If plans don’t miscarry Nora Aunor and Lovi Poe will grace the Toronto Film Festival this month after attending the Venice Film Festival. The two are the stars of the official Philippine entry Thy womb. Its helmer, the internationally acclaimed director Brilliante Mendoza, definitely would grace the said film fests too.. The movie’s plot wobbles on the ethnic group in Mindanao called Badjao.
To recount back decades ago the local film Badjao, headed by Rosa Rosal and Tony Santos bagged several awards at the Asian Film Festival, not to mention the accolades it won in various film fests abroad then. Pinoy critics opine Thy womb might duplicate Badjao’s feats.
Heard that Lovi Poe has prepared the Filipino terno and gowns she would wear in the social functions there. Hopeful too that her performance will be noticed by the international judges.
Meanwhile, another local opus titled Bwakaw will compete at the New York Film Festival to be held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 14. Many have prodded the lead actor Eddie Garcia to represent the country, with his strong chances to be nominated for best actor. Eddie recently won the best actor plum for that role in the cinema Malaya awards night. It’s about the life of the noted journalist Rene Villanueva.
Vic, Pauleen No Longer a Twosome
So it’s true that these days rumoured lovers Vic Sotto and his co-host in Eat Bulaga Pauleen Luna have shown lukewarm attitude to each other of late. This, their co workers magnified as losing sweetness in their relationship compared before. However, nothing could be queried for the duo never admitted more than friendly affair. Pauleen simply evoked a quiet, uncomplicated time nowadays.
By the way, the hosts of Eat Bulaga Indonesia Uya Kuya and Rian Ibram broke the house down when they guested Eat Bulaga recently. Being real troupers, they shared rib tickling moments which held the audience in stitches. Uya and Rian attested to the fact that in Indonesia, Eat Bulaga rates among the top in viewership.
Trivia:
The Magalona clan comes foremost in the list of famous showbiz families, headed by its late patriarch Pancho Magalona. The later came from a prominent one, with his dad a once senator of the Philippines, Enrique Magalona. Addingly, Poncho’s sis Susan was adjudged the prettiest Filipina that time and made it to the list of the top ten most beautiful women of the world which a top US mag conducted.
Purposely, Pancho penetrated the movies to meet his crush, the late erstwhile child actress turned big star Tita Duran. With his suave, debonair looks, singing talent, Pancho easily became a movie idol and dubbed the Frank Sinatra of the Philippines.
Pancho’s courtship with Tita culminated in marriage, incomparable love team then. In their flick Dahil sa Iyo, the couple’s wedding was an added attraction. The film’s theme song was made it as a classic song. Even an American warbler Frankie Lane had its English version Your Love is Mine, a hit all over the world.
Pancho and Tita top billed musical-comedy stuffs, injecting a new dance craze in every movie they starred such as in Isang Sulyap Mo Tita, Isang Halik Mo Pancho and Buhay Pilipino. Then Tita opted to quit the movies to rear up their growing children. While Pancho embarked on serious roles. In Hanggang sa dulo ng Daigdig, it heralded him the FAMAS best actor trophy.
A Hollywood director got so impressed with Pancho that he urged him to audition for the major assignment in the American film The Hook, led by top actor Kirk Douglas which he passed with flying colors, so to speak. But his Hollywood break went kaput upon his decision to leave US to be at the bedside of seriously sick Tita who eventually passed away.
After his noontime TV show Magandang Tanghali. Pancho chose to shy away from the limelight until his demise too. However, his son Francis Magalona took over what he left in showbiz. Aside from Francis’s novelty songs, he was tagged King of Raps. This was Ignited by the huge success of his song Mga kababayan Ko. Francis was also the mainstay of Eat Bulaga and bannered a number of musical-comedy movies like the blockbuster Bagets with Aga Muhlach.
Before his untimely death, Francis’ daughter Maxene Magalona carved a name of her own as TV-movie star. And lately, her younger brother Elmo has followed. He’s a budding singer, TV actor which showcases a touch of Pancho and Francis’s belting prowess.
Walang Hanggan Still Tops TV Ratings But…
Based on the survey by the credible Company AGB Nielsen Phil. Kapamilya station’s TV series Walang Hanggan still tops the viewership of all shows. It got 28.2% from the last two weeks of august. But compared before with a high 36%, it went down. This means, being extended, the plot has been stretched which obviously bored not a few viewers.
In fairness, the entire cast consistently acted well, led by Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa, Coco, Julia and even guest performer Sharmaine Buencamino who enacts Julia’s mom. Not surprising indeed for not so long ago she won the best supporting actress award at the Asian Film Festival held in Hongkong.
Maja,Sam Not Lovers
A straight-forward Maja Salvador states that the accusation that Sam Milby caused her break with Matteo Guidicelli appears a namby-pamby one. Even before she got attached to Matteo, Sam was already her close chum.
“Sam remains a friend up to now. But we’ve never dated at di siya naniligaw sa akin. It’s unfair to drag his name. Good thing, Sam takes it good-naturedly.” Maja was quoted as saying.
What excites ,makes Maja emotional has been brought about by her being a best actress winner in the recent Film Academy of the Philippines’ Luna Awards for Thelma. Maja couldn’t help but cry for the said body belongs to those in the know in the entire showbiz circle. And she was told she’s pellucid the choice of the voting members.
FPJ’s Daughter runs for Senator
Both Susan Roces and her daughter MTRCB head Grace Poe Llamanzares have been tight-lipped on the news Grace accepts a Senate slot in the next election. But the presence of Pres. Aquino, with his cabinet men at Grace’s birthday bash added fuel that she would run under Pnoy’s Liberal party.
An insider of the Poe’s related to me what Grace did beforehand. That she prayed to God to give her sign of acceptance to enter politics which she received.”So I believe Grace’s sure to try politics.” My informant buttressed.
About the other daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr. Lovi, she told a newsmen she’ll support Grace and more than willing to campaign for her if requested to do so.
Amalia Happy for Liezl
At the recent birthday of Amalia Fuentes last Aug. 27, she joyously intimated good news. That her daughter Liezl has fully recovered, now a breast cancer free. Liezl’s hubby Albert Martinez informed Amalia that stem cell therapy brought wonder to Liezl’s health.
Amalia, with the Muhlachs, Martinez’s offered a thanksgiving mass for Liezl’s triumph over cancer.
Spicy Tidbits:
Did you know that John Lloyd Cruz allegedly gifted rumoured gf Angelica Panganiban with a brand new Mercedes Benz, with a bouquet of flowers inside the car? Not overweening Lloydie shrugged it off. Yet a kibitzer snapped, “if there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Out of attitude problem, unprofessionalism of Mark Herras , GMA-7 rejected his contract renewal, so they say. However, he’s given a chance to still do a new TV assignment to show if he truly reforms his ways
Cong. Lani Mercado defended her son Jolo Revilla on the invidious talks that he doesn’t deserve to run for vice governor of Cavite come election time. Lani comments that Jolo has never been mendacious in serving his constituents as elected Barangay chairman then. And Jolo inherits from the Revillas the political acumen, inherent desire to serve the people genuinely.
Just back from almost a month’s stay in U.S., Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann denied that they plunged into marriage in Las Vegas. The lovers clarified that Geoff simply renewed his green card. Carla decided to follow him to spend there the second anniversary of their togetherness.