MISS UNIVERSE ORG TAKES STAND AGAINST ALLEGED 
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. Globe telecommunications company, non-sponsor of the 2017 Miss Universe, flooded Baguio City with banners bearing its own and the beauty pageant’s official logos welcoming candidates when they visited for an official activity.
Jonathan Seiden, general counsel of the Miss Universe Organization, condemned the act of Intellectual Property Infringement in an official statement: “The Miss Universe Organization will not tolerate infringement of our intellectual property rights and we will act vigorously to protect and prosecute any third party infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property.”
Mon Isberto, head of Public Relations of Smart Communications, a breached official sponsor of the prestigious and high-profile event, released this statement: “We thank the Ms. Universe Organization for taking quick action on the incident in Baguio. Moving forward, we hope that other parties will respect the agreements that cover the holding the Pageant in the country.”
UPSTREAM OF RECOGNITION FOR HARVEY BAUTISTA. Introduced in Dan Villegas’ spooky scarefest, Quantum Films’ Ilawod, Harvey Bautista is 12-year-old Ben who shines by underplaying his brooding role of an adolescent son of the demon-possessed family of reporter Dennis (Ian Veneracion) and accountant Kathy (Iza Calzado) and their daughter Bea (Xyriel Manabat).
In this expertly executed Transrealism script by Yvette Tan, Bautista — whose acting inclinations originate from a clan of actors that includes actor-director Herminio “Butch” Bautista, former actor now Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and stage actor Harlene Bautista; and his mother, ex-professional choreographer now 2nd District Quezon City Concilor Teresa “Tates” Gana; and cross-training as comedy actor in Goin’ Bulilit under Edgar Mortiz ―— manages to hold his own against the award-winning cast.
The Ilawod, the water elemental from downstream (ilaya is its upstream equivalent) latches on to Dennis while covering exorcism rites with photographer Carlos (Epy Quizon) in a far-away barrio by a river rushing downstream. Strange things start to happen once he gets home to their swanky condominium building without conscious attention of the occurrences.
Ben gets attracted unknowingly by the perennially clad in white underdress Isla (Therese Malvar) who mysteriously reappears when he passes by the common swimming pool after school. His sweet behavior slowly turns foul when he falls for the seduction just like the alarming changes in conduct of the rest of the family members.
Ben isolates himself and starts a fascination for the razor blade. Unsuspectingly, Dennis, while attempting to bond with his now surprisingly distant teener, talks about his new friend that he openly namedrops as Isla. He encourages him to bring his new girlfriend to their condo unit. Taking advantage, Isla proceeds to claim Ben’s soul by devirginizing him in an implied shower sex scene.
To prove his quickly earned love and loyalty, she asks for evidence by blading a fingertip for a blood compact; he complies without hesitation. Fast-forward to Ben perversely slashing his left forearm with ferocity then Isla taking him down for a swim in the pool. Quick cut to a screaming Bea upon finding Ben floating dead.
Bautista’s minimalist acting soars due to a proficiently structured script and well-balanced helming that does not rely on special effects, but on plain inputs by the actor’s speed digitalized to deliver horror shots. No doubt this prevents anticipation and intensifies the scare when they are released specially in a one-two punch.
Turning out as a central character made for his body type and emotional makeup, Bautista takes center stage and goes with the flow with the unfailing smoothness of liquid. His faultless performance noted, Ilawod convinces us that other worldy evils can lurk in safety and naturally takes Bautista in the upstream of recognition, not downstream.
PAUL MCCARTNEY PURSUES OWNERSHIP OF LENNON-MCCARTNEY CATALOG. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney filed a lawsuit in the federal court in New York on January 18, 2017 against Sony/ATV over copyright ownership of the many hit songs he wrote with John Lennon.
The celebrated composing tandem sold their share of its original copyright owner, Northern Songs Ltd., when the Beatles experienced a severe cash strap in 1969. Ever since, the duo when Lennon was still alive has been trying to reclaim ownership. Cash-rich Michael Jackson bought it in 1985 and then fully sold over to Sony/ATV following his death.
McCartney says he has sent notice to Sony/ATV saying that he will claim them back under a provision of US copyright law that makes that possible after a certain time. The first song eligible to be claimed back is “Love Me Do,” in October 2018. The rest of the catalog would follow in years after, ending in 2026.
McCartney wants a ruling to say his claiming them doesn’t represent a legal breach of any contract or publishing agreement that Sony/ATV could use against him.
Sony/ATV said it had “the highest respect” for McCartney. “We have collaborated closely with both Sir Paul and the late John Lennon’s Estate for decades to protect, preserve and promote the catalog’s long-term value,” the company said, adding that it was “disappointed” over the filing of the lawsuit, which it said is “unnecessary and premature.”
WHY DAYANARA TORRES SPEAKS FLUENT TAGALOG. It is now definite that Puerto Rican Dayanara Torres will be a judge in the 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant so she will have to return to Manila as Miss Universe 1993. Many young Filipinos will be surprised to find out she speaks fluent Tagalog. You see, she became an instant superstar in the country after winning the title. During her stay, Torres learned to speak the language as she had an entertainment career. She became a host of ASAP in 1994 where she displayed her proficiency in dancing taking the title of “Dancing Queen.” She also had a four-year romantic relationship with matinee idol Aga Muhlach. They first met on the set of the movie, Basta’t Kasama Kita, in 1995 followed by two other features.
BOOK ON PANGASINAN WWII HEROES. As part of the 67th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings, the Pangasinan Provincial Government and Philippine Veterans Bank sponsored the publication and printing of the book Biographical Sketches of Pangasinan Heroes of World War II by Dr. Cecilia Daranciang and Deborah Castillo. The book features stories of 33 Pangasinense heroes based on interviews by the authors, and was unveiled during the Lingayen Gulf Landing anniversary rites.
Shown in the photo are Guest of Honor former President Fidel V. Ramos, Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. (3rd from left) and Mike Villa-Real, Veterans Bank VP for Corp. Communications (2nd from Left) during the anniversary rites. Others in the photo are Veterans Federation of the Philippines Secretary General Col. Francisco San Miguel (5th from Left), Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina PVAO Administrator (6th from Left) and authors Dr. Daranciang & Ms. Castillo (leftmost and rightmost respectively).
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Harvey Bautista’s perfect entry
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