MOPPET STARS COME AND GO BUT….

Local tinsel town will be incomplete with no mention of outstanding moppet stars since way back. For they have captivated the young and old cineastes alike. The child performers veritably left lasting impression. In the early ‘50s, Tessie Agana, daughter of actress Linda Estrella, was a household name with her blockbuster Roberta, followed by Kerubin, Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi and Munting Koronel, to name a few. As a teener, Tessie made Kung Ako’y Maging Dalaga and Amy, Susie, Tessie with top stars of that era Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces. She bid showbiz adieu when she immigrated to the U.S. with her family. Tessie married a Filipino doctor and once in a while would visit the country.
In the early ‘60s it was Vilma Santos who shone as Trudis Liit though momentarily. She opted to return in showbiz during her teen years. The rest was history being the arch rival of Nora Aunor as the top star. The late 60s and early ‘70s belonged to child actress then Snooky with a series of solo starrers which were smasheroos. Later, a stiff competition came in Liezl, Amalia Fuentes’ daughter in her launching film Liezl and the 7 Hoods. Dolphy got Liezl as co-star in Pinokyo at Snow white. In a change of mind, Liezl did forego acting to concentrate on her studies at the International School
Mid-‘70s to ‘80s saw the rise of child actors Roderick Paulate, Nino Muhlach, Billy Crawford, Romnick Sarmenta and Ian Veneracion who are all active seasoned actors to this date. Then child actresses Janice de Belen, the late Julie Vega, Andrea Bautista (Bong Revilla’s kid sis) shared the spotlight. They co-starred too with Nino Muhlach in the smash hit Tropang Bulilit. In the ‘90s, Judy Ann Santos hugged the spotlight in the famous TV drama Ula, Ang Batang Gubat. In the current generation, Kapamilya and Kupuso kiddie stars have had their own shining moments, mostly from the cast of the networks’ children programs, notably Makisig Morales, Janjan Jaranilla and Xyriel Manabat from Ch 2. And GMA-7’s Buboy Villar and Jillien who played the title role in the remake of Trudis Liit.
Indeed, moppet stars come and go but perhaps no one could duplicate or surpass the feats of showbiz Wonder Boy Nino Muhlach. These are the valid facts. At the age of two, he was already a TV sensation via Ariel & Co. After Six, with top TV host then Ariel Ureta. At 3, Nino became an overnight box office star in Leon at Daga, with the late Fernando Poe Jr. at 4, he was a movie producer through D’ Wonder Films, formed by his dad Alex and uncle Cheng using the boy’s money. All his starrers were top hits that other big stars, including FPJ and Dolphy, refused to exhibit their films on the same play dates of Nino’s flicks.
To top it all, at 5 a U.S. business newspaper published that Nino was the youngest boy millionaire in the world through his own earnings. Out of that item, the crew of a top kiddie shows in Europe and in the U.S. (Big, Blue Marble) enplaned to the Philippines to interview, take shots of Nino at the set of his movies. The promo led Pinoy balikbayans to overflow at his digs’ area, resulting a traffic jam which caused the neighbors to complain about it in their barangay captain. Nevertheless, Nino must give credit to the business acumen and hard works of his dad Alex. The entire boy’s savings have been invested properly in food businesses, buildings, rest houses and farms in various places. Most anybody can say Nino can rest on his laurels, so to speak. Yet Nino remains indefatigable as stage and commercial megger, an indie film director having a college diploma in film direction at the University of Asia & the Pacific.
A Cool Phil Turns Rude
As a member of the Azkals football team, Phil Younghusband becomes a talk-about figure since he’s romantically linked to Angel Locsin. He has merited plus factors with his cool, suave and refined manners That’s why many have been dumbfounded when he displayed a rude and a ‘pikon’ attitude. This transpired during a TV interview in a talk show. Queried if it’s true that he courts a non-showbiz girl aside From Angel, an irked Phil angrily did walk out.
Granting there’s truth to it, Phil should have replied no comment with a grin rather than that letdown actuation. The more viewers tend to conclude he’s a two-timer. How did Angel react to it? Or possibly, their twosome could be a publicity stunt for a forthcoming team up in a movie or TV series. Ho-hum…
Regine, A Disappointment in her New Atlantic Show
Just back from a one week vacation at New Jersey and New York vacation where we got some news from our relatives there, They had watched the recent show of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid at the Atlantic City. Much to their disappointment, Regine’s performance was below par, not her usual dynamic feat, including her choice of songs. On the contrary, Ogie was more impressive though he failed to bring the best in Regine, so they recounted.
Well, perhaps Regine’s delicate condition (about 3 months pregnant) could be the reason. Hopefully, that show would be her last for the time being, rather than to be a letdown anew to the audiences . In any case, offstage the couple obliged to pose with their fans as ever. Ogie even graced a bash tendered there by a diehard follower.
Is Alfred freeze by the Kapamilya Network?
We haven’t confirmed to our good friend Lolit Solis if Alfred Vargas no longer belongs to her ward. Alfred used to be one of Lolit’s favorite alagas. But the fact that Alfred is now with the Kapamilya network seems to document his transfer to another manager. You see, Lolit remains a Kapuso loyalist through and through and won’t allow it. Granting he-s under her managerial service.
Heard that Alfred postponed her wedding to a Fil-Italian girlfriend for his dad passed away not so long ago . Alfred has a child by her, so we’re told. Incidentally, how come that after the teleserye Mutya , Alfred has been left wanting another assignment. Is his career being freeze by the ABS-CBN management? We hope not. Alfred has been praised consistently for his professionalism and good PRR. Before he crashed showbiz, Alfred graduated from college at the La Salle University. And just like Dingdong Dantes who’s an alumnus of the mentioned school, veteran actress Boots Anson Roa was one of their professors.
Dolphy-Zsa Zsa Marriage Looms
A close to the Quizon family did hush-hush to us there’s no truth to the rumor that the much anticipated wedding of Dolphy and Zsa Zsa Padilla went kaput. With the annulment of Zsa Zsa’s previous marriage to Karylle’s dad Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari, the couple mapped out their marital plunge. In no hurry, the two have waited for the ace comedian’s full recovery from his illness.
“Ngayon ay up and about na si Dolphy so tuloy na tuloy na ang kanilang pagpapakasal. The claim that Dolphy’s children are against Zsa Zsa is preposterous and unfounded.”Our source added nonchalantly.
James Doesn’t See Eye to Eye with Gab?
Don’t look now but there seems to be a triangle looming among James Yap, Gab Valenciano and Isabel Oli. Before,the loudest talks was that James regularly dated Isabel, his alleged new GF. Not a few have been astounded by what Gary Valenciano’s son Gab confided to friends that Isabel happens to be his regular date of late. Gab just shrugged off the rumors that he’s at loggerheads with James over Isabel. Ah, definitely, Kris Aquino would be mum on that issue on her ex and her buddy Gab. You see, Kris swear she won’t meddle with James’ private affair. That’s it.
CNN Hero Thanks Showbiz People
Congrats to 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida. He has founded a Learning School in Cavite City from the huge amount given to him by CNN. From a mere kariton teacher who taught street kids all over Cavite, Efren has now a formal school to boot. Efren mentioned in particular celebrities who have assisted him and donated needed items, especially computers. These include Gerald Anderson, Karylle and Bianca Gonzales.
With a grin, Efren denied he courts Bianca, relating that they became close being together once in a TV humanitarian program. “Bilib ako sa kanya bilang kaibigan. Yun lang po.” Efren chuckled.