Fresh from his vacation in London, singer-actor Christian Bautista excitedly peps up for the rehearsal of his forthcoming Valentine show at the Philippine International Convention Center. Take note, he’s chosen to perform with Mat Monro Jr. and the Platters for the said concert. As it is, the producer knows for a fact that aside from his warbling prowess, Christian enjoys too worldwide popularity, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
About his London trip, Christian recounted he was mesmerized by the performances and acclamation thrown to his ex-gf Rachelle Ann Go and chum Mark Bautista for their successful shows that he was able to watch there.
“Out of the tremendous response of the crowds, I felt so proud of Rachelle and Mark .Once more we can prove we’re comparable with the best performers in the world.” Christian divulged to the movie press.
Acting-wise, Christian reaped praises for his role in the recently concluded TV drama series Strawberry Lane. He anticipates another meaty assignment to be handed to him by GMA-7 bigwigs.
Trivia:
At the height of the rivalry between Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos in the early ‘70s, the late producer Emilia Blas of Lea Productions discovered, built up a teen student from the MLQ University. With her screen name Hilda Koronel, she was introduced by Mrs. Blas to the pen pushers who were enthralled by her classic beauty.
Subsequently, Hilda had appeared in a series of light comedy-drama stuffs. Until the famous late director Lino Brocka saw a dramatic potential in Hilda. He opted to give her a highly emotional role in the war drama Santiago bannered by Fernando Poe Jr. and Boots Anson Roa. As an aftermath, the FAMAS body bestowed Hilda the best supporting actress award.
Another highlight of Hilda’s career was Mrs. Blas handpicked her to top bill Cherry Blossoms which was shot in its entirety in Japan. What more, her leading man was American actor Nicholas Hammond who gained fame as a child actor in the Julie Andrews’ blockbuster starrer Sound of Music. Then Hollywood catapulted Nicholas to a popular star as the first one to enact the Spiderman.
Off-screen, Hilda gave the impression of the snobbish type, straight forward person akin to that of Amalia Fuentes. This writer got the chance to rediscover Hilda when she, together with Mrs. Blas and the late actor Jay Ilagan graced an affair at San Pablo city, Laguna through my invitation.
I found out that amid her frank nature, aloof manner, Hilda manifested likeable ways sans any pretension. As she remarked to me, “I’m often misunderstood but what you see, hear now is my real me.”
Another milestone tapped Hilda upon turning freelancer. Once again, Brocka got her for the raw drama opus Insiang. It didn’t only win awards locally but abroad too, topped by the plaudits the movie and Hilda received at the Cannes International Film Festival. Thus, Insiang was the first Pinoy film acknowledged at the mentioned film fest.
The Cannes writers and critics were amazed how a totally elegant, sophisticated Hilda (she made in the cover of mags there) could brilliantly emote a slum girl in Insiang. At that, the more Hilda awed them out of her honesty by saying, “in my younger years I practically grew up in poverty stricken slum area.”
Eventually, Hilda shone be it in drama or comedy even enacting kontrabida roles. If anything, this made her at par with both Nora and Vilma in terms of acting. Later, she married Jay, sired a child by him. When Jay perished in a motor accident, Hilda had a respite. Then she tied the knots with a non-showbiz guy who took her to the U.S.
Every now and then, Hilda would visit the Philippines and gladly accept invitation to grace this and that TV shows and showbiz gatherings. Truthfully, Hilda has matured beautifully, with her looks, actuations unchanged.
Dennis Still Hurt by Daughter Julia’s Move
After the Dreamscape Xmas bash for the Kapamilya stars where teen star Julia Barreto obviously snubbed her dad Dennis Padilla, Dennis intimated to some writers that he’s still hurt by that incident.
“ I have expected Julia to say sorry during the New Year’s Day as a sort of a resolution but she didn’t do it.” An emotional, teary-eyed Dennis was quoted as saying.
Those around Dennis express no antipathetic reaction for they know him well as a loving, responsible father. For them, Julia should undergo self-appraisal of the good things showered to her by Dennis in the past, not to be judgmental for his mistakes as a family man, if ever.
Anyway, how true that an indie movie producer maps out plan to cast Dennis in a starrer offered to Julia? This seems to appear impossible right now.
Enchong Dee not Moving to GMA-7
Did you know that Enchong Dee falls prey to rumor-mongers? This stemmed when he set foot at the GMA-7 compound recently. Talks snowball that it’s probable that Enchong might leave ABS-CBN fold to try his luck at the kapuso network. But Enchong construed when queried about it.
“I was there to co-host for a day with Mama Belle in her radio program Sikat sa Barangay. This served as a promotion for my single Chinito Problems, a part of my album. Of course, I had a go signal from the Kapamilya management. Once more, I’m happy and proud to be a Kapamilya star.” Enchong intimated to my colleague.
Introvoys Member Releases music video, album in U.S.
Followers of one of the most famous bands in the Philippines Introvoys surely remember its lead guitarist G3 Misa. He’s based in L.A., California who released recently in U.S. his new music video and album. His music video titled habangbuhay is aired on MTV Pinoy , MYX and shared in you tube.
G3’s album titled Never Look Back is available on Itunes, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify and website (www.g3misa.com. His guitarist Hans Ivan Francisco happens to be the son of ex-actor Eric Francisco and grandson of former movie line producer-writer Lita Santos Francisco who stay in L.A., Vancouver, Canada respectively.
Are Kris and Derek More than Friends?
With the news that Derek Ramsay was one of the lucky five invited by Kris Aquino at the Malacanang visit of Pope Francis, talks circulated that the two are indeed more than friends. All the more when Derek didn’t dodge the fact that Kris was instrumental in his comeback starrer at Star Cinema with Kris no less.
Derek inculcated anew that no romance taps him and Kris whatsoever. He felt sorry that he couldn’t grace the Malacanang affair for that day he fetched his dad who got sick in Palawan.
“Anyway, I’m grateful as ever to Kris for being a dear, dependable chum. One of her traits that is unknown to many.” Derek buttressed to writers in a recent press confab.
Spicy items: Julia Montes laughed off malevolent words that she’s not visible these days for she’s pregnant .Not a bit miff, Julia exclaimed, “how could it be eh ni wala akong nobyo. Secondly, that’s the second time gossipers scattered about the pregnancy issue.”
Contrary to what the detractors claim that Kapuso actor Alden Richards displays irresponsible, uncharitable ways, did you know that he has already bought, renovated a five bedroom house at Nuval, Sta. Rosa, and Laguna through his earnings? And rather than a grand birthday bash recently, he spent the day at a charity event for the Habitat for Humanity in QC. For the second time too, Alden volunteered to clear the debris in some parts of the area.
Will Katrina Halili finally forgive Dr. Hayden Kho? Remember she sued him for the controversial sex video scandal years back? You see, words run fast that after Katrina buried the hatchet with his gf Dr. Vicky Belo which transpired at the wedding of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera she would soon do the same thing with Hayden. That remains to be seen.