped each other to bring out the best in Luigi.
Recently, Luigi and his partner Patty have been blessed with a child named Baby Arriella, their fourth kid, together with Alejandro, Aji and Anya. Amid their parental guidance, grow up well to aggrandize smooth relationships with Aga and Janice other children akin to a one family, truly admirable.
Aga told me decades ago. “Yes, I’ve many shortcomings but I promise to myself I’ll try my best to be a good father in many ways. I want my children to love and respect me whole heartedly.” Kudos to you Aga.
Gloria Romero: A Record Holder
This writer recently penned about the glorious 68 years in showbiz of ex-movie queen who’s the oldest actress still active. Now Gloria has turned a record holder having won the best actress award at the Metro Manila Film Festival for Rainbow’s Sunset. She’s the first vet actress at 85 who romped off an accolade in the lead role.
Incidentally, Anne Curtis was Gloria’s closest rival for her performance in Aurora. Albeit Anne lost, she did hush-hush to a writer-pal feeling honored to strongly compete with Gloria whom she considers the best, one of a kind in the movie world.
Kim, Xian: Altar Bound This 2019?
Not a few are awed not only that finally Kim Chiu nodded to the fact she’s in a relationships with Xian Lim. But Kim, Xian photos of romantic moments on vacation at China has actuated to the consensus of their possible marriage this 2019. She negated it for she concentrates more on acting.
Much more so, Kim got good reviews for her performance in One Great Love which earned best actor award for her leading man Dennis Trillo at the film fest. “I’m eager to do more challenging movie roles that might hand me best actress trophy.” Kim mattered to scribes.
Blind Item:
Two pretty actresses from rival TV networks are said to abase each other after allegedly their snubbing incident in a gathering. The one who’s more popular rants that the other actress obviously envious of her. The latter reported replied was, “masyado siyang ilusyunadang sikat siya eh di naman totoo.”
One of them bemoans it’s a batty accusations for she won’t ever do that even if she feels degraded at all. “For me, silence keeps me more comfortable.” She sighed to a pen pusher.
Alyssa Grace Shines Anew
Two forthcoming concerts would prove to the rising fame of Fil-Canadian teen songstress Alyssa Grace Datu. She’s featured in Piolo Pascual’s show An Evening of Love on Feb. 9 , 2019 at Global Kingdom Ministry in Markham Rd. On March 23, she’ll join Martin Nievera in Maple Madness concert to be held at Queens Theatre. Toronto. Congrats Alyssa.
Latest Tidbits:
Even before Dennis Trillo brazenly clarified that his tweets against GMA-7 management was hacked, people behind the said network did not believe it. As they echoed, it’s out of his character to say so, noted to be a sensible person. This stemmed when allegedly, GMA-7 snubbed his film fest best actor award. Dennis constrained his followers not to deride GMA-7 bigwigs. All’s well now.
Expect a looming animosity between Kris Aquino and Gretchen Barretto. You see, Gretchen posted her support for Nicko Falcis, ex talent manager, director of Kris digital company whom she sued for qualified theft. Nicko denied all the allegations, bluntly saying that Kris scared him with threats. In her Instagram, Gretchen fully sided with Nicko and words obviously intended for Kris. “Stop the power tripping.”
Curiously, ABS-CBN and GMA-7 Prime time Kings Coco Martin and Dingdong Dantes not only vie on TV but in in the movies. Coco’s Ang Probinsyano, Dingdong’s Cain at Abel have the same time slot. At the ongoing film fest, their Jack em Popoy and Fantastica starrers fight it out as the top money maker. Both, however, show no clap-track nature, with respect for each other who won’t mind being beaten.