Trivia:
Even in the early ‘50s up to the late ‘60s, did you know several popular producers had embarked on producing movies? For the record, it was the late actor-dad of movie king Fernando Poe Jr. who started it. Yes, Fernando Poe Sr. founded the Royal Productions which focused on dramas and super heroines.
The top actress then Rosa del Rosario was tapped by Poe Sr. to tackle the screen version of the famous comic’s serial of Mars Ravelo Darna. Out of its huge success at the box office, Rosa too enacted its sequel Darna at ang Babaing Lawin with Elvira Reyes. Poe Sr. also launched to stardom child actress Mila Nimfa in Basag Na Manyika.
The patriarch of the Revilla clan followed suit. After a long absence in the celluloid strips as Sampaguita Pictures movie idol,(to concentrate as a bigwig of Bureau of Customs), Ramon staged a comeback as actor-producer of Imus Productions via the blockbuster true to life story of Nardong Putik and Pepeng Agimat. Subsequently, he co-starred with Fernando Poe Jr. in Sa Iyo ang tondo, Akin ang Cavite and other action flicks prior to his success in politics as senator.
Of course, Ramon‘s son Bong Revilla children duplicated his feat in showbiz and political life. Bong became a most sought after action star who eventually ran, won a Senate seat too. Bong’s sister Andrea Bautista was once a child star, even bannered a movie with then Boy Wonder Nino Muhlach in Tropang Bulilit. Another Bong’s sibling the late Ramon Bautista formed the outfit, RNB Films which was also synonymous to rough and tumble vehicles.
Comedy King Dolphy put up FVQ Productions. He shared the lead with the late Nida Blanca in the movie version of the top TV sitcom then John en Marsha and its sequel John en Marsha sa Amerika, with movie queen Susan Roces in Kaming Taga-ilog and with Amalia Fuentes’ child star daughter the deceased Liezl in Pinokyo and Snowhite.
Among the top money makers he produced were his gay roles in Darna Kuno, Fefita Fofonggay and Karioka.
Before politics beckoned movie idol Joseph Estrada, he established his firm JE Productions. His initial role of the notorious Asiong Salonga was a big bang at the tills that prodded him to produce more true to life starrers. Mostly, his love team then Perla Bautista was his leading lady. Truth to tell, the duo got their first acting awards from FAMAS body as best actor, actress in Markang Rehas.
When Erap took a long respite in showbiz, his younger brother Jesse Ejercito decided to form Crown Seven Productions that transformed popular actresses to award winning performers, led by Lorna Tolentino, Beth Bautista and Amy Austria. Later, Erap’s son Jinggoy Estrada joined showbiz too before he penetrated the political arena.
A chip-off-the old block, Fernando Poe Jr. upstaged his dad, both as an actor and producer. From a happy go lucky teen star, to a serious drama actor and a movie mogul via FPJ Productions, Ronnie was matchless. He produced high quality action movies like Asedillo, Daniel Barrion, Tulisang Dagat, Agila at ang Araw, romantic drama Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw with Susan Roces which ignited their love story off-screen, ending in marriage.
Both movie queens Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces showcased their knowledge as movie producers. Amalia who formed AM Productions bagged her first FAMAS best actress award in AM’s offering Ibulong mo sa Hangin, helmed by multi-awarded megger Gerry de Leon. She was reunited also with her ex- husband Romeo Vasquez in Sa Muling Pagkikita. Their child Liezl, Amalia launched in Poor Little Rich Girl too.
It was in the classic horror pic Maligno which Susan produced through Rosas Productions that FAMAS people handed her best actress trophy. And at the Asian Film Festival, Susan’s Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara garnered several nominations and a best supporting actress award for Rossana Ortiz. While the sequel Gumising ka Maruja. Romped off with awards too, topped by the best director for the late Lino Brocka.
Maine Receives a New International Recognition
Tagged a global phenomenon. Maine Mendoza of the Aldub pair receives a new world recognition via the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Maine is one of the nominees for the Favorite Filipino category, together with Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla and James Reid.
Previously, Daniel was the first Pinoy to be awarded by the Nickelodeon’s Global slime Awards, followed by La Salle University basketball player Jeron Teng in the Favorite Asian Sports Star category. Come to think of it, if ever Maine wins, definitely a big issue ensues for the fanatics of Kathryn, Daniel and James won’t take it sitting down, mind you.
Senator Tito Sotto, Wife Helen Gamboa Quiet on Daughter Ciara’s Problem
For weeks now, one of the hot items bruited about is the supposed marital problem of singer-actress Ciara Sotto, the daughter of Senator Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa. Reportedly, Ciara left her conjugal digs with husband Jojo Ocaner, bringing their 9 month old child. Allegedly, due to Ciara’s jealousy with TV host Valeen Montenegro of Eat Bulaga and Sunday Pinasaya shows of GMA-7 who’s romantically linked to Jojo.
Both Tito and Helen commented whatever Ciara undergoes of late, she will withstand it, the strong person that she is. Yet the couple kept mum on what truly transpired. Latest scenario has it that allegedly a mollified Tito and Valeen had a civil talk at the backstage of Eat Bulaga show sans emotional outburst.
Beverly Vergel Reunites with Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and Pauleen Luna
Fresh from trip to the Philippines, Canada based ex-actress Beverly Vergel graced the wedding of Vic Sotto and her close chum Pauleen Luna. In her facebook account Bev posted her bonding time with Pauleen and Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach before and during the wedding. At the time Pauleen and Pia were among the Star Magic talents of ABS-CBN, Bev was the duo’s mentor as the head of its acting workshop
Pia opted to concentrate on her studies while Pauleen transferred to the GMA-7 network. When Bev settled in Canada, she has frequent communication with the two. In fact, she was in Lass Vegas to personally cheer for Pia who won the crown.
A workaholic and a cum laude graduate, Bev finished several short courses in Canada. No wonder, she’s in demand as host or director of Pinoy shows held in Canada. The daughter of the late top stars Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez, she’s also the sibling of the deceased action star Ace Vergel. Erstwhile actress Tracy Vergel is Bev’s daughter who’s also successful in her field in Canada.
Ai-Ai Ends conflict with Star Cinema and Vice Ganda
Due to Star Cinema’s statement that its entry Beauty and Bestie was the top grosser at the recent metro Manila Film Festival, Ai-Ai delas Alas reacted. That her starrer with Vic Sotto I Love You Bebe was the real number one “kami nagsasabi ng totoo. Di kami nandadaya. “ She rebutted.
But after the insinuation of Star cinema people that she’s ungrateful and Vice Ganda’s offensive reply, Ai-Ai ended her conflict by saying, “sorry I was just emotional in giving my own opinion. Let the MMFF officials announce the official number one. “Ai-Ai was quoted saying.
How come that for the first the MMFF to this date hasn’t reported the top five moneymakers? Could it be ascribed to the controversies that befell the festival, led by the complaints in Congress by one of the producers of being discriminated at?
Spicy Items:
Daniel Padilla has defended his mom Karla Estrada who’s accused of too dependent on him money-wise and part of his package deal with ABS-CBN. “My mom has talents to sing and a good comic performer that’s why she’s in demand through her own initiative… Kaya nga may mga raket siyang sarili para di umasa sa kita ko. Don’t misjudge her.” Daniel was quoted as saying.
A cool and composed Sunshine Cruz did brash off the dastard talks that she’s bitter over the happy love life of ex-husband Cesar Montano, said to have two kids by his new love of late. Not a bellicose type, she mattered that she feels good for him for the ex-pair didn’t denigrate each other after their break up and have open communication whatsoever for the sake of their children.