Eric John Salut, then head of Star Magic publicity and promotions and now with Deo Endrinal’s Dreamscape, asked me to interview director Wenn Deramas during a press conference when I was a newbie entertainment writer, and I am glad I did. Published here in the Daily Tribune, it turned out to be a humorous unraveling of a gay director who loved his mother so dearly as he exposed his commitment to his art.

This started an association with him including being privy to his romantic relationship with DJ Durano that they did not admit publicly. They agreed to make an album with the record company that I used to be associated with that told me how much he cared for his professional growth.
In an interview with ABS-CBN news, DJ spoke about how the death of his former boyfriend caught him by surprise.
“Nagulat talaga ako. I was scrolling on Facebook at doon ko nalaman. Noong una ayaw kong maniwala. Then I called Direk Wenn’s driver tapos sabi niya na it is true. Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi naalala ko siya na full of life,” he shared.
DJ credited Deramas, with whom he worked in numerous television and movie projects, for paving the way for him to realize his dream of working in the entertainment industry, and recalled some of the biggest lessons he learned from the director.
“Hindi nila alam kung gaano kami ka-close ni Wenn. He was my mentor. He managed my career for quite some time,” he said.
“Si Direk Wenn, master iyan sa lahat eh. Alam niya kung paano ang career path mo. Tinuruan niya ako kung paano maging...kung paano makisama — hindi lang sa kapwa artista, pati na rin sa kaillit-liitan na crew. Tinuruan niya ako kung paano maging professional, paano aralin ang script, at tinuruan niya akong maging grateful.”
Asked for his message for Deramas, Durano said: “Sayang; marami pa tayong mga gagawin, marami ka pang ibabahagi sa industriyang ito, hindi lang sa amin.”
“Masyado pang maaga pero kapag tinawag ka na talaga ng langit eh lahat iyan may rason — everything happens for a reason. God has better plans for all of us. Sabi ko nga, nagkulang na mga anghel sa itaas kaya tinawag na siya.”
I will miss Direk Wenn. I just wonder if Eugene Domingo visited his wake. They were also close, and he considered her as his lucky charm. He once intimated she was devirginized by a now out gay director.

BOYCOTTING THE 2016 OSCARS. That early morning of the 2016 Academy Awards in the Philippines, I still did not get the usual Oscar fever. And to think I’m supposed to be an in-the-know entertainment writer.
Why? I used to have the hang from the major play-up on the subject by exclusive broadcaster ABS-CBN. Multimedia artist Elvert Banares gave an update when he posted on Facebook his annual “fearful” predictions that Monday morning. As no local network had aired the coverage, he told me to tune in to HBO, which narrowcasted it exclusively. Displeased by the unwelcome suggestion, I told him of my boycott.
ABS-CBN had always been a viewer-friendly carrier of the awards ceremony, an outstanding broadcaster. Aside from information dissemination, it held Oscar-related promotions. To top these, it showed the ceremony in two channels, ABS-CBN and Lifestyle Network with same-day and off-day replays. Can HBO beat that?
Now I could not watch it as I use an analog television that airs only free TV channels and not cable-linked. Although our other TV has it, mine was not by choice. I found the HBO exclusive deal too elitist and insensitive as not all Filipinos are cable-connected. So rather than view it from my mother’s TV, I decided to boycott.
This is the first time in years as I had been a regular viewer. I used to be an early viewer, from the pre-red carpet moments up to wrap. Trouble with my boycott, I seemed not to miss anything when before I was starstruck. Damaging shift!
This appeared like a sympathy with the boycott called by minority nominees led by Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee, but it was not. Nielsen did not immediately have any ethnic breakdown of Oscar viewership.
True enough, the boycott seemed to have affected viewership in the US. Viewership meters registered a dip to its lowest level since 2008. The popularity of movies being honored tends to be the biggest factor in whether the audience for the live telecast is up or down.
Nielsen buzzed preliminary estimates showed 34.3 million people watched the telecast, where Spotlight won best picture. Last year’s show was seen by 37.3 million people, a hefty double digit decrease of 10 percent. Revenant or even Leonardo Di Caprio did not turn out as viewer pullers, more likely as audience pushers.
Since 1990, only two Academy Awards telecasts were flops: No Country For Old Men won best picture in 2008, and Chicago was honored in 2004. The peak came when Titanic won in 1998 and gathered 55 million viewers.
This year’s Golden Globe and Grammys also saw ratings drops. The Globe that prides film and television were watched by 18.5 million people, down from 19.3 million in 2015. The Grammy telecast registered a seven-year low in viewership.
For sure, the same appeared to be true as in my case. I think it was a wrong business decision to go HBO exclusive. This shows cracks that the Oscars is not a must-watch annual global event. It better learn from this experience. If the Oscars got choices, the same is true with viewers.
The Oscars has nobody to blame except itself and its voting members. Let this be a wake-up call unless it suffers more reversals next year.
BTW, Elvert correctly forcasted seven out of eight major awards!

CHEERS TO COLON CLEANSING. They say a healthy tummy is a healthy body. Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea or flatulence can easily turn a peachy day into a ruined one. Consider colon cleansing. Proponents of colon cleansing believe that removing toxins and body wastes from the colon can help you feel better and improve your bodily functions. As an added bonus, if you’re trying to lessen heaviness and decrease your risk of acquiring colon cancer, colon cleansing achieves both. To aide you with colon cleansing, there’s FatOut.
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GALLERY VASK IS NUMBER 39 IN ASIA. Gallery Vask, a contemporary art gallery with a fine dining restaurant at the fifth floor, Clipp Center, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, was awarded as number 39 in Asia, and Best Restaurant in the Philippines, by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Gallery Vask has curated installations every two months by alternating local and international artists using different mediums such as photography, painting, sculpture, digital art, holograms and performance art. The awards were based on votes from more than 300 chefs, restaurateurs and experts in six countries across Asia. Gaggan of Thailand, its cuisine described as “progressive Indian cuisine,” bagged top spot for the second year in a row.

SLOW COURT (SC). Did you notice how slow the Supreme Court is in deciding on cases? Like it has not decided on the Rizal Monument photobomber case since it stopped construction of Torre de Manila and held its 6th and last hearing on Sept. 1, 2015. The Solicitor General asked to demolish the illegal construction at its own expense in a memorandum dated Sept. 21. It has been almost half a year and it has not decided on the issue. Although it has announced release this month, it also has not issued its decision regarding the disquisition case for President of Sen. Grace Poe.

MAJOR DISCREPANCY IN YEARS IT TOOK PLACE CITED. The daring clarification that denied Sen. Tito Sotto III’s involvement in whitewashing Pepsi Paloma’s death cover-up showed that he is a just and concerned lawmaker worthy of another term as Senator.
“Una, 1988 po ako naging vice mayor ng Quezon City. Matagal na hong wala ‘yung kwentong ‘yun,” Sen. Tito explained to Alvin Elchico, anchor of dzMM’s election special Ikaw na ba? Ang Senador para sa Pamilyang Pilipino on March 4, 2016 when asked about his purported involvement in the Pepsi Paloma case. “1982 ho ‘yung kwentong iyun eh. So, wala ho akong pakialam sa isyung iyan nung araw.”
Having pointed out this glaring discrepancy, he proceeded to explain the lie’s source: “Hindi totoo ‘yan. Gimik ‘yan ni Rey dela Cruz,” Sen. Tito said in the radio interview. Running for another term, he maintains the top senatorial spot in recent surveys.
Sen. Tito’s popularity is accelerated by his outstanding performance as a Senator and regular appearances in the longest running number one noontime show, Eat...Bulaga!
Rey, an optometrist by profession with a closed down shop for eyeglasses in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was talent manager in the ‘80s of the so-called Softdrink Beauties that included Pepsi Paloma. Coca Nicolas. Sarsi Emmanuel plus Myrna Castillo and Myra Manibog. As they were all minors when he recruited them to be bold actresses, he could easily be charged with child exploitation if it happened today.
Rey was known to be a loose mouth. When he got Divina Valencia so angry with such loose talk when they appeared in Inday Badiday’s showbiz talk show in the ‘90s, she lost her temper that she hit Rey with a microphone.
In 1982, Paloma was allegedly drugged and gang-raped by comedians Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Richie D’ Horsie. With thriving entertainment careers, Vic is a younger brother of Tito, that made many question why they would involve themselves in such act. Seeking the services of lawyer Rene Cayetano, nothing was proven.
Tito Sotto’s alleged involvement came in when he allegedly coerced Pepsi into signing an affidavit of desistance and dropping the rape complaint against the three comedians. He pointed the gross discrepancy on above quotes during the dzMM interview.
Joey, Vic and Richie supposedly issued a public apology to Pepsi published in the People’s Journal on Oct. 13, 1982.
After taking an overdose of sleeping pills in 1985, Pepsi  reportedly hanged herself in her rented apartment due to depression because of “monetary problems.”
Her death was ruled as suicide but there were speculations that she was murdered to silence her further in pursuing the alleged rape case against the comedians.
Vic and Joey filed libel case against Rey. Rey was eventually shot by an undefined assailant outside his optometry shop that remained unsolved up to this day.
“Hindi po totoo ‘yun, wala pong katotohanan,” Sen. Tito summed up the interview. The senator blamed Pepsi’s death on alleged drug use. “Wala ho, droga ho ‘yun! Kaya ‘yang mga kumakalat sa Facebook, hindi totoo ‘yan. Paninira lang mga ‘yan,” he added.

BANK WITH HEART. Heart Evangelista-Escudero is Philippine Veteran’s Bank’s (PVB) first celebrity endorser in its latest brand campaign, Banking with a Heart for Every Filipino. Heart advised people, especially the youth, to start learning the value of money and the basics of financial literacy. She urges people of all ages not to be intimidated by banks such as the PVB.
The new ad campaign aims to refresh the bank’s image by focusing on what makes PVB unique among the country’s 36 universal and commercial banks. Corporate social responsibility is at the core of the PVB’s existence. It has to be profitable to be able to give aid and assistance to surviving Filipino World War II veterans and their descendants. Twenty percent of its annual net income is reserved for such a purpose. PVB is the only bank that looks after the welfare of the veteran community.
The bank’s chairman, Dr. Bobby de Ocampo, who appears in the TVC but has no speaking line pointed out during the its media launch that PVB is not only for old people, the military, or pensioners; that is not a government-owned or military-owned bank; but for young people like Heart. His advice: “Don’t spend too much; learn to keep on saving money and invest.”

BUY ONE-TAKE ONE PROMO. Healthcare is for people from all walks of life. Recognizing this need, ATC Healthcare is on hand to provide a range of supplements that are more accessible to the Filipino people through the “buy one, take one promo,” available until March 15.
Included in the “buy one, take one promo” are: FatOut (slimming supplement), RedoXfat (weight management), Reducin (anti-obesity), BitterGo (diabetes/blood sugar control), LiverMarin (liver health), ATC Evening Primrose (premenstrual syndrome), ATC Garlic Oil (hypertension), ATC Fish Oil (stroke and heart attack), ATC Coenzyme Q10 (heart energizer), ATC Vitamins (overall bodily functions), ATC Ginseng (energy and endurance), Robust (energy and endurance), PowerUp Xtreme (energy and endurance), ATC Spirulina (muscle building), ATC Ginkgo Biloba (cognitive function), ATC Grape Seed Oil (anti-aging and skin enhancement), ATC Squalene (anti-aging and skin enhancement), ATC Vitamin E (anti-aging and skin enhancement), ATC Vita-E (anti-aging and skin enhancement), ATC Calcium with Vitamin D3 (bone health), Nocaf (cough and asthma). Plus Strike Multi-Insect Killer Spray, Strike Coil Mosquito Repellent, Strike Liquid Electric Mosquito Repellent, Strike Mat and Strike Patch for Kids.

If art is beautiful and children are angels of love, there’s nothing on earth that is more valuable than being beautiful and joyful. Collecting a piece of art from this auction will bring more angels in our lives and will give children the chance to fulfill their dreams, reads the catalogue of the World Vision Charity Dinner and Art Auction held at the Marriott Cafe, Marriot Hotel Manila, recently, written by Kunst Gallery and Kunst Pilipino art impresario Virgilio Cuizon. The event raised P1.6 million, 50 percent of which is earmarked for World Vision Philippines’ Sponsor a Child for P20 a Day program that will send 600 marginalized Filipino children to school this year.
Versatile visual artist Aris Bagtas sold five paintings worth P400,000 to top the P5,000-per-plate fundraiser. His La Esperanza sold for P100,000, I Do for P100,000, Sto. Nino for P80,000, Kanlungan for P60,000 and Happy House for P60,000.
The project was coordinated and co-curated by Bill Perez. Cuizon did not attend the charity event as he had to return to Essen, Germany where his family is based to be able to take care of his first granddaughter, Laura Viola Baturi (LaVi for short). This shows his outstanding trait — a love for children — not only his own, but children in general specially the marginalized kind.
His involvement in this advocacy started in 1993 when Kunst donated paintings to an exhibit organized by World Vision.
After the exhibit, he encouraged ALAEH (Association Lending Assistance in Exigencies at Home), an association registered in the district court of Essen, to adopt a child for school. They adopted 11 children and sent them to school until grade 6.
As facilatator between ALAEH and World Vision, Cuizon used to visit the children yearly, continuing his contact with the organization.
During the Kunst Christmas party, Maf Aguila of World Vision attended and asked Cuizon if we could do again the art exhibit together with an auction. He agreed if 50 percent of the outcome would go to the artist. This led to the meeting of purpose for this dinner-cum-art-auction.
The attendance by World Vision ambassadors led by Marc Nelson and Cristalle Belo Henares as hosts and Tim Yap as auctioneer added sparkle to the fundraiser. Ogie Alcasid, Nikki Gil-Albert and the Malabon Children’s Choir delighted the exclusive event with renditions of special song numbers.
Jasmine Curtis-Smith made generous bids for Bagtas’ mixed media on circular wood, La Esperanza, and Emmanuel Bueza’s pen and ink, San Agustin Church. Miriam Quiambao-Roberto won Melvin Vargas’ Blank Page. Gil-Albert purchased Anabelle Afable’s Celebrating Joy.
Participating artists were Zorrick Enriquez, Sherwin Paul Gonzales, Vincent Christopher Gonzales, Von Gonzales. Ronna Manansala, Wilfredo Rufon, Rene Robles, Rafael Cusi, Edwin Wilwayco, Marlow Cartagenan, Emmanuel Flores, Anna Cuisia Lindayag, Anna Lumps, Ian Maigan, Misha, Rafael Cusi, Nante Carandang, Bryan Yabut, Nante Carandang, Annabelle Afable, Lita Ang and Noel Bueza.

‘KAY GANDA NG PILIPINAS (BAKIT LAGING BINABALIK BALIKAN).’ This is the theme of the Kunst Pilipino Gallery and Macuha Art Gallery ongoing national representational and non-representational painting competition.
Prizes at stake are P50,000 and trophy (first prize); P30,000 and trophy (second prize); P15,000 and trophy (third prize) and P10,000 plus certificate (for the seven Juror’s Choice awards).
The painting must be an original work of the artist and never been exhibited. The artist must sign the artwork. Entry form must be notarized. Addendum to the rules and regulations will be posted before the submission of artworks.
The required size is two feet by three feet, horizontal orientation (landscape), gallery or museum wrap, ready to hang. The acceptable media are oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, mixed media and watercolor. Water color should be properly framed. The frame/stretcher must not exceed 4 kilos and must be 2 inches on all sides.
Submission on April 16 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and awarding ceremony on April 16 (7 p.m.), both at Macuha Art Gallery Antonio Ozaete Street, BF Resort, Las Piñas. All winning paintings including the Juror’s Chpice will be the property of Macuha Art Gallery.

TOXIC WORKING CONDITIONS AFFLICT ABS-CBN. It may have been no strange coincidence that director Wenn Deramas, talent coordinator Cornelia “Angge” Lee and director Francis Xavier Pasion were afflicted by heart diseases, two of them terminally.
Deramas died of a heart attack after a day’s shoot. His reconstructed heart failed. You see, ABS-CBN directors are expected to meet the tall order of wrapping up 50 sequences per shooting day, frequently extending the following day.  
Lee suffered a massive heart attack late Saturday night, rendering her in critical condition. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan City, but was revived by physicians.
Pasion was  found dead in the bathroom of his house in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon. Findings of PNP SOCO reports that he died of a heart attack. He had been having chest pains, which is why he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center to undergo a medical exam. His last project was the hit romance-comedy series, On The Wings of Love.
I can attest that it can be toxic to work at the network. When I was editor-in-chief of StarStudio magazine, I developed a bad case of diabetes. Due to the politics that operated at ABS-CBN Publishing back then and due to the coddling of non-performing staffers by my immediate bosses at that time, besides the heavy work load, I became addicted to diet softdrink as comfort food.
And I am not alone here. Entertainment journalists Maridol Bismark and Kaye Losorata, who later joined ABS-CBN Publishing, eventually resigned for the same reasons.
Now even Kris Aquino had decided to leave her kingdom as Queen of All Media starting this March 23 for health and family reasons. Many question if such departure will hold, as she had done the same several times in the past but eventually reconsidered as she could not stay out of the limelight for long.
Will she do the same this time around or is she bent on preempting brother Noynoy’s departure from government? We also know her contract with the Kapamilya network is expiring and she is renegotiating.
Buzzstation’s take? Kris stays put!

“With streaming concerts, we can all be together at the same time — the whole world, all at once, can be sitting front row, from wherever they are in the world! What an awesome time we live in!” Arnel Pineda shared at the press conference of the live streaming concert themed "Voyage to Rockville." This will happen on April 5, 2016 at the Newport Performing Arts Center, Resorts World Manila, Parañaque City.
“We want everyone to take this voyage with us!” Arnel, lead singer for the world famous rock band Journey, invites all to an exciting new moment in Manila music history just a few weeks when he performs live on stage in his first global streaming concert.
Sanre Streaming, a division of Sanre Entertainment Worldwide, and the US record label Imagen Records, has announced that Arnel will perform at the concert that will be streamed live and on edited delay around the world.
Voyage to Rockville comes from the idea that now everyone can be there, whether in the stadium, or concert hall, or any venue, and join in, listening and watching music being performed live as they take a Voyage with the bands and live audience as well to a very special place known as Rockville.  
Arnel’s first streaming concert is in conjunction with the launch of Sanre Streaming, a new enterprise for the entertainment giant, Sanre Entertainment Worldwide. Arnel will perform songs from his upcoming album scheduled for release later in 2016, as well as other hits.
Morgan Rose of the band Sevendust, 2016 Grammy Award nominee for best live performance, will join Arnel as special guest. Morgan is known throughout the music world as one of the most dynamic drummers on the planet.
Namesake, a band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia in the United States, performs with Arnel. Widely acclaimed to be one of the most talented young acts today, their recently released hit song “Borders and Fences” and their controversial current hit song and video “Worlds Away” are being featured on music broadcast and video outlets throughout Asia. Shortly after this concert, Arnel returns with Journey for their highly anticipated US tour.
Sanre Entertainment is bringing its 21st Century approach to providing world-class entertainment to everywhere and beyond. Sanre, its affiliates and subsidiaries have become a major force in the music and entertainment industry with offices in the North America and Asia. This is just the beginning of Sanre’s commitment to streaming entertainment. It intends to produce numerous concerts yearly for global streaming.  
This is the beginning of something very big for the future of music, not only in Asia, but everywhere and beyond. This is where the excitement revolving around Arnel’s upcoming streaming concert comes from.
Tickets to Arnel Pineda Live in Manila Voyage to Rockville are now available at TicketWorld hotlines/outlets: 02 (891-9999) 0917 (5506997) 0999 (954-5922) www.ticketworld.com.ph,  www.namesakerock.com, www.imagenrecords.com,  www.sanreentertainment.com.
 
HOW ABOUT MEGASTAR SHARON? Kris Aquino’s much-loved talk show, KrisTV, airs for the last time on March 23, 2016. This is in connection with her decision to take a three-month leave from ABS-CBN for health and family reasons. She will use the hiatus for wellness and travels with sons Joshua and Bimby.
The buzz is Karla Estrada, who just signed a two-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, will take over her vacated timeslot starting March 21. But the network has not made any announcement to this effect. Karla herself is not convinced about this as she knows she is incapable to taking over the “big shoes” Kris will vacate.
This also shows that work conditions at ABS-CBN are certainly demanding following a spate of recent heart-related deaths of network employees. Such a situation involves personal choices, but the network appears ready to give way to employees who make the stand for wellness.
How about Megastar Sharon Cuneta subbing for Kris?
BTW, talent coordinator extraordinaire Cornelia “Angge” Lee has been brain dead at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center where she was rushed for a heart-related affliction. She has been put on a 72-hour monitoring period after which her two children, along with Sylvia Sanchez, Smokey Manaloto and other talents, will decide the best alternative for her condition.
 
THE 'HELE' CHALLENGE STARTS MARCH 26. Have you watched any of Lav Diaz’s multi-hour cinematic masterpieces in black and white? Now is your chance with the eight-hour full-length feature Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis screening in selected cinemas starting March 26!
With Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz in the lead roles, Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis merges mainstream and indie actors in a cinematic mix of history, literature and mythology to unearth the burial spot of Andres Bonifacio.
Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. It won the Alfred Bauer Prize.
 
CREATIVE CAMPAIGN CHEATING. On March 6, Sunday, a motorcade of cars and fire trucks decked with balloons and  tarpaulins of Fifth District Councilors Joey Hizon II and Robert Ortega, who are seeking reelection, either blared sirens or honked horns on Apacible Street Paco, Manila. It definitely celebrated Fire Prevention Month, but also doubled as an election campaign. This is no less than creative cheating and the candidates involved do not deserve your vote!

HE SAID, SHE SAID AT MUSICAL HALL. RJ de la Fuente and Julianne Tarroja return in a very special leg of He Said, She Said on March 18 (Friday, 8:30 p.m.) at the Music Hall in Metrowalk, Pasig City.
RJ recorded Nonoy Zuniga’s “Never Say Goodbye,” which is part of the official soundtrack of TV-5’s Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap starring Cesar Montano, Diether Ocampo, Meg Imperial and Claudine Barretto. Julianne’s collaboration with Quest and Gab Valenciano for the song “Digmaan,” gave her the Best Collaboration Song at the 2015 MYX Awards. She recently released her second album, Ashes To Beauty, composed of original songs that try to speak to every woman’s heart.    
He Said, She Said is the very first mainstream concert series collaboration between RJ and Julianne, and the show offers the personal views and opinions of the two talented artists on love and relationships through a sampling of chart-topping love songs, anthemic “hugot” ballads and homegrown favorites. For ticket reservations call 0928-6134905 and/or 0915-3082308.
 

“The Oscars has become too expensive for ABS-CBN to broadcast,” Sky Cable Corp. chief operating officer March S. Ventosa replied when ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Media Relations head Aaron Domingo introduced us at SKY Alive and I asked why the Kapamilya network did not broadcast the last Academy Awards ceremony.
“We pay big money and promote it heavily and it is not on an exclusive basis so we decided not to broadcast. But SKY did carry it through HBO,” Ventoza added. SKY celebrated its 25th anniversary with the first and exclusive weekend theme park-inspired cable fair free for all its subscribers at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.
“It took a year to launch SKY Alive!” proudly revealed Domingo.
For sure, Sky Alive brings the world closer to Filipino families’ home. As part of the 25th year celebration, Sky Cable held a grand launch of Sky Direct. Participating channels included ABS-CBN HD, ABS-CBN Cable Channels, HBO, FOX, AXN, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Cartoon Network and RTL CBS Entertainment.
Divided into zones composed of the different participating channels and their top-rating shows, each showcase had interactive games, as well as art sessions, selfies with mascots and cosplayers and a replica of HBO’s iconic Game Of Thrones with a model as Daenerys Targayen at the iron throne.
Featuring games galore, AXN’s Cash Cab Philippines gave guests a chance to enter the actual Cash Cab and play the role of contestants of the only mobile game show in the country. For music enthusiasts, MYX channel allowed them to join the open karaoke booth, while RTC CBS had a mock recording studio where aspiring artists recorded their performances.
Aside from fun and games at the booths, participants got the chance to watch live performances by Kapamilya stars Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, Morisette Amon, Jed Madela, Jason Dy, Tippy Dos Santos, Sharlene San Pedro, Jairus Aquino, Darren Espanto and Juan Karlos Labajo. It’s Showtime’s Hashtags also performed.
Ventoza took over SKY when ex-head Carlo Katigbak assumed the role as ABS-CBN president and CEO. With Charo Santos accompanied by granddaughters Julia and Thalia, they inaugurated the two-day event organized like a festive fair.
As the innovator of the national cable industry offering great value for money, it currently holds the leader position. To give subscribers more reasons to celebrate, it opens once again over 190 of its cable channels for free until tomorrow, March 20 (Sunday). “We always offer more for them,” Ventosa shared.
Sky Direct is a prepaid subscription package that allows subscribers from non-franchise area to enjoy the services of the company. They also plan to have more HD channels this year, noting that they will add at least 10 to 15 channels. As of now, they have 50 HD channels.
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT. Made to believe that he was presenting an award, Ogie Alcasid was presented the evening’s highest award at MYX Music Awards 2016, The MYX Magna Award for his contribution to Original Pilipino Music after a massive showcase of his biggest hits, among them Jed Madela, Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Yeng Constantino, Kyla, Angeline Quinto, Jona, Matteo Guidicelli, Jay-R, Aicelle Santos and Top Suzara.
But the biggest twist of the night was the appearance of Charice. Wearing an oversized black hoodie with a tattered black slim fit jeans with her stylized blonde bob, she sang Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” with Mayonnaise.
Aired live on MYX and online from the Kia Theater at Araneta Center in Quezon City recently, the MYX Music Awards presented a world-class show in striking-in-stripes motif complete with a red carpet and a celebrity corral reeking of youthful spirit.
Still reeling from the phenomenal success of the Nadine Samonte and James Reid starrer, On the Wings of Love, the lead actress was in seventh heaven after winning five awards. Nadine bagged the Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Artist awards, Favorite Song and Favorite Music Video awards for her single “Me and You” and Favorite Collaboration for her duet with James in “Hanap Hanap.” Kyla won Favorite Remake for “On The Wings of Love” and Favorite Media Soundtrack also for “On The Wings of Love.”
Other winners were:
Favorite Male Artist: Darren Espanto
Favorite Group: Silent Sanctuary
Favorite Mellow Video: “Dance Without the Music” by Yeng Constantino, Directed by Cristhian Escolano
Favorite Rock Video: “Firepower” by Bamboo, Directed by Paolo Valenciano
Favorite Urban Video: “Diwata” by Abra feat. Chito Miranda, directed by Marco Gatchalian and Mark Ginolos
Favorite New Artist: Jason Dy
Favorite Collaboration: “Hanap Hanap” by James Reid and Nadine Lustre
Favorite Guest Appearance In A Music Video: Alden Richards for “Kapangyarihan ng Pag-ibig” by Aicelle Santos
Favorite International Video: “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift
Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ: Darren Espanto
Best Music Video: “Cerberus” by Abra feat. Loonie and Ron Henley, Directed by Willian Rivera
Myx Blogger Award: Sunny Ki.
TLC AT TULONG CENTER CELEBRATION. With TLC (Teaching, Learning, Caring). The ABS-CBN Tulong Center of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) adhered to its mission of extending assistance to Kapamilyas in various ways to celebrate its second anniversary,
For the entire day of the celebrations, the center gave free medical consultation, medicine distribution, dental services, reading glasses distribution, legal consultation with “Ipaglaban Mo,” storytelling with Jolina Magdangal and Sarah Lahbati, and a feeding program at the Sacred Heart Parish in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The day of activities was opened welcome remarks by Fr. Tito Caluag, head of ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service, and Robi Domingo hosting. Adding fun and treats for Kapamilyas were a number of special raffles, games and a fun karaoke contest.
Martin Nievera livened up the crowd even more while the love teams of Loisa Andalio and Joshua Garcia, together with Miles Ocampo and Inigo Pascual rendered special song numbers. They also helped serve food and distribute medicines to Kapamilyas.
The Boto Mo Patrol Mo team was also present to show support for the advocacies of the center.
“In 2016, we hope to continue to help our Kapamilyas and further improve all the services being offered at Tulong Center,” according to Higino Dungo Jr., head of ABS-CBN Public Service Group.
For more information on how to get help and help the ABS-CBN Tulong Center, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tulongcenter or call 4141296/4145431. You may also e-mail them at Tulongcenter@abs-cbn.com.
 
 

“Nakakabit pa ang pusod niya nu’ng siya ay matagpuan sa simbahan ng Jaro,” Susan Roces described the circumstances in graphic terms when Sayong Militar discovered a baby girl swaddled in bloodied cloth in the marble font of Iloilo’s Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in September 1968.
As fate would have it, foundlings are assigned the lowest rank among abandoned children, but many of them spend their lives creating their own lofty destinies that providence seems to have surreptitiously assigned to them.
A Pharaoh’s daughter brought Moses to the palace as a foundling from the Nile River, raised him as an Egyptian prince who would eventually lead the Exodus of the Israelites across the Red Sea. Turning into a religious leader and lawgiver, God revealed to him the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The rise of humanitarianism made the care of foundlings acceptable to minimize infanticide or their abandonment due to illegitimacy, unwanted pregnancy, psychological incapacity, or poverty.
Vaguely resembling Moses’ from foundling to forerunner role, the parish priest named the child at Jaro Cathedral Mary Grace as a sign of God’s kindness. Iloilo Archbishop Jaime Sin officiated her baptism. Tessie Ledesma Valencia was among her godmothers.
Born and raised in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, the unmarried Tessie was an orphan who later inherited a sugarcane plantation in Bacolod.Hard up, Sayong decided to pass on Grace to her Ninang Tessie.
Fascinated by a different business — show business, particularly local movies and their stars — Tessie had always been a big fan of Susan, the Queen of Philippine Movies at her prime. As national president of her fan club, Tessie lavished her idol with expensive gifts and even threw big parties for her.
The fan and the idol soon became intimate friends. Tessie served as veil sponsor at Susan’s wedding to the King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr., on Dec. 25, 1968. By then, she had brought Grace on frequent trips between Bacolod and Manila, and often stayed at the Greenhills, San Juan residence of Susan and Ronnie, FPJ’s nickname.
Unqualified to adopt Grace legally and about to migrate to the US, Tessie asked Susan if she and Ronnie would be interested in keeping Grace. Susan, then a new bride, was nitially hesitant to accept the offer, but Ronnie had fallen in love with Grace, saying, “Bakit pa? Andito na siya (pointing to his heart).”
But someone else began this story to spin. Sayong was also hesitant to let the famous couple adopt Grace as she was unfamiliar with them. Another Ilonggo, Arch. Sin, moved the story ahead. His Excellency assured Sayong that Grace would get the best care from the famous couple. Sayong listened and gave her consent.
Grace could very well be the offspring Ronnie and Susan did not still have. Married around the time Grace was found, the loving couple considered adoption as a quick solution, but it took some time due to legal requirements.
Ronnie and Susan treated Grace as their own child. Calling Ronnie “Papa,” she immediately was Papa’s Girl. She would visit him, with Susan bringing her to the set, when shoots took several days on end.
Ronnie found simple but immense happiness and comfort carrying Grace in his arms. He showed his fondness for his beautiful and precocious daughter who instantaneously made him smile.
Having consciously recognized her parents were film stars, Grace as a kid wanted to appear in the movies with her Papa. She would beg him for a small part. Her wish was fulfilled when she had a bit role in Ronnie’s action war drama, Dugo ng Bayan (1973).
As Roman Santiago, assassin of Japanese military personnel, Ronnie asks the five-year old Grace sitting on the concrete steps of Kikong Tuko’s (Paquito Diaz) hideout for his whereabouts. She gets to say, “Andoon,” and points to his direction. The little girl stretches out both her arm to Roman, signaling him to carry her. The man readily accommodates.
Grace finally found a home in 1975 when she was legally adopted by the showbiz royal couple. But at seven, she was rudely awakened to being a foundling.
After considering several schools, Grace decided to take her elementary grades at Saint Paul College  Pasig. Her classmates there beat her to a disclosure about her foundling status and often taunted her: “‘Ampon ka lang, hindi ka tunay na anak,’” Grace recalled.
At 11, she played a minor role in her Papa’s film, Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979). As Bonding, the daughter of Paquito’s ex-boxer character, she works as a weaver in the blind father’s rattan chair cottage industry. She has speaking lines with Julie Vega, the decade’s biggest young star.
By then, she had made her adoptive parents her heroes. “Mahal nila ako unconditionally.”
But she identified more with her father. “Pinanonood ko ang nanay habang nagme-makeup. Ang ganda-ganda niya. Pero tapos pupunta ako kay Papa. Mas type kong kausapin... macho.”
Grace aspired for an acting career, but her Papa wanted her to finish her studies before entering show business. She eventually decided against acting as a career because of her parents’ stature and the possibility of failing in comparison. She wanted to be her own person, and the way to do that was to stay out.
When Grace wanted to enroll at the University of the Philippines, she asked her Ninang Marichu Maceda to get her Papa’s permission. She later decided to continue her undergraduate studies in the US.
Her independent-mindedness surfaced when she married US citizen Teodoro Misael “Neil” Llamanzares at 21 despite the objection of her Papa, who wanted her to build a career for her before settling down. She had her way and migrated to America.
But when her Papa ran for President in 2004, Grace came home to help in the campaign. Becoming more involved when he was cheated, she joined the conveners of Kontra Daya versus electoral fraud in the 2010 elections. Finally entering show business in a different way, she went into public service by accepting the chairmanship of the Movie and Television Regulation and Classification Board.
Then the founding realized what British politician/writer Benjamin Disraeli called “a settled purpose.”

EASTER AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Celebrate Easter with the whole family at Hard Rock Café (and enjoy its exciting lineup of events from lunch to evening. Feast on the best sampling of Filipino, Asian, Continental and American cuisines in HRC’s fabulous lunch buffet for adults and kids. Kiddies can participate in HRC’s annual Easter egg hunt and magic show and win amazing prizes. In the evening, Part 3 will dish out live the best of classic rock. Hard rockers can look forward to an evening of great music as Part 3 performs a combination of classic rock ballads, homegrown favorites, chart-toppers and party anthems. Part 3’s performance starts at 9 p.m.

A gown designed by Joyce Pilarsky was worn by 17-year-old singer Diamond White of The X Factor, and the revealing creation made it to The Post’s “Red carpet rundown: The 10 best dressed at the Grammy Awards” at the 58th annual Grammy Awards.
Others in the list were Ellie Goulding, who looked stunning in a Stella McCartney. The baby pink gown fit her perfectly and was played up with a statement necklace.
Florence Welch is known for taking some risks on the red carpet, and the Gucci dress she wore was made for the purpose.
Selena Gomez, the “Hands to Myself” singer, looked amazing in a Calvin Klein dress. The cut-outs on the side perfectly showed off her figure.
Adele looked beautiful in a Givenchy gown that accentuated her waist.
Kacey Musgraves looked impeccable in an Armani Privé gown, textured in colors that seemed to fade into one another.
Chrissy Teigen wore an all-white gown that showed off her baby bump. The mother-to-be was glowing beside husband John Legend.
Ariana Grande received great attention in a Romona Keveza dress.
And Taylor Swift stunned in an Atelier Versace crop top and flowing skirt. The singer also flaunted a new, shorter haircut.
At the Armenian Educational Foundation’s 65th Anniversary Gala, on the other hand, Armenian American recording artist Maria Cozette who performed the National Anthems, “Adana,” and “Roses in ’99” also wore an attention grabber by Joyce Pilarsky.
And at the Dream Builders Project 3rd Annual A Brighter Future Charity event in Hollywood, American singer/actress Lauren Mayhew attended in a smashing Pilarsky gown.
BATAAN FREEDOM RUN. Relive history and help preserve the memory of our Filipino and American WWII heroes. Join the Bataan Freedom Run and trace the Death March route to commemorate Bataan Day on April 9.
Through an ultra marathon and a fun run, it will trace the original route that some 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers forced to walk from Mariveles, Bataan province, to Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac province, where Japanese troops held them as prisoners of war.
 With actors dressed up as Japanese soldiers to make the experience “realistic,” the Bataan Freedom Run will remember the heroism of soldiers who defended the Philippines during World War II, said Miguel Villareal, head of the Corporate and Consumer Relations Division of the Philippine Veterans Bank, organizer of the event.
The third year of the Bataan Freedom Run that organizers hope will attract 2,000 runners, running enthusiasts are invited to join the Freedom Run on April 9 and 10, which involves a 68.9-kilometer ultra marathon and a fun run open to adults, children and their four-legged pets.
The ultra marathon will begin on the night of April 9 in Mariveles, Bataan, and will pass through the towns of Orion, Limay and Pilar.
The runners then tackle Mount Samat where Dambana ng Kagitingan, a national shrine, is located. It will run alongside a torch relay involving Bataan students, and will end in Balanga.
The fun run will begin on April 10, with 10-kilometer and five-kilometer categories for adults, one kilometer for children and a 500-meter division for family pets. Hydration and medical aid stations will be set up every 10 kilometer.
“We want to make this a family activity so that every Filipino may remember what happened during the Death March, and our heroes who perished there,” Villareal explained.
“It’s about time that our generation believes that there are still heroes, and that we can be heroes. We have to rise to the occasion. Remember, we were the last to surrender to the Japanese,” he added.
Proceeds from the P1,000 registration fee will be used to restore World War II markers and shrines in Bataan, some of which have become worn over time. Online registration is at http://regonline.activeglobal.com/bataanfreedomrun2016.

CESAR DEFENDS SON DIEGO. Cesar Montano sent the following statement to Ginger Conejero of ABS-CBN News to defend son Diego Loyzaga, who was tagged in a mauling incident outside a posh club in Taguig City. Montano said that his “poor son” was wrongly being blamed for causing the “rumble.”
“Apparently, what happened was a small version of what we used to call back in the day, a rumble,” Montano said. “The moment it ignited, sa sobrang gulo at dami ng tao hindi mo na alam kung sino ang kakampi mo at sino kalaban mo.”
He admitted that Loyzaga and Lopez had a “misunderstanding” involving a girl inside the club, but managed to patch things up “like real gentlemen.”
“Then a few hours later this commotion broke out where (a) Lopez brother apparently got beaten up. Sa sobrang dami ng tao, you cannot name names except for the actor himself, my son Diego,” Montano said. “Eh, sino pa ituturo mo?”
“But the truth of the matter is, from the time this rumble took off, Diego, my son, was a few meters away where Lopez being was beaten up. Simultaneously, Diego was trying to protect himself from being hit by flying fists coming from different directions.”
He continued: “(Diego was) looking for a safe place, but unfortunately, he got punched in the nose. And before he even knew it, Diego’s face was covered with his own blood.”
“Yes, Diego was in the area where the commotion took place, but definitely not part of it. He was a victim, too. He got injured, and he has a medical certificate to prove it.” Montano summed up.

EXCITING ‘JOURNEY’ WITH MOCHA GIRLS. The all-female group Mocha Girls was formed about a decade ago. After several changes of members, the present line-up is composed of group leader Mocha Uson with Mae de la Cerna, Franz Fainsan, Seika Hashizume and Georgina Knight. The sexy Mocha Girls endorses Robust Extreme, an all-natural dietary supplement for men that enables them to boost their performance during intimate activities. Take one to two capsules of Robust Extreme preferably with warm water, one to two hours before intimate activity. Robust Extreme is not a medicinal drug and is not used to treat the symptoms of any disease.

Celebrity wife and mother, former talent manager and actress Jessica Rodriguez-Bunevacz is a woman of faith, tenacity, talent and resourcefulness.
Happily married to triathlete and businessman David Bunevacz for 15 years now and blessed with three lovely children, Jessica migrated with her family to the US under painful circumstances many years ago. But as they say, you can’t put a good (wo)man down!

Jessica is a brand new author of a self-help book called Date Like a Girl, Marry Like A Woman: The Polished Woman’s Guide to Love, Romance and Sex. The book has just been released online and can be purchased at amazon.com. Jessica is preparing for a bigger launch soon!
She found good use of all her complex life experiences by writing them down, and thereby proving to everyone that indeed, even the wildest of our dreams can become a reality. Date Like A Girl, Marry Like a Woman is such resounding proof of victory for this lady.
“I will be the first person to tell you that I never thought it was in me to write, much less author an entire book! Since we resided in California, I have been in search of my real purpose. My relationships are always the best part of my life and I found I had it in me to inspire people, and actually give them sound advice about love and life. So, I learned to write. And then I found my purpose. I hope people will enjoy reading this book as much as I had enjoyed writing it and sharing my life in the process,” Jessica says of her new book,
Date Like a Girl, Marry Like a Woman: The Polished Woman’s Guide to Love, Romance, and Sex will help you navigate how to have a good time with “Mr. Right Now” and how to hold onto “Mr. Right” once you find him.
Providing a mix easy-to-follow rules and anecdotes showcasing how they worked (and in some cases what happened when they were ignored), Jessica is the best friend you’ll wish you had all along and the one whose advice you’ll go back to again and again. It never asks a woman to shy away from her impulses or to hide who she is or what she wants, and instead celebrates her independence and sensuality while showing her ways that she can make her romantic life more fulfilling.
Her book is about shedding your insecurities, and offers insight on looking, feeling, and being your best, with an emphasis on having your own life. Additionally, this is the book you’ll come back to even after you say “I do” to your man. Understanding that happily ever after may be a good way to end a movie, but isn’t a good way to start a marriage. You can find real tips about everything from friendship to sex to finances with both humor and heart.
Ultimately Date Like a Girl, Marry Like a Woman: The Polished Woman’s Guide to Love, Romance, and Sex is a work that is meant to transcend beyond the pages as it’s lessons are applied in daily life.
You can purchase your online copy now at amazon.com.

LET ARNEL TAKE YOU DOWN TO A VOYAGE TO ROCKVILLE. The Beatles Sang about taking you down to Strawberry Fields, Led Zepplin to Stairway to Heaven, and now Arnel Pineda wants to a Voyage to Rockville. A place where you don’t just experience the music, you live it!
“Rockville was an idea I’ve had for a long time,” Arnel said during an interview at the Marriott Resorts World Manila, where he will be performing a streaming concert to an anticipated full house on April 5th. “Rockville is where music isn’t just a part of your life or something that you listen to. It is life.”

The concert titled Voyage to Rockville is the creation of Arnel Pineda, lead singer of the iconic rock band Journey, and  Rene Walter of Sanre Entertainment who has represented Arnel for more than 5 years.
“Arnel mentioned Rockville practically the first time we met,” Rene said. “At first, it seemed hard to define, but when you’re dedicated to music and to making music a powerful tool for good, we finally got it.”
“Rockville, isn’t yet on any map. It’s located in our heart, our mind, our soul. It’s where music takes us and lifts our spirits. It’s a place that “exists everywhere that there’s music,” says Pineda. “If you love music, you already live in Rockville.” In fact, this dynamic duo hopes soon to create a place where all can go to find Peace, Hope and Love thru Music.”  
Arnel will be headlining the concert at  the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila, along with the new American sensation, Namesake. Namesake will soon be touring Asia in conjunction with the release of their hit songs Borders and Fences and Worlds Away.
Outlets of MTV in Asia have had top 10 chartings of their controversial video Worlds Away. Also very special guest, 2016 Grammy Award nominee for best live performance, drummer Morgan Rose will be performing. This is the first of many streaming events for Sanre Streaming, a new division of Sanre Entertainment Worldwide.
“Voyage to Rockville” is the perfect launch of our new streaming concert division,” said Rene.  “Sanre Streaming will take millions of people on voyages to places to locations and events they may never have gotten to see.”
Sanre Entertainment in affiliation with Sanre Streaming plan more than 30 streaming concerts or events per year featuring shows from Resorts World Manila, Studio City Macau as well as from unique and exotic locations from around the world.  
“We want everyone to take this Voyage with us to everywhere and beyond,” “Once they get there, I’m pretty sure they’ll stay!” Says Arnel and Rene. For more information go to www.sanrestreaming.com.

RICHARD GUTIERREZ AS ANG PANDAY. TV5’s new action series, Ang Panday, with Richard Gutierrez taking the iconic title role with the unheard programming move to broadcast three times on weekdays and to replay them weekday afternoons, moves are definitely high risks.
It cannot broadcast regularly at night because of the network’s airing of the Philippine Basketball Association games. This greatly diminishes the suspense aspect of nightly series as it does not encourage regular viewing.
Afternoon replays are also not ratings-friendly as it actually divides viewership. They decrease ratings. Regardless of Ang Panday’s production values, it cannot be expected to rate high especially TV5 stays as the third viewing option of viewers. Did you notice how it is overscored to the point of irritation?
This is unfair to Richard as Ang Panday marks his television comeback most especially to viewers forced to follow it under a confusing timeslot. Given the choice whether to watch the original play or replay, I project many will opt not to watch at all.

“Si Nova (Villa) talaga ang inspirasyon ko. May sarili akong style (as a comedienne). ‘Yun ang sibusubukan kong gawin,” Karla Estrada said when Buzzstation asked the cast of Funny Ka, Pare Ko, the first locally produced content exclusively on Cine Mo! channel, to name their favorite comedians.
You see, Diego of Crazy Duo said the cast will try to bring back to life the comedians of the past who had passed away. Both he and Bayani Agbayani chose Dolphy; Jayson Gainza picked Babalu; Ryan Rems named Sammy Lagmay; Beverly Salviejo liked Chichay; and it was Chiquito for Mar Lopez.
Funny Ka, Pare Ko is a TV series with mixed situational and stand-up comedy formats aired on Cine Mo!, an exclusive channel of ABS-CBN TV Plus. It is the first local television program to be produced and aired on a digital TV-exclusive channel in the Philippines. The program airs every Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. (PST) starting April 3 as directed by Jon Red.
Funny Ka, Pare Ko is set entirely in a small barangay where Bigboy Delyon (Bayani) and wife Carlita (Karla) manage a karinderia given to them by Lolo-Boy (Mar), who forgot he pawned it for P200,000. To save it, husband and wife decide to convert it into an entertainment hub at night. Family and community issues get resolved frequently with fun and the unavoidable mishaps.
As revealed by head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Media Relations Aaron Domingo, who hosted the special launch-cum-screening last week, it was ABS-CBN chief operating officer Cory Vidanes who hand-picked the cast of Funny Ka, Pare Ko.
Top-billed by Bayani, Karla and Jayson, the series features It’s Showtime’s segment “Funny One” grand champion Ryan Rems, popularly known with his catch phrase “Rakenrol to the world,” and finalists Nonong Ballinan, No Direction (Steven, Sadam and Bangkay) and Crazy Duo (Diego and Gedent). 
Karla, who recently signed a two-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, is largely known as an actress and singer. Films and television shows in which she has starred in include Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? and Maricris Sioson: Japayuki. She starred as supporting role in the series Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.
Being the mother of popular celebrity Daniel Padilla gave her the title of “Queen Mother.” When she was 19, she gave birth to Daniel, her son by Rommel Padilla, who was not present at his birth. She brought Daniel to see his father in prison three years later. She had three more children, Jose Carlito, Margaret and Carmella from different fathers. 
Being part of the Kapamilya network has expanded Karla’s entertainment range to include hosting and its most important expansion — comedy — which is a natural talent brought about her approach to laugh off real life’s hardships through jokes.
As such, her immediate audience was her young children that allowed her to hone her skills for comedy and let them grow up normally in their dysfunctional circumstances.
This genius showed up naturally during the launch where she threw unscripted one-liners and situationers that made her co-stars and the audience including this hard-to-please writer guffaw quite liberally. She is a one-woman comedy machine, an outstanding discovery, I must opine.
Bayani returns to ABS-CBN after a seven-year absence. But Funny Ka, Pare Ko is not his return show as he has appeared in Kapamilya shows including It’s Showtime’s segment Funny One. But this must not be a non-issue as Cine Mo! is an ABS-CBN format.
Its first episode was previewed during the launch that easily showed that it is an ABS-CBN-quality show and no quickie. The opening sequence, an entertaining spoof of the “misteryosong black box” TVC featuring the cast and revolving around the subject of the adobo impressed that it has the ambition to be a viewer-pleaser.
Cine Mo! was introduced exclusively on ABS-CBN TVplus “mahiwagang black box.” Its newest sitcom will be shown alongside all the other movie offers of wide range of action, comedy and horror movies, both local and foreign.
To enjoy more of Cine Mo! (Sky Cable, Destiny Cable), ABS-CBN TVplus) and other ABS-CBN TVplus’ exclusive channels, avail the “mahiwagang black box” on different selling branches like SM Appliance Center, 2Go Express, Abenson, Puregold branches, PC Express, Silicon Valley Outlets and other stores around Metro Manila and Luzon. 
You may also order ABS-CBN TVplus at the ease of your own home! You may order online through the website www.abs-cbnstore.com and you may also text through 23661 or call 488-8888.

WHAT TO DO WHEN FLIGHT IS DELAYED IN ILOILO. Frequent flyer and multimedia artist/educator Elvert Banares posted this photo on his Facebook account with the caption: “I applied as maintenance and got hired. Wrote a letter, prepared my biodata, submitted it, called for interview, passed my interview... and now officially cleaning the airport. Better be useful during flight delays. Thank you PAL for hiring me.” This is no prank. Elvert really took the initiative to sweep the littered terminal of his home province.

EASY AND EFFORTLESS WAY TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN. Every day, our cells take on a battle against free radicals, which are created by different stressors around us. If we l just let these free radicals take over our healthy cells, the tendency is we get to have undernourished skin and we get more vulnerable to different kinds of diseases like colds, flu, other immunity-threatening diseases and even fatal ones like cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
Vita-E contains 400 IU (international units) of vitamin E, a known antioxidant that effectively protects the cells against free radicals and gives our skin a beautiful, youthful and effortless glow. Vita-E works from the inside, making you feel and look great. Not only it is essential in maintaining the functions of our heart, blood vessels and nervous system, Vita-E also gives all around protection for a healthy immune system.
Achieve beautiful skin you always wanted while you protect yourself from the harmful effects of free radicals with the help of Vita-E, recommended to be taken one capsule per day.

BUZZSTOPS! Boy George and Culture Club launches its comeback tour with a show at Araneta Coliseum on June 17 and 18!... Industry insiders think that marginal ticket sales was the cause of the cancellation of Tom Jones’ show at Araneta Coliseum and not the “serious family illness” as stated by the official explanation!... Pokwang admitted that she and American boyfriend Ryan Navarro have called it quits as caused by a third party!... Carol Banawa’s classic song “Bakit Di Totohanin” was used in one of the scenes of episode 716 of the hit US supernatural series Vampire Diaries featuring Elizabeth Blackmoore (Valerie) and Paul Wesley (Stefan)!... Filipino filmmakers Christian Lat’s Séjour, Emil Ray Alviz’s Maria, Allison Barretto’s Re-, Rod-Michael Tumbaga’s Neon, Khalil Joseph Bañares’ Hail The Queen, and Thop Nazareno’s Lope have been qualified in the Short Film Corner category of the Cannes International Film Festival on May 11 to 22.

Woven deep into the art of Dante Hipolito is a 25-year backstory.
As a Freemason of Pintong Bato Lodge #51 of Bacoor, Cavite, Hipolito’s leap of imagination started when he was hired as artist by Basic/Foot Cone and Belding Advertising in 1990. After working as an art director in Saudi Arabia until 1996, he proceeded to develop his well-accepted, distinctive style that he called Composite Realism, which blends painting with production design, photography and digital art.

Unafraid to experiment, he synergized all his influences and knowledge to evolve the self-developed style, a take off from hyperrealism. Working in the multi-cultural mode that combined genre painting, portrait, still life, landscape and animal painting, he came up with contemporary anecdotal works of rural Romanticism.
Through Hipolito’s paintings, usually family and friends in bonding, conjuring the good life, either moving a house in bayanihan spirit or rejoicing in a fiesta, they turn into variations of a single motif, that is, happy Filipinos in various poses of a delighted observance of the Filipino heritage: our bravery, our spirituality, our responsibility, our generosity, our pride, our beauty, resiliently and more importantly, our smile.
But that was not an easy start. As he was a relative newcomer in the Philippine art scene, Hipolito had to operate an eatery from culinary skills learned in Singapore and his savings as an overseas Filipino worker. At the same time, he started to develop a market by vending his paintings accompanied by his youngest son Alvin. It was no easy task as sometimes they ended up using their paintings to shield them from the elements.
With excellent artistry, good public relations and persistence, his break came in small measures until his Composite Realism style caught the eye of Carlos Arellano of the Social Security System for their “optimism and joy of life” and gave him commissions.
In 2008, Hipolito joined award-winning visual artists Camille de la Rosa, Orly Ypon and Bernardo Maac in the joint exhibit Varied Palettes at the Art Center of SM Megamall. The most senior in the group at 49, he has never lost his fresh heart, a characteristic clearly apparent in his art, where he portrays children having fun and adults enjoying the good life.
As his “happy paintings” always show people with heartfelt smiles, the style has become his signature, marking him as “The Smile Painter.” His portraits of former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo, as well as Fernando Poe, Jr., show the public figures all wearing dignified smiles.
Featured on television and in print media, Hipolito and his paintings have also appeared in the art books Different Faces of Mother & Child, Structural Art by Philippine Artists, Flora and Fauna in Philippines Art and Green Art, An Environmental Advocacy. Hallmark greeting cards and Philippine stamps have featured his paintings. Nestle and Pan de Manila were so captivated by his idyllic paintings that they used them in past advertising campaigns.
For the Papal visit of the country in 2015, Hipolito painted the oil on canvas entitled Salubong featuring high-profile personalities wearing farm clothes in vibrant rural realism. Multimedia coverage turned it from viral to controversial, making it his most celebrated masterpiece and a most important work of the Papal visit.
While observing 25 years of Filipino Heritage this year, Hipolito passed away of a heart attack on Jan. 24, 2016. He was an accomplished artist and a fulfilled man. ARTlead elevated him to its Hall of Fame as Master Painter for his outstanding contribution in the advancement of Filipino arts and culture. Bakusi Foundation also awarded him Natatanging Pintor na Tagataguyod ng Sining-Biswal.

HEIR APPARENT. Before this rebirth, Hipolito started work on Harana sa Tanghaling-tapat, a painting that depicts Alden Richards serenading Maine Mendoza as Yaya Dub, garbed as farmers, while Ryzza Mae Dizon as Yaya Luvs and Sebastian Benedict as Bae-by Baste enjoy the bounty of the earth.
A depiction of the phenomenal Aldub romance in an imagined provincial setting, it comes with a twist: Vic Sotto, Sen. Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon act as Lola Nidora, Lola Tinidora and Lola Tidora. Like diehard admirers, Hipolito casts himself and wife Carmen in the afternoon gathering, along with Marian Rivera and Baby Zia.
Who will finish the painting?
Hipolito’s eldest son, Alvin, who is a professional in Composite Realism, is an expert in his father’s color palette and painting techniques.
“Alvin is a great revelation as a true artist himself, a big promise to continue Dante’s Composite Realism genre and beyond!” US-based expert digital artist Jaime Torres commented about Alvin’s completed output.
Hipolito trained Alvin to be his replacement. He acts as the benevolent authority over his younger brothers, Paolo and Glenn. Hipolito liked imparting his knowledge of art to his all-boy brood by giving paper and colors, teaching them its rudiments. He also infrequently posed his sons as models in his paintings. This definitely instilled love of art in Alvin whose paintings have been anthologized in three art books since he was 17.  
While he was a sacristan of Cardinal Tagle, then a bishop, in special masses, a priest assigned in Bacoor and other wardens learned about this painting genius. The Bishop sponsored Alvin’s first solo exhibit entitled Pious Pieces in celebration of the blessing of the Bishop’s House located beside the Imus Cathedral in Cavite in Dec. 2008.
After lying low for 25 years as a member of Pintong Bato Lodge #51, Dante was persuaded to reactivate his membership in 2014 by the young Hipolito, who wanted his father to sponsor his entry. This, he did. Acting as his father’s art consultant, Alvin was put in charge of the sales of paintings, including commissioned works and art gallery coordination.
That same year, Alvin was inducted as a member and has been active ever since. The common purpose serves him well as his fraternity brothers act as his solid support system. During Hipolito’s wake at La Bien Memorial Chapels, they honored him with a tribute.  
Hipolito’s leap of imagination lives in Alvin.
For his 27th birthday, Alvin and his kuyangs, as he calls his Masonry brothers, being its youngest member, celebrated it with an Easter Egg Hunt with marginalized children of the families in the vicinity of Pintong Bato Lodge #51 as participants. Bro. Basilio “Kuyang Beng” Solis Jr., Alvin’s supporter in Lodge activities including charity projects and wife Lolit prepared the party prizes.
Harana sa Tanghaling-tapat can be viewed at the Hipolito Studio located at Blk. 10 Lot 42 San Rafael Executive Villa, Habay 1, Bacoor City, Cavite. Contact Alvin Hipolito for commission portraits & paintings and party needs via mobile 0998-227-4713 (Smart) or 0916-778-3636 (Globe).

Now on its 16th year, producer-performer Lou Bonnevie leads Earthday Jam, the women-dominated music festival, with soul singer Nina, bossanova artist Sitti, singer songwriter Kitchie Nadal and Barbie Almabis at the Mall of Asia on April 23.
“This is sort of a reunion for us. We jumpstarted at MoA in 2011 and we had so much fun. The audience is more diverse and so we find it more challenging to bring across the message of environmental care and preservation,” enthused Lou, founder of Earthday Jam and president of Earthday Jam Foundation.
“We want our efforts to reach an even wider audience… promoting environmental awareness down to the people who know nothing about global warming and environmental issues,” Lou added.
Women-fronted bands will definitely rock the house with more than 15 big names in various musical genre with Gracenote, vocalist-actress Arci Munoz and her band Philia, and fresh from the US, newcomer all-female band Flying Ipis and the youngest participating band, Absolute Play.
This musical marathon celebrating international Earth Day shows no signs of slowing down. Starting at 5 p.m., join the over 100 musicians and artists in a 8-hour musical journey that’s bound to be extremely wild and fun.
Kicking off the festivities is the premiere afro-brazilian percussion ensemble in the Philippines, Brigada. These will pave the way for an exciting journey of various musical performances from some of the country’s top acts.
The rock scene will bring back metal kings Slapshock, Kjwan and The Chongkeys. Pop rock bands with their power hits 6Cycle Minds and Mayonnaise joins the roster with the prince of hip hop, favorite modern poet Abra.
Earthday Jam is a special project of Earthday Jam Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and SM Mall of Asia. It is supported by Earthday Network Philippines, The National Solid Waste Commission, First Gen Corp., Honda Cars Philippines, Tourism Promotions Board, GSIS, Pagcor and Dickies.
Media partners include ABS-CBN, Philippine Star, Business Mirror, 83k Design Studio, IPR PLUS, MOR, Radio Republic, Manila Concerts, Philippine Concerts, Rakista and MYX Music Channel.
Earthday Jam’s side activities include a whole day exhibit around the performance area at SM By The Bay; an Firefly Brigade’s afternoon Bike Ride which is open to the public with the CCP grounds as starting point and commencing at the JAM in MoA and Youth painting activity by the sea wall.
Admission is free. For more info, like us on facebook Earthday Jam Foundation or call 897-6991.

DARA IS NEW PENSHOPPE AMBASSADOR. “Bagay sa akin,” Dara Park, originally called Sandara Park, explained she accepted to be Penshoppe image model. This puts her in the elite list of the clothing brand’s ambassadors that include One Direction, Ian Somerhalder and Zac Efron.
The K-pop girl group 2NE1 member visited Manila to be officially launched as Penshoppe endorser and attended a meet-and-greet event with fans at The Block’s Skydome upon the invite of Kris Lim. During the event, one thing was highly observable: Dara never tired of expressing gratefulness to her fans.
“‘Yun ang laging sinasabi ko pero ‘yun talaga. Mahal ko kayo, mahal ko sila at salamat. Twelve years na pero hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin sila,” she explained to Buzzstation.
Known for her contemporary taste for fashion style, Dara loves experimenting with different clothes and designs. “Actually, it’s always different. But lately I’ve been wearing skirt but I also like cropped white pants. It’s cute,” she added.
“Penshoppe clothes are very casual but they can be used in different occasions. The clothes also go well with sneakers or heels. It has different styles,” the fashion-forward comfortable dresser explained.
Dara had turned a multi-media superstar. She’s now into music, dramas and TV show but she wants to achieve to be more. She just finished filming her first Korean movie, One Step, which will be screened this June to August.
She has openly expressed to Vice Ganda her wish to do a movie with the perennial ticket sales topper of the Metro manila Film Festival.
Someday, Dara hopes to be a judge on a talent show being the product of one, ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest. “Pero ngayon matanda na ako, so gusto ko maging judge,” she explained, “Kung magiging judge ako sasabihin ko sa lahat ng contestants, ‘You’re in!’” she quipped.
Despite all her accomplishments, Dara feels she’s still a newbie. “Lahat feeling ko wala pa akong masyadong experience. So gusto ko more projects. Iba’t ibang roles, iba’t ibang style ng music,” she shared her future direction.

TOM CANCELS MANILA AND JAPAN SHOWS. When Tom Jones cancelled his Araneta Coliseum show a few hours before showtime and flew out of the country in a hurry, security officers spread it was due to marginal ticket sales while fans speculated a voice trouble caused it. An official statement said it was due to a “serious illness in his family” as he was too devastated to perform.
Manila would have been the first stop of a seven-leg, two-week Asian tour for Tom. He also cancelled shows in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Abu Dhabi. But no details were disclosed who was sick and of what. It has nothing to do with ticket sales or his voice but until now it is not known for sure who in his family was ill. The buzz was it is Tom’s wife.

JAMES, NADINE SHOOTS FIRST PINOY FILM IN SAGA, JAPAN. This Time starring James Reid and Nadine Lustre, the first Filipino film to be shot in Saga, Japan, aired on Japan’s Saga TV featuring the Kapamilya stars and the film’s director, Nuel Naval.
While centering on the rising popularity of the Saga prefecture as a filming spot, the news report showed a footage of James and Nadine as characters Ava and Coby, childhood friends who only see each other during summer vacations, kissing near Karatsu Castle. “We felt the serenity in Japan, the zen-like feeling of loving and expressing your love to someone,” Nuel shared about the Saga as filming location.

COCO PROUD OF PARTNER. “Ayos! Graduate na ang Partner ko at may medal pa!” Coco Martin captioned an Instagram photo of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano child star Simon Pineda during his graduation ceremony held at the RIC Children’s Learning Center Santa Cruz, Laguna. Simon finished nursery with the following medals: Mahusay sa Pagbasa, Mahusay sa Pagtula, Mahusay sa Pag-awit, and Mahusay sa Pagsayaw at Magiliw. He first rose to fame when he joined an It’s Showtime segment dubbed Mini-Me as a miniature version of rock icon Bamboo.

Speaker and writer Jiddu Krishnamurti posits, “Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”
While passionate, results-oriented leader Jason Macuha, 41, put the key that opened the doors of the Macuha Art Gallery, three individuals working as a collective showed him how to unlock its entrance today, April 16, with the Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas Painting Competition. They are Virgilio Cuizon, Bill Perez and Aris Bagtas of the Kunst Pilipino Gallery.

Jason lived briefly with Cuizon, the uncle/godfather of wife Stephanie Yvette Cuizon Macuha, when he was assigned in Batangas City in 2000 for a gas plant project. This was when his interest in the visual arts was ignited.
Macuha fondly calls the art impresario and Kunst Pilipino Gallery owner as “Ninong Ver” as he is their wedding sponsor. It was Cuison who introduced him to Filipino visual arts through their artworks, art history and stories. During that time, Macuha had just started his professional career as a communication engineer expert and could not afford an art purchase.
In 2013, he finally acquired his first artwork through Cuizon’s generosity — the acrylic-on-canvas Composition XXXIV by Rene Robles. His art collection has since grown to around 200 pieces.
Cuizon also introduced him to Aris Bagtas, the art genius from Obando, Bulacan. His abstract expressionist Prosperity Rings has been the centerpiece of the family’s living room, and they believe it to have brought them prosperity.
Perez, also a member of Batangas City Cultural Affairs Committee, enhanced his knowledge about Filipino artists, art provenance and the future in visual arts. They would joke about putting up his own art gallery. Thus, the concept of Macuha Art Gallery was born.

WHERE THE SIDES OF THE BRAIN MEET. “In my entire career, logic has been my way of thinking. The probability of things is based on numbers and logic. It is very strict on basis and calculations. In arts, everything is based on feelings or emotions. You are more free to feel whatever you want to feel. It is like a different world for me,” explained Macuha how he balances his logical mind with his new fascination for visual arts.
The left side of the brain is responsible for controlling the right side of the body. It also performs tasks that have to do with logic, such as in science and mathematics. On the other hand, the right hemisphere coordinates the left side of the body, and performs tasks that have do with creativity and the arts.
After taking up BS Electronics and Communications Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1995, Macuha eventually got hired by NEC Networks and System Integration SA Co. Ltd. in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia as department manager for engineering and operations. The company is a communications system integrator/contractor in the oil, gas and utilities sector.
Overseeing the department’s daily operations that includes technical, financial and the resource management, Macuha spearheads the planning and forecasting of the business. Headed by a Japanese general manager, functional operation departments are headed by Filipino department managers with a majority filipino key personnel, engineers and technicians. Macuha is proud to claim that the company’s driving force is Filipino.
Cuizon developed the Macuha Art Gallery’s conceptual design that incorporates ideas from contemporary art exhibition spaces. It uses a track light system with individual track spot lights for each art work. There are a number of moving walls to maximize the number of art works that could be hanged in the limited space.

THE FAMILY THAT APPRECIATES ART TOGETHER. Along the years, Macuha’s family made friends with several Filipino artists, going to their hometowns as part of family outings. Stephanie Yvette and son Jae Jewel and daughter Joshua Yvette showed an interest in visual arts and supported their father’s passion for it.
Stephanie Yvette has her favorite artists and picks her own pieces. Joshua Yvette, mentored by Sam Lorenzo, has painted several artworks of his own.
Other artists represented in the collection are Max Balatbat, Gus Albor, Edwin Wilwayco, Rafael Cusi and Fidel Sarmiento.   
Due to the growing number of art works in their art collection, they needed a place to hang them instead of keeping them in storage. So they decided to convert a property into the Macuha Art Gallery, a private venue.
Macuha’s advocacy is to support and promote national and regional visual arts. He maintains an online art gallery, www.macuha-artgallery.com, featuring his art collection. In the future, Macuha Art Gallery plans to conduct art classes.

KAY GANDA NG PILIPINAS (BAKIT LAGING BINABALIK BALIKAN). The theme of the Kunst Pilipino Gallery and Macuha Art Gallery’s ongoing national representational and non-representational painting competition, it is open to Filipino artists able to submit entry as required.
With Paul Zaparalla, Edgar O. Cruz, Rene Robles, Rafael Cusi and Sam Lorenzo as judges, award-winning and freshman painters will vie for prizes P50,000 and trophy for first prize; P30,000 and trophy for the second prize; P15,000 and rophy for the third prize, and P10,000 plus certificate for the seven Juror’s Choice awards.
The painting must be an original work of the artist and never been exhibited. The artist must sign the artwork. Entry form must be notarized. Addendum to the rules and regulations will be posted before the submission of artworks.
The required size is two feet by three feet, horizontal orientation (landscape), gallery or museum wrap, ready to hang. The acceptable media are oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, mixed media or watercolor. Watercolor should be properly framed. The frame/stretcher must not exceed four kilos and must be two inches on all sides.
Submission on April 16 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and awarding ceremony on April 16 (7 p.m.), both at Macuha Art Gallery at 3210 Antonio Ozaete Street, BF Resort, Las Piñas City.
All winning paintings including the Juror’s Choice will be the property of Macuha Art Gallery, will be displayed therein. Macuha is planning to make Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas Painting Competition an annual event.
Macuha Art Gallery is available for viewing only by appointment. Visitors need to book to visit. No fees or charges are required. For particulars, contact Macuha Art Gallery through landline +632 – 802-3064, mobile +63 9178975698; e-mail jason@macuha-artgallery.com, or log on to www.macuha-artgallery.com; Facebook’s www.facebook.com/macuhaartgallery/; and Twitter’s  www.twitter.com/Macuhagallery.

In Joselito Altarejos’ TPO (Temporary Protection Order), the narrative turns into an exercise in objective filmmaking for a reason.
“Grabe, nate-tense ako sa TPO. It’s an experiment on my part — static shots, long takes, no close-ups,” says the director on his edginess with this new film.
TPO is Altarejos’ entry into the Second Sinag Maynila from August 22 to 26 at select SM Cinemas. The Sinag Maynila film festival is organized by Solar Entertainment and Center Stage Productions Co. with MahusayKolektib and Outpost Visual Frontier.
Written and directed by Altarejos with Archie del Mundo as co-writer, production design is by Jeng Torres, sound by Drew Milallos, cinematography by Cesca Lee. Tieng and Brillantes are executive producers, while Annalena Durano is associate producer.
Altarejos employs a static-cinema approach in a non-linear narrative. The blog What is Great Cinema? describes static cinema as thus: “The shot stands still while characters and objects move through and about on it, thus being s sort of reverse of most tracking shots. It gives prominence to setting. Almost making setting a character, and reduces the prominence of each of the individual characters.”
The director likens his treatment of the material to “a court that just appreciates the facts. The approach is very distant.” This effect is also achieved by the cinematographer through color grading the shots neutral, balanced, not over dramatic. “Kasi we want to have an unbiased treatment sa story so the audience can judge the scenes by themselves.” Altarejos adds.
His most technically different film to date (except perhaps the continuous shot of Ang Laro sa Buhay ni Juan), TPO is not his boldest. Death by Gokkun is a cinematic look into the life of  male and female sex workers that crosses the unlikely boundaries of classical music and pornography.
TPO is still unscreened, and Altarejos has refused to show it in the First Sinag Maynila as he does not agree to any form of censorship. Knowing this is not possible in the Philippines, he patiently waits to have the work shown in a film festival in Europe.
TPO is about Miguel (Oliver Aquino), the abusive husband of Teresa (Mara Lopez), a former town beauty queen. They have an eight-year-old son, JR (Miko Laurente), and live with Miguel’s parents (Menggie Cobarrubias and Dexter Doria). The family is shattered by the vicious cycle of domestic abuse. A friend (Yayo Aguila) goads Teresa to seek a TPO from the court after a night of beating from her abusive husband.
The TPO is a legal remedy that a battered woman can avail of under Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004) to protect her and her child against anyone harming them.  
Teresa is granted the TPO against Miguel. But in this legal tug-of-war of familial rights, JR is ignored until he shows aggression in school. But Miguel’s parents coax him to file for child custody. Just like our legal system, the film slowly unravels their story.  
TPO turns into a cautionary tale on domestic abuse that examines the lives of a small family victimized by it. It is his second film in a trilogy about domestic abuse. The first film was Siklo (Cycle).
In his work, the violence between the couple is obscured. He uses static cinema as a device not to promote wife battery, but to make a definite statement against it. “Even if it is not graphic, any form of abuse, and whether it is done once or repeatedly, it is still abuse. And women or anyone should get out of it and take action. I interpreted the law visually. I allowed Mara to not become ‘dramatic’ as she is already a victim and the law takes the victim’s side, however she presents herself.”
Unlike Siklo where there is graphic violence, Altarejos does not repeat himself in TPO. “It’s a conscious decision as a filmmaker. This time, the ‘focus’ is the child though you will notice in the film that the parents and even my narrative ignore the child at first.”
He will conclude the trilogy with In Saecula Saeculorum that traces the origins of the abuser, the seed that has borne the abuser.
“I like TPO. I want it to capture instances of life, not just moments,” explains Altarejos about the treatment, adding, “My anxiety is part of the process.”
Altarejos does not compare TPO with Kasal, the film which won for him Best Director in the 2014 Cinemalaya Directors Showcase. Rather, he likens it to Pink Halo-Halo because of the child theme. “‘Yun ang lumabas ma kwento sa TPO,” he shares.
But Pink Halo-Halo is not violent. Altarejos says it is about the violence of war. Buzzstation notes that it  suggests violence as no such scenes are depicted except in television footages or talked about in the narrative.
Basically, a TPO is a legal instrument or remedy that a victim of domestic violence can avail of under RA 9262. The justice system is deemed impartial. Therefore, the treatment has to follow the material.
Thus, he shot from afar, through the window. “Parang observer lang, one angle, one shot per scene,” he explains. “The transformation is due to the theme dealing with the law, a stylistic approach in the impartial narration of facts.”
Aquino and Lopez’s non-acting helps tremendously to achieve this effect. “They are in character for the entire duration of the film. They serve the purpose of the script and narrative,” he comments.
“Oliver and Mara had a good working relationship. Di ko masabi kung na meet nila ang expectations ko. I just wanted to finish the film. ‘Yun ako naka-focus during the shoot,” Altarejos adds about his lead actors.
Award-winning performances? “‘Di ko alam kasi iba ‘yung approach. They are good, but not the usual ‘good acting’ that award-giving bodies are looking for. All the elements of the film including the acting just served the narrative.”
It is then up to award-winning director Lav Diaz and other foreigner judges to decide on the issue.
Not inspired? “Napagod lang siguro. Pero okay naman ang TPO, because it dragged for so long, so, parang, okey napag-isipan ko na ‘to nang matagal. Okay na. Tapusin na lang.”
Was he burnt out from the “abuse” issue? He acknowledges, “Napaso, napagod. Gusto nang umayaw.” But this does not translate that he has turned away from his anti-violence advocacy as he has done two and thinks that’s a fairly sufficient count.
“Domestic abuse doesn’t begin and end with the victim. I believe it begins and ends with the victimizer,” he concludes, having tasted the issue’s bitter end.

The Sessions, the musical of the “exact” recreations Beatles discography by their studio audio engineer Geoff Emerick, had its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall Soundstage Theatre in London, Great Britain on April 1, 2016. It put the audience in the inner sanctum of Studio Two of Abbey Road to listen to their epic recordings.
“The original (Beatles) records are iconic; they’re pieces of art. Would you go and repaint the Sistine Chapel? You don’t. Just leave it alone,” Emerick deadpanned Love, record producer George Martin and son Giles Martin’s 2007 mashup album of Beatles songs that Cirque du Soleil interpreted to take viewers to their core.
But Emerick keeps on contradicting himself. He re-recorded the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album featuring Oasis, Travis, Razorlight and others, broadcasted in 2007 to mark the epochal album’s 40th anniversary.
The Sessions was based on Emerick’s 2006 memoir, Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles, which is not a pioneering book. Mark Lewisohn’s journal-type book, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years, pre-empted him by a good 19 years.
With musical and recording proficiency, Martin shaped the Beatles’ sound, even playing instruments that validly qualified him as the Fifth Beatle. Emerick, who realized that the aural visions of John Lennon and Paul McCartney with contributions from George Harrison and Ringo Starr did not have such distinction, wanted to level up.
Marcus Cahill and Jimmy Coburn do the double-tracked vocals of Lennon while Alex Linpinski and Tony Coburn of McCartney in The Sessions. Josh Ferrigan is Harrison and Mark Richards is Starr. A complement of 39 musicians remake their officially released songs inside a replica of Studio Two, made to its exact dimensions.
With Emerick as creative consultant, The Sessions team includes creative producer/designer Stig Edgren, director Kim Gavin of the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, set designs by Stufish, and video projections by Luke Halls. Without affiliation to Apple Corps, the Beatles or Abbey Road Studios, it turns into a techie’s version.
Why this massive format? Many Beatles songs were recorded with more than the quartet playing instruments and singing in the track. They involved multiple takes and various versions, technical manipulations including artificial overdubbing that made them difficult to reproduce on stage, a reason they ceased touring.
“A Day in the Life,” perhaps their most complex-structured song, involved recording two separate songs, one each by Lennon and McCartney, double-tracked vocals to beef up its dreamy feel, joined by aural manipulations, sound effects and a crescendo performed by 42-piece orchestra.
Emerick attempts to create this complexity in one take in The Sessions when the Sgt. Pepper’s album with a length of 39:52 minutes took all of excruciating 200 hours to record.
“It got its problems,” vaguely admitted Emerick about The Sessions. Its production dremphasized the Beatles’ personalities as it is an aural and not a visual extravaganza. In concert formation, the mock Beatles performs in low intensity lighting behind a video wall flashing the Fab Four’s images.
It’s biggest snag, for sure, is the failure to approximate the quality of the official releases that sound ultimately outstanding. To level up is minimum expectation in a project such as The Sessions. When the Sistine Chapel is repainted, it may as well be matched to Michaelangelo’s.
SHOW OF LGBT POWER FOR BOY GEORGE AND CULTURE CLUB. The untapped power of the pink peso and the support of the LGBT community is up for a test. Culture Club Featuring Boy George is the best event to show how influential and powerful these two can go together and show force. No one has done this yet since a lot of those who wrote about it just came out with straight news about the concert.
One of the biggest ‘80s pop groups, Boy George and the Culture Club, are back together for a major concert tour. This news doesn’t get much cooler for all their Filipino fans with the announcement of a Philippine leg slated on June 17 and 18, 8 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. As the title of their song says, “It’s A Miracle!”
Formed in 1981 in London, the Culture Club is known for smash hits “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “Karma Chameleon,” “Miss Me Blind,” “The War Song,” “Love is Love,” among other chart-toppers. The group achieved worldwide success in the ‘80s, scoring three Top 10 US hits from their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, and becoming the first group to hit that milestone since the Beatles.
Composed of Boy George (lead vocals), Jon Moss (drums), Mikey Craig (bassist) and Roy Hay (guitar), Culture Club rode a wave of pop hits and sold more than 10 million copies of their album Colour By Numbers and captured the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The said album is included in Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the 1980s.
The band broke up in 1986 and got back together in 1998. Their last album, Don’t Mind If I Do, was released in 1999. In November 2014 the band released “More Than Silence,” their first single from their upcoming album called Tribes, expected for release this year.
“There wouldn’t be any point in doing it if it wasn’t everybody. I think when bands try to come together and they got like a different singer or a different drummer, it’s never quite the same. There’s a kind of magic about those four people that created the band,” says the flamboyant Boy George about Culture Club’s reunion.
After all these years, Culture Club has not missed a beat! The group kicked off with their tour last year and their fans are really happy to see them back on stage.
Boy George, who was recently seen as one of the coaches in The Voice UK, is excited to perform for their Filipino fans. He expects it to be one big party and a celebration of one’s individuality.
Boy said, “We’re rewriting the story of Culture Club. This concert tour will be a new chapter and will definitely be part of the band’s history. And we’d like all our supporters, fans, and everyone to be part of that story.”
Culture Club Featuring Boy George is a must-watch concert as it happens live for the first time in Manila, presented by Royale Chimes Concert and Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (911-5555). For more info, call (0918) 497-2121 and (0906) 418-0786.

DEFEND AGAINST DEADLY DENGUE. Despite continuous studies for the treatment of dengue, the mosquito-borne disease remains incurable. While there is a vaccine that is formulated to prevent dengue, its efficacy is yet to be tested. With Amy Perez as endorser, Strike is a water-based fast-acting multi-insect killer that kills mosquitoes and other insects. It has lower toxicity as compared to the leading brand, thus, it is safe for people, pets and plants. Strike is also environment-friendly unlike other oil-based insect killers. It contains no CFCs and does not release disturbing odors. Variants are Strike Coil Mosquito Repellent, Strike Mat, Strike Liquid Mosquito Electric Repellent and Strike Patch.

The Bakunawa Film Festival, now on its 3rd year as staged by the University of St. La Salle (USLS) — Bacolod, The Artists’ Hub of USLS, The Negros Museum and Western Visayas Filmmakers Network, opens today.
A separate screening day (April 27, 2016) for all competing films and guest films at the USLS Mutien Marie Auditorium. The awards night on April 29 will be held at SMX, SM City Bacolod.
Bakunawa Film Fest is not directly connected to USLS but is staged to honor USLS Film Summer classes outputs in Film Production and Visual Design for Film with merges Production Design and Cinematography. This year, it is moving to SM City Bacolod with guest films.
Chairman of the USLS Mass Communication Department is Hannah Mariveles. Co-Festival Directors are Tanya Lopez and Banares.
One, the music video by music artist Geej Langlois featuring Rosco Cofreros and Leezo Calderon Dionzon and megged by Banares has been accepted at Ozark Shorts, a series of free curated screenings at Ozark, Missouri, Las Vegas in Nevada and North Hollywood in California. Produced by E Unlimited & Performance Lab, it was shot Bacolod City.

JASMINE INTROS BOYFRIEND AT WORLD VISION FUNDRAISER. Jasmine Curtis-Smith admitted in Sunday’s Gandang Gabi Vice her romantic relationship with surfer Jeff Ortega. But this writer scooped the buzz in March when Jeff escorted Jasmine at the P5,000-per-plate World Vision Charity Dinner and Art Auction held at the Marriot Café of Marriott Hotel Manila where she emerged as the top bidder.
    A partnership between World Vision Philippines through organizer Maf Aguila and Kunst Gallery and Kunst Pilipino Gallery through the lead of art impresario Virgilio Cuizon, it raised P1.6 million, 50 percent of which was allocated to the participating visual artists. Jasmine made generous bids for Aris Bagtas’ mixed media on circular wood, La Esperanza, for P100,000 and Emmanuel Bueza’s pen and ink, San Agustin Church, for P28,000.

PALMYRA NOW. From the destruction of the ancient city Palmyra could well be the Vietnam of the Middle East.
Palmyra, in the Homs countryside northeast of Damascus, is a place of ancient ruins that are considered to be among the world’s most treasured. Recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site, it used to be one of the most visited tourist spots in Syria when life there was relatively peaceful.
Lebanon’s architectural antiquities having grabbed my fascination once based in Beirut as country manager of a Saudi-owned American-style fastfood chain, I was enticed to visit Palmyra which was not too far from the capital city by land travel.
But I decided not to push through having experienced how stone-headed Syrian soldiers who manned Lebanon’s check points did not speak English and who were clueless that “Filipinis” as Filipinos are called in Arabic are not all domestic helpers.
Palmyra changed hands on a number of occasions between different empires before becoming a subject of the Roman Empire in the first century AD. Influenced by Greco-Roman culture, it produced distinctive art and architecture that combined eastern and western traditions. The city’s inhabitants worshiped Mesopotamian and Arab gods.
The Palmyrenes were renowned merchants who established colonies along the Silk Road and operated throughout the Roman Empire. The city grew wealthy from trade caravans. This affluence enabled the construction of monumental projects, such as the Great Colonnade, the Temple of Bel and the distinctive tower tombs.
In 2015, Palmyra came under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, tagged derogatorily as ISIS), which later destroyed the ancient constructions.
In keeping with strict Sharia interpretations of the depiction of human forms, they smashed and statues on the floor and chipped off their faces. Authorities evacuated what they could from the museum, but larger items and those fixed to walls had to be left to the mercies of the invading militants.
The city was recently retaken by the Syrian Army in March 2016. After recapturing Palmyra from ISIS, Syrian forces say they’re uncovering grim evidence of how the Islamist terror group conducted its 10-month occupation of the ancient Syrian city.
Photos show how militants destroyed the Lion of Al-lat and other statues, including the 1,800-year-old Arch of Triumph and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. Unesco called the temple’s destruction a war crime.
ISIS destroyed the Temple of Bel and three of its best preserved tower tombs including the Tower of Elahbel. The trouble with the self-proclaimed caliphate, it also destroyed buildings with no religious meaning such as the Arch of Triumph. But some the ancient ruins remain in good condition. Evil it seems is not absolute.
There is global antipathy for these wanton destrucuons and support for Palmyra. A replica of Arch of Triump had been recently built and unveiled in London’s Trafalgar Square.
Constructed by experts from Oxford’s Institute of Digital Archeology, It is an act of solidarity with Syria to raise awareness of the fight to safeguard its ancient treasures.
It looks like the transfer of excavated antiquities from their Eastern original sites to the West like that of the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany is one of the best ways to conserve them. But this is not fool-proof as the Pergamon Museum suffered the ravages of World War II.

“I think you just have to be yourself.”
Legendary pop star Boy George celebrated his individuality during his solo interview by Skype with select members of the country’s entertainment media (“This is very sci-fi!”) to push his two-night concert, “Culture Club featuring Boy George Live in Manila,” scheduled on June 17 and 18, 2016 at the Araneta Coliseum. As part of their world tour, it will take them to the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
“I just really love doing live shows and especially in places we’ve never been. I think we’re a better band now, so you’re seeing us really in our best because we are older, we’re smarter, and we’re more relaxed and funnier. I think we enjoy it more, when we play, we enjoy it,” he shared.
Wearing a beard and a goatee, blonde hair and prominent peace and cross icons tattooed on the right side over his trademark bowler hat, Boy has transformed yet again. Gone is the frilly look complete with multi-colored ribbons he made phenomenal in the ‘80s.
The androgynous crooner’s music has always been referred to as blue-eyed soul. Though best known for his work in Culture Club, he has also done plenty of solo work and with other bands in his career spanning 30 years, selling over 150 million records in that span. Boy George’s music has always been a very personal record and his voice is still haunting, combining reggae and pop rock.
During that breakout decade, he termed his androgynous fashion sense as “individuality.” But he has since become an outspoken advocate of gay rights. The wider acceptance of LGBT people today he refers to as “a kind of world that I always wanted,” he shared.
Although largely considered as the iconic face of the hit-making band, Boy George said he regards the other members of the band, namely, guitarist and keyboardist Roy Hay, bass player Mikey Craig and drummer Jon Moss, as vital to the band’s success in such big hits “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?,” “Karma Chameleon,” “It’s A Miracle,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “The War Song,” “Church of the Poison Mind,” “Miss Me Blind”  and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.”
Now 54 and reborn after a string of misfortunes with the law involving drugs and sex, Boy has always been a cultural chameleon as he admitted. “The music industry has so many people who are very similar with other people, like, ‘you sound like this or that.’ I think to stand the test of time, you have to be an individual, you have to be unique and you have to find your own identity,” he explained.
He’s now reinvented himself as a clean-living Buddhist who eats well (“I am vegetarian.”) and is spending most of his time working on projects and cooking; and at parties, he’s usually the DJ. Although he usually spins house music, he wants to do a remix of his biggest hits to insert in such gigs.
“Culture Club featuring Boy George Live in Manila” will do big with the metro’s huge and very active LGBT community. This was tested when Manny Pacquiao made an anti-LGBT remark and everybody went all out to denounce his racism, forcing him to backtrack and apologize.
As we know very well, the LGBT community of all ages loves to party, and the two-night shows are rare chances to do just that with the icon who started gay pop. Come as Boy George of the ‘80s or Boy George of now, it does now matter. Party until you drop is all that matters!   
Quite evident from the way Boy George spoke to the local press, he was in the mood to party. He spoke animatedly, his eyes frequently opening up that he gave the impression of being kind. So much was learned about himself, his group and the many great things they do together. As a result, they live a life dedicated to music.

FRESH STATUS. “We’re a much better band now, we are older, smarter, we are more relaxed, we enjoy it more when we play. We really enjoy it. I just really love doing live shows.” “If I am to define my call in the band, I would say that I am the CEO as a joke. I guess I’m the face of the Culture Club and I’m happy that we will be playing in the Philippines.”

MUSIC IS ALL. “I think music is a great place to escape to. When I was growing up, music was something I escape into. I would sit in my room, turn off the lights, and listen to my favorite music. It kind of just drifts off into an imaginary wonderful colorful place, and that’s kind of still what I do. I still think that music has the power to transform, to excite, to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you dance, to make you fall in love. I think music is a wonderful magical kind of gift, and for me it’s one of the most important things in my life. I can’t imagine my life without music. I can’t imagine how different it would’ve been without all the wonderful soundtracks and artists that I grew up with. Music is everything.”

KARMA. “These things happen when they’re meant to happen. We’re in a really good place right now and the best time for us to be together is when everybody’s feeling positive and kinda enthusiastic so I think that’s why we’re doing it now,” he declared.

CURRENT ROLE. “But nowadays, you need to be more than just a musician. It’s a very different landscape now. You just have to deal with all sorts of things, all sorts of ideas. It isn’t just about music anymore. It’s about everything that kinda adds up to your legacy and your greatness.”
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. “I think for us we always want to make sure that we leave the crowd with a big smile on their faces and a big smile in their hearts. I think, in a funny sort of way, you know for most fans, particularly Culture Club only really makes sense on stage. That’s where it’s really magical and that’s where the fun happens. That’s where the real chemistry of the band takes place so live shows are always exciting. And I accept to say that we are a much better band now so you’re seeing us really at our best because we are older and smarter. We’re more relaxed, funnier, and we enjoy it more. I love live shows especially in places we’ve never been. It’s the best time to see us.”
Culture Club Featuring Boy George is a must-watch concert as it happens live for the first time in Manila, presented by Royale Chimes Concert & Events Inc. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketnet (911-5555). For more info, call (0918) 497-2121 and (0906) 418-0786.

EXCITING SHOWS at HARD ROCK CAFÉ. Beat the summer heat and catch Hard Rock Café’s (HRC) amazing line-up of artists in the final week of April. K.O. Jones powers the house with old school and classic rock ‘n roll on April 27 (Wednesday); Kudos Loves 80s dishes out the greatest hits of the 80s from power ballads, and homegrown dance hits on April 28 (Thursday); show band Part 3 lightens up the party with pop hits on April 29 (Friday); and sultry singer Paula Bianca and show band Street Beat are set to deliver a powerful set on April 30 (Saturday) as they dish out live a sampling of today’s hottest chart-toppers, party anthems, and standard favorites. Come and see the show at Hard Rock Café and witness the country’s most talented artists and bands at their very best while enjoying eclectic choices of food that features the most scrumptious selection of American, Continental, Asian and Filipino cuisine. All shows start at 9 p.m.

The best way to know a person is to observe him. I found myself doing this when invited to interview Stanley Cherelstein, CEO and president of Javita. “Javita comes from java, which means coffee and vita, which means life,” Cherelstein shared when he soft-launched the brand in Asia, with the Philippines as takeoff point.
Cherelstein, 56 but looking 10 years younger, is a people and results-oriented head who warmly greeted everybody entering the Hamptom Room of Astoria Plaza where the event was held. He spent valuable time connecting with members, several of whom came from the US and Canada at their own expense to initiate their own dealership networks in the Philippines.
Cherelstein, a hands-on executive, personally saw to all the permits required to operate Javita. The brand will be formally launched in the Philippines this July.
Tested and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Javita is a premium product made of materials sourced globally and processed in the US under strict procedures. Founded in 2011, the company was established by Cherelstein, who is also the CEO and president of Waiora (founded in 2004), a network marketing company that develops and distributes “healthy aging” products. He has been in the network marketing industry for 11 years.
Javita’s main product is a coffee blend, which is marketed as “Coffee Evolved.” This is a proprietary blend of herbs and other natural ingredients with organic estate-grown South American coffee. As a functional drink, Javita is distinguished for providing coffee with the added benefits of health and vitality.
Infused with all kinds of healthy herbs and nutrients, Javita’s healthy coffee makes for an attractive business model for anyone who likes coffee, knows people who drink coffee or are looking for a natural alternative to unhealthy coffee blends.
With this new product, you can drink a cup of coffee that has been loaded full of antioxidants. Why are antioxidants so important, you ask? Your body needs it to fight off free radicals every day.

THE JAVITA COFFEE DIET SYSTEM. The reason most diets fail is because of unrealistic expectations on the user: cutting calorie intake and juggling pills, shakes, powders. And drinks (not to include pre-packaged and pricey meals and snacks).
Javita is a big fan of keeping things simple. That is why it developed the 3-Step Javita Coffee Diet System to help jumpstart efforts towards successful weight loss.
1.    Burn Fat (With Burn + Control). Javita knows everybody loves coffee, that is why it developed a formula that has everything to satisfy such as bold and delicious flavors and no empty calories, fats and artificial flavors. It is infused with three herbs proven to help reach weight loss goals.
To do: Drink two cups of Burn + Control every morning to help increase the body’s natural fat-burning processes and help control your appetite.
2.    Feel Full with Fiber (with Fiber+).  A delicious, superior matrix will leave the belly full and satisfied — minimizing appetite, helping portion control and curbing afternoon and late evening cravings.
To do: Mix a cup of Fiber + before each of the largest two meals not only to give you a feeling of fullness from adding fiber to your diet, but also to help support overall cardiovascular health.
3.    Cleanse (with Herbal Cleanse Tea). Prime the system for a gentle cleanse while sleeping to awake refreshed and renewed, ready to flush away some of the obstacles in reaching weight loss goals.
To do: Three times a week, make a cup of Herbal Tea Cleanse in the evenings to help the body remove the buildup and aid in absorbing the beneficial nutrients from a healthy diet.

COMPENSATION PLAN. Javita is sold exclusively by networking, the Uni-Level that pays 4 percent, 14 levels deep. With denominations in US dollar, Javita also offers 21 different ranking achievement bonuses, which drive down to infinity and a 50 to 100 percent matching bonus on these achievement levels, paying out up to $500,000.
There are two enrollment options. One is for $99. This entry level is the Javita Starter Kit and includes: Javita Member Kit (with USB flash drive), Javita Starter Kit, 2 Javita Gourmet Instant Coffee (24 Sticks), Javita Coffee Tumbler and Personal Website.
If you sign on at the higher cost, $599, you qualify for a Matching Bonus and Rank Advancement and also receive a distributor kit that contains more products: Javita Member Kit (with USB flash drive); (16) Javita Gourmet Instant Coffee (24 Sticks), (1) Javita Coffee Tumbler. (4) Javita Sampler Sleeves (25-Pack) and 1 Personal Website.
The compensation plan offers a commission of 30 percent on retail sales. There is a Fast Start Bonus, a familiar incentive among enterprises in this arena. The residual income earner, which is the actual reason most people enroll as distributors, is a Unilevel bonus that pays out up to 4 percent down to 14 levels.
Most other Unilevel compensation plans in the industry will stop at 7 levels, while some will pay a bigger percentage. There is also a Managers and Directors bonus, which provides a piece of the company’s revenue to managers and directors.
Javita’s corporate office is located in Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Contact Juvie Pabilonia at mobile no. 09151792087 for inquiries.

SALON HAIRSHAFT RECEIVES 2016 EXCELLENCE AWARD. Hairshaft Salon, the pioneering chain of celebrity salons in the country, was awarded as Top Choice Premiere Salon in Metro Manila at the Philippine Top Choice Awards for Excellence 2016 held in Solaire Resorts and Casino in Pasay City. Fred Penales, Hairshaft Salon owner was also given the Outstanding Achievement Award in the hairstyling category.
With Arci Munoz, Ellen Adarna, Carla Abellana, Aubrey Miles, James Blanco, Camille Prats, Dr. Vicky Belo and Hayden Kho, among others, as clients, Hairshaft Salons are located in Podium (Pasig), Robinson’s Ermita (Manila) and The Fort (Makati). For inquiries and appointments, please text 0917-628-3906.

“Di ba si ano ‘yun?” visual artist Alvin Hipolito blurted upon seeing a familiar figure enter Max’s restaurant at the entrance to Malacañang Palace compound once we had a late Monday afternoon snack of arroz caldo and halo-halo there.
It turns out to be women and children causes advocate Riza Hontiveros in familiar yellow and black shirt and black slim fit jeans who is making her third senatorial bid. She arrived last of her female and male assistants who have taken an inconspicuous side table ahead of her.
This half-recognition turned out as a clue to Riza’s popularity as she was instantly recognized by me, other diners wanting selfie opportunities as soon as she could settle on her table for snack and the wait persons who shook her hand. She ordered halo-halo, the favored heat buster of the season.
Riza must have been to the Truth Covenant event with Cardinal Tagle at Manila Cathedral where Vice President Jejomar Binay and Secretary Mar Roxas were the only two presidential candidates who signed an agreement for a clean and honest elections on Monday.
Her trips to the comfort room and her order of halo-halo were tell-tale signs she was on the campaign trail. She is such a hard-working lady who knows how to handle its demands. She seems to operate systematically.
This is Riza’s third shot at the national elective position. And based on pre-election surveys, she is likely to enter the magic 12 number, one of the newbies to do so. When I told her about it, she was humble about the possible win, “Sana nga.”
Persistence sure pays for Riza. She fought for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill, a highly controversial, that she did not let go until it was a law.
No wonder Alvin who supports Rodrigo Duterte decided to have a selfie opportunity with the Liberal Party candidate. Picking up in their chat that he is a Freemason, Riza volunteered that her brother, David Hontiveros, is also a Freemason.
If you know Freemasons, brotherhood is a primary concern, and that established the link between her and Alvin. No wonder he expressed his desire to do her portrait that she expressed would be “an honor.”    

THIRD BAKUNAWA FILMFEST WINNERS. Visual shows filmmakers of Mentis, winner of the 3rd Bakunawa Film Festival’s Best Short Film and Best Director with guests of honor director Peque Gallaga, assistant mall manager, SM City Bacolod Julia Javellana, winner Gkie Erebaren and co-festival director Elvert Bañares.  
Held on April 29, 2016 at the Main Atrium of SM City Bacolod as graced by USLS president, Brother Manuel Pajarillo, FSC, PhD, with Masscom Department chairman Hannah Mariveles. Helen Strong’s sci-fi entry, Mentis, won Best Film and Best Director for Strong, Best Actor for Bryce Jareño and Best Supporting Actor for Kurt Soberano, now a two-time Bakunawa winner.
Mentis also received the Audience Choice Award and Imaginarium Award, a special Jury Prize.
Renzo Grijaldo’s science fiction short film, DTH 60606, won highest award, the Best Director of the Summer Film Challenge,
DTH 60606 won Best Actress for Lorje Singson and the technical awards: Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Use of Sound. It also swept the Instructor's Choices, winning Best Short Film and Best Director. Mary Jane Quilisadio’s Tinion (Time and Remembrance), a period romance directed by Reniel Botnande, won Best Supporting Actress from both the Jury and the Instructor's Choice. Tinion also won for Best Use of Music.
Best Screenplay went to the film Handum Kag Dumot (Passion & Hatred) by Caryl Fritze Macaya and Shaina Gemina while Best Use of Music went to Laragway (Portrait).
This year's board of juries was headed by NCCA OIC-head of the Committee on Cinema Teddy Co with production designer/visual artist Adrian Torres, filmmaker Sari Dalena and cinematographer Yoke Weng Ho of Singapore.
Co-festival directors was theater director Tanya Lopez.

TOP FOUR OF THE SENATORIAL RACE. If former senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and reelectionists Sen. Ralph Recto are among the leaders of the Senatorial race along with Sen. Vicente Sotto III and former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, that is in recognition of their meritorious performance as the country’s topnotch lawmakers and servants.
Pangilinan and Lacson served during the administration of Pres. Noynoy Aquino. Despite the problems, they were able to deliver expected results with Pangilinan contributing immensely to the agricultural development of the country.
Sotto and Recto stood their ground during crucial national issues like corruption and the passage of important legislations and laws.

SURE WINNER. When the botched romance between Kris Aquino and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Tates Gana, his estranged partner for 20 years and the mother of two of his off springs. Athena and Harvey, largely kept her peace. And her widely praised handling of the domestic issue is paying off big time.
Tates is running for councilor of District 6 of Quezon City and she is turning out a sure winner, leading the candidates. I met Tates only once and she impressed as a substantial woman in control of her life. I am sure District 6 will benefit from her tested people-friendly and family-driven service.

SENIORS SUPPORT EDWARD MACEDA’S CONGRESSIONAL BID. Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda hosted lunch for her and former Sen. Ernie Maceda’s son, Manila Councilor Edward Maceda, with senior citizens at the family-owned Sampaguita Events Place on Valencia Street, Quezon City.
They have nothing but good words for the Vera-Perez family and Edward who is running for congressman (#3) of Manila’s Fourth District after serving three terms as its councilor. Senior citizens support him including stars of Sampaguita Films that Edward’s clan once managed.

MOTHER LILY STOPS ENDORSING CANDIDATES. Except when she attended the Christmas party tendered by Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez-Roxas for the entertainment media, Mother Lily Monteverde had not sponsored a press conference for her favored candidates in this campaign season. This is a big change as she had always endorsed candidates until the 2013 senatorial elections.
What made her do that is not widely known but it must be a tell-tale sign she is bowing out of the entertainment industry. She had passed it on to daughter Roselle Monteverde-Teo who must put less importance to such gratitious acts.

Magtanggol, the political thriller with Tom Rodriguez in the title role as Sen. Juancho Magtanggol Jr., dares asks the weighty question: “Sino ang bayani ng mga Bagong Bayani, the Overseas Filipino Workers?”
Magtanggol, the first venture into story writing and film production of investment banker Jojo Dispo through Felix and Bert Film Productions, opens in theaters nationwide on May 18. Its earnings are earmarked for projects to promote OFW welfare.
A media interview of cast and crew followed by a film premiere at Cinema 7 of Megamall last Friday proudly launched Magtanggol. For an indie film, the well-attended preem was comparable in scope and organization to a similar activity by a major film production company.
The Magtanggols are not-your-ordinary family. Their glaring difference is starting their day with the raising of the Philippine tri-color complete with the singing of the National Anthem at their ancestral compound even before all members can break their fast.
The clan is composed of a fiercely patriotic lot of extraordinary individuals headed by patriarch ex-Sen. Juan Magtanggol Sr. (as played by Joonee Gamboa) and his second wife Grace (Dina Bonnevie). They have three sons, Sen. Magtanggol Jr., former activist handicap Anton (Ejay Falcon) and the angst-ridden young blood Jonathan (Albie Casino).
There is sibling rivalry between Sen. Magtanggol and Anton. When they were younger, they competed for the affections of Susan del Rosario (Denise Laurel). Anton won her love, but he blames her for abandoning him during a demonstration that left him a scarred invalid. She has since turned into pro-migrant worker activist lawyer Atty. Del Rosario.
Sen. Magtanggol is not characterized as a one-dimensional politician. He is a married man who still carries a flame for the one who got away. While he portrays himself as a champion of the masses, the one likely to run next for President, he is having a hard time trying to cope.
Other family members are Sen. Magtanggol’s wife Kiara (Kim Domingo), their grade school hero wannabe son (Basti Santos), Mang Gusting (William Martinez) and the battered OFW Nengneng (Yam Concepcion), who shacks with the Magtanggol family once she was rescued by Sen. Magtanggol.
Completing the cast are the protector of human traffickers Sen. David Zaballero (Ricky Davao), with scheming wife Laila (Giselle Sanchez and his accomplice Thomas (Epy Quizon).
Like all whodunits, the full-length feature starts with a murder perpetrated by a mysterious assailant.
For decades now, the Magtanggol family has been a name to reckon with in Philippine politics. Since Spanish times, the surname has been synonymous to the words “revolutionary,” “heroes,” “nationalistic” and “fighter of Filipino rights.”
They keep this reputation intact through history, leaving it unblemished and free from any controversy. The nationalism of daily flag-raising drilled it into the mindset of members, thus producing two senators (Matangggol Sr. and Jr.), an activist (Anton) and a boy (the son of Magtanggol Jr. and Kiara) whose one dream at his young age is to be a hero.
As a rescuer of distressed OFWs, Sen. Magtanggol turns suspect for the spate of killings of international employers of OFWs victimized by abuse. The Magtanggol family reputation is on the line and must be rescued.
Shaken, Magtanggol Sr. is the most devastated. The media tries to scrutinize all angles of the controversy, exposing details of long-kept family secrets.
Atty. Del Rosario heads the inquiry on the abject issue. Will she protect the family’s guilt or will love go on the way of seeking justice? Where there is no sure protection for OFWs, will justice be forever be blinded, deafened and crippled?  
Award-winning director Sigfreid Barrios Sanchez handles his line-up of credible actors and their stories with effective unease. He slowly builds the unraveling of the mystery, offering clues and taking them back as fast. Motivations are hinted to a point that every involved character is a potential suspect with an every attempt to mislead.
The film’s biggest triumph is the exceptional depiction of the undertones of a political family. It is never perfect, not clean and honest all the way, hiding secrets big and small, its members dealing with personal demons as they try desperately to project a winner image to a public they must always court.  
Rodriguez and Casino are the film’s big acting accomplishments from their previous TV screen roles in My Husband’s Lover and On the Wings of Love in that order. They prove their acting ability but do so convincingly well, especially Rodriguez, who removes all traces of being a heartthrob to perform as a lawmaker with a cause.
No spoilers here. Watch the film to find out the cliffhanger of the identity of the killer. And the narrative twist will not fail to convince you as probable. You do not have to wrack your gray matter to figure this out.
There have been many depictions of the OFW predicament in films, but Magtanggol is the pioneer in putting a mystery angle into it.
Filmed by Topel Lee in icy, frequently murky perfection, the highly textured treatment gives the scenes a multi-dimensional approach not possible in clear and straightforward color cinematography. The feel is getting caught in a puzzle that one must solve to get relief.  
Structured as a political thriller, it turns out to be an able dissertation on the issue of heroes and villains. Although interconnected, it clarifies that heroism is more than intention, but is determined by the good it brings.
Heroes are not made, but are assigned by destiny. That is why ordinary people such as OFWs can be duly considered as such by the deeds of sacrifice they offer to the country.
The screenplay by Sigfreid Barros Sanchez, Henrie Famorcan Enaje and Henrie dela Cruz greatly enhance the synergy of narrative and narration. Here lies Magtanggol’s strength that largely goes to the creative genius of Dispo last seen by this writer in Tonette Gadang’s Edna. For coming up with an engaging story and the courage to produce it with encouraging results, Dispo deserves praise.
As it premieres on election season, you sort of question its intention as a full-length feature until you remember Magtanggol is a pro-migrant worker film. A major election issue no less delivered flawlessly.
This whodunit is a must-watch!

Weekend markets had long existed before our convenience-driven times and continues to evolve to cater to specific communities and commodities. Towns have tiangges where sellers of produce sellers and household ware from nearby municipalities gather near its main market on a specific day to cater to local residents. In Bocaue, Bulacan, vehicles can never pass the main bridge connecting McArthur Highway with the town proper on Wednesday mornings as it becomes the spot for a weekly tiangge.

What is relatively new is the use of the tiangge concept for Christmas shopping at high-end locations and even the more novel outside weekend markets in affluent and expatriate communities where gourmet foods and organic produce are the main commerce.
Young adults, mostly couples, yuppies on a break, hobbyists and pickers on the prowl for wholesome foods, natural essentials and arts and crafts, can have a laid-back Sunday at the newly opened The Attic Sunday Market (TASM, open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) at The Attic Cafe Gallery on 208i Alabang Zapote Road, Pamplona Dos, Las Pinas City (and a branch located ar Clark International Airport Terminal 3).
There they can can enjoy a variety of choices not available at mall sources and convenience stores offered at the best deals, even garage sale prices!

HER OWN WOMAN FOR OTHERS. Created by entrepreneur Joanna Liza Vocalan, The Attic Café Gallery becomes an indoor market every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A BS Civil Engineering graduate from the Mapua institute of Technology, Joanna Liza was diagnosed with lymphoma stage 2  after eight years of being in technical sales for an engine power company. Three years ago, she bid goodbye to her engineering-sales career and decided to lessen the stress of life by putting up a business that would help her grow and be empowered. She put up the organic and vegan nail salon, I Love Priti Nails; and an art gallery, The Attic Gallery, which is now with a cafe as The Attic Cafe Gallery in partnership with her best friend, Katherine Guevarra, an OFW from Abu Dhabi. She is also an event stylist and a florist of Shabby Florist by Joannaliza. She is also into business development and engine power consultation.
Initially putting up businesses to earn and double her money as an entrepreneur, Joanna Liza got to know the industry and her team of managers, baristas, artists, staffers and suppliers better. It became a deeper mission.
No longer an “I” as it has become a “we” advocacy, she feels happiest to earn when she knows her team is compensated well. Joanna Liza provides jobs, not charity. A protective mother of three and a passionate romantic partner, she sees herself never getting old and welcoming every day as a new one.
“Do what you love and do it often” is her mantra. A  devotee of St. Therese. she prays and forecasts all her business ventures to grow and multiply in five years. That is not so long-term as she never sleeps due to insomia, but when she does, Joanna Liza rests deep and well.

HALO-HALO FOR A CAUSE. Something to enjoy at TASM is the heat-buster of the season — the LSS Halo-halo, chock-full of saging na saba, halayang ube, gabi, leche flan, monggo, sago, nata de coco, kaong, pinipig, macapuno and mais in a burst of stained glass colors.
As if the gourmet appeal were not enough, it has a USP (Unique Selling Proposition): condiments are mostly organic (read: no preservative and pesticide-free) and not commercially available. The macapuno is caramelized and a secret sugar-syrup sweetener.
It goes for just P30 per tall glass, just like your neighborhood vendor.
To satisfy your soul, it even has an advocacy. Liezl Robles, singer/actress wife of Earlnest John Robles, the owner House of Shishawarma, is an empowered woman unafraid to do the humble job of preparing and selling halo-halo to support the advocacy of TASM.
Its Likmuan Program benefits Grade 7 to 10 students of the CAA School whose sculptures made from the wood of old and broken school armchairs are recycled into sculptures since they do not have money to buy materials. Now on exhibit at Gallery 1, proceeds will be donated to buy them new armchairs and purchase art/sculpture materials.
Besides  The Attic Gallery/Café and partner House of Shishawarma, other stakeholders are ilovenails, Shabby Florist and friends who collate their preloved treasures to put on garage sales. Other supporters are Caadiang Textiles Trading and House of Breads.
It also serves picture-perfect ice cream and milkshakes in new generation halo-halo presentation.

FUSION OF TWO ARABIC FAVORITES. The innovative House of Shishawarma (open 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.) is a new restaurant developed by Earlnest. It combines two Middle Eastern favorites, the shisha or hubbly-bubbly and the shawarma, the roast meat sandwich. Joanna Liza designed its first full-scale restaurant in Clark.
In partnership with The Attic Cafe Gallery, the House of Shishawarma is owned and founded by Earlnest, an MBA student from Southville International School. He graduated from De La Salle University Manila with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies major in European Studies.
The solo son to an OFW mother, Earlnest grew up in Kuwait, which exposed him to Middle Eastern cuisine. This served as the basis for the House of Shishawarma concept. Originally, the idea was to only serve shawarma, but it was through the encouragement of wife Liezl that shisha should be part of the restaurant concept.
The shawarma that it serves follows the traditional Lebanese style. There is the classic chicken and beef variants, with the addition of a mixed meat shawarma wrap. It also serves shawarma rice that uses basmati rice to make it as authentic as possible.
Based from Earlnest’s experiences with Lebanese cuisine, the shawarma platter is served such that the diner has the liberty to create his own shawarma.
Sunday is so sweet when you enjoy it to the max and share with others.