Nominated for Best New Actress of the Year at the 2018 Star Awards for Movies held recently at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila, Joyce Penas-Pilarsky felt sad for herself when the trophy went to Joanna Ampil of Ang Larawan in a tie with Pia Wurtzbach of Revengers Squad. “Maybe next time,” the positive thinker Joyce shares. “I will have to be better.”
Then, Joyce heard her name called out as Star of the Night in a tie with Kim Chiu. Wearing a lemon yellow, self-designed cocktail dress accentuated by precious stones in a floral design, she went up the stage gracefully, overjoyed. She praised, “God is so good. To God be the glory!”
According to the former president Fernan de Guzman of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), which gave the awards, the delayed edited telecast will air on ABS-CBN on March 18, 2018 from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m. The new PMPC president is Joe Barrameda.
NAR CABICO ALSO RISES. GMA Artist Center star Nar Cabico, who wrote and performed “Natapos Tayo,” the official theme song for the film All Of You, won the Star Award for Movie Original Theme Song of the Year. Its message of longing and regret were gratified through his strong vocals, serving the finishing touch to the bittersweet narrative. “Natapos Tayo” and “Gaga” (the theme song of The One That Got Away) that Nar also composed can be streamed and downloaded on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and various digital stores nationwide.
WHERE’S ‘CRISTY FERMINUTE?’ When Aksyon TV shifts to ESPN at 4 p.m. on weekdays, it stops to air Cristy Fermin’s Cristy Ferminute after Raffy Tulfo’s Wanted. This has been taking place even before the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. I thought this was an operational issue of the ABS-CBN TV Plus digital box that I use for my television unit.
But I found out it is an internal issue of TV5. 2nd Ave. disappeared from the box and had resumed airing, now with intermittent signal. The case of Aksyon TV is not the same as it broadcasts regularly as ESPN with no problem at all.
TV5 must assure regular broadcasts of Cristy Ferminute if it is serious in building viewership. This is minimum. And Cristy can help deliver this as she has a big following that none of their anchors can deliver. It includes this columnist who has had no access to Nay Cristy for the longest time, forcing me to report the trouble so TV5 can correct and/or troubleshoot. I am sure TV5 needs viewership badly and to program an on-and-off is not the way to do it.
12 NOMIMATIONS FOR GMA NETWORK. In the history of Philippine broadcast, GMA Network received an unprecedented three New York Fest gold medals for GMA Public Affairs programs Reporter’s Notebook, Front Row and Reel Time in 2017.
It looks like the Kapuso Network is headed for another global excellence swift in the “2018 World’s Best TV and Films” Competition. Twelve of its entries out of the 17 contenders from the Philippines are shortlisted this year including a nomination for Jessica Soho, the only Filipino broadcast journalist who made it to the list, and “Alaala: A Martial Law Special” for the Docudrama category.
A Peabody-awardee, Jessica has been nominated for the Best News Anchor category. Her program, GMA News TV’s flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho was shortlisted for Best Newscast for its “Marawi Liberation: War is Over” coverage. The newscast documented the liberation of Marawi City after a months-long siege of the city by pro-Islamic State group militants.
Aired in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, “Alaala” featured the journey of activist and award-winning screenwriter Bonifacio Ilagan as portrayed by Alden Richards.
Other nominations are Kara David’s “Sundalong Aso” for the Human Concerns category; Atom Araullo’s “Silang Kinalimutan” for the International Affairs category; “Batang Bomba” in the Best Public Affairs Program category; Reporter’s Notebook’s “Yapak sa Pusod ng Dagat” in the Community Portraits category; Reel Time’s “Gutom” in the Human Concerns category and “Hawla” in the Health/Medical Information category;
“Brigada” for “Combat Camera Team” in the Current Affairs category; and the Network’s Program Support Department for “Kulayan Natin ang Summer” in the Art Direction and “EDSA 31st Anniversary Spot” in the Promotion/Open and IDs category and in the Graphic Design in Promotion/Open and IDs category.
VALENTINE’S DAY WELL-SPENT FOR DR. VICKI BELO AND ALDEN RICHARDS. Doctor-of-the-stars Vicki Belo and matinee idol Alden Richards were also touched after talking to a number of kids who shared with them their dreams and ambitions. Adrien, 9, diagnosed with leukemia, told them he wanted to be a singer when he grows up. He even sang a few lines for Dr. Vicki and Alden. Zamzam, a shy 10-year old who is also diagnosed with leukemia, said he wants to become a doctor to help cure the sick.
Instead of doing what every other person does on Valentine’s Day, Dr. Belo and Alden tweaked their Day of Hearts celebration a bit by deciding to spend time with children afflicted with cancer and their families to spread cheer, joy and love to them.
The celebrity doctor, accompanied by Alden, surprised at least 70 children at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City with food, toys, hygiene kits, coloring books, pillows and other learning materials. The duo visited the Children’s Cancer Ward, then went room to room checking up on the kids and their parents.
The Children’s Cancer Ward was actually donated by Dr. Vicki in the name of her parents, Ike and Nena Belo. During the occasion, Dr. Belo also gifted the patients, their families and the health workers at the Hematology Ward with a 40-inch TV and DigiBox for their enjoyment. The surprise was received with much delight.
Dr. Belo understands that every bit of entertainment the patients and their families can have is much valued as they battle life and death situations daily in this hospital. At one point, Dr. Vicki and Alden became emotional after talking to Andre, a boy in very critical condition. The two offered prayers for Andre and his parents.
Dr. Vicki shared on her Instagram account how she felt after visiting the kids. “It was indeed, a Valentine’s Day well-spent. I always believed that time is the greatest gift a person can give and I ‘m so honored that these kids gave me a few hours of their precious time. Thank you, thank you. You‘ve really touched my heart. Thank you as well to Alden for cheering the kids at the PCMC. It meant a lot to them.“
NO COUNTER DIVORCE BILL. For a bill to be passed into law, both the Senate and Congress must sign. A committee of the House of Representatives submitted a divorce bill for deliberations at the plenary level. But “No counterpart bill,” says Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto.
“I’m not aware of any senator interested. Unless I’m wrong. An amendment to the grounds for annulment might stand a better chance of passage,” he adds.
Like Sotto, Senators Joel Villanueva, Panfilo Lacson and Francis Escudero also expressed apprehensions on legalizing divorce. Even the Senate website states no lawmaker has filed a divorce bill in the chamber.
TVCs THAT LEAD. Nido — The still nameless Nido boy, cute as usual with his ultra sweet smile, is back! This time mom picks him up from dad’s place. He plays reconciliator, aware of his parents’ status, by making them say “thank you” and hold hands. Nothing earth-shaking there, but it manages to create warm feelings in the Heart Month. Nido is not only a health giver, but can keep a family together. Nothing funny or attention-grabbing about this either, just an honest portrayal of life as we idealize it.
Nestle Creamy White — Now the actors are well-known, real son Daniel Padilla, who is doing all the talking, and real mom Karla Estrada, the emoting. She does nothing but smile and shed tears. The Nestle Creamy White has been added Nestle Milk to remove its bitterness. Daniel in a very kind way recalls how mother and son managed to deal with a hard life with love. This TVC works well with the high degree of realism and direct approach. The Daniel we see in it is how he carries himself in real life – a kind, mom-loving man.