FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
WHAT DO Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion have in common aside from KC? They're both doing horror films. Sharon is doing one for Star Cinema who's an expert in horror films with hits like "Feng Shui" and "Sukob". Gabby is doing "White House" for Mother Lily's Regal. Director Topel Lee ("Ouija") is being tapped to be the director of both films and Gabby is shooting ahead.
Gabby will have younger ladies Iza Calzado (as a ghost), Lovi Poe and Melissa Ricks, to be supported by DJ Mohan Gumatay. But Melissa decided not to accept the movie anymore so she was replaced by Megan Young who was in the Ruffa Gutierrez episode of "Shake, Rattle & Roll XI" last December. It's said Melissa is avoiding working with Lovi, the ex of Jolo Revilla. It's common knowledge that after she broke up with Jake Cuenca, Melissa is now playing beautiful music with Jolo with whom she was paired in "Tiagong Akyat". Jolo and Melissa deny they're on, saying they're just friends, but no one would believe them as Melissa and Jake also denied it before and only admitted it when they broke up.
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BEA ALONZO won as Box Office Queen with John Lloyd Cruz as Box Office King in 2007 for "One More Chance". Then Sarah Geronimo was paired with John Lloyd and they won as 2008 and 2009 Box Office Queen and King, easing Bea out. Is she sore at Sara due to this? "No," she says at the presscon of her new soap with Gretchen Barretto, "Magkaribal". "May nagsasabi ngang inagaw ni Sarah si Lloydie sa'kin, but I'm happy for their achievements. I do admit I felt na, naku, baka nawala na yung love team namin ni Lloydie. But then, this year, we had 'Miss You Like Crazy' and it's a blockbuster so nawala yung kaba ko."
It's said she's also sore at Shaina Magdayao who now occupies Lloydie's heart in real life. "Naku, laging involved si Lloydie. Why should I be sore at Shaina, e never namang naging kami ni Lloydie? For a while, we did lose communication, which is normal sa kahit sinong friends. But whatever small misunderstanding we had, and Lloydie has nothing to do with it, we were able to fix it agad. I treasure Shaina kasi nine years na kaming friends mahirap to find a true friend like her."
She admitted then she was star struck by Gretchen Barretto in "Magkaribal". "Noong una lang yun. But now that we've worked together for a quite time, nawala na yun. Most of us were intimidated by her but, in fairness to her, she reached out to us sa iba pang members ng cast like Erich Gonzales, Derek Ramsay, Enchong Dee. So we all like her. Sas story, she grows up to be a top fashion model and designer at ako naman, lumaki sa Divisoria. We saw our dad, Mark Gil, being stolen by Angel Aquino, a bitchy fashion designer who caused the death of our mom, Dimples Romana. She'll later use me against Gretchen. We're confident magiging magandang-maganda ang 'Magkaribal'."
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IT FIRST appeared as blind item about this hot young actor of a top network who's seen in a resto together with a top TV host and talent manager who belongs to another work. Is the young actor planning to jump ober da bakod and get the TV host to be his new manager? Subsequent reports named the parties concerned as Aljur Abrenica of GMA-7 and Boy Abunda of ABS-CBN. The venue of their meeting is David's Tea House.
"Hindi ako aalis ng GMA," Aljur clarifies at the thanksgiving party of "The Last Prince". "By chance lang, nagkita kami roon. Nagkakilala na kami before as volunteers sa kampanya for Pres. Noynoy Aquino."
It's said Boy feels a debt of gratitude to Aljur since there was an incident when he had a problem with his sked in the campaign in Samar as he had a taping. Aljur quickly agreed to substitute for him and, as a gesture of thanks, Boy invited Aljur and his family to dinner. Aljur then requested that some of Boy's comedian wards be their guests in their restaurant in Batangas and Boy readily agreed.
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WHY DID Alwyn Uytingco and Princess Ryan break up when they were on for three years? "Hanggang dun lang siguro talaga ang plan ni Lord for us para we can both grow naman," he says at the presscon of "Pendong", a road movie with Will Devaughn and Felix Roco directed by Sean Lim. "Sa part ko, I can say may pagkukulang din ako. Sa part niya, kayo na ang mag-research kasi ayokong magsalita at nakakabastos sa part niya."
He sounds like he's bitter and it appears Princess dumped him for another guy, but he won't elaborate. He says it took two months before he was able to move on after their split. He's now linked to Jennica Garcia. Does she know about his past? "Nakuwento ko na sa kanya ang lahat at okay naman sa kanya." What does he like in Jen? "Actually, magkaiba kami ng ugali. Sobrang makulit siya, kikay, biba, kalog. Ako, tahimik lang, pero natatawa ako sa kanya. We complement each other. At gusto ko yung pagiging totoo niya, open siya sa what she feels. No plastikan."
How's it doing "Pendong" with Will and Felix? "Sobrang saya. Talagang naging friends kami dahil dito lalo na nga't kinunan sa locations sa probinsiya. It's also fun working with a young filmmaker Sean Lim who\s just our age and listens to our ideas at kung okay, ginagamit niya ang suggestions namin. I play the virgin in our group. One of the funniest scenes was when our clothes were stolen at nagtatakbo kaming hubad sa kalye at sa palengke. Si Felix naman, he's the horniest guy among us pero slightly deaf siya. Si Will plays an actor who wants to escape the intrigues of showbiz. We use a Volks Beetle in the film and we'll participate sa World Volkswagen Day affair sa McKinley Hill, The Fort this Sunday, June 20, at 2PM. Join kayo, it'll be a lot of fun. Premiere night din namin tonight at SM Mall of Asia and the movie opens in theatres on June 23."
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WE'VE BEEN following the interchange of views among more intelligent viewers on the net and they all feel bad that "Emir" was not supported by the viewing public. Most of the respondents say we need film appreciation in schools to teach viewers to be more discriminating with the films they see. We're afraid that we've been saying this since we started reviewing films in 1976, a golden year in local cinema when we produced so many fine films like "Nunal sa Tubig", "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon", "Minsa'y Isang Gamo-Gamo" and "Insiang". Sadly, 35 years later, the local film industry is almost dead and those who care for it continue to say the same thing. It would be an even more uphill battle at this point since most viewers now prefer to watch only formulaic romances on the big screen and a lot of them prefer to watch films only on DVD. Technology really has a lot to do about the changing habits of filmgoers. Now, they also prefer to watch TV more and we're afraid the teleseryes have a dumbing effect on them. They don't have a critical mind that prefers viewer fare that would challenge them, make them think, or inform, they just want to be entertained and entertained.
One reader writes us to say that "Emir" should just be shown for free all over the country since it was financed by taxpayers money. "Emir" also suffered from bad promo. It has an unknown main star so they should have supported her with a more aggressive TV promo with trailers. Even their newspaper ad and poster is so bad, just showing a big photo of Frencheska Farr that even has a big black blemish with the credits so small you can hardly read them. They should have come out with a more attractive layout showing the beauty of Morocco where it's shot, and also of the Banaue rice terraces.
**********
IT'S THE consensus among showbiz writers that ABS-CBN has managed to be build up a bigger stable of actors and actresses compared to toughest rival GMA-7. Let's make a countdown and see if this were true. Let's start with the actresses of ABS.
Here are their actresses who can do lead roles: Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion, Kim Chiu, Kristine Hermosa, Toni Gonzaga, and Cristine Reyes. Those who've been given lead roles but seem to be on a lower rank are Maja Salvador, Bangs Garcia, Erich Gonzales, Shaina Magdayao, Melissa Ricks, Andi Eigenmann, and Empress Schuck. Those who do hosting more are Valerie Concepcion, Mariel Rodriguez, Nikki Gil and Bianca Gonzales. Among their promising newcomers are Sam Pinto, Queenie Padilla, Isabelle Abiera, and Jessy Mendiola. In the major support category are Karylle, Megan Young and Maricar Reyes. Among the senior stars are Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gretchen Barretto, and Kris Aquino, plus comedians Ai Ai de las Alas, Pokwang and newcomer Melai Cantiveros who we hope won't be just a flash in the pan.
Over at GMA-7, their lead stars are Marian Rivera (who wouldn't have been a lead star if Angel Locsin didn't move to ABS), Rhian Ramos, Regine Velasquez (the most senior at 40), Iza Calzado, Jennylyn Mercado, Carla Abellana and the newly transferred Claudine Barretto (whose own series is rating less than what's desired). On a lower rank are Kris Bernal, Maxene Magalona, Jackie Rice, Lovi Poe and Jennica Garcia. Currently out of circulation are Yasmien Kurdi and Sunshine Dizon. Former leads who now do support roles are Jolina Magdangal (support in "Panday Kids"), Rufa Mae Quinto (support in "Darna" and "Diva") and Angelika de la Cruz (support in "Pilyang Kerubin"). GMA has a lot of female villains: Katrina Halili, Bianca King, Iwa Moto, Pauleen Luna, Nadine Samonte, Glaiza de Castro, Arci Munoz, and Ehra and Michelle Madrigal. They also have a hit pre-teener, Barbie Forteza and a lead comedian, Eugene Domingo. Hopefully, they can make big stars out of Starstruck V winners Sarah Lahbati and Diva Montelaba and "Emir" star Frencheska Farr.
So who do you think has more impressive star power between the two networks?
WHAT DO Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion have in common aside from KC? They're both doing horror films. Sharon is doing one for Star Cinema who's an expert in horror films with hits like "Feng Shui" and "Sukob". Gabby is doing "White House" for Mother Lily's Regal. Director Topel Lee ("Ouija") is being tapped to be the director of both films and Gabby is shooting ahead.
Gabby will have younger ladies Iza Calzado (as a ghost), Lovi Poe and Melissa Ricks, to be supported by DJ Mohan Gumatay. But Melissa decided not to accept the movie anymore so she was replaced by Megan Young who was in the Ruffa Gutierrez episode of "Shake, Rattle & Roll XI" last December. It's said Melissa is avoiding working with Lovi, the ex of Jolo Revilla. It's common knowledge that after she broke up with Jake Cuenca, Melissa is now playing beautiful music with Jolo with whom she was paired in "Tiagong Akyat". Jolo and Melissa deny they're on, saying they're just friends, but no one would believe them as Melissa and Jake also denied it before and only admitted it when they broke up.
**********
BEA ALONZO won as Box Office Queen with John Lloyd Cruz as Box Office King in 2007 for "One More Chance". Then Sarah Geronimo was paired with John Lloyd and they won as 2008 and 2009 Box Office Queen and King, easing Bea out. Is she sore at Sara due to this? "No," she says at the presscon of her new soap with Gretchen Barretto, "Magkaribal". "May nagsasabi ngang inagaw ni Sarah si Lloydie sa'kin, but I'm happy for their achievements. I do admit I felt na, naku, baka nawala na yung love team namin ni Lloydie. But then, this year, we had 'Miss You Like Crazy' and it's a blockbuster so nawala yung kaba ko."
It's said she's also sore at Shaina Magdayao who now occupies Lloydie's heart in real life. "Naku, laging involved si Lloydie. Why should I be sore at Shaina, e never namang naging kami ni Lloydie? For a while, we did lose communication, which is normal sa kahit sinong friends. But whatever small misunderstanding we had, and Lloydie has nothing to do with it, we were able to fix it agad. I treasure Shaina kasi nine years na kaming friends mahirap to find a true friend like her."
She admitted then she was star struck by Gretchen Barretto in "Magkaribal". "Noong una lang yun. But now that we've worked together for a quite time, nawala na yun. Most of us were intimidated by her but, in fairness to her, she reached out to us sa iba pang members ng cast like Erich Gonzales, Derek Ramsay, Enchong Dee. So we all like her. Sas story, she grows up to be a top fashion model and designer at ako naman, lumaki sa Divisoria. We saw our dad, Mark Gil, being stolen by Angel Aquino, a bitchy fashion designer who caused the death of our mom, Dimples Romana. She'll later use me against Gretchen. We're confident magiging magandang-maganda ang 'Magkaribal'."
**********
IT FIRST appeared as blind item about this hot young actor of a top network who's seen in a resto together with a top TV host and talent manager who belongs to another work. Is the young actor planning to jump ober da bakod and get the TV host to be his new manager? Subsequent reports named the parties concerned as Aljur Abrenica of GMA-7 and Boy Abunda of ABS-CBN. The venue of their meeting is David's Tea House.
"Hindi ako aalis ng GMA," Aljur clarifies at the thanksgiving party of "The Last Prince". "By chance lang, nagkita kami roon. Nagkakilala na kami before as volunteers sa kampanya for Pres. Noynoy Aquino."
It's said Boy feels a debt of gratitude to Aljur since there was an incident when he had a problem with his sked in the campaign in Samar as he had a taping. Aljur quickly agreed to substitute for him and, as a gesture of thanks, Boy invited Aljur and his family to dinner. Aljur then requested that some of Boy's comedian wards be their guests in their restaurant in Batangas and Boy readily agreed.
**********
WHY DID Alwyn Uytingco and Princess Ryan break up when they were on for three years? "Hanggang dun lang siguro talaga ang plan ni Lord for us para we can both grow naman," he says at the presscon of "Pendong", a road movie with Will Devaughn and Felix Roco directed by Sean Lim. "Sa part ko, I can say may pagkukulang din ako. Sa part niya, kayo na ang mag-research kasi ayokong magsalita at nakakabastos sa part niya."
He sounds like he's bitter and it appears Princess dumped him for another guy, but he won't elaborate. He says it took two months before he was able to move on after their split. He's now linked to Jennica Garcia. Does she know about his past? "Nakuwento ko na sa kanya ang lahat at okay naman sa kanya." What does he like in Jen? "Actually, magkaiba kami ng ugali. Sobrang makulit siya, kikay, biba, kalog. Ako, tahimik lang, pero natatawa ako sa kanya. We complement each other. At gusto ko yung pagiging totoo niya, open siya sa what she feels. No plastikan."
How's it doing "Pendong" with Will and Felix? "Sobrang saya. Talagang naging friends kami dahil dito lalo na nga't kinunan sa locations sa probinsiya. It's also fun working with a young filmmaker Sean Lim who\s just our age and listens to our ideas at kung okay, ginagamit niya ang suggestions namin. I play the virgin in our group. One of the funniest scenes was when our clothes were stolen at nagtatakbo kaming hubad sa kalye at sa palengke. Si Felix naman, he's the horniest guy among us pero slightly deaf siya. Si Will plays an actor who wants to escape the intrigues of showbiz. We use a Volks Beetle in the film and we'll participate sa World Volkswagen Day affair sa McKinley Hill, The Fort this Sunday, June 20, at 2PM. Join kayo, it'll be a lot of fun. Premiere night din namin tonight at SM Mall of Asia and the movie opens in theatres on June 23."
**********
WE'VE BEEN following the interchange of views among more intelligent viewers on the net and they all feel bad that "Emir" was not supported by the viewing public. Most of the respondents say we need film appreciation in schools to teach viewers to be more discriminating with the films they see. We're afraid that we've been saying this since we started reviewing films in 1976, a golden year in local cinema when we produced so many fine films like "Nunal sa Tubig", "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon", "Minsa'y Isang Gamo-Gamo" and "Insiang". Sadly, 35 years later, the local film industry is almost dead and those who care for it continue to say the same thing. It would be an even more uphill battle at this point since most viewers now prefer to watch only formulaic romances on the big screen and a lot of them prefer to watch films only on DVD. Technology really has a lot to do about the changing habits of filmgoers. Now, they also prefer to watch TV more and we're afraid the teleseryes have a dumbing effect on them. They don't have a critical mind that prefers viewer fare that would challenge them, make them think, or inform, they just want to be entertained and entertained.
One reader writes us to say that "Emir" should just be shown for free all over the country since it was financed by taxpayers money. "Emir" also suffered from bad promo. It has an unknown main star so they should have supported her with a more aggressive TV promo with trailers. Even their newspaper ad and poster is so bad, just showing a big photo of Frencheska Farr that even has a big black blemish with the credits so small you can hardly read them. They should have come out with a more attractive layout showing the beauty of Morocco where it's shot, and also of the Banaue rice terraces.
**********
IT'S THE consensus among showbiz writers that ABS-CBN has managed to be build up a bigger stable of actors and actresses compared to toughest rival GMA-7. Let's make a countdown and see if this were true. Let's start with the actresses of ABS.
Here are their actresses who can do lead roles: Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion, Kim Chiu, Kristine Hermosa, Toni Gonzaga, and Cristine Reyes. Those who've been given lead roles but seem to be on a lower rank are Maja Salvador, Bangs Garcia, Erich Gonzales, Shaina Magdayao, Melissa Ricks, Andi Eigenmann, and Empress Schuck. Those who do hosting more are Valerie Concepcion, Mariel Rodriguez, Nikki Gil and Bianca Gonzales. Among their promising newcomers are Sam Pinto, Queenie Padilla, Isabelle Abiera, and Jessy Mendiola. In the major support category are Karylle, Megan Young and Maricar Reyes. Among the senior stars are Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gretchen Barretto, and Kris Aquino, plus comedians Ai Ai de las Alas, Pokwang and newcomer Melai Cantiveros who we hope won't be just a flash in the pan.
Over at GMA-7, their lead stars are Marian Rivera (who wouldn't have been a lead star if Angel Locsin didn't move to ABS), Rhian Ramos, Regine Velasquez (the most senior at 40), Iza Calzado, Jennylyn Mercado, Carla Abellana and the newly transferred Claudine Barretto (whose own series is rating less than what's desired). On a lower rank are Kris Bernal, Maxene Magalona, Jackie Rice, Lovi Poe and Jennica Garcia. Currently out of circulation are Yasmien Kurdi and Sunshine Dizon. Former leads who now do support roles are Jolina Magdangal (support in "Panday Kids"), Rufa Mae Quinto (support in "Darna" and "Diva") and Angelika de la Cruz (support in "Pilyang Kerubin"). GMA has a lot of female villains: Katrina Halili, Bianca King, Iwa Moto, Pauleen Luna, Nadine Samonte, Glaiza de Castro, Arci Munoz, and Ehra and Michelle Madrigal. They also have a hit pre-teener, Barbie Forteza and a lead comedian, Eugene Domingo. Hopefully, they can make big stars out of Starstruck V winners Sarah Lahbati and Diva Montelaba and "Emir" star Frencheska Farr.
So who do you think has more impressive star power between the two networks?
