Five Saturdays of Vilma specials

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

WHAT can Katrina Halili say about comments that Maricar Reyes seems to be on the right track in just keeping quiet about the Hayden Kho sex video scandal, unlike her who filed all sorts of cases connected with it?

"Well, Im happy for her," she says. "We both made our own choices and I respect her decision if she doesnt want to come out in public about what happened to us. I dont know her personally, but its her right kung ayaw niya magsalita at walang puedeng pumilit sa kanya. Its good protected siya ng kanyang network. Sana, magtuloy-tuloy ang magandang takbo ng career niya at maka-move on siya nang tuluyan. Ituloy lang niya ang pagiging matapang at matatag niya. Ako rin naman, thankful akong hindi ako pinababayaan ng GMA Network at heto ngat kasama ako sa bagong show na Rosalinda as Fedra."

What if a producer would want them to star together in one movie?

"Sakin okay lang. Trabaho yun at lalo kung maganda yung project, Ill accept it. Wala namang problema sa amin ni Maricar. Were both victims kaya walang issue between us."

As Fedra, she continues trying to ruin Rosalinda (Carla Abellana) in the eyes of their parents (Gary Estrada and Jennifer Sevilla), saying Rosalinda is lying about Fernando Jose (Geoff Eigenmann), who introduces Rosalinda to his mother, Valeria (Sheryl Cruz), not knowing that Valeria earlier berated Rosalinda saying shes not fit for her son. In a party where she serves as waitress, Rosalinda meets Fernando Joses wealthy ex-griflriend, Rica (Isabel Oli), who makes fun of her in front of the guests. Her mom Dolores (Jennifer) slaps Rosalinda for hooking up with Fernando Jose, has a heart attack and dies. Valeria goes to the wake and calls Rosalinda a gold digger, spitting on her face. Rosalinda voluntarily splits with Fernando Jose but hell do everything to get her back.

Soledad (Glydel Mercado), Rosalindas real mom, plans to escape from prison, even if Alfredo (Ariel Rivera) is trying to free her with the help of a judge.

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ABS-CBN wants a TV special for Gov. Vilma Santos in connection with her new movie, "In My Life." "I told them ayoko ng usual tribute," she says. "I just want it to be a sharing na lang of my experiences in acting with their new stars, not because Im good at it but because of the wealth of experiences I gained sa tagal ko sa showbiz. Biro nyo, 38 na ko ngayon, next year 37 na ko," she laughs.

The five-part special, "A Woman for All Seasons," will be shown on all Saturdays of August, after "Maalaala Mo Kaya."

The first special on August 1 will focus on acting, done workshop-style with Claudine Barretto as host and director Laurice Guillen as facilitator. New stars of ABS-CBN attended it and gained first-hand information from Gov. Vi about her craft as an actress.

Kim Chiu acted out scenes from her "Dolzura Cortez Story" while Nikki Gil and Coco Martin acted out her scenes with Christopher de Leon in "Broken Marriage," both award-winning films. "Im excited as this is the first time this is done on TV. I just noticed, intimidated sila sakin. I did a scene with Megan Young na shes supposed to slap me, pero hindi niya ako masampal. Naranasan ko rin yan noon when I did Modelong Tanso with Charito Solis."

The second special on August 8 is hosted by Vhong Navarro and centers on her experiences as a TV star, especially her dancing. She gets to dance again, like she used to in the fabulous opening numbers of her "Vilma" show. "I love dancing at na-miss ko talaga. Pero siempre, wala na nung liftings kundi simpler moves, pinaubaya ko na yun sa mga bagets na kasayaw ko like Angelica Panganiban, Shaina Magdayao, Iya Villania, Empress Shuck and others. But later, nag-hiphop din ako."

The episode on August 15 will show Ate Vi as a wife and mom. "For the first time, I allowed a TV crew to show our new home in Alabang. They will join us on a Sunday, which is family day for me, and theyll see the musical side of Ralph and Ryan Christian wholl do a musical number na parang rock band. This will be hosted by Angel Locsin."

The fourth episode on August 22 will show her as a public servant. The TV crew will shoot her as she goes to the Batangas capitol to join the flag ceremony and show what a typical day for her is as its first lady governor and a truly empowered Filipina. The final episode will show the making of "In My Life" on location in New York with son Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz.

Once and for all, will she run as vice president?

"Definitely, no. Im not interested in a national position.Hindi ko inaambisyon yan. Ang focus ko pa rin is Batangas. Nandun lahat ng plano ko."

Her detractors say she also said that about running as governor in Batangas.

"Hindi ko rin inambisyon maging governor, but iba talaga kapag destiny. You cannot fight destiny. Basta youre asking me now if Id run as VP, my answer is no."

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It is rumored that Vic Sottos "Fulhaus" on GMA-7 will be terminated to give way to the new sitcom of Manny Pacquiao which is station produced, even if Vic and his MZet Productions have been occupying the late Sunday evening slot for several years now, starting with his "Daddy Di Do Du." Its said Vic will transfer, along with "Eat Bulaga," to TV5, where hes now hosting "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." At the presscon of his new movie, "Love on Line (LOL)," Vic says theres nothing sure yet as his contract with GMA, which is expiring, is still under renegotiation.

Hows his new leading lady, VJ-model Paula Taylor?

"Shes okay, more than what we expected, a very pleasant surprise. Akala ko, model lang siya, but she turned out to be a good actress. And shes nice to all, pati sa Filipino crew namin. Mahusay makisama at magaan katrabaho. Nakakatuwa nga, kahit anong Pinoy food, ready siyang kainin, pati dinuguan. Basta huwag lang daw sasabihin sa kanya kung ano yun at san galing."

Is it true Pia is jealous of Paula?

"No, ni hindi pa nga sila nag-meet. Pia knows siPaula ang kukunin namin from the start. She got excited when we got Paula. Sabi niya, okay yan, bagong mukha, very fresh. Pia is not the jealous type, lalo na if it concerns my work. Very secure siyaand she trusts me very much. Natatawa nga kami sa mga balitang nagkatampuhan daw kami dahil kay Paula. Saan ba galing yan?"

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John Prats is happy to be part of the cast of "Oh My Girl" since hes a fan of Ogie Alcasid as a comedian-singer. "I always watch him in Bubble Gang at naaaliw ako sa kanila ni Michael V.," he says. "Kaya ko ring magpatawa but I really wish I also could sing like him."

We saw his tandem with Denise Laurel in "Bud Brothers" and they have good on screen chemistry.

"Even I was surprised kasi hindi ko inex-expect that the reception to us would be that positive. Meron na nga kaming fans who call themselves Johnise. Its our first time to work together and its really encouraging na maraming nagkagusto sa amin kaya ayan, dapat tapos na ang episode namin, pero binalik kami at na-extend pa ang story namin in Bud Brothers dahil sa request ng fans."

Doesnt his girlfriend Shaina Magdayao get jealous with all his love scenes with Denise?

"Hindi naman. She doesnt mention to me na nagseselos siya. She knows naman trabaho lang ito."

How come hes now more identified in comedy, like in "Banana Split" on TV and in the "Manay Po" series and "Oh My Girl" in the movies? "Kasi naisip ko, ang dami ng nagdadrama, so for a change, mag-comedy naman ako. Adam Sandler daw ang peg ko, walang masyadong kalaban. And I really enjoy doing comedy with Jayson Gainza and Zanjoe Marudo in Banana Split. Dito naman sa Oh My Girl, which premieres tonight at Trinoma, I enjoyed my comic scenes with Ogie as we play half-brothers here na parehong ampon ni Roderick Paulate.

"One reason I got this movie is I want to work with director Dante Garcia, who was our production designer before in G-mik. Hes good, tiyak masusundan agad ito."

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Allen Dizon is a true-blue Pampangueno and each time he produces a movie for his ATD Entertainment, he makes sure he shows it his first to his cabalens. His latest project, "Marino," was premiered at SM Pampanga recently and those who saw it praised Allen for producing another meaningful film like his past one, "Paupahan," that won acting awards for Snooky Serna and German Moreno.

"Marino" is Allens tribute to seamen who toil in the high seas and the families they leave behind. Some folks are insinuating that this is in preparation for his running for public office come next election, but Allen says he has no such plans.

"There are offers for me to run but Ive turned them down," he says. "Im not ready for politics. Mas interesado ako to produce more films para mas makatulong ako sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga tao salocal film industry."

Even before "Marino" is shown, his company already finished filming the political thriller, "Dukot," directed by Joel Lamangan. In "Marino," hes paired with Ara Mina as his wife and Krista Ranillo as his mistress in Bangkok. In "Dukot," hes paired with Iza Calzado.

Source: Malaya