Last Sept. 3, 2017, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos have been honored anew by the Star Awards of the Philippine Movie Press Club. It’s the ultimate one called Ginintuang mga Bituin ng Pelikulang Pilipino.Aside from best actress trophies, both had been accorded also the Ulirang Artista and Lifetime Achievement Awards The duo also tied the actress of the year award, Vilma for Everything About Her and Nora for Kabisera.
This year, multi-awarded movie director Joel Lamangan and veteran actor Pen Medina garnered the Lifetime Achievement recognition for their countless contributions to Philippine showbiz, locally and internationally.
Daniel Padilla won the best actor for Barcelona and love team of the year award with Kathryn Bernardo who failed to grace the award rites. Of course, the diehard fans of Alden Richards-Maine Mendoza and Nadine Lustre expressed unhappy disposition for being beaten by Daniel-Kathryn tandem.
In passing, this writer was one of the founding members of Philippine Movie Press Club in the ‘60s and an active officer of the organization for many years.
Trivia:
Erstwhile movie idol-singer Eddie Mesa from the ‘50s to early ‘70s feels aflutter when informed he will be given due recognition. On Sept. 23, 2017, at the Meralco theater, The Music Legacy of Eddie Mesa will be presented for the public to reminisce the legacy he left behind. Eddie has assured the organizers he will give his best belting prowess in the tribute night for him.
This reminds me that Eddie, together with the late Fernando Poe Jr. and Zaldy Zshornack were the top actors under Premiere Productions. As a warbler, he was the singing idol dubbed the Elvis Presley of the Philippines. This was heightened Eddie was included in the list of Elvis Presley look-alikes from various countries in the famous Life magazine in U.S. Eddie finally met Elvis in person in Las Vegas privileged that he was for being the choice of voters the most handsome split image of Elvis.
Due to personal reasons, Eddie opted to leave showbiz to live in U.S. While there, his reconciliation with his actress-wife Rosemarie Gil took place. The couple decided to enplane back in the Philippines in the late ’60s. It was in his comeback stage show at the Manila Grand Opera House I had the chance to interview Eddie and befriended him.
Through me, Eddie invited press people to elucidate how he missed acting and would willingly nod to movie offers if ever. Expectedly, starrers beckoned Eddie, notably with top actresses Amalia Fuentes in I Just Need Your Love, Susan Roces in Let’s Do the Freddie and Helen Gamboa in Operation: Discotheque.
Eventually, a new Eddie metamorphosed upon his decision to try highly dramatic roles. It all started via Sa Atin ang Daigdig with Nida Blanca and helmed by award winning director Eddie Romero. Eddie got a nomination for best actor that ushered in more serious roles for him.
With three children by Rosemarie; Michael, Mark, and Cherrie who all ended up as celebrities too, Eddie and Rosemarie proved their competence as doting parents who never spoiled them, During their pre-teen years, I had the bonding time with the kids. Eddie tagged them along in going to my hometown in Laguna to pick up lansones.
In his adult years got to meet anew Michael (Known as Michael de Mesa) who recounted to me. “I can’t forget that Laguna day na umakyat kami sa puno at nanguha ng lansones. We truly enjoyed.” Thus declared Michael who sadly told me that his parents would live in U.S. for good.
In retrospect, the last I came across Eddie was in 2004 during the wake of his best pal FPJ. He purposely enplaned back to the Philippines to be with FPJ for the last time. Before and after the burial of FPJ, we exchanged nostalgic memories about the Movie King.
Sharon Embarrassed by Fans’ Reaction
Did you know that Sharon Cuneta was caught unaware by the reaction of thousands of loyal Sharon-Gabby Concepcion fanatics in social media? This stemmed when she posted her thanks to her ex-husband Gabby for the durian gift he handed to her. Sharon was elated, at the same time embarrassed by their ‘kilig’ comments about the duo. Out of it, Sharon apologized to Gabby.
A source did hush-hush that it turns efficacious after all. For the movie producer of the supposed reteaming of Sharon-Gabby in a flick reportedly finalized the tandem’s screen comeback and in the process of completing the details of the said project, with the inkling the two’s countless loyalists would support their long anticipated team-up after more than two decades.
Sarah, Alden Concert Show Successful But…
Evidently, the first concert together of Sarah Geronimo and Alden Richards held at the Mall of Asia Arena emerged successful with the resounding applause of the crowds. Truth to tell heard that a big name movie producer maps out a plan to pair the duo in a film. While a noted concert mogul eyes the two to banner a forthcoming presentation.
But of course, social media bashers have thrown fatuous remarks, mostly coming from avid fans of Aldub pair (Alden-Maine Mendoza). One wrote a ditty threat, “humanda ka Alden. We’ll drop you like a hot potato pag pinagpalit mo si Maine kay Sarah.” Another somewhat deprecated Sarah, “you’re not comparable to Maine, that’s all.” Ah, what else is new from bashers?
Carmina, Archie: Back to GMA-7
Those around Carmina Villaroel are not bemused on her leaving Ch. 2 and now back to GMA-7. They surmised after Doble Cara, she was an n’t handed assignment. On the other side, Carmina’s camp construed it’s because she could not reject the major role in Super Ma’am offered to her by GMA-7, with her avid yearning to work with Marian Rivera in the fantasy series, a rare opportunity for her.
Almost at the same time, Kapamilya actor Archie Alemania is back to Kapuso network. He’s seen in Bubble Gang and under the management of Triple X that manages Marian also. Just asking, what’an up in the mind of Vice Ganda whose joke about GMA-7 went viral?
Blind Item:
Bashers threw back grubby words to a veteran actress in view of her compendium about politicians who never use their heads to improve the conditions in the country. One retaliated back. ”Look who’s talking bakit iniwan ka ng asawa mo di ba you didn’t use your mind also?
Another commented. “You never use your head also that’s why you have lost many friends out of your nutty behavior. Mag-ingat ka sa criticisms..” The actress replied with more ranting messages.
Current Tidbits:
This reminds what Bea Alonzo divulged to scribes why she has no social media accounts. She’s against negativity that surrounds it whether your intention is favorable. It’s better to shun it. “In any case, If ever I’ll join the said accounts I’d remain calm and unaffected.”
The lone Filipino winner at the 12th Seoul International Drama Awards 2017 held at KBS Hall, South Korea last Sept 8 was actor Gabby Concepcion. He personally received the Asian Star Prize for Ika-6 na Utos amid the applause of Pinoys in the audience. The U.S., Russia, Belgium, Thailand and south Korea entries garnered the major awards.
Internationally known Pinay singer Rachel Ann Go revealed to her chums her engagement to her American boyfriend Martin Spies. She posted on her Instagram his proposal taken on a beach. Rachel’s message was she’s thankful to God for sending the right man for her who’s protective yet very supportive.
Could it be true that Ellen Adarna’s ex Baste Duterte (son of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte) reacted negatively to the news that she’s that way with John Lloyd Cruz already? The talks could be an aftermath of the lovey-dovey shots of the duo on vacation in Cebu. Baste’s camp countered, on the contrary, he wishes the best for Ellen and not to flout her.
Would you believe that Kapamilya singer-host Gary Valenciano admires to the hilt Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza? Gary has no qualms if ever a concert or TV guesting would put them together. On the other side, even when still out of showbiz, Maine has listed Gary among the phenomenal warblers in the Philippines. So both have mutual crave to have a show together.