The year that was

Author: Ambet R. Nabus
Column: Take Two

Since this is the last column for the year (what a very long break we will have!), we will discuss briefly our thoughts on the showbiz happenings of 2008; reveal our forecasts for the coming MMFF; and give our traditional holiday season wishes to some of our dear and favorite celebrities.

The year 2008 saw the emergence of young superstars who can be very big like their idols if given proper projects and breaks. Take Two believes that the top five most successful celebrities who spelled the big difference in 2008 are Sarah Geronimo, KC Concepcion, the tandem of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, John Lloyd Cruz, and comic superstar Pokwang.

Of course, stable superstars such as Piolo Pascual, Judy Ann Santos and Richard Gutierrez; and the more senior stars such as Sharon Cuneta, Willie Revillame, Robin Padilla, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Richard Gomez, Cesar Montano, Edu Manzano and Ruffa Gutierrez are still there but those stars mentioned above truly made big splashes.

Sarah proved that simplicity still matters and commanded quite a following. Her debut movie with John Lloyd is no doubt the biggest money-making movie this year, while her concerts and shows abroad are at the same level as those of world-class singing divas.

While Sarah displays the charisma and aura “plain-looking superstars” have, KC Concepcion is sort of her antithesis. She proved her showbiz royalty background and has everything to be like her mother — a legitimate superstar, among the most wanted by fans worldwide. Her big difference with Mega? Her undeniably great passion for the needy and those who deserve to be helped. Don’t get me wrong. Mega also has her share of charitable acts and has a natural ability in helping the underprivileged. But since she became a famous star at an early age, cause-oriented tasks and some noble “ambassadorial works” seemed far then from her priorities.

And who would question the impact made by the tandem of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera? Theirs is the most classic example of “already-there” status, but right projects and good timing made them the celebrities that they are today — very popular and truly of superstar level. Though for us, Dingdong is effective in sustaining whatever he has. Negative publicities seemed not to affect him that much, unlike Marian. Theirs is the tandem to beat.

John Lloyd Cruz certainly has the making of a major star. He has everything to make it, and it seems that right projects are pouring in like the most-talked about movie with Vilma Santos and Luis Manzano. He may be showbiz’s prince (with Piolo Pascual and others being the kings) to some but for us he is already a king with his undoubtedly great record in movies, TV and even concerts abroad.

Do we need to explain why Pokwang remains on top? Yes, she may not be a big star yet, but she has her own throne with her comic ways, her endearing hosting ability and her heartfelt acts in all of her projects (concerts, live acts, TV shows, etc.).

The year also saw the very effective and sustained careers of Toni Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, JC de Vera, Rhian Ramos, Dennis Trillo and Bea Alonzo, but for us they are just as exciting as their initial ventures unlike those whom we mentioned to have seemingly “rediscovered” their “more interesting” status in showbiz.

And hey, just don’t forget the following stars who can at any time give everybody their well-deserved competition. There is Ryan Agoncillo in the hosting field (for us, he is the best in his league), Cristine Reyes as the very sexy star who can act, Jason Abalos who certainly has the making of becoming a drama king, Sid Lucero who should rise as a leading man in mainstream movies, and Alex Gonzaga, who for us is the better host, the bubblier comic and quite an interesting actress than her sister Toni.

And since it has been Take Two’s tradition to make a forecast of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, here’s for this year, based simply on earlier reports, trailers, teaser reviews, actor interviews and the general reaction of critics and readers.

From the looks of it, the top acting plums will be fought by Christopher de Leon and Jinggoy Estrada, Dawin Zulueta and Maricel Laxa for Magkaibigan; Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis, Carlo Aquino and Philip Salvador for Baler; Ogie Alcasid and Ruffa Gutierrez for Desperadas 2; and Ricky Davao, Diana Zubiri and Katrina Halili for One Night Only.

Movies that will sell are those catering to children like Shake Rattle and Roll 10 and the animated film Dayo.

We simply wish that this year’s harvest are better and that people will go to theaters and have fun watching them.

As the hardworking chief and feisty disciplinarian behind the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Chairman Bayani Fernando has lots of issues to contend with. One of them is the annual MMFF. Chairman Fernando, or simply BF, being the solidifying head of the MMFF committee for the nth year now, manages to emerge at the top of the heap. He has been tackling the responsibilities of the MMFF for six years now, a position mandated by the constitution to raise funds for the charitable projects of several foundations, specifically the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund).

BF’s take on this role is simple. “The MMFF’s mandate is to raise funds for the beneficiaries of the foundation. The main objective is to be able to give the workers in the filmmaking industry the benefits due them. How can we achieve that if we don’t have the funds to make this work? I’d like to believe that that is what we have been trying our best to achieve ever since I took over. And the records will show you that we have been successful so far in fulfilling this mandate,” he explained.

MMFF has an all-time high in gross receipts under BF’s tenure since 2002, doubling and even tripling the amount listed in the records in the first year which amounted to P315,299,233.05 as against the previous year’s P147,731,964. In 2006, MMFF recorded the highest gross at P415,824,324.70 which has yet to be surpassed this year. Last year’s gross was at P377,305,615.65. BF takes his responsibilities in the MMFF seriously and says his goal is to be of great service to the local film industry. “It is my prayer that we continue to enjoy the support of the great majority of the industry people, specifically the key players, so we all can realize this vision of serving more,” he ends.

Source: The Daily Tribune

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