The secret of ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

WHEN Charo Santos-Concio started hosting "Maalaala Mo Kaya," little did she know it would be the country’s longest-running drama anthology. It has won countless awards from the Catholic Mass Media, Golden Dove and Star Awards and has featured all the country’s big name stars. "It has given breaks to some of the country’s best writers, directors and stars today," says Charo. "I want to thank the staff who really work hard to come up with a great show every week."

What’s its secret?

"It’s because we feature only true stories. We even send research teams to the provinces to collect stories from people who can’t writekaya di maisulat ang stories nila sa’min. So kami na ang lumapit sa kanila. These stories are all life-affirming and the viewers find them very inspiring."

For its 18th anniversary presentation, "MMK" will present five special stories. The first one this Saturday, August 1, is about a girl who was born in the same year as "MMK," 1991. Played by Erich Gonzales, she’s a poor girl who works as a housemaid, just like her mom (Ai Ai de las Alas). "MMK" hosts a special birthday party for her to brighten up her life. The next four stories are all set in the US West Coast and made with the cooperation of The Filipino Channel using Pinoy actors now based there.

On August 8, the story will be about war veterans who live in the US to give a better future to their families here, led by Noel Trinidad, Nanding Josef, Joji Isla, Prospero Luna, Louella Albornoz and Lucita Soriano who’s now married to an American.

On August 15, Ryan Eigenmann and Giselle Toengi play a young couple who migrate to the US to have a more prosperous life, only to be disillusioned by the difficulties of surviving there. August 22 features Princess Punzalan as a woman unhappily married to a womanizing husband, Miguel Vera, and finds love anew in a former boyfriend, Michael de Mesa.

August 29 stars Gina Alajar as a caregiver working for a sick American who considers her as family, but Gina is alienated from her own daughter, Lauren Young. They tried to get Nora Aunor to play either the Gina or Princess role but they were told she’s not available. Too bad for Ate Guy’s fans as this would have been a good chance for them to see her acting again.

This will just be the start of their MMK episodes shot abroad. They’ll also feature stories of Pinoys in Dubai, Japan and Canada. Viewers who’ll join the Text Mo promo anniversary special gets a chance to win P3,000 cellphone load, P10,000 weekly or P18,000 at the end of August. To join, download and send the episode title by texting MMK then send to 2366. Also, visit their website for updates on MMK’s 18th anniversary on mmk.ABS-CBN.com.

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Director Olive Lamasan was at the "MMK" presscon and we asked her if she has wrapped up the shooting of "In My Life" with Vilma Santos. "Not yet," she says. "We got delayed kasi nasabay sa taping ng kanyang ‘Woman for All Seasons’ TV specials. But tuloy ang playdate namin in September."

So how’s Ate Vi in their first movie together?

"Napakagaling niya, wala akong masabi," she gushes. "When you tell her to do a scene, she discusses it with you at makikita mo sa mind mo how it will come out. But when she does it before the camera, she surprises you as she delivers more than what you expect. At kahit paulit mo sa kanya ang eksena for a different kind of attack para may pagpilian ka sa editing, she doesn’t mind. No complaints at all considering her stature in the industry."

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TJ Trinidad is very effective in his villain role as Ramon in "Zorro" and some viewers hate him so much for being Zorro’s ruthless foe who’s so unkind to Indios. "It’s a tiring role kasi laging hyper angcharacter ko so it’s physically draining, what with all the swordfights," he says. "But I welcome the challenge. We started taping in February at five months din ito sa ere. Now that it’s ending, nakakalungkot din kasi we’re like one big happy family sa set namin in Bagac, Bataan. I really admire Richard as Zorro as he’s very dedicated to his work. Hands on talaga siya sa taping namin. Don’t miss the few remaining episodes as ‘Zorro’ gets more exciting than ever.Marami pang surprises."

He’s also happy that even before "Zorro" has ended, GMA-7 has already assigned him another meaty role in Dingdong Dantes’ new soap, "Stairway to Heaven," where he’ll play the role of Tristan. "It’s a demandingbida-kontrabida role and I play an artist so I want to take up art classes before taping starts para magkaroon naman muna ako ng background sa painting. I’m glad to be working with Dingdong again. Una kaming nagkasama in the Metro filmfest entry, ‘Resiklo.’"

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Manilyn Reynes is very busy these days. She’s in the cast of two movies. She plays Judy Ann Santos’ blonde production assistant in "Oh My Girl" and is also in "Love on Line" with Vic Sotto. She also has two TV shows being shown, "SRO Presents the Eva Castillo Story" where she plays the title role and the daily early evening soap, "All My Life," where she plays Kris Bernal’s aunt who knows the family secret that Kris as Romina is not the real daughter of Amelia (Gelli de Belen) and Romano (Zoren Legaspi), but an "ampon." Manilyn has her own love interest in the show, Romnick Sarmenta, who plays her old flame, Efren. The secret between Amelia and Gary (Jay Manalo) is now known to Romano, but he refuses to listen to any explanation from Gary. It turns out that Gary is the real father of their son who died from drowning, Luke. Marita (Lani Mercado), Gary’s wife, learns about this and is also furious about it. Meantime, Jules (Aljur Abrenica) gets more jealous with Perry (Paolo Avelino), the underwear model who stars in the fashion show produced by Romina.

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Chairperson Ma. Consoliza Laguardia officially announced the first MTRCB Awards for TV to be held at Gateway Cinema 5 on September 4, Friday, 7 p.m. There will be 14 categories: best drama, best comedy, best children’s show, best reality show, best talent show, best news program, best public affairs show, best actor, best actress (no supporting categories), best male and female public affairs hosts, special citations, and a lifetime achievement award.

TV stations were asked to submit three of their best shows in each category, then the board will choose three finalists in each category.

What are their criteria for judging?

"The members of the board will be the judges and we aim to give recognition to shows with socially redeeming values, artistic excellence and moral acceptability," says Laguardia. "This is part of our Film Education and Appreciation Program and with this, we want to send the message that these are the shows that we would like to see more of. We hope this will help improve the standards of television in our country. We also want to raise the level of cinema appreciation so we are also holding the first MTRCB Metro-Manila Students Screenplay Awards. We already got ten entries and we aim to help discover new talents in scriptwriting. For this, we’ll give cash prizes: P30,000 for the first prize, P20,000 to the second prize, and two consolation prizes of P10,000 each."

Who will be their hosts of their awards night?

"We’re inviting OMB Board Chairman Edu Manzano as main host, with the board’s Jackie Aquino-Gavino as his co-host. The presentors will be the board members themselves paired with our guest stars on that night. I wish the top execs of the two top networks will be there, Atty. Felipe Gozon of GMA and Mr. Gabby Lopez of ABS."

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The Cinemalaya films shown at CCP are now at the UP Film Institute in Diliman and here’s the schedule of showings.

July 31: 5 p.m. "24 K" - About a treasure hunt starring Julio Diaz and directed by Ana Agabin.

7 p.m.- "Mangatyanan" - About a woman who was raped by her father, starring Che Ramos and directed by Jerrold Tarog.

9 p.m.- "Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe" - About a woman who finds love in a kapre, starring Irma Adlawan and TJ Trinidad, directed by Alvin Yapan.

August 3 - 5 p.m.- "Colorum" - With Lou Veloso winning the best actor for his role as an old ex-convict. Also starring Alfred Vargas, directed by Jon Steffan Ballesteros.

7 p.m.- "Dinig Sana Kita" - About a deaf boy who falls in love, directed by Mike Sandejas. This won the Audience Award.

August 4 - 5 p.m.- "Sanglaan" - Ina Feleo won best actress and Tessie Tomas won best supporting actress for this film, directed by Milo Sogueco of Albergus.

7 p.m.- Best picture winner "Last Supper No.3" - A comedy about a missing Last Supper painting directed by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel.

Tickets are only at P80 each. To know more about the entries, visit cinemalaya.org. For inquiries, call Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, 981-8500, local 4286, 4289.

Source: Malaya

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