Brillante Mendoza makes history

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

FOR the first time, a Filipino won the best director award in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. He is Brillante "Dante" Mendoza for his movie, "Kinatay" (Butchered), which stars Coco Martin as a young and newly-married cop goaded by his colleagues, led by Jhong Hilario, to kill an aging prostitute, Maria Isabel Lopez, whose body is then cut into pieces and its parts thrown in different places.

The film got mixed reviews from international critics. Chicago’s Roger Ebert found it revolting, calling it the worst entry. But some were enamored by the dark material and Mendoza’s treatment of it. His best director award is the highest honor ever received by a Filipino director in the international film scene. The late Lino Brocka’s works were also shown in Cannes but didn’t get an award. "Kinatay" is Dante’s second entry in competition. Last year, he was also in the running for another dark film, "Serbis," about homosexual prostitution and deteriorating family life inside a rundown theater.

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This is GMA-7’s official statement re the Katrina Halili controversy: "GMA Network joins Ms. Katrina Halili in her fight for justice. The network is confident that she will emerge from this episode a better, strong person. GMA continues to trust her as an artist and waits her return to do the projects lined up for her."

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Yasmien Kurdi used to be considered the top star of afternoon dramas as her soaps then like "Pasan Ko ang Daigdig" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga?" were hits. But their records have since been toppled by "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?" starring Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal. Doesn’t she somehow feel insecure about this?

"I’m not selfish at hindi ako envious sa tagumpay ng iba, so hindi ako insecure sa ganyan," she says. "What’s important is pare-pareho kaming nasa Kapuso network so ang tagumpay nila, tagumpay ko rin, lalo na nga’t pareho kaming galing sa ‘Starstruck.’ I’m happy na mataas ang ratings ng show nila."

She’s been idle for sometime because she chose to concentrate on her studies.

"Enjoy kasi talaga ako sa pag-aaral. But now, heto’t balik ako with not just one but two shows. Sunday afternoons, mapapanood ako sa ‘Madrasta’ in ‘Dear Friend’ with Iwa Moto and on late Thursdays naman, I’m in ‘SRO Cinemaserye’s Suspetsa’ with my ‘Starstruck’ batchmates Jennylyn Mercado and Nadine Samonte."

She’s glad that she focused on her summer classes for her course, International Studies, at New Era University as she got high grades when it ended, scoring a flat 1 in Eco and Maths.

"Gusto ko talagang balansehin ang school at work ko as an actress. Hindi naman ako forever sa showbiz, ‘di ba?"

She’s glad to be working with Jen and Nadine in "Suspetsa." All of them expressed support to their beleaguered batchmate, Katrina Halili.

"Basta kailangan niya kami, nandito lang kami para damayan siya," she says.

What happens to her in "Suspetsa"? Yasmien hemmed and hawed like she didn’t know how the story goes.

"Ayoko ikuwento, baka mapre-empt," she says.

How’s that for enticing viewers to watch their show?

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The movie that made Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz 2008’s Box Office King and Queen, "A Very Special Love," will now be shown on Viva Cinema for the first time, this Sunday, May 31, 8 p.m. Those who haven’t seen it now have the chance to find out why this endearing romantic comedy became such a huge blockbuster. Those who’ve seen it before can fall in love all over again with the movie and its two charismatic stars.

"A Very Special Love" is the story of Laida (Sarah), a poor but goodhearted new graduate who works hard to provide for her family while believing that someday she will meet her prince charming. That prince is none other than Miggy Montenegro (John Lloyd Cruz), the youngest of a well-established family in the business world. As fate would have it, Laida lands a job as Miggy’s editorial assistant. Catch the very special premiere of "A Very Special Love" on Viva Cinema, the 24/7 general entertainment channel that features talk shows, showbiz news, lifestyle shows, local and international movies and more. Viva Cinema can be seen through Cignal Digital TV and leading cable operators in key cities nationwide. Watch out for movie premieres of box-office hits like "Baler," Viva’s 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival entry starring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales, "Torotot" starring Maui Taylor and Precious Adona, "Sarah: The Next One," Sarah Geronimo’s sold-out concert and much more.

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Looks like Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes no longer hide the real score about their relationship now that they’re no longer paired together in a show. When Marian was asked in the show of John Lapus who her boyfriend is, she replied: "Si Jose Sixto Dantes III." That’s Dingdong.

As for Dingdong, some writers saw him at EDSA Plaza when Sharon Cuneta launched her new album there. He was on his way to the gym and they asked him if it’s true he had Marian’s name tattooed on his leg. "Sa akin na lang ‘yun," he says.

Upon the prodding of the writers, he finally showed his right leg and on its base, the letters MGD are tattooed. MG is for Marian Gracia (Marian’s real name) while D is for Dantes. You can draw your own conclusions.

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Is it true Viva Entertainment’s Veronique del Rosario is no longer satisfied with the way ABS-CBN is giving exposure to their talent, Cristine Reyes?

After "Eva Fonda," she was given the afternoon soap "Bud Brothers" where she was paired with Jake Cuenca. But their story ran only for more than a week and it’s not surprising if Viva felt what Cristine is being neglected. "Kasalanan din naman niya," a source tells us. "Binibigyan siya noon ng sarili niyang show, ‘Bandida,’ but she didn’t accept it."

Last we heard, a negotiation is now being conducted for Cristine to return to the Kapuso station. But is GMA willing to get her back?

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One of the new stars in "Lipgloss" is Louise de los Reyes, who’s also given a starring role in the Peque Gallaga movie for Sine Direk, "Agaton and Mindy." She plays the title role of Mindy. How was she discovered by TV 5 for "Lipgloss"?

"I’ve done ‘Ang TV 2’ sa ABS before and some TV commercials, then someone told me to take the audition at ‘yun, napasama ako agad sa first season pa lang ng show," she says. "Now that it’s on its 4th season, apat na lang kami from the original batch na natitira: Maxine Eigenmann, Kevin Lapena, Charina Suzara at ako. The rest were either killed or left our school na. My character in the show is also named Louise. In a previous episode, I was raped by my boyfriend, Fred Payawan, who later entered the seminary. Dahil dun, natakot ako sa boys. In the 4th season, magkakaroon ako ng bagong crush, si Niko Ibaviosa."

She’s turning 17 on September 1 and is in another TV 5 show, "Lokomoko High," and she’s glad her first movie is with Peque Gallaga. "I learned so much from him. I also took the audition there and I feel so blessed that he chose me. I also learned a lot from Ms. Cherie Gil, who played our teacher in the movie. Napakabait niya. My role as Mindy is very challenging kasi I have bipolar disorder."

Source: Malaya

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