This May, it’s confirmed that Marian Rivera is three months pregnant. A jubilant Dingdong admits to writer-pals that that he expects a baby boy, so with Marian. But pleads people, including those around them for understanding.
“There are details in Marian’s pregnancy that we want to keep private as possible. Just pray for her safety, Nahihirapan siya sa pagbubuntis. Her doctor compels my wife to slow down from her works and social obligations. My thanks to those who love and support us.” Dingdong was quoted as saying.
Career-wise, the plaudits given to Dingdong’s new TV series Pari Koy by the people in the know, particularly the Catholic hierarchy truly elated him. They have commended Dingdong, the producer, writer and director of the drama series for airing a seldom seen plot on the goodness of a priest as a main character.
In retrospect, I’ve always watched Dingdong’s showbiz career for my closeness with his dad, the late Roland Dantes. He was an erstwhile Mr. Philippines who turned action star-movie producer. This writer happened to be the publicist of his starrer, the internationally acclaimed movie Arnis which ushered in the local sports arnis to be included in the world sports tilts.
Gerald, Maja Break Up, a Hot Issue
Twice in the past that words ran fast Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador had called it quits. Finally, Gerald Anderson confirmed to the movie press there’s truth to it. At first, many ignored the rumor. But they were in a quandary because of two reasons.
They pointed out their seeming differences. Firstly, on a special occasion the two were not together to spend it. That happened last Holy Week where Maja spent the Lenten time with chums Cacai Bautista and Thou Reyes in Bali, Indonesia. While Gerald was with pals Rayver Cruz and Fred Payawan in Zambales.
Secondly, Maja wrote a thought-provoking line in her Instagram. Something to this effect: “I’m happy that Cacai and Thou keep my company. Sana ay di ninyo ako iwanan. Nagiisa na lang ako ngayon.” What an insinuation indeed of the real score between her and Gerald.
Of late, the talks have it that jealousy triggered off the duo’s parting of ways. That a third party gets involved in causing the hurt feelings to either Maja or Gerald.
Trivia:
Did you know that a big difference transpired in Philippine movies in the ‘40s-early ‘50s and mid-‘50s and entire ‘60s? Looking back, stars in the first mentioned years were dominated by the pure blooded Pinoys or the so-called brown complexioned celebrities. The more popular ones were the love teams of Rudy Concepcion-Rosario Moreno, Angel Esmeralda-Corazon Noble, Rogelio dela Rosa-Carmen Rosales, Fred Montilla-Linda Estrella, Jose Padillla Jr.- Leila Morena,Pancho Magalona-Tita Duran and Cesar Ramirez-Alicia Vergel.
Then moviegoers suddenly rooted for the half-breed ones or the mestizo, mestiza stars who emerged in the limelight. To name them: the half American actresses were Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Lilia Dizon, Myrna Delgado, Rosa del Rosario, Corazon Rivas, Anita Linda and Jean Lopez. The half Spaniards were Rosemarie Gil, Amalia Fuentes, Shirley Moreno, Rosa Rosal and Eva Daren.
The actors with Spanish blood were Ric Rodrigo, Eddie Gutierez, Bob Soler, Ronald Remy, Bernard Bonnin and Romano Castelvi. Half Americans were Fernando Poe Jr., Dante Rivero and Eddie Mesa.
An unexpected milestone tapped anew the showbiz world in the ‘70s with the emergence of the new breed of stars: the simple looking personalities. It was the phenomenal rise of Nora Aunor that brought the change of hearts of cinemagoers. The popularity of ordinary looking celebrities hit not only the singing world but the wide screen.
Through Nora, the warblers like Perla Adea, Rhodora Silva, Lirio Vital, Novo Bono, Romy Mallari and Edgar Mortiz made waves too in flickerville with a series of starrers that made good at the tills. They captivated the audiences by their unglamorous appearances.
Exceptional cases that time were the presence of the famous lovely faces Susan Roces, Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel, Blanca Gomez, Barbara Perez and ex-Miss Universe Gloria Diaz.
New York TV-Film Festival 2015: GMA-7 Wins Gold, 3 Bronze Trophies; Ch. 2 Bags a Bronze
According to reports from Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) GMA-7 network garnered the gold award for the best Public Affair s Program category in Front Row show on its presentation of the neuro disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Ice bucket Challenge.
The network won three bronze awards for community Service Category-Reporter’s Notebook (Burak at Pangarap), for Human Concerns category-Motorcycle Diaries (Karapatan ng Bata) and Station Image Promotion category (GMA-7 ID: May Pag-asa). While Ch. 2 got bronze award for cinematography category (Docu on Yolanda Typhoon).
Once more, the Kapuso station has beaten the Kapamilya network in the world level even in the number of finalist certificates at the same New York tilt.
No Bad blood Between Ai-Ai delas Alas and Ch. 2’s Bigwigs
With the news that Ai-Ai delas Alas returns to GMA-7 after 16 years in the fold of Ch. 2 and inked a two year contract, talks soar high that she left the kapamilya compound as an aftermath of a rift with its top brasses. An apropos relaxed Ai-Ai expounded that she simply would want a new atmosphere.
“Maayos akong nagpaalam sa Dos at naintindihan ako ng mga boss at management. There’s no bad blood between us. “Ai-Ai who was given a warm welcome at the Sunday All Stars show stated.
Ai-Ai’s initial TV assignment co-stars her with the young love team Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia in Let The Love Begin. She eagerly anticipates projects with Vic Sotto and Dennis Trillo.
More Achievements for Filipino Stars Abroad
After the ASEAN International Film fest in Malaysia handed Nora Aunor the Lifetime Achievement Award and Vilma Santos’ starrer Ekstra (The Bit Player got bronze at the New York Film Festival, award winning Indie actress Mercedes Cabral banners the Danish film Rosita which opened days back in Denmark, with lead actor Mikkel Folsgaard (Berlin Film Festival best actor 2012 for A Royal Affair). It’s her third foreign starrer that makes waves anew for her splendid acting of a Pinay maid to order bride.
Now comes the news Mikael Daez and Andrea Torres have been handpicked to star in a Cambodian TV series Blood in Dispute, currently being shot in Phom Penh, Cambodia under the meg of acclaimed Canadian director Ken Simpson which Cambodia TV Network (CTN) will release, Several Asian actors vied for the roles Mikael, Andrea enact. Its producer, Helmer were impressed with the duo’s acting in Sana Ikaw na Nga which was shown in Cambodia late last year.
Spicy Tidbits:
Due to her long absence in the TV Patrol program, talks circulate that Korina Sanchez was fired by the ABS-CBN management, Out of it, she comes out in the open to discard such malevolent word. In truth, Korina explained that she’s too busy with her master’s degree in journalism via online study programs of the Ateneo Graduate School and London School of Economics. Korina’s thankful she’s granted a long leave by the Kapamilya station brasses.
At this writing, Kapuso network bigwigs accepted the withdrawal of Marian Rivera in the TV series The Rich Man’s Daughter and her guest appearances abroad, out of her delicate pregnancy condition. Reportedly, Lovi Poe will replace Marian in the drama show.
A bitter-sweet moments have tapped Ara Mina lately. Right after the news of domestic problems with her partner Bulacan mayor Patrick Meneses broke out, her winning the P1 million in the game program Kapamilya Deal or No Deal tapped her. Ara sighed it’s her baby (her first born child) who’s her lucky charm.