'Plastikada'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

IT seems some quarters are really bent on discrediting Marian Rivera.
Entertainment writer-columnist Ernie Pecho called her "plastikada" (she allegedly said he's an "istorbo" when he asked her to sign her poster) in the "Desperadas 2" presscon where she cried because of Karylle's allegedly enigmatic smile.

Then another writer said she saw Marian doing a thumbs up sign to someone as she left the presscon, as if saying "Ok ba ang acting ko kanina?" Another one said he heard Marian telling Mother Lily as she was leaving: "O, ayan, Mother, pag-uusapan na ang pelikula mo. " All this, they say, confirms that Marian is maldita and palengkera, compared to Karylle who is well bred.

We're not close to Marian or to Karylle, but if you'd make an objective assessment of what's been happening between them, no doubt that career-wise, Karylle is the one who benefitted the most from the controversy surrounding her breakup with Dingdong. (In the same manner that Marian benefitted when Angel Locsin chose to move to ABS. ) ABS-CBN signed Karylle up, she has a new album with EMI and she's now also a Bench endorser.

Now, will all the negative stories about her pull Marian down? Her two movies in the filmfest, "Desperadas 2" and "Shake, Rattle & Roll X,"will not be a good gauge since she is just one of a big cast. It's her next TV series that will be a big test for her, "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang. " If it becomes a big hit like "Marimar" and "Dyesebel," then it means that she's intrigue-proof, just like Piolo Pascual who remains a big star despite all the damaging insinuations casting doubts on his gender.

There have been other stars before who got similar negative impressions from the press, but just the same, their stars never dimmed. In the 50s, the late Nida Blanca was denounced by reporters for punching someone in public. In the 60s, Amalia Fuentes became known for being mataray and outspoken. In the 70s, Nora Aunor had all sorts of negative stories circulating about her. In the 80's, Maricel Soriano became known for being Ms. Taray who doesn't hesitate giving reporters a piece of her mind. Despite all the bad press, their luster never diminished.

If Marian's "Babaeng Hinugot" will be another toprater, then there's no doubt the viewing public doesn't really care what the press writes about her. As for Karylle, we don't think ABS-CBN really believes she's lead star material since, for her first big project with them, she just plays support to another star of theirs whose glimmer has somewhat dimmed, Kristine Hermosa in "Maruja". If ABS thought that all the good publicity being written about her lately would really boost her stock as an A-lister, then she would have been cast in a lead role.

DINGDONG BETTER MUM THAN SORRY
AS for Dingdong Dantes, he made the right decision when he chose not to comment at all about the current tiff between the two women linked to him, Karylle and Marian. "Whatever I'd say might just be misinterpreted," he says. "So it's better to be silent. First of all, I didn't get to see that interview with Karylle so I don't know anything about her smile. The last time I saw her was in Las Vegas pa. Pati nga ako nadadamay sa buntis issue, which is unfair dahil hindi talaga totoo. "

What about Marian who's paired with him anew in their next series? What advice would he give her? "I'd just tell her to merely stick to the truth kasi lalabas din naman kung ano ang totoo. I won't be surprised nga kung lumala pa ang intrigang ito. It's better to just focus on my work. I'm back to working out diligently to prepare for my role in 'Babaeng Hinugot. ' May pagka-action kasi ito kaya kailangang fit na fit ako to do the stunts and action scenes they'll require me to do. "

Incidentally, "Babaeng Hinugot" had a teaser trailer shown at the premiere night of "Desperadas 2,", along with three other GMA-7 offerings for their Telebabad block in 2009: "Zorro" with Richard Gutierrez, "All About Eve" with Sunshine Dizon, Iza Calzado, Richard Gomez, Jean Garcia and Eula Valdez; and "Totoy Bato" with Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez. Take note that two of these, "Babae" and 'Totoy" are remakes of Carlo J. Caparas' komiks novels that have already been filmed before on the big screen.

UNBELIEVABLE ROMANCE BETWEEN ANNE, JERICHO
PLAYING the role of a provinciana, Feliza Reyes, in "Baler" truly excites Anne Curtis. "Usually kasi, I play the role of a balikbayan from abroad and I speak a lot of lines in English, just like in 'When Love Begins' earlier this year with Aga Muhlach," she says. "But here in 'Baler', I play a true Filipina and purong Tagalog ang salita ko. I look at it as a forward move in my career and I'm really honored that Viva entrusted me with this project as it's really my most challenging role so far. Si Jericho Rosales dito as my leading man ang siyang half-Spanish and half-Indio who's a member of the 57-man Rifle Battalion of the Spanish forces who got trapped inside the church in Baler as the last Spanish contingent who heroically defended Baler against Filipino rebels for 337 long and grueling days. "

Their love story here is ala-Romeo and Juliet. "Forbidden love talaga kasi I am the daughter of a rebel leader, Phillip Salvador, while Jericho's working with Spaniards. Pero ipinaglaban pa rin namin ang aming pag-iibigan and we're ready to die for each other magkita lang kami even secretly. Even if this is about the war against the Spaniards, 'Baler' is still basically a love story. "

Jericho has nothing but praises for Anne. "She's a top calibre actress who displays a fine sensitivity in front of the camera. Very professional pa, laging punctual sa set, at preparado na with her lines. I had a nice time working with her. "

Although they're currently both single, they Pooh Pooh any allegation that they're now attracted to each other. "We're both more work oriented kaya kahit i-link kami to help the movie, I don't think the people will believe it," says Anne.

WHAT NOW, KATRINA?
AS they say, the plot thickens. Some quarters who care for Dr. Vicki Belo are said to have gathered evidence against her boyfriend Hayden Kho while rolling in the hay with Katrina Halili. It's said that a sex video no less of Hayden with Katrina was presented to Dr. Vicki so Hayden can no longer deny the rumor that something fishy really happened between them.

To verify this, we tried to get in touch with Katrina through the people behind her filmfest entry, "One Night Only," but all they'd say is that Katrina denies everything and she refuses to be interviewed about it. What aggravates the problem, so we heard, is that Katrina's current squeeze, Kris Lawrence, is said to have already asked her about it. Katrina previously sounded like she's already in love with Kris as he shows her so much respect. But with this turn of events, will Kris remain as devoted to her as before?

Some folks, though, say that this might just be a gimmick to help promote not only the Belo Medical Group but also Katrina's movie, "One Night Only," since it's said that what transpired between Katrina and Hayden is "one night only. "

JIRO SETS ASIDE LOVELIFE
Jiro Manio is one of the Star Magic talents with an entry in the Metro filmfest, 'Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat. ' He reprises his role as Ai Ai de las Alas' intelligent son. The last time we talked to him, Jiro was still going steady with his girlfriend who's three years older than him. He now says that they've broken up due to some differences, including the disparity in their ages.

"Career na lang muna ako and my studies dahil magtatapos na ko ng high school," he says. "All I can say is marami akong natutuhan sa naging relationship namin at tama na muna 'yon kaya ayoko munang manligaw. "

He's glad to be back doing a mainstream movie. "Last year kasi, puro indie films ang ginawa ko like 'Tambolista' na naging killer ako, 'Tirador' na snatcher naman ako, at 'Foster Child' na anak ako ni Cherry Pie Picache. At least, na-nominate pa rin ako in those movies," says Jiro who already won a lot of acting awards for "Magnifico" when he was 10 years old.

ABS EXECS MEET CLINTON
IT'S not only KC Concepcion who was the Kapamilya present in the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative Meeting in Hong Kong recently. Also there were Lopez Group of Companies Chairman Oscar Lopez, Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) President Rina Lopez-Bautista, and ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Head Maria Ressa. They got to discuss various global issues such as education, energy, climate change, and public health with other world leaders.

Lopez, in his speech, reiterated the Lopez Group's commitment to pursue corporate social responsibility projects that will improve the lives of the marginalized especially in relation to environment and education.

He also announced a donation of almost P420 million as the groups "commitment to action. " Lopez-Bautista, on the other hand, shared the success story of KCFI on using educational TV in public schools during the education working session titled "Bridging Digital and Learning Divides. "

It received the highest commendations from former US President Bill Clinton who also chose the project as one of the six models of commitment he presented at the closing ceremonies. Clinton added that KCFI's program must be replicated in other countries as well. Meanwhile, Ressa served as one of the panel discussion moderators for the session "Building Prosperity and Diversity" alongside the president of Mongolia, Nambaryn Enkbayar, and the president of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Jose Ramon-Horta.

This year, the CGI meeting also paid tribute to popular movie stars and personalities supporting a noble cause in the likes of Michelle Yeoh of Malaysia and Hong Kong action star Jet Li. ABS-CBN is the only media organization in the Philippines invited to participate in this first and last meeting to be held outside America. CGI Asia Meeting was organized by the Clinton Foundation which was established in 2005 as a non-partisan organization headed by Bill Clinton. It gathers leaders from business, government, civil society, and philanthropic organizations and provide opportunity for them to take action and solve the region's most pressing issues.

Source: People's Journal