Unsolicited advice to Marian, BB

Author: Bibsy Carballo
Column: Meanderings

HAPPY Easter to all inhabitants of showbizland, and I hope you all gave yourselves some time from the usual merrymaking to look back on the past few months, assess your moves and decisions, and give thanks to the Higher Being we all look up to. It has often been said of the modern Pinoy that he has taken the Christ out of Christmas, and the Holyness out of Holy Week. However, during these trying times when the whole world is in turmoil, there is no one we can turn to but this Higher Being for guidance.

Having said my sermon on the mount, I'd like to offer some unsolicited advice to some showbiz celebrities whom I have yet to meet but whom everyone seems to have an opinion about. One of them is Marian Rivera. She and Dingdong Dantes continue to hog the headlines with most of the negative gossip landing on Marian's lap. It has gone from boyfriend snatcher to being no longer bankable - like her endorsement wasn't renewed and instead given to her victim Karylle; she is losing prime assignments at GMA because the bosses find her image tarnished. Of course, the truth is somewhere in between but perceptions remain that Marian should address immediately.

Correct or false, fair or unfair, these perceptions continue. She is said to have become the big star she is now only because Angel Locsin left a slot open at GMA when the latter moved to ABS. That she encouraged a relationship with Dingdong knowing full well his commitment to Karylle, something both have consistently denied to this day while showing of late careless obvious public display of affection.

Our unsolicited advice this Easter is: Give thanks to Angel and to GMA7 for the breaks given you. Show loyalty to friends and those who started you out on the showbiz path. Do not provide people with material for malicious talk and gossip. Show business is a tough and exceedingly unloyal, unfair, and fickle world to conquer but if you are guided well, you will survive. Look around you at actresses who managed beautifully well like Toni Gonzaga, Sarah Geronimo, Bea Alonzo, Nikki Gil, Isa Calzado. They are celebrities who are respected and admired. End of unsolicited advice.

Next celebrity whom we haven't met is BB Gandang Hari. I have really nothing much to advice her on since I really admire her guts at deciding to give birth to BB and close the curtain on everything in the past involving Rustom Padilla. My only quarrel is that while BB is studying her options as to what path to take - acting, modeling, hosting, directing - perhaps she could take care not to be over-exposed. She is everywhere in all media, as cover girl of glossies, guest on television in every imaginable show. Take it easy, girl. You are gorgeous enough as it is in those Rajo Laurel gowns, looking very much like a Supermodel material, and exceedingly articulate you could put to shame a lot of other celebrities, but go easy on all those guestings. Madaling magsawa ang tao. Sayang all the trials you went through if you make a wrong move.

FINALLY, THE DIRECTORS' CUT

WHEN I first heard of a project involving veteran film directors working in the digital format with Tony Tuviera, long time producer of "Eat Bulaga," I immediately thought that this was a partnership made in heaven. Tuviera, while very successful with his commercial undertakings principally the still unstoppable "Eat Bulaga" has many other dreams on the side.

I am sure readers will remember the first fully animated movie with Filipino material made by Filipinos in Urduja. This gigantic achievement is one that had its beginnings in the 90s when Tuviera was quietly obsessed with something he had called Project 906. In the meantime, Tuviera's path crossed with that of Mimbi Eloriaga of the Philippine Animation Studio or PASI. Urduja was the project they worked on with Reggie Entienza as writer-director, and such names as Manet Dayrit, Mike Idioma, and Joey de Leon, Ogie Alcasid with Mon Faustino taking care of the music.

It is therefore obvious that Tuviera is possibly the only producer in television and cinema today who takes the unconventional route, daring to venture where others fear to tread. His latest project is now ready for exhibition. It is called "Sine Direk" and involves six full length feature films with Tuviera partnering with the Directors Guild of the Philippines . The films and directors were chosen from scripts the members submitted. The final lineup are Joel Lamangan with Fuschia, Soxie Topacio with Dead na si Lolo, Lore Reyes with Litsonero, Peque Gallaga with Agaton and Mindy, Mel Chionglo with Bente, Maryo de los Reyes with Kamoteng Kahoy. The cast includes Gloria Romero, Elizabeth Oropesa, Roderick Paulate, Eddie Garcia, Nash Aguas, Jinggoy Estrada, Gina Alajar, Manilyn Reynes, Richard Gomez, Robert Arevalo, Julio Pisk, Buboy Villar,

This is a trailblazing project that can be brought to fruition by one with the passion, heart, and clout in the industry. Tuviera funded the projects with P3 million each movie. The directors got their staff and cast for a song, mainly because they believed in the purpose of the project. Proceeds will go to scholars of the Directors Guild. Exhibition will during the entire month of May possibly crossing over to June. Hopefully, all media will join in marketing "Sine Direk" to all audiences for the sake of our dear, languishing movie industry.

Email the author at bibsycarballo@yahoo. com

Source: People's Journal