Sharon turns Regal baby

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

REGAL'S romantic comedy, "Oh My Girl (OMG)" starring Judy Ann Santos and Ogie Alcasid will be full of top guest stars and one of them is Sharon Cuneta, who just returned from her successful concert tour in the U. S. Mother Lily is ecstatic about this as this will be Sharon's first time to work with Regal and she promised to be there when Sharon shoots her scenes on July 1 in Taal, Batangas. After this, Sharon will lead the cast of Regal's entry in the December Metro Filmfest, "Mano Po 6,"to be directed by Joel Lamangan. She'll be joining the league of Maricel Soriano, Kris Aquino and Ara Mina who did "Mano Po 1" (2002); Susan Roces, Lorna Tolentino and Judy Ann Santos in "Mano Po 2: My Home" (2003); Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon in "Mano Po 3: My Love" (2004); Zsa Zsa Padilla, Cherry Pie Picache and Rufa Mae Quinto in "Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife" (2005); and Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin in "Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di" (2006).

"I'm happy to have Sharon working with us and I'm also positive that 'OMG' will be a big hit dahil nandiyan na si Juday, may Megastar pa ngayong kasama," Mother Lily proudly proclaims. "This will be our 50th anniversary presentation this July. Last year, si Juday rin ang bida sa anniversary presentation namin, ang horror dramang 'Kulam', and it's a blockbuster kaya tiyak kong tatabo rin sa takilya itong 'OMG' namin. Pero this time, she won't scare people kundi patatawanin naman niya kasi feel good romantic comedy nga ang 'OMG'. We've already seen the rushes at tawa kami nang tawa sa mga eksena. Juday is really one of the best actresses of this generation and she's a perfect Regal baby who's very professional and dedicated to her craft. Maganda ang combination nila ni Ogie in making people laugh. "

"Happy rin naman ako working with Regal," says Juday. "Naging Regal baby ako when I appeared with them sa 'Dyesebel' noon ni Alice Dixson. Then as a teenager, Mother was the one who gave me my first movie, 'Sana Naman', na talagang naging big hit din kaya I owe Mother a lot. "

In "OMG," she plays Darling, a girl who grew up in an orphanage with Ogie. They lost touch and she bacame a famous actress. Ogie had to disguise as a woman like Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" to be able to work with her as her personal assistant. Supporting Juday and Ogie in 'OMG' are Roderick Paulate, Carmi Martin, Manilyn Reynes, Jon Avila, Carlo Aquino, Frenchie Dy and several big name stars in cameo roles, directed by Dante Nico Garcia.

CONG. IRWIN AND HIS ADVOCACIES
VOYEURS should watch out. Rep. Irwin Tieng of Buhay Partylist is deadset on punishing them with his House Bill 4315 or cyber boso bill that he advocates along with Representatives Rene Velarde and Carissa Coscoluella. He says this was filed two years ago but no one is acting on it.

"I was inspired to write this bill when a girl approached me saying she was humiliated sa lugar nila sa pagkalat ng isang sex video involving her," he says. "Ang masama, she was raped and the act was videotaped. We filed a case against those who did it to her and I helped her to relocate para makaiwas siya sa kahihiyan. "

The bill was just gathering dust in congress, but the Katrina-Hayden sex video scandal brought it to the attention of other lawmakers and hastened the act's passing. Now, its counterpart is also on its first reading at the Senate. The anti-voyeurism bill aims to punish all those who record or attempt to record private acts, including but not limited to the sex act, without consent of the parties involved. "Pag vinideo mo ang isang tao habang nagbibihis siya nang hindi niya alam, that would be a crime," Cong. Irwin says. "We've seen how a helpless woman like Katrina was victimized and we must not allow these things to happen again to anyone. The bill will punish not only those who videotape the act but pati 'yung nagkakalat nito, from six months to six years in prison plus a fine of P100,000 to P500,000. If the offender is an alien, he'd be deported. As a lawmaker, I want to protect our countrymen from such depraved acts as we also uphold the dignity of the Filipino people. "

Cong. Irwin also happily reported that the amusement tax for local films has now been reduced from 30% to 10% and, hopefully, this will also make ticket prices affordable and more producers will be encouraged to finance new films. He said his uncle, Wilson Tieng, of Solar Films, will now produce a new movie starring Manny Pacquiao as an entry in the December filmfest. Its entitled "WaPacman". Manny will play a single dad who becomes a superhero and will be paired with Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls. Wrestler Batista will also be part of the cast. "Sabi ko nga sa uncle ko, kunin akong extra sa movie," he laughs.

Meantime, we no longer wonder why no matter what newshens do to match him with TV reporter Ginger Conejero, Cong. Irwin, who's one of the most eligible bachelors in congress, wouldn't bite. We saw him at the press preview of "Transformers 2" and he was with a pretty date who he didn't introduce to us. He even bought popcorn and drinks for her. It's obvious he's already taken.

ALJUR ON RELATIONSHIP WITH KRIS: SA AMIN NA LANG 'YON
Kris Bernal cried at the start of the presscon of "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin". As she and Aljur Abrenica were walking down the red carpet at the beginning of the presscon of their new show, "All My Life," she was seen crying again. Is it because she felt that she's in a real wedding and she's happy to welcome Aljur as her hubby?

"No, sa sobrang nerbiyos lang po at sobrang happiness din kasi I didn't expect na matutupad agad ang dream kong mabigyan sana kami ng drama series on primetime," she says.

Kris reminded most writers of Katrina Halili, who also cried each time there is a presscon. "Iyak kasi ng iyak kahit walang dahilan si Katrina kaya binigyan tuloy ng reason para siya may iyakan, si Hayden," quips one writer. "Sana, huwag magaya sa kanya si Kris. "

The press requested Kris and Aljur to kiss and they obliged. It turned out to be a real hot and lengthy kiss, with Aljur even opening his mouth slightly. What did Aljur feel while they were kissing?

"Maraming feelings. All of them nice. But what I exactly felt for Kris, sa akin na lang 'yun at ako na ang magsasabi sa kanya mismo. There are things kasi na para sa amin na lang dalawa. Hindi naman lahat, puwede naming i-share sa press. All I can say is I continue to respect Kris highly. Hindi mawawala 'yun. "

How does it feel to star in a primetime evening show? "Masaya, but also scary. What if viewers won't support it. I just wish all those who watched 'Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin' will continue to watch us in 'All My Life' also starting tonight at 6 p. m. We both just want to thank GMA-7 for their trust and we promise to do everything para hindi sila mabigo sa amin. "

NEW WCOPA DELEGATES
SINCE the Philippines joined the WCOPA or World Championships of Performing Arts in L. A. in 2005, we've been winning almost every year with Jed Madela winning as Grand Champion Vocalist and Grand Champion Performer of the World in 2005. Other winners are the Circado Sister in 2006, Reymond Sajor and Aria Clemente in 2007, and Catherine Loria in 2008. Carlos Orosa of Stages now formally announces the singers who'd be competing at the 2009 WCOPA in L. A. from July 11 to 18 as part of Team Philippines. These are: Viva recording artist and Canadian Idol finalist Martha Joy; SexBomb dancer and television actress Evette Pabalan; child actor Makisig Morales' sister Mayumi Morales; ABS-CBN's Little Big Star winner Rhap Salazar; Los Angeles, California-based recording artist Divo Bayer; new recording artists Keane Andeza and Oreo Vamenta, and newbie young performers Maila Mitra, Nicole Espolong, Melchi Bicua, CJ Concepcion, and Mia Sinaguinan, solo performers Guy Lockwood and Izarzuri Vidal, and group vocalists Kulay Pikata and Young Voices of the Philippines Quartet. The Department of Education is also sending the Mr. Philippines Youth winner, Bryan Foronda, to compete in the spokesmodeling event.

"This is the biggest delegation we're sending so far," says Carlo. "This is also my last year in handling this affair at ipamamana ko na ito kay Kitchie Benedicto next year. We want to thank Pres. Arroyo's Social Fund for giving financial help to our singers who'll represent our country. "

We asked Martha Joy, who has already released her debut album with Viva, how she made it to WCOPA?

"I read about it in the internet," she says. "I've met Carlo Orosa in one event before. I was introduced to him by Tita Pilita Corrales, so I got in touch with him and he told me to audition. Luckily, I qualified naman and I will be performing in five categories. I chose the songs myself: 'Power of Love' for Pop, 'Winner Takes It All' for Broadway, 'You'd Never Walk Alone' for Gospel, and 'I Have Nothing' or 'Listen' for Country. Wala pa kong napili for the Open category. "

But is she qualified to compete for Team Philippines when she was born and raised in Canada? "I have dual citizenship and I've been living in Manila for one year now. "

As for Oreo Vamenta, who's from Cagayan de Oro, he'll sing "Life is a Highway" in the rock category, Stevie Wonder's 'Dont You Worry About a Thing' in jazz, 'Climb Every Mountain' in Pop, 'We are the Reason' in gospel, and 'Lately' in the open category. Oreo is from Cagayan de Oro and he has already competed in 'Pinoy Pop Superstar' and 'Star in a Million'. He has recorded an album of all original songs with Concord Records but he feels sad it was not well promoted. His Cagayan de Oro relatives and kababayans in L. A. promise to support him while he's there and will later put up a concert for him and another Cagayan de Oro native, Mark Bautista.

'TIGILAN NA 'YAN AT WALANG NANINIWALA DIYAN'
AS a talent manager, Annabelle Rama is concerned not only on what she'll earn from her wards. She's also genuinely interested in helping them hone their craft so she got Leo Martinez to give her talents an acting workshop. Those who're now taking the workshop are JC de Vera, Michelle Madrigal and Ehra Madrigal, Bubbles Paraiso, Elvis Gutierrez, Ritchie Paul Gutierrez, Yna Asistio, Janine Gutierrez (daughter of Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher) and Carla Humphries.

"Hindi porke matagal ka nang umaarte, magaling ka na," she says. "You need to grow always, kaya I told them na seryosohin nila ang workshop. Kundi lang busy sina Eddie at Richard sa 'Zorro', gusto rin sana nila mag-workhop. Bukod sa acting, may dance workshop din sila with Geleen Eugenio to improve their moves. Kahit magkagastos ako, okay lang sa'kin, basta mag-improve lang sila sa pagharap sa camera dahil 'yan ang puhunan nila. Kung magiging mas magaling, mas darami pa ang kukuha sa kanila at mas kikita rin ako, di ba? Parang investment yan. "

No doubt Annabelle is as much a celebrity as her wards. When she accompanied Richard for his Globe show in Hong Kong recently, it was not only Richard who the fans mobbed but also his mom. Pinoys there also want to have their pictures taken with her. "Nakatipid nga ang Globe dahil si Richard lang ang may bayad pero pati si Annabelle, pinagkaguluhan din doon," someone who's based there wrote us. "At wala kang mako-complain sa mag-ina dahil parehong accommodating. "

As for Richard and Ruffa not being included in the Most Beautiful list of a magazine, Annabelle says: "Wala akong pakialam dahil hindi naman sila credible. Ang best award ni Richard is the fact na laging number one sa rating in primetime ang 'Zorro' niya at laging blockbuster ang movies niya. Ang mga award na 'yun, galing sa taong bayan na pinanonood ang show niya gabi-gabi at lahat ng pelikula niya. Si Ruffa naman, kukuwestiyunin pa ang beauty niya when she bested 83 other contestants from different countries sa Miss World noon as Second Princess? Kaya tigilan na 'yang Most Beautiful na 'yan at walang naniniwala diyan. But we don't expect anything from them naman kasi nga nakademanda sila, di ba?"

SEARCH FOR PINOY HIP-HOP DANCERS FROM AMERICA
HIP Hop Dancers in U. S. and Canada can now strut their stuff in "Pinoy Dance Showdown" of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA network's first international channel. In partnership with Western Union, "Pinoy Dance Showdown" searches for the best Pinoy hip-hop dance crew in North America. The search is open to hip-hop crews composed of 5 to 7 members, male or female, with at least 4 members having Pinoy roots. They must be legal residents of the U. S. or Canada, and at least 15 years old. Interested dance crews need to visit www. gmapinoytv. com/pinoydance, register, and provide a link to their two-to-three minute hip-hop dance routine video. The finalists will then go on to compete in the dance showdown in their respective areas (US East Coast, US West Coast, Canada East Coast, and Canada West Coast. ) Arguably the preferred Pinoy channel of Filipinos abroad, GMA Pinoy TV offers no less than award-winning newscasts and public affairs programs from the most credible news organization in the country, and the most watched local entertainment programs today.

'SC' CONTINUES SECOND YEAR CELEBRATION
'Showbiz Central' continues its second anniversary presentation today with more controversial issues and exclusive stories from Pia Guanio, Raymond Gutierrez, John Lapus, Mo Twister and Rufa Mae Quinto. Last Sunday, "The Story of Your Life" segment was introduced featuring the lives of celebrities before they became famous. This afternoon, two more segments will premiere: "Fashion Central" and "Central Investigation Agents". Jolina Magdangal will take the lie detector test in "Digital Don't Lie to Me" portion. Rochelle Pangilinan will be featured in "Story of Your Life". Pops Fernandez will be grilled in Intriga Crossfire. Dingdong Dantes meets a diehard fan in the "Eyeball Idol" segment. Another special guest is the new Darna, Marian Rivera. "Showbiz Central" airs on GMA7 at 4 p. m. after "Dear Friend".

Source: People's Journal