Most anybody in and out of showbiz would always comment that young actor Joshua Garcia will the next John Lloyd Cruz in looks and talents. More so with Joshua’s admission, he’s often compared with co-ABS-CBN actor John who’s his idol.
“It’s my dream to work with John Lloyd in a project, be it in TV or movies. But I don’t want to be branded a copycat of my idol.” Joshua who’s the star of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Vince, Kath & James intimated to several pen pushers.
On the other side, a colleague who had a tete-a-tete with John Lloyd recounted that the latter has nothing against being a look-a-like of Joshua. But he believes Joshua has his own personality, talent to make good on his own merits.” If I’d work with him I’ll encourage him to show his distinct style in acting to be different from me.” John was quoted as saying.
Trivia:
If Comedy Queen of the ‘50s Nida Blanca were alive, she would have notched her 80 plus birthday last January 6. Unfortunately, it’s more than 12 years when she was slain yet up to now, there’s no news on the actual culprits in that horrendous murder committed in the vicinity of the Movie, TV Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) where she was one of the officials.
Did you know that even before Nida crashed showbiz, this writer knew already personal things about her. It so happened my cousin was her classmate in pre-law at the University of Santo Tomas. He recalled about his admiration for Dorothy Jones (Nida’s real name) out of her studious nature and compassion to help the needy ones. This instilled Nida the dream to be a human rights lawyer.
Destiny altered Nida’s path when the producer of LVN Pictures Narcisa de Leon discovered her, bestowed her female lead role in Korea. This was based on the true exploits of the late senator Ninoy Aquino as war correspondent in the said country. For the role of an ill-fated Korean lass FAMAS body handed Nida her first acting award.
Film director Felicing Constantino , however, saw in Nida an inherent comic flair. So he opted to get her for the rib-tickling starrers Tumbalik na Daigdig and Easy Ka Lang Padre. At that, for four consecutive years Nida’s headliners Waray Waray, Batanguena, Ikaw Kasi and Tingnan Natin were the number one money makers at the box office.
That period every time celebrities tied the marital knots their followers were disappointed and lost support for them. Nida was no exception when she married businessman Ruth Torres and sired their only child Kaye. Nevertheless, several producers took cognizance of her dramatic prowess. Nida tackled the lead roles in Sa Atin Ang Daigdig, Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa, and Miguelito, with Aga Muhlach, produced by Nino Muhlach’s D’ Wonder Films. Nida grabbed the best actress trophies for the mentioned flicks.
In the filming of Miguelito, Nida offered me to be her personal pro that started our deep friendship and working relationship. Eventually, two of her traits amazed me. For one, Nida was a very systematic person. Even in my task, Nida provided outlines for me to write about her. These included her business side as the owner of big farms and houses, apartments which she leased. Plus her passion for gym works to maintain healthy, slim body.
Secondly, in every move Nida showcased professionalism through and through. Unknowingly before she left for out of town activities, she would prepare my paychecks. How surprised I was to receive a call from her secretary Elena. She would ring me to pick up the checks. Something not commonly manifested by showbiz people to their employees.
In a chat with Nida’s daughter Kaye years back, she still bemoaned that justice hasn’t prevailed in the horrendous demise of her mom. Albeit hopeful at the end of the day, the murderers will be captured.
Angel’s Special Skills
Would you believe that despite the spine, neck surgeries Angel Locsin underwent, she has special skills to hike, climb mountains? In three weeks recently, Angel finished hiking, climbing four mountains. These were Ulap in Benguet, Maculot in Batangas, Cayabu and Pamatinan, one of the highest in the Rizal province.
Angel avouched that her desire to aggrandize her athletic nature compels to face more challenges, physically. Yet it does mean to feel averse of her acting career and love matter. At this juncture, Angel has an apercu she’ll end up playing the role of Darna anew. In contrast, she has an inkling she would remain loveless this 2017. Ah, is Angel bitter on her last romance encounter?
Maine: Third Party in the Break Up of Andrea and Sef?
What do you know? Maine Mendoza hugged the spotlight anew by gossips blaming her for the split of co-Kapuso stars Andrea Torres and Sef Cadayona. Allegedly, Andrea got irritated over the insistent talks that Sef woos Maine Mendoza, his co-star in the new TV series Destined to be Yours.
In this light, Maine seems unaffected, upfront in her reply to the scribes. “Ah, what’s new? Nali-link din ako ke Pasig city councilor Vico Sotto (Vic, Coney Reyes’s son). That’s part of being in the limelight.”
In a serious tone, Maine does not shrug off that her reel love Alden Richards might be her looming lifetime partner. “We’re not a couple yet but open to the possibility of a true romance.” She enthused.
A Big Error of MMFF Committee
Seemingly, these days everyone blames the producer, director of Oro for the baleful dog killing in its sequence. As an aftermath, Oro not only lost its Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial award is given by the judges of the Metro Manila Film Festival but pulled out from the entries of the film fest.
Come to think of it, in the first place, the one who initially committed the big error was the committee of the MMFF who selected the eight entries. How come the members did not have any repercussion that the dog slaying would ignite a furor? And opted to ignore it, with the words that Oro’s worth it to be a part of MMFF 2016. So with the MTRCB members who approved it sans deleting that part.
Two Legal Showbiz Issues in Focus
The Supreme Court suspended Atty. Roberto Guevarra for his malevolent remarks on showbiz figure Dr. Vicki Belo at his facebook account. The Court cited he’s guilty of violation of code of professional responsibility and dismissed his alibi of freedom of expression. Previously, the lawyer’s client filed a case vs Dr. Belo.
Another issue was a woman named Vina Calaguin was arrested by Taytay police while pirating Mang Kepweng Returns inside a theater in Taytay. She violated the anti-camcording act. A guard caught her. She apologized but the producers refuse to let her go. Well, these issues serve a warning to abusive facebook users and piracy doers.
Blind Item:
Insiders are befuddled why an award winning actress did back out from her new TV series. She hinted that she honored her contract, understood the delays in the taping. However, the not so young star mattered she could no longer tolerate her being belittled, taken for granted by the people behind the show. But a spokesman of the TV drama retaliated that her prima donna attitude rankled them no end. That’s it.
Spicy Tidbits:
Jessy Mendiola quashed off talks that she’s envious of her co-star in the movie Extra Challenge Arci Munoz, out of the better treatment of the producer, publicist of the film to Arci. Yes, Jessy admits she’s ahead of Arci in showbiz. “In truth, I’ve no star complex. Besides, Arci is a good chum of mine.”
Speaking of Arci Munoz, she and her lover for three years Badi del Rosario of the noted rock band The Bones have called it quits. Badi’s the son of Brunei prince Jefri Bolkiah. Reportedly, busy job schedules caused their split. Someone alleged, though, jealousy sparked it, ascribed by the hot scenes of Arci with Jericho Rosales in their TV series Magpahanggang Wakas.
Vic Sotto was held in guffaw during the wedding of his daughter Paulina (by his ex Angela Luz) to Jed Llanes last Jan. 1. A kin cajoled Vic. “O baka naman mauna pang magka-baby si Paulina sa misis mo.” What elated Vic, was the event served a reunion for the entire Sotto family and the genuine bonding elucidated by his wife Pauline Luna and Angela.
So finally it’s confirmed that Julie San Jose and Benjamin Alves are more than friends. Julie confided to several pen pushers that he’s the first guy she introduced to her family. That four years of attachment blossomed into a real romance. If anything, an altar date might loom soon.****