'Baler,' ipalalabas sa ilang bansa sa Asya

Author: Nel Alejandrino
Column: Tattle

It's not difficult to like Malou Choa-Fagar, top gun of TAPE, Inc. , producer of the noontime TV program, Eat Bulaga.

The lady is admirable, respectful and lovable.

What is not easy, though, is to be liked by her. Much more, mapabilang, wika nga, sa kanyang circle of friends.

No wonder, you can count only by your hand the number of friends na pinipili niyang madalas makasama, most especially, sa movie writers and reporters.

Small wonder din na sa kanyang post-birthday party na ginanap sa penthouse ng Imperial Palace Suites, which we all know is owned by Mother Lily Monteverde, Malou invited (through the courtesy of Abante columnist Jun Nardo) only those whom she can consider close to her.

Happily, all the guests know each other and they enjoy sharing topics they love and enjoy talking about.

Unhappily, however, not all of the topics discussed were for the record.

Pang-blind item pa, puwede siguro.

In any case, among the celebrities na aming namataan ay sina Senator Bong Revilla and wife Lani Mercado, Direk Boots Plata and wife Dolor Guevarra, Ricky Davao, Pia Guanio, Rita Avila, Tita Midz (Armida Siguion-Reyna to you and me) and her daughter-in-law, Bibeth Orteza, GMA-7 exec Redgie Magno and Dingdong Dantes, who arrived early but also left immediately.

The entertainment editors and movie columnists present included Joan Maglipon, Ian Farinas, Jerry Olea, Dondon Sermino, Joe Barrameda, Jun Lalin, Allan Diones, Ethel Ramos, Mario Bautista, Rommel Placenta and PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) president Rommel Gonzales.

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SA totoo lang, Ian F. , like Sharon Cuneta and Kris Aquino, who confess na kapuwa addicted sila sa teleseryeng Kahit Isang Saglit, kami rin, we consider our evening incomplete kapag 'di namin ito napapanood.

Paano naman, paganda nang paganda ang bawa't episode bukod pa sa, unlike most teleseryes, wala kang ideya kung paano ito magtatapos.

Minsan nga, nang magkita kami ni Albert Martinez, who plays the father of Garrie (played by Malaysian actress Carmen Soo), tinanong namin siya kung si Christopher de Leon ba ang tunay na ama ni Garrie, since ginahasa nga ni Boyet ang ina nito.

Aba , ayaw ba namang sagutin ni Albert ang aming tanong.

In any case, agree siya sa aming comment na ang ganda ni Carmen is the type which grows on you. 'Di rin daw mapasusubalian na mahusay itong aktres.

Likewise, saludo rin si Albert kay Cristine Reyes, na 'di mo aakalaing may ibubuga sa pag-arte considering na first major series niya ito.

And let's face it, sabi pa ni Albert, almost all of her scenes are with Boyet and Echo (Jericho Rosales), not to say, Carmen.

All three are no ordinary performers.

In Malaysia, tulad nina Boyet at Echo, itinuturing na isa sa pinakamahusay umarteng artista ng kanyang panahon si Carmen.

"So, hindi siya so-so na artista?" biro namin kay Albert.

Echo, ayon pa rin kay Albert, is just the right actor to play Carmen's leading man in Kahit Isang Saglit.

Napaka-popular daw ni Echo sa Malaysia considering na ilang teleserye na pinangunahan niya ang naipalabas na roon.

No wonder na nang pinili ng Viva Films si Echo to play the lead role opposite Anne Curtis in their Metro Manila filmfest entry, Baler, they were also eyeing the possibility of having the movie released in some Asian countries.

Echo's participation in Baler is definitely a plus factor.

"Bukod pa sa napakaganda ng pelikula," echoed someone from Viva Films. "This early, rushes pa lang ng pelikula, pinapalakpakan na.

"What more kung buo na ang movie at may music na ito? Watching Baler will make everyone feel proud that he/she is a Filipino.

"Suwerte si Echo, 'di ba, in having a much admired teleserye and a beautiful and meaningful movie. "

O, ayan Echo, unlucky nga where your heart is concerned, pero walang dudang winner ka where your career is concerned.

Source: People's Tonight