With the news heralded by TV Patrol about the discrimination thrown to the Baguio City’s local press by the camp of Manny Pacquiao, this writer has a flashback of what occurred years back. Manny tendered a presscon for the movie writers to announce his new showbiz project. Not only did he arrive more than an hour late at the venue, some of his men pushed lens men arrogantly. Worse, one of them haughtily remarked. “O, ten minutes lang ninyo siya mai-interview. May importante siyang lakad.”
This caught the in charge of the confab red-faced, embarrassed that she was. When informed, Manny was very apologetic, saying he would reprimand his men for their crotchety act. As it is, the Baguio incident attested the obnoxious, discriminating behavior of some of Manny’s men remain to delimitate his rapport with the media practitioners. If Manny plans to go up higher in his political ambition, he must be choosy in picking the right people. Or better, let them attend seminars on proper public relations.
Dolphy’s New Gem
The highly successful initial concert of Dolphy and Zsa Zsa Padilla’s daughter Zia Quizon proved to all and sundry that Dolphy has a new gem in his youngest daughter. Those who witnessed it all glowed in the raves on Zia. Truth to tell, even her siblings cajoled Zsa Zsa would be upstaged by Zia in no time at all. But as she mattered, “I don’t mind kung pati sa acting matalo niya ako. I’m very proud of Zia at kami ng dad niya ay excited.”
Come to think of it, Zia’s half sister Karylle takes efforts to guide her in all the rudiments in singing. And would accompany her in the absence of their mom.
“As a child, Zia impressed me already with her talents to boot. I’m flattered not envious for the praises showered on her. Just hope she’ll concentrate on her studies and singing career. Huwag na munang yang love angle, no.” Karylle was quoted as saying.
Trivia:
The recent 39th anniversary of the proclamation of Martial Law still reverberates in everyone’s mind, including me. That was the time the media men were jobless instantly. Luckily, as the Press Relation Officer of Amalia Fuentes who happened to be attached to the Marcoses, I found myself hired at the Philippine Daily Express, the only newspaper then. Starting as a columnist of its sister company Pilipino Express I became the entertainment editor of another sister publication Evening Express for some time.
In fairness, during the early Martial Law years , arts and culture flourished to the hilt, what with the new establishments Film Center, Philippine International Convention Center and the renovation of the Cultural Center and Metropolitan Theater. Evidently, the Original Pinoy Music (OPM) boomed. Thanks to the Patroness of Arts, Mrs. Imelda Marcos. The Pinoys had field days watching plays, both local and foreign plus the personal appearances of popular Hollywood stars George Hamilton, Brooke Shields, Chuck Norris, Burt Reynolds, Stephen Segal and Virginia Mayo, to name some. To top it, the uncensored classic sex films were exhibited up to midnight, with jam-packed audiences at Film Center, local and foreign stuffs as well called the Manila International Film Festival. In jest, some buzzed in whispers that the MIFF meant Madam Imelda’s Fighting Fish.
Those were the years, stars turned producers identified with the Marcoses never had it that good. The late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces (their wedding sponsors were the Marcoses) had FPJ and Rosas Productions, Amalia Fuentes produced via AM outfit, the RVQ Productions of Dolphy and Joseph Estrada formed JE outfit.
Out of his closeness with Imelda Marcos, veteran actor Eddie Gutierrez tried his hand through his Mabuhay Films. His maiden offering was the war movie Pula, Puti at Bughaw, with Amalia Fuentes. All told, the showbiz industry benefited a lot which stern critics of Mrs. Marcos won’t ever discredit her for that positive outcome.
Robin, Bea Strong Bets for Next Star Awards for TV
A member of the Philippine Movie Press Club did hush-hush that certainly Robin Padilla and Bea Alonzo will be strong contenders for acting accolades in the next Star Awards for TV. Throughout the airing of Guns and Roses, the two calculatedly enhanced their knowhow’s in their respective role as a gunman and a ladylove in distress. Fortunately, the entire cast acted with credence and conviction. These include Diether Ocampo, Liza Lorena, EJ Falcon, Empress, Liza Lorena, Isabel Rivas, Pen Medina and even comedian Ketchup Eusebio as Robin’s sidekick.
What befuddled many though was its unannounced abrupt ending. Talks run fast that it could be either because the rival program Marian Rivera’s Amaya clobbered it in the rating charts. Or could be out of the incessant talks that Robin has transferred to TV-5 which supposedly irked Kapamilya management no end.
Albeit the fact remains that Guns and Roses falls on the category of a thoroughly engrossing, pulsating action-drama TV teleserye. One for the books, so to speak.
Iza Still going Strong with Non-showbiz BF
So it’s confirmed that Iza Calzado hasn’t broken off with her non-showbiz lover. Her confidante related that Iza found it funny and at the same time obnoxious to be romantically linked to President Noynoy Aquino. In the first place, how could it be when Iza had chanced upon Pnoy once only. Her intimate quipped that Iza felt relieve that her bf doesn’t believe such malevolent gossip.
By the way, the comedy tandem of Iza and Cesar Montano in the Kapuso sitcom Andres de Saya didn’t disappoint its producer. Heard that it will be extended due to the clamor of viewers to see more of the pair in rib-tickling situations. Iza herself admitted that beforehand, she had misgivings in a comic role. But their manager and Cesar took turns in erasing her doubt, noting her inherent flair for comedy.
Bong Gives Lucy High Mark
How would Sen. Bong Revilla rate Cong. Lucy Torres in her movie debut? You see, Lucy co-stars with Bong and Marian Rivera in the Metro Manila film fest entry Ang Panday 2. According to Bong. Before her first shooting day, he got the inkling that being a Waray and fluent in English, Lucy would suffer in Tagalog lines. How astounded Bong was when Lucy delivered long dialogues convincingly with proper emotions, for an acting tyro, Bong has given Lucy a high mark.
About the comment of onlookers at the set that Richard Gomez would frequently visit Lucy at the set to guard his wife from the noted womanizing ways of Bong, the senator had a guffaw. “Sa totoo lang, matagal ko nang tsokaran si Goma. Di katalo. Secondly, Lucy and my wife Lani have often worked at the Congress together. Very close sila. Walang point na i-link kami ni Lucy sa isa’t-isa. That’s laughable.” Bong stressed.
Loudest Whispers
The irregular appearance of Mariel Rodriguez in the noontime show Happy, Yipee, Yehey somehow documented her possible quitting the show. They surmised a preparation for her bolting out to move to TV-5. Loudest buzz indicates that Willie Revillame finally persuaded Mariel to be his co-host in Wiltime, Bigtime. Let’s see…
Direk Maryo delos Reyes reportedly pleads to Jiro Manio’s detractors to let them see first the big change in Jiro after his rehabilitation, just like Baron Geisler. “My alaga is back to normal and I’ve the feeling he’ll be a better actor now. Huwag naman ninyo i-misjudge si Jiro.” Maryo hastened to add.
Personal:
My heartfelt thanks to relatives and friends in Canada and U.S. who have condoled with me in the death of my brother Manuel last Sept. 25 in Imus, Cavite. He used to teach at the St. Anthony School, Perpetual College of Rizal and National Teachers College. Among his former students were Lorna Tolentino, the late action star Robert Lee and the beauty queen-wife of ex movie producer George Pascual, Vivian Lacson Pascual.
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