Katrina to do the remake of 'Miss X'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Niña Jose's loss is Katrina Halili's gain. After Mother Lily Monteverde didn't allow Niña to do "One Night Only,"OctoArts FIlms' entry in the December filmfest, the project was offered to Katrina Halili and she's very happy to accept it. Directed by Joey Reyes, it will also star Angelica Panganiban, Roxanne Guinoo and Valerie Concepcion. Take note that they're all Kapamilya while Katrina is Kapuso.

"Wala naman sigurong magiging problema kahit taga-GMA7 ako at puro taga-ABS sila," says Katrina. "Marunong naman akong makisama and I expect na magiging friends kami while doing the movie. "

Aside from "One Night Only," OctoArts boss Orly Ilacad is offering Katrina the remake of one of Vilma Santos' biggest hits, "Miss X," filmed in 1979 in Amsterdam where she played a prostitute in that city's famous red light district. "Excited ako, sana matuloy," says Katrina. "I'm so honored kung ako nga ang gagawa ng movie na dating ginawa ng isang Vilma Santos. At makakarating pa ako sa Europe kung dun din kukunan uli ang pelikula. "

Katrina will formally sign a multi-picture contract with OctoArts on Tuesday.

MARVIN TEACHES JOLINA ABOUT 'SEX'
THE new Sunday afternooon show, "Dear Friend," to be aired after "Pinoy Idol Extra," is something that host Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin believe is right up their alley.

"We will be reading the letters sent by viewers then we'll each give our own opinion about the issue involved," says Jolina. "Ayaw naming maging scripted ang sasabihin namin kasi baka mamaya, it might appear na nagmamarunong kami. Gusto naming maging natural ang lahat, hindi basta sumusunod sa script kundi nanggagaling sa puso namin ang anumang ipapayo namin. I already did something like this, 'Payong Kaibigan', when I was a teenager, pero ibang-iba ang topics noon, mabababaw, compared to the ones we get now na mas mature na kami. "

"It's fun to work Jolina again," says Marvin. "I'm glad na nandun pa rin yung chemistry namin. I'm sure kami ang napiling mag-host as we've been working together since we were teenagers at talagang good friends pa rin kami hanggang ngayon. "

What qualities do they like in each other as friends? "Hindi ko makakalimutan si Marvin kasi siya ang nagturo sa aking mag-text," says Jolens.

"Ano?" Marvin butts in. "Mag-sex?"

Jolens playfully hits his arm. "We were doing then yung 'Labs Kita, Bilib Ka Ba' movie namin at bago pa lang nun ang cellphones. He taught me kung paano ang texting. I also appreciate yung pagiging honest niya. He says what he feels at hindi siya basta tameme lang. Concentrated din siya lagi sa work niya. "

And what does Marvin like in Jolens? "I like her optimism. Kahit may problema, hindi mo siya makikitang nagmumukmok lang. Hinaharap niya ito ng may ngiti to solve it. Mahaba na ang itinakbo ng friendship namin and I know it will last kahit magkaroon na kami ng sari-sarili naming family. "

What advice will Jolina give to Gabby Concepcion? "Ayoko siyang pag-usapan kasi wala naman siya sa mind ko. But I feel sorry for him. Na-pull out yata ang produktong ine-endorse niya. He said umuwi siya rito for his dad. So sana mag-effort nga siyang bigyan ng time and love ang dad niya. "

And what can Marvin say about the breakup of ex-GF Pauleen Luna with Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian? "Honestly, nagulat ako dun, at nalungkot din kasi kaibigan ko pa rin naman si Pauleen. Sana nga, maayos pa nila. "

MARIEL FLIES WITH ZANJOE
Mariel Rodriguez is excited to play a superheroine in the next presentation of Mars Ravelo Presents Komiks after "Kapitan Boom" on Saturdays. This is "Varga," said to be the komiks forerunner of "Darna,", and it will start airing in August.

"It will be my biggest break as an actress on TV at okay lang kasi fantasy-comedy ang treatment dito," she says. "Kung heavy drama, baka mahirapan lang ako kaya I'm glad light muna ang material na ibinigay nila sa akin. "

Mariel has already been fitted with her full costume for the show and she's eager to be shown as a flying superheroine. "Feel ko talagang lumipad in my costume and I'm sure dahil dito, mas darami ang fans kong mga bata. "

Another reason why she's elated with the project is that she's paired with real-life sweetheart Zanjoe Marudo. "I'd really enjoy working with him, pero siempre, trabaho pa rin ang priority namin," she quips.

COMEDIENNE WITH A DRAMATIC LIFE
Chariz Solomon is happy that she is part of the hit movie, "My Monster Mom. " "Ang first movie ko, 'My Best Friend's Girl Friend,' big hit din," she says. "I was with Richard Gutierrez in that movie, ngayon naman, with his mom and sister. I enjoyed being the housemaid of Tita Annabelle Rama na lagi niyang sinisigawan. On cam lang siya mataray, pero off cam, pareho sila ni Ruffa Gutierrez na very sweet. Ngayon, sa TV, si Richard uli ang kasama ko sa 'Codename: Asero'. Talagang nakakabit na yata ang pa-ngalan ko sa Gutierrez Family. And I'm proud to be a part of big-budgeted show like 'Asero' kasi ginastusan talaga at ang lalaki ng mga eksena. "

Chariz plays Gigi, the best friend of Heart Evangelista, in "Codename: Asero". She also has regular exposure in "Startalk Struck Attack" and because of her hilarious antics there every Saturday, she's now recognized as a fine young comedienne. She's her family's breadwinner, being the eldest of five siblings. They live in a crowded area in Pasay and she now wants to move somewhere in Quezon City near the GMA studios.

"Para makatipid naman ako sa pamasahe. Super madrama ang buhay ko at nagdanas ng katakut-takot na hirap ang pamilya ko, pero heto ako ngayon at nagpapatawa. Iniisip ko nga, dito talaga ako inilinya ni Lord para makapagpasaya ako ng mga tao. "

LUCIDA'S REQUEST
EVELYN ALVARAN of Hair Asia hosted lunch for "Feng Shui-ly Yours" TV host Maribel Galindez, who's also the Marketing EVP of United Shelter Health Products, distributor of the controversial glutathione product Lucida DS. Bel issued an official statement challenging Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) who ordered the recall of a certain batch of Lucida, to subject the two labs involved in the testing of Lucida, Adamson University Technology Research and Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) into an independent test and inspection of facilities to resolve once and for all which one is more competent in conducting true glutathione tests. PIPAC claimed that Lucida and another product, Vaniderm, only have 5. 4 mg. and 4. 5 mg. of glutathione content, respectively. But Adamson found 514. 72 mg. of glutathione on Lucida DS and 498. 69 mg. in Vaniderm. BFAD went on to issue the recall order despite US Food and Drug certification that both Lucida DS and Vaniderm contain the correct 500 mg. content stipulated in their labels.

"We have also formally filed a motion for reconsideration," says Bel. "These products are imported from the U. S. We just distribute them. So now, some health experts from the U. S. will also meet with Health Secretary Francisco Duque to request a new series of test be conducted on Lucida DS and Vaniderm. This team is led by chemist David Ji, who'll also meet with Ambassador Kirstie Kenney to explore the possibility of filing a formal diplocatic protest about the controversy surrounding their products. Dr. Alexander Hammer, VP for research and development of Global International Laboratories in Georgia, USA, also recommend the use of the infra ray method to obtain the best possible and most credible results in testing the products. "

What can she say now that Sen. Loren Legarda asked that her billboards endorsing Lucida DS be taken down? "We respect that, in the same way that we also respected her decision then to be our endorser. Okay lang to change the billboards kasi we really do that every two to three months. We still thank Sen. Loren for supporting our product before. "

What can she say to Korina Sanchez? "I hope she will hear our side also. " To Jobert Sucaldito? "Jobert, mahal kita, we see each other in the same parlor. Kung galit ka sa endorser namin (Gabby Concepcion) at sa manager niya (Mommy Rose), huwag mo na kaming idamay. "

ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST FILMS
THE Cinemalaya entry, "Boses," was not a part of the original 10 films accepted by Cinemalaya. It was just a replacement for "Antiparang Basag" that backed out. Now, it turns out to be one of the year's most intensely moving films so far, brilliantly acted by the entire cast and directed with great sensitivity by Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, based on the script of Froilan Medina and Rody Vera.

The story starts with the camera peeping through a hole showing the already intoxicated Marcelo (Ricky Davao) continuing to drink by himself. Cops arrive with some concerned neigHBOrs to ask Marcelo where he is hiding his 7-year-old son, Onyok (Julian Duque), who he often brutally beats up. It turns out the camera is taking the view of the badly battered Onyok who's imprisoned inside a cabinet. The cops arrest his dad and Onyok is taken to a shelter for abused kids headed by Amanda (Cherry Pie Picache).

Onyok cannot speak as his vocal chords were damaged when something was rammed down his throat. In a hut behind the shelter lives Amanda's grouchy brother, Ariel (Coke Bolipata), an accomplished violinist who has become a recluse after his wife or girlfriend (this is one of a few things in the film that is not clear), Bianca (Meryll Soriano), killed herself (why she did so is also nebulous). He whiles his time away by playing the violin. The other kids in the shelter think he's crazy, but Onyok is drawn to his music and the two of them, both lonely and alienated souls, make a connection. Ariel lets Onyok play the violin and the boy turns out to be a prodigy who learns very fast and becomes a virtuoso violinist in no time at all. But Marcelo won't leave them alone and keeps trying to get Onyok back.

How Onyok finds his voice through music is a heartrending tale that will move you to tears. Coke Bolipata is an award-winning musician in real life who studied at the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York. Julian Duque is really one of his students. The film's climax, which is a tribute to the beauty of music and its power to heal, shows them playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and you can't help but feel triumphant for both of them. They're not only good musicians but also very good actors, playing their respective roles with much persuasion, which is really something considering that they are acting with seasoned award-winners like Ricky Davao and Cherry Pie Picache who are also both splendid in their respective roles.

Just like "Jay," this film deserves a wider release in theaters nationwide.

Fortunately for it, it has been adopted by the UNICEF, DSWD and Council for the Welfare of Children as part of their campaign, Children Against Violence, and will be shown in schools. The applause given to "Boses" after its gala screening at the CCP was deafening. The cast and crew got a standing ovation and they all deserve it. Cinemalaya is ending today but you can catch "Boses" when it's shown at UP Film Institute on August 4, at 5 p. m. Tickets are only at P70. The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held tonight at the CCP and we have no doubt that both "Jay" and "Boses" will be winning some of the major awards.

Source: People's Journal