No perfect happiness for Ai Ai

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

On a scale of one to 10 in the happiness meter, a noticeably slimmer Ai Ai delas Alas declared that hers was “a nine!” during her launch as Neo-Kiddlielet endorser. “There’s no perfect happiness and to seek such will only cause unhappiness.” The noted comedienne was selected to pitch for the fruit-flavored, chewable paracetamol for kids because of her Tanging Ina image in reel and real life. Ai- Ai’s hilarious yet touching portrayal of a martyred mother in her recent movies and television shows cemented her place in the realm of show business. In real life, she is also lauded as the ideal mother to three teenage children, who can, of course, no longer use the Neo-Kiddielets. She quipped, “Siguro kapag nagkaanak si Sancho!” But when asked if she was ready to have a grandchild by her eldest son, who is an Ateneo University student, she threw back, “’Wag muna! Ikaloloka ko!”

Ai Ai is enjoying a second wave of fame after signing a new contract with ABS-CBN, the package of which includes three television series, namely, a serialization of her superhero character Volta, a drama with Maricel Soriano and a sitcom with Judy Ann Santos. She does not want to host a game show as the P1 or P2 million jackpot gives her jitters. She’s not eyeing a recording deal as her CDs did not do well in sales. Her mind is set on television and movie projects although she has not yet signed a deal with Star Cinema. She revealed that she will shoot a straight drama in digital format this January with Dante Mendoza as director. Here’s the bigger news: The producers want it to be screened at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival.

Business seems to be making up for Ai Ai’s lack of a love life. She has put up the Ai Sarap fastfood restaurant in Sampaloc, Manila and says she will recover the P400,000 capital in less than two months. She has big plans for Ai Sarap. She wants it to be the Jollibee of low-end fastfood. Her business strategy? Offer people’s food created by Center for Culinary Arts experts at tapsilugan prices!

That’s Ai Ai for all of us!

A brainteaser in ‘I’ve Fallen For You’

Here’s something to think about: Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s characters in Lino Cayetano’s debut movie I’ve Fallen For You are both named Alex Reyes. Like in the mega hit A Love Story, Star Cinema plays up on a puzzle to grab viewer attention. From the story and screenplay of Mel del Rosario, it tackles teen and post-teen issues and problems, how they fall in and out of love and the unavoidable challenge of adulthood. Kim states, “You have to watch the movie to find out.” This poser and if they will have a kiss are some of the movie’s must-see thrills. Such footage was taken by Lino and he has not decided whether to include it in the final cut although Star Cinema creative and marketing people are urging him to do so. Today is the movie’s red carpet premiere at SM Megamall and it opens in over 100 theaters nationwide tomorrow. Find out the answer!

‘Kubrador’ to open New York film series

Santhosh Daniel, The Global Film Initiative (GFI) director of programs, has confirmed that Bet Collector (Kubrador) will open the Global Lens 2008 series in January at the Museum of Modern Art n(MOMA), New York on Jan. 10, 2008. In an e-mailed message to MLR Films producer Atty. Joji Alonso, he wrote: “(It) will most likely have a one-week engagement at the Museum, beginning January 10th...It is an excellent work and we are proud to have it as part of our cinematic program.” Director Jeffrey Jeturian’s expenses will be paid by GFI. The Film Development Council of the Philippines will cover the airfare of Atty. Joji, lead actress Gina Pareno, script supervisor Armando “Bing” Lao and scriptwriter Ralston Jover. Director of Cinematography Roberto “Boy” Yniguez and Production Designer Leo Abaya are going on their own, but Atty. Joji will try to pay off part of their expenses from the FDCP subsidy.  

Neil Tan’s masterpiece gets an A

Recall my rave review of Neil “Buboy” Tan’s Ataul (For Rent) last Cinemalaya? Apparently, the Cinema Evaluation Board also found it an excellent movie, giving it an A rating. According to the Artiste Entertainment Works International executive producer, this columnist gave it the first rave review. An underrated scriptwriter/director whose filmography includes Maldita, Kalabit, Karelasyo, Puri and Barang, Neil did not think Ataul (For Rent) would receive such a superlative rating. When Anthony, with whom he co-wrote the screenplay, gave him the thumbs up after the CEB screening, he knew it impressed CEB members. Christine Dayrit encouraged him to enter this uncompromising dark movie about marginalized humans living in an urban calejon in the next Cannes International Film Festival. She also suggested for him to file for P2 million grant to help defray expenses for international promotion.

This is the first film production of Anthony, an Asian Institute of Management graduate. The film topbills Joel Torre as a small-time funeral parlor operator and Jaclyn Jose as a makeup artist for the dead and the living. Irma Adlawan, Nonie Buencamino, Pen Medina, Ronnie Lazaro, Tita Swarding and Coco Martin complete the dream cast of the country’s best actors. After participating at the 31st Montreal World Film Festival with distinction, Ataul (For Rent) will premiere at SM Megamall on Oct. 25. Regular screening follows on Oct. 31.

Breaking buzz: Tony is finalizing an international distribution agreement with Tony Gloria’s Unitel/Unico. Neil’s currently working on the script of his new compelling project, Baklas, about human organs for sale.

A change of heart

ABC5’s senior vice president for Corporate Affairs e-mailed a statement regarding GMA’s acquisition of the Philippine Idol franchise. She explained how in 2006 it did not want “other people’s idea” but “coveted” Philippine Idol this year. The piracy does not here. Just as Ogie Alcasid and Michael V were plucked by GMA from ABC5, now it’s Ariel and Maverick’s turn. This cheeky duo has signed up with GMA to do Send or Save. Can’t blame them! Bobby Barreiro isn’t too hot on these highly creative guys. Their show 1 by 1 had been axed. And there are more franchise shows for GMA. Kakasa Ka Ba?, the local version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grade, to be hosted by Janno Gibbs, will replace Celebrity Duets.

Ayen wants soiled hands

The only real celebrity princess in our midst wants to be a working mom. Ayen Munji, one of the country’s leading artists with superb creative standards, has signed up with GMA Artist Center and is ready to accept any project as long as this will not involve kissing and beyond. She was at a function with Wilma Galvante, who invited her to be an exclusive GMA premium talent. She wants to pursue her singing career like joining SOP or hosting a help-oriented show like Wish Ko Lang. She explains, “I want to get my hands dirty. My kids are grown up. My eldest is 16 years old. It’s about time I return to my roots. I’m a stage actress. I learned how to sing, act, dance and all the skills involved in being one. I want to do character roles from the real world and experience common people’s lives.”

Charo’s pride

Maalaala MoKaya’s at the Seoul Drama Awards is host Charo Santo’s pride. With Star Home Video, MKK is now releasing MMK: The Pride Collection DVD, a four-in-one special collection of gay stories: Rustom Padilla and Gardo Versoza in Cake, Joross Gamboa and TJ Trinidad in Cellphone, Jiro Manio and Carlo Aquino in Manikang Papel and Roderick Paulate and Aiza Seguerra in Juice. Also released in video stores worldwide are the DVDs and VCDs Maging Sino Ka Man (John Lloyd Cruz, Anne Curtis, Sam Milby and Bea Alonso), Walang Kapalit (Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto), Paano Kita Iibigin (Piolo and Regine Velasquez), Alpha (Justin Timberlake) and Ask the Dust (Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell).

Vangie turns a year ‘younger’

Wearing a pair of trendy printed shorts and brown tube top, blooming as usual, well-loved publicist Vangie Kua turned a year “younger” last Aug. 27 in a celebrity-studded birthday bash held at Punchline. She had no plans for a big celebration, but Blooming Skin and Surgery Center Dennis Tayag “tricked” her into having a joint celebration. Born on Aug. 29, Dennis is part owner of Blooming and the hottest entertainment spots in the metro — Punchline, Laffline and Metrobar. It ended up with her guests all over the place while his guests were tucked in a small corner of the famous comedy bar. Partymakers included husband Irvin Kua, Blooming general manager Andrea Nacenceno, special friend Joy Lim of Charms and Crystals, celebrities Janice de Belen, Elwood Perez, Ricky Rivero, Katrina Paula, Michelle Murenec, Mico Aytona, Marco Antonio, Jaco Mones, Jacq Yu of White Castle Search and business associates Dr. Roberto Vasquez, Cathy Lim of Bodyworx and friends from The Buzz.

Shorties

Donsolis our official entry to the Oscars’ Best Foreign-Language Film competition this year, besting Foster Child and Inang Yaya! Congrats to director Adolf Alix Jr. and co-producer Zenedy Que!!...Also to Gina Pareno for her Best Actress nomination in the Asian TV Awards, which will he beld in Singapore in Nov. 29. It’s for her mother role in Rehas as directed by Jeffrey Jeturian for Charo Santos-Concio’s Maalaala Mo Kaya!... Tony Boy Cojuangco spent six hours watching over Gretchen Barretto at Ruffa Gutierrez’s fashion show at the Rockwell Tent!...Starmaker, in tandem with Proformance Pyrotechnics of Team Australia, won Third Prize at the Beijing Fireworks Competition...Chito Rono wants the Megastar to lose 20 lbs more to start principal production of Star Cinema’s Caregiver...Manny Pacquiao’s farewell presscon at Gourdo’s at The Fort turned out to be a big mess!...

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Source: The Daily Tribune

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