Summer is here and Pinoys have never been so busy, a cheerful note! I’d like to think that the people who always seem to be occupied are the peeps who are highly skilled and talented, and want to take every task which they know they can accomplish.
Just attended the Extravaganza at Vaughan and got overwhelmed at the enthusiastic crowd. While they screamed and applauded Ariel Rivera who did hugot songs from the 90s, we marveled at the long queues at the tented-food vendors waiting for their favorite foods to process. Imagine, the program had ended, but the crowd still remained, waiting to have dinner with their families and continued having fun at the venue (the grounds of Dufferin community centre). Did we see 70 plus vendors (maybe more)? Most popular was the Kanto Tato – similar to potato corner but given a Pinoy twist, masarap!
Festivals/Special Events is one of the fastest growing forms of tourism. It is becoming increasingly popular in many areas as a means to revitalize local economies. It is not surprising that some local talents who perform at the events become instant celebs but actually it is the food industry that benefits most. Events are seen as creating income and jobs. Festivals have the ability to revitalize, reimage, and expand existing markets and in most cases bring economic benefit to the destination that stages them. Benefits of festivals to communities can be extensive, particularly when the draw is from outside of the region. Local vendors, artisans, craftspeople, restaurateurs, hoteliers and innkeepers are kept busy and may indeed make a large portion of their annual income during the course of a weekend. Now, every weekend has simultaneous activities and it is up to the organizers to attract the most number of devotees.
ARIEL Comes Home
13 years ago, March of 2020, Ariel Rivera was scheduled to do a concert here in Toronto – was it at TD Pavilion? The idea came during a casual night of drinks with his brother and cousin – he was pitched on a concert that he found himself excited about, a return to home, Toronto. A stone’s throw away from Toronto is Mississauga, where he was raised and left a little more than thirty years ago, establishing a success-filled career, beginning with the monster hit ballad Sana Kahit Minsan.
We all know that big concert of Ariel then didn’t happen – it was the time when all our lives were put on hold, the pandemic shut us out…But wait, ARIEL RIVERA is a Pinoy/Canadian – he and wife Geli de Belen are here twice a year, summer and winter – always to be with their 2 sons, Joaquin and Julio. The couple may be busy attending to their careers in Manila but their hearts also belong here where family is. Reminds me of “The Ballad of East and West,” a poem by Rudyard Kipling. Remember the line “East is East, West is West and never the twain shall meet”? The culture of the West (Europe and the Americas) will always be very different from that of the East (Asia). In Ariel’s case, it works – the blending of east and west.
So, fast forward to today – we saw ARIEL on stage now, last weekend, as the main guest star of Extravaganza held at Vaughan. He threw roses into the adulating fanatics as top laugh purveyor Domz Kylie jokingly asked, “Sino ang kahihiwalay lang?”. Ariel’s most applauded song was his big hit, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. “Minsan lang kitang iibigin, Minsan lang kitang mamahalin, Ang pagmamahal sa ‘yo’y walang hangganan, Dahil ang minsan ay magpakailanman…”
I asked Ariel what really inspired him to sing or what are the many things that led him to music? “No specific thing really inspired or even led me to sing. I’ve just always loved music from the get go. Add to that my parent’s love of music, then I suppose it was inevitable. I just didn’t know it would lead me to this incredible path. Not many people know that my parents are both musically inclined with my mom possessing a beautiful, raw operatic voice…”
And which carries more weight, singing or acting?
“I’m proud to say that I’ve managed to balance both my singing and acting in the many years I’ve been in this business. It’s nice to know that in spite of my infrequency on the concert scene, I’m still remembered and referred to as a singer before an actor. Combining the two is really quite a challenge. One of the major requirements before a concert is to get plenty of vocal rest, meaning refraining from talking if possible and getting plenty of sleep. Those two things just aren’t possible when you’re doing a movie or teleserye since we normally have a 20 hour filming schedule. It’s always a concern when you try to do both singing and acting.”
He reminded his fans on stage, “When you see me here, in the grocery, in a public place, just say hello, taga-rito naman ako, Geli and I will go back to Manila na in less than 2 weeks.” Ariel will begin a new teleserye by November. Meanwhile, he will do some concerts in U.S. Do you know that Ariel was a licensed architect in Canada before joining showbiz? He made use of his talent and knowledge in architecture when he and his wife did renovations in their New Manila home.
Pinoys in RETURN TO COUNTRY
SATURDAY downtown (July 8th) at Imagine Cinemas: We felt so proud as we entered the Carlton Cinema with RETURN TO COUNTRY on its marquee – a Pinoy short film being shown at this significant location!
(Imagine Cinemas Carlton has a rich heritage and is often referred to as “The Carlton”. The theatre opened on September 9, 1948, advertised as “The Showplace of the Dominion.” The opening night film was “Oliver Twist, “ a British production from J. Arthur Rank Studios, starring Alec Guinness as Fagin. It was the first theatre in Canada to contain a restaurant, which was on the mezzanine level. It was originally intended to be a fine dining establishment, but the congregation of the nearby Carlton United Church objected to it being granted a liquor licence. As a result of the objections, a “Honey Dew Restaurant” opened, mainly offered hot dogs and fish and chips. However, it meant that patrons were able to enjoy a light meal and attend a movie without braving Toronto’s during bitter winter weather or on humid summer days. It offered British films to compete with the American companies that dominated the screens of the city. But with the advent of television, crowds diminished at the theatre and it was no longer profitable to operate a venue of such size. The building was offered to the City of Toronto for $1, but the city refused as they could not afford the expenses required to maintain it. Sadly, the theatre was demolished in 1974.
In 1981, on the same site, the first multiplex in Toronto to focus on art-house content was built. It ran continuously for 28 years before being closed in 2009 by Cineplex Odeon. In 2010, it was re-opened under new management, Rainbow and Magic Lantern Theatres, who ran the cinema until 2016, when it was acquired by Imagine Cinemas. The cinema is well known in Toronto for playing foreign, arthouse, and independent films that are often ignored by larger chain theatres.)
Now, this history even became richer for us Pinoys,we are now a part of it. In the words of its film director, the youthful Eric Cervania, “Return to Country is a cinematic journey that showcases the power of storytelling. As a family film, it explores themes of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds between generations…”
What further motivated our presence was the member of the cast, Chyrell Samson-Ronquillo, a dear colleague and friend who has impressed us with other theatrical roles and is an ongoing student of Director Rahyan Carlos.
Co-starring wth Cyrell are: Kathryn Macatangay, Mikaela Cordero, Nyrah Teodoro, Dieter Teano and Pablo Quiogue. The Event Crew: Rodney (Official Event Producer as well as Art Director, Creative Marketing Designer, Tech lead and the Film’s Music Score Composer, ADR Engineer, Audio Engineer); Lalu (Official Event Director/Coordinator); Jeff (House Manager, Audio Tech); Pam (Social Media and Digital Marketing Manager); Avec (Production Assistant); Edmund (Production Assistant); Edward (Technical Director); JR (Technical Director and Official Photographer); and Nyrah (Film Cast Member/Production Assistant).
What do we think of this short film? Life is a big balikbayan box! Each single item, each single padala represents the heart of a person who lives far away from his family and learns to survive the challenges of life! The truth shines: dreams do come true.
Every task is a test. It is how much passion we put into it that makes life bearable. That gives happiness and tells us yes, there is life after our home country, the Philippines. That we can redisover home in far away spots like Canada.
I remember the first time I saw Chyrell on stage. I reacted “sino yan?” I was reminded of them days when I saw Susan Reid for the first time and renamed her Hilda Koronel. It made me recall a sweet lady who was waiting to be screen tested and we said she will shine someday – she’s Charo Santos! Go pursue your dream, Chyrell. I want to see you in a full length film with a meatier role. And to each and everyone in this team, we hope to see more of you in the next few months. Mabuhay!
Special mention goes to PIDC’s Agnes P. Miranda who generously supported the film – and thanks to MP Rechie Valdez who announced at the Q and A portion that Return to Country is a huge accomplishment and probably will pave the way for more artists to follow their dreams and come out with more inspiring projects.
SUSAN and MARIO
The industry is still talking about the passing of Mario Dumaual (Papa to his wife Cherie and children Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa; Wowo to his grandchildren Sky, Alonzoe, and Tali; and Yayo to his siblings.) Mario, who would have turned 65 on July 31, died at 8:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5 due to septic shock. He had been battling a severe fungal infection, a complication during his recovery from a heart attack. He was confined for a month at the Philippine Heart Center. His son said: “What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayer. Papa was our rock, we depended much on him. But he also nurtured us to become strong and able and to be the best version of ourselves. Beyond us his family, we’d like to think he also left a legacy in entertainment journalism. He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter, but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, ang granddad.”
Who was Mario to us? A personal friend.
Dear Mario, sabi mo we will have a private meeting when I revisit in 2024. You said “Ituloy na natin ang project for FPJ and SR – I mentioned it na to GP (Sen Grace Poe), gawin na natin agad agad!” We two were so excited, full of ideas! How could I do it without you now? Mario, you’re one of the KINDEST in the entertainment world and you are best loved. We will all miss you….Sabi mo pa, “O, gawin mo na yung coffee table book mo – your memoirs, now na. Noon ko pa sinabi sa iyo yan”
I love you MARIO and you will always stay here, here in my heart.
Early last June, respected writer Mara Llanot messaged us requesting me to write the cover story of their magazine (edited by her hubby Pete Lacaba), it was for their cover story on Nora Aunor and to please highlight her recent 70th bday celebration. While we wanted to do the assignment, I felt it was not fair to be expounding on her bday event since we were not there to witness it personally – I asked the Noranians who they had in mind to do the story. The choice was unanimous, “Si Kuya Mario po, kasi nandun siya!”
I relayed the message to Marra and soon enough she and Mario coordinated. When deadline neared, the headlines made me panic – Mario had a heart attack!!! Marra, like me, was so dead worried.
Then the good news from Pete. “Mario delivered! He submitted from his hospital bed!” That’s authentic professionalism. Ang galing mo MARIO!
And while we are in the month of JULY, allow me to reminisce some moments with Ate Sue (SUSAN ROCES) who was also Mario’s favorite – both of them July birthdayees (SUSAN’s is on July 28).
What would SUSAN be doing on her birthday if she were still around?
SUSAN for sure will hear mass first. Then, she goes to visit FPJ at the North Cemetery. Instead of hosting a big party celebration, she will choose to visit some seniors at a rest home, bring food and contribute generously.
Susan, when she woke up early, would turn to tv too.
“There’s this cable channel, showing mostly religious shows. That channel keeps me company in the morning. Sometimes, naaabutan ko ang kanilang Rosary Hour, sometimes ang 3 (a.m.) prayer nila. I feel lucky that sometimes, there are questions in my mind and when I turn on the TV set or the radio, nandoon ang mga answers. Or I hear a song that I can relate to.”
SUSAN had asked me before to make her a complete audio file of the songs she did in the movies. “I want the ones by Ric Manrique,” she said. “Mas alam mo pa ang mga kanta sa films ko than me,” and she let out a big laugh. “Memorized mo.” One beautiful song which was in her film Maruja and later in Adios, Mi Amor was done by Baby Cruz (a professional songstress/recording artist who actually is a cousin of Ricky Belmonte of the famos Carding Cruz clan). Sometimes, she would use Baby’s singing voice in her musicals.
SR and FPJ actually did an LP together when they did the film Magpakailan Man featuring kundiman songs like Minamahal Kita and Iyung Iyo… Let me also add here that last July 1, Tessie Alava Silva (SUSAN ROCES’ BRIDGE TO STARDOM) died. She lived a happy life of 96 years (97 on August 4), the news was broken to us by SUSAN’s first cousin, Liz Levy Facher.
Who’s Tessie Silva? “I was the one who brought Susan Roces to Sampaguita Pictures that fateful day when she was discovered by Dr. Perez!” Ms. Tessie Silva had proudly announced. “Why me? I had connections, I was the favorite travel agent of the studio, I flew movie stars to their favorite destinations. And don’t you know, I was a celebrity, too. I was a movie star myself.” And she started a litany of names she knew, “Bert Avellana? He knew me, he gave me my screen name — Tessie Villamor.” Tita Tessie added.
By now, we are too familiar with the story that right after Susan’s high school graduation, Susan flew to Manila to pursue her college studies but something got in the way. One morning, Susan decided to go with Tita Tessie to attend the “open house” in Sampaguita Pictures where fans were welcome to meet with the stars. Sampaguita’s big boss Dr. Perez, upon seeing Susan — who was busy asking for the autograph of her favorite Gloria Romero — called the attention of his wife, Mrs. Azucena Vera-Perez, talking in Spanish, “Mira, mira (meaning come and look),” and whispering to her to look at Susan closely. They did not waste time and “we were asked to return the day after. I could not make it so I told Nestor, Susan’s uncle, to accompany her,” Tita Tessie revealed.
Susan was called back for another screen test the next day in the garage of the Perezes’ house. She was made to look like a female boxer for a role that was actually meant for Alicia Vergel. That started the film Boksingera Daw, but its showing had to be delayed so Susan could be introduced first with Romeo Vasquez in a Gloria Romero film Miss Tilapia.’ She told us then….
See you in August dear readers. Stay tuned.