The world most popular, prestigious movie festival, the Cannes International film fest in France, recently honored the Philippine movies. It included the late Lino Brocka’s masterpiece Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag as part of Cannes classic films.
During the screening of Maynila..last May 17, 2013, its lead star Hilda Koronel who was personally invited graced the affair. Hilda made a milestone being the first Pinay actress to gain plaudits, recognition there for Maynila.. and another Brocka’s opus Insiang.
By this time the board of judges would have announced the winners, with three local films vying in the mainstream competition, another three movies for the short film tilt and the Piolo Pascual-Gerald Anderson starrer On the Job for the Directors Fortnight contest.
Based on the news account of French journalists, our entries have strong chance to make it as finalists. Or one or two films might emerge victorious.
Amalia’s Fresh Reports
My long time friend and erstwhile boss as her publicist Amalia Fuentes contacted me to relay some fresh showbiz reports. Firstly, she apprised that the Muhlach clan couldn’t take the loss of her nephew Aga Muhlach in hhis congressional bid in Camarines Sur.
“Imagine for days Aga led in the counting then it was stopped dahil may aberya daw. Nang ituloy si Wimpy Fuentebella na ang nanalo and was proclaimed at once despite Aga’s supporters’ plead for a recounting first to correct discrepancies.” Amalia declared.
As what Aga snapped in a TV interview, “I’m all willing to concede if the election had been honest and clean and no obvious manipulation.”
In passing, Amalia sadly told me that her contemporary at the Sampaguita Pictures Kontrabida Queen Bella Flores passed away last May 19 at 84. All her colleagues , led by Gloria Romero and Susan Roces got together at Bella’s wake.
In a lighter side, Amalia recounted that she dined with balikbayan chum, ex-actress Jean Lopez. Jean and husband Romano’Billy’Castelvi reside in Toronto for so many years. Billy just recuperated after a heart attack recently. The couple used to host affairs tendered by Pinoys in Canada.
Trivia:
In the ‘50s, did you know that the most popular among super heroes in local cinema was Darna ? It was a comics creation of the late Mars Ravelo and the deceased Fernando Poe Sr. produced the movie under his outfit, Royal Productions.
The first to tackle the role of Darna was Rosa del Rosario in 1950. Rosa was also the first Pinay actress who appeared in the Hollywood films south Border and American Guerilla in the Philippines bannered by then top American actor Tyrone Power.
Rosa successfully did its sequel Darna at ang Babaing Lawin for Premiere Productions. Another one Darna at ang Babaing Impakta made Eva Montes a popular star. Then the late Liza Moreno topbilled Darna at ang Babaing Tuod, another smasheroo.
In the ‘60s, it was Sampaguita studio’s turn to produce Darna at ang Planetman. That time, voluptuous and controversial Gina Pareno enacted Darna. And for a change, a spoof version of a gay Darna surfaced, with no less than Comedy King Dolphy in the lead.
The ‘70s dawned a refreshing version of Lipad Darna, Lipad. Followed by Darna at Ding, with Vilma Santos starring in both vehicles. In the latter, child superstar Nino Muhlach delineated Ding. Vilma confided then that her fame rose to a higher pedestal as Darna.
Even Megastar Sharon Cuneta couldn’t resist playing Darna in the ‘80s. Sharon shared the lead with Herbert Bautista in the action-comedy Darna at Captain Barbel, a riotous pic that held audiences in stitches.
From the wide screen. Darna hit the boob tube through GMA-7. In the ‘90s an aspiring star Angel Locsin was catapulted to a top actress, TV phenomenon as Darna. Truth to tell, its viewership of 56% at the rating charts has remained unsurpassed to this date. Based on the survey companies, TV top raters of late haven’t reached the 50% mark.
For the record, very soon ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya network will air the latest Darna tele-serye. It’s a still a close fight among Kristine Reyes, Jessy Mendiola and Maja Salvador to topcast it. As Angel Locsin nixed down the offer to give way to another actress.
Ai-Ai’s Husband Tries to Win her Back?
After the tearful confession of Ai-Ai delas Alas that she broke off with her husband of one month Jed Salang,whispers have it that he tried to win back a calcified Ai-Ai. Seemingly, she has had enough of the alleged personal demand of Jed to his favor.
The comedienne’s confidante concurred that Ai-Ai looks all set to ameliorate as a mom, having hurt her children, an aftermath of her lovelife.
“Ai-Ai admits this time she’ll augment her concern and dedication for her kids. She has learned a lesson. Saka na lang ang love matter.”My source commesirated with Ai-Ai.
Carla Talks on Marriage, Gay Issues
With the insistent talks that marriage would beckon Carla Abellana, she vaunts what marriage truly means for her during a chat with several reporters. That it’s the most sacred and important facet of life.
“ Kaya para sa akin ay pinaghahandaan ng matagal at pinag-iisipang mabuti. You shouldn’t be in a hurry. My bf for years Geoff (Eigenmann) shares it with me. We’re sure we dearly love each other but we never speak yet of a marital plunge.There’s a proper time for that.” Carla was quoted as saying.
In her new tele-serye MY Husband’s Lover with Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez (an ex-Kapamilya actor), a scribe asked Carla on gay issue. You see, in the story, Carla’s hubby has a gay lover, enacted by Tom. How does she take it if fate turns frisky to her in real life?
“Gosh, I believe to be in that position would be much tedious compared kung babae ang karibal. In the first place, I’ve no idea how to compete with a gay, love-wise.Honestly, I won’t want that kind of triangle taps me.” Carla chuckled.
Juicy Tidbits:
For the record, the recent concert of Vice Ganda made a killing, breaking all existing records of concert sales in the Philippines. This, plus the fact that Vice Ganda’s films were also top grossers has established him as phenomenal.
At that ,many are of the opinion that Vice Ganda should be a record holder to in the boob tube world. How come his presence, gags in the noon time program It’s Showtime hasn’t helped to dislodge Eat bulaga as number one at the rating charts?
My colleagues. friends in the Philippines queried if I’ve noticed that the kapuso star of the TV series Love & Lies Bela Padilla looks like a dead ringer for Kapamilya star Bea Alonzo. Well indeed the two can pass as sisters. Bela reminds me of a young Bea as a showbiz upstart. Wish Regal Films would get Bea and Bela in a film together.
Acting-wise, Bela showcases a gamut of emotions akin to that of Bea too, especially in confrontational sequences.
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