Trivia:
The recent visit of President Benigno Aquino 111 in Canada brings to my mind some memories of her deceased parents Senator Ninoy Aquino and President Cory Aquino. I had no direct communication and association with Ninoy but it was through the late movie queen Nida Blanca that some facts about him made me aware of his past.
It so happened that I was the pro of Nida for many years. In one of our intimate conversations, she mentioned about her closeness with Ninoy then. LVN Pictures handed her the first major movie break in Korea. The plot wobbled on the story based on the exploits of the young and single Ninoy as a correspondent during the war there. And he was one of the advisers in the film.
“During the shooting we became friends. I found out he was a good natured guy, intelligent and very supportive to everyone at the set. I was not surprised at all when he ran and won a seat in the Senate later.” Recalled Nida who garnered her first acting trophy at the FAMAS award giving body for the said flick that propelled her to fame.
When asked if it was true that Ninoy courted her, Nida did not nod. “Perhaps, he was attracted to me but he knew beforehand that I had a non showbiz lover that time. So he had not made a move to woo me but our friendship went on. In fact, Ninoy was one of those who immediately congratulated me when I got the FAMAS best supporting actress for Korea.” Nida recounted.
Later, Nida also mentioned to me that at shooting of the movie she co-starred with Kris Aquino for Regal Films, they exchanged pleasant anecdotes about Ninoy. Kris herself was enthused to learn Nida had cherished moments with her dad.
In the case of Cory, fate blessed me to have a direct contact with her. When she declared her candidacy against the late President Marcos, I joined the early ones who openly campaigned for her, together with the father- son Cheng and Aga Muhlach who even transformed their digs as Cory’s campaign headquarters. Truth to tell, Aga was the first showbiz chum of then teen Kris who was still out of showbiz.
Knowing that for more than a decade I worked for the Marcoses (as a staff of Daily Express, movie editor of its sister publication Evening Express), Cory once queried me how come I had supported her. I honestly replied. “Purposely, I resigned from my job at the Express to come out as your supporter. For your humility, sincerity to help the Filipinos on the whole truly impressed me.”
In response, Cory sent an invitation for me and my family to grace her victory bash after the election held at the Malacanang Palace which truly elated my entire family.
Is Sam Milby Leaving ABS-CBN?
For months now, Sam Milby has not been seen in ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya TV shows and its sister movie company Star cinema. At that, talks have popped up that Sam and ABS-CBN management have an altercation. As such, with the news that Sam has started filming his new starrer Prenup with GMA-7 actress Jennylyn Mercado for Regal Films, rumor that he would soon leave ABS-CBN persists.
A colleague, however, discarded it quoting what Sam expounded to him that his long stay in U.S. for career improvement prevented him to appear in the Kapamilya TV shows and movies.
“When Regal Films offered me Prenup I asked first the permission of the bigwigs of ABS-CBN and Star cinema. They gave me their blessings, proving that I’ve no bad blood with them. In fact, I’ve been assured that in my 10th year anniversary in showbiz this year, I’d be given bigger assignments soon.” Those were the words relayed by Sam to my informant.
Nora Wins Best Actress Award Anew in Nice, France
Once more, the foreign countries bestowed to Nora Aunor her latest best actress trophy at the El Tropez International Film Festival held in Nice, France. She was declared the best actress in foreign film for Dementia. While Emilio Garcia won the best supporting actor in foreign movie Magkakabaung.
Who knows, by this time this issue comes out, the winners at the Cannes International Film Festival would have been announced. You see, another headliner of Nora titled Suklub competes for awards. She plays a Yolanda typhoon victim under the meg of world famous director Brilliante Mendoza. It seems Nora can be considered the most awarded actress in the most prestigious film festivals in the world. To name: Berlin (Himala), Venice (Thy Womb) and Cannes (Bona).
No Regrets for Bela Padilla
After five years as a GMA-7 actress, Bela Padilla returns back to ABS-CBN. Thoroughly excited, she disclosed to the movie press that she has no regrets. She’s given at once a top project, with no less than Coco Martin in the lead. It’s the TV adaptation of the late Fernando Poe Jr. blockbuster starrer Ang Probinsyano.
“I’ve to clarify I never have blamed GMA-7 management for not growing up there as an actress. At maayos akong nagpaalam sa kanila. I just feel I’m in a better place now. ’’ I will give my best to live up to the expectations of the Kapamilya bigwigs.” Bela chuckled.
Interestingly, Susan Roces who handed ABS-CBN the right to remake the FPJ top biller tackles a major role in the story, with singer-actress Angeline Quinto in the cast too.
Robert de Niro to produce movie with Philippine setting
Famous award winning Hollywood actor Robert de Niro maps out plan to produce a movie to be shot in the Philippines. A recent visitor in the country to cut the ribbon for the opening of Nobu Hotel at City of Dreams Manila which he co-owns with Chef Nobu Mulsisisha, Robert revealed prior to his departure from Manila.
Reportedly, Robert expressed his willingness to cast Iza Calzado in the said film.The duo met in one of the occasions tendered for Robert who was impressed by her looks. This early, Iza hopes she’ll pass the audition, if ever it pushes through.
Current Items:
By this time, the Grand Urian Award pf the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino would have announced the winners. Of the three strong contenders for best actor Allen Dizon (Magkakabaung), Robin Padilla (Bonifacio) and Jericho Rosales (Red), I bet Allen would win. After all, he’s the recipient of several international actor trophies for the same movie in Europe and U.S.
In the rivals for best actress Nora Aunor (Dementia), Eugene Domingo (Barber’s Tale) and Eula Valdez (Dagitab), it’s either Nora or Eugene. Just like Allen the duo bagged best actress abroad for the mentioned starrers.
For Angel Locsin, its ok if one gets pregnant before the marital knots. But she prefers marriage first. She admits she and bf Luis Manzano are emotionally and financially ready to settle down within this year. Definitely, the two are committed to each other. Right now, Angel goes on caring about her sexy figure so as not to be corpulent in time of their altar date.
Singer-actress Julie San Jose seems not perturbed at all by the awry notion that she’s lesbian. Added to this, talks imply that she’s on the war path with Janine Gutierrez whom she allegedly confronted. A scribe-pal reported that Julie simply ignored the issues to avoid being misunderstood.
Fresh from her U.S. concert where she recorded songs produced by noted Sidney Brown, Julie faces the cameras anew via the TV drama series for GMA-7 titled Buena Familia, with Jake Vargas.
Finally, Xian Lim settled his differences with some writers whom he thought had maligned him before and got affected. Xian realized criticisms are part and parcel in a celebrity’s life. In a recent press confab, Xian made the first move to bury the hatchet with the movie press. Obviously, his love team Kim Chiu has guided him to display proper not balder-dash actuations.