After almost two decades of absence in the celluloid strips, veteran actress Charo Santos has an incomparable comeback. Her solo starrer Ang Babaing Humayo (The Woman Who Left) made the mark as first Filipino movie to bag the best picture award at the Venice International Film Festival in Italy.
At the recent Toronto International Film Festival, the said film garnered acclaimed from the audience and critics as well. Charo received the munificent response from the viewers, particularly her compatriots who showcased adulation for her as she graced its special screening and affairs handed by the Filipino community, led by Baby Jimenez and Beverly Vergel.
Personally, what I’ve treasured most about Charo in our years of friendship was the time ABS-CBN management nearly sued me for libel. Even she’s an executive of the said network, Charo didn’t take her back to me but instead gave a heartfelt advice. Albeit she never affirmed it, she could be one of the reasons why ABS-CBN bigwigs didn’t push through with the libel case against this writer.
Trivia:
Looking back, some veteran non-celebrities could be considered an institution in Philippine cinema. They were the icons in their fields, be it in the writing field, as the original talent manager or line producer. Foremost of them was the late Douglas Quijano, the very first talent manager of stars and line producer of movie companies too.
We were officemates at Daily Star newspaper founded by Andrew Go, together with colleagues Tony Sikat, the deceased Franklin Cabaluna, Ross Celino Jr. and Ched Gonzales. It was Douglas who became my mentor as movie writer-publicist, Eventually, he managed the late Charito Solis and tyro then Ronaldo Valdez. Then Regal Films assigned Douglas its first line producer where he handled also the career of several Regal Stars.
Writer Baby K Jimenez who’s my close chum got the unbeatable distinction not only in her competence in writing. She was standout in the PR job being the long time personal publicist of movie queen Susan Roces and superstar Nora Aunor and Charo Santos no less. Not surprising at all, out of her family background.
Baby’s uncle the late Celso Karunungan was the internationally acclaimed novelist of the Like a Big Brave Man worldwide fame. Another uncle served as the Philippine ambassador in Canada. And her parents shone in their respective vocation.
Prior to her staying abroad, U.S. and Canada, to reach greater heights in other tasks, Baby became the pro of Tower Productions, formed by the late movie director Artemio Marquez (father of Joey and Melanie Marquez). As usual, through her invitation, oftentimes I’d grace celebrity shows in Toronto, particularly presented by the Kapamilya station.
After Douglas Quijano, veteran writer Lita Santos Francisco was hired line producer of several movie outfits, notably Lea Productions, Roda Films and Star Cinema. Before she left showbiz to live in Canada, Lita had been well loved by movie people out of her compassionate, soft nature who easily turned emotional. At that, the likes of the late Rudy Fernandez, Phillip Salvador, Charo Santos and others tagged her Mother Tears.
Of course, the list will be complete with the mention of Ethel Ramos and Ricky Lo. The duo stood out in their jobs. From a movie columnist for decades, Ethel had been synonymous to Aga Muhlach being his manager and the publicist of Star Cinema, ABS-CBN movie firm. While Ricky has always been called an institution as movie editor of Philippine Star newspaper for so many years and a co-host of TV talk shows.
Pia, Angel Will Banner a Project?
Did you know that aside from Liza Soberano, Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach admires Angel Locsin’s beauty? In the latest Instagram photo of Angel, Pia chuckled. “Sobrang ganda mo Angel.” A colleague disclosed to this writer that if given the chance, Pia craves working in a project with Angel, be it on TV or movies. Not far fetch indeed for both belong to ABS-CBN.
Queried on Pia’s statement, Angel’s exhilarated to know she has impressed a world beauty queen. Nevertheless, the feeling is mutual. She rooted for Pia during the Miss Universe pageant. On the love aspect, Angel confided she’s not ready to fall in love anew after her break up with Luis Manzano. In any case, Angel does not quash the fact her good relationship with Luis mom Cong. Vilma Santos remains in- tact.
Dennis, Jennylyn Lovers anew
The saying actions speak better than words seems to befit the togetherness of Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado. For nearly a year both neither confirmed nor denied the real score yet their recent happenings in Batangas proved to all and sundry the true status.
Dennis and Jen recently joined the Philippine Coastal Guard’s underwater clean up in Batangas, followed by days of scuba diving there in a lovey-dovey disposition as evident by photos shown in the social media. The duo’s followers carom with cheers.
Incidentally, congrats to Dennis who won the Asian Prize award for best TV drama actor for My Faithful Husband at the Asian TV Festival held in Seoul, South Korea. Dennis achieved the feats of Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Jericho Rosales in the world level of performance.
Blind Item:
A young, upcoming actor blames the much older sexy actress for the spreading of the gossip to hood-wink people that he’s gay. Once, he recounted the actress sort of seduced him but he politely turned her down which rescinded their friendship. To get even with him, she scattered such rumor.
“Come to think of it I’m not enraged because that’s the usual reaction of a spurned woman. Pag di pumatol, bakla ang lalaki. Good thing, my girlfriend loves, trusts me and unaffected.” The actor reportedly averred.
Chain-smokers Commend Jadine Pair
The world famous Chainsmokers, the singing duo of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall reacted favorably in watching the video of James Reid and Nadine Lustre belting the version of their top song Closer. They described Jadine as awesome.
Last Aug., Chainsmokers performed in the Philippines, leaving them totally appreciative of the tremendous response of the Filipino fans. In the Instagram, the two commented, “We love the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, Nadine personally sent her thanks, gratefulness to Andrew and Alex for their heart-tugging remark on the mentioned short video.
Spicy Tidbits:
So it’s true that Vina Morales formally filed cases of kidnapping, illegal detention and breach of anti-violence against women, children at the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Courts. Cedric himself confirmed, with a joke thrown to Vina. “Visit me in jail na lang.”
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan came to the rescue of Sharon Cuneta after some bashed her for her presence at the New Bilibid prison in 2012. “She went there as part of the episode of her former TV-5 show Sharon, Kasama mo Kapatid. She even sang to the prisoners for free, out of compassion for them.”
In this connection, Robin Padilla defended celebrities who had performed at the New Bilibid. “Nothing wrong for entertaining the prisoners is a form of therapy, particularly those bent to reform. Ang penetration ng drugs at liquor ang dapat i-condemn.” Robin jabbered to the media men.
Those behind the award winning movie Ang Babaing Humayo have respected the decision of the Film Academy of the Philippines to choose Ma Rosa as the Philippines official entry to the Oscar Awards best foreign film. The first mentioned pic won best picture at the Venice Film Festival while Ma Rosa handed Jaclyn Jose the first Pinay to romp off best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Let’s see if the FAP members didn’t commit a blunder come Oscar Awards night early next year.