'Walang karapatang mag-inarte si Cristine'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

HERE'S an email from someone who wants to be called Ate Wowowee: "Akala ko ba, Cristine Reyes will stay with GMA-7? Bakit panay ang guest niya ngayon sa 'Wowowee'? Obvious namang may itinatago silang relasyon ni Willie Revillame, kahit pilit niyang dine-deny.

Dapat, i-let go na lang ng GMA-7 si Cristine. Wala pa naman itong karapatang mag-inarte. 'Di bale sana kung kumita 'yung launching movie niyang 'Green Paradise' at itong 'Ate' niya with Ara Mina na pinanood namin ng isang officemate ko at wala pa kaming dalawampu sa loob ng SM Cinema 7 sa North Edsa. Kung sinasabi niyang mas masaya siya sa ABS, 'di doon na nga sana siya at baka siya ang magbangon nito sa ratings game ganyang siya raw ang magbibida as Eva Fonda. Sino ba 'yun? Di ba mas sikat dun si Frieda Fonda? We're sure mas gaganda ang takbo ng career ni Cristine sa ABS, gaya ng Ate niya na nagawang mapag-rate ang 'Prinsesa ng Banyera'. Mwa-ha-ha-haw!"

ROMANTIC COMEDIES AND GAY FILMS

THERE were two big mainstream movies shown so far this year and they're both romantic comedies: "My Best Friend's Girlfriend" and "My Big Love". On the other hand, the indie films shown were gay-themed flicks: "Sikil", "Selda", "Roxxxanne", "Lihim ni Antonio" and "Daybreak".

And that's what local movies have come down to: romantic comedies and gay films.

We hope movies with more significant content will be shown later, but sadly, we don't see anything substantial in mainstream films.

The only meaningful films we can look forward to at this point are the entries in the Cinemalaya Filmfest in July that offer a more varied fare and hopefully might yield a good harvest like last year's entries that produced the likes of "Pisay", "Endo", "Still Life", "Tribu" and "Kadin".

A LESSON TO SHOWBIZ WANNABES

FILIPINA singer Ramiele Malubay, 20 from Florida made it as one of the 12 finalists of "American Idol Season 7". We saw her rendition of "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" that impressed the three jurors and she really has great potential.

It's just too bad she got into a controversy when someone posted her photos in the Internet showing her groping a friend's breast. This (and also what happened to Vanessa Hudgens of "High School Musical") should be a lesson to all showbiz wannabes. They should be more discreet with their private postings.

With Ramiele at "AI 7" are David Archuleta (17, the early favorite from Utah), Jason Castro (20, from Texas), David Cook (25, from Missouri), Kristy Lee Cook (24, from Oregon), Chikezie Eze (22, from California), David Hernandez (21, from Florida), Amanda Overymyer (23, from Indiana), Carly Smithson (24, from California) and Brooke White (24, from Arizona. ) Will she be as lucky as Jasmine Trias who made it to the top three? We'll see in "American Idol" on Q-11, Wednesdays to Fridays at 6 p. m.

VHONG 'SUPAH' IN BED?

Vhong Navarro feels so lucky that after "Lastikman", he now has a new movie "Supah Papalicious". Vhong has had several showbiz girlfriends like Bianca Lapuz, Diana Zubiri, and Desiree del Valle. What makes him "Papalicious"?

"I don't know," he says. "It could be they like my sense of humor and the way I dance. Siguro, it's the fact na nagiging totoo lang ako sa kanila at 'di ako nagpi-pretend na kung anu-ano. You know, I notice nga na mas ma-appeal ako sa older women, mga matrona. Parang type nila ko gawing DI (dance instructor) nila. "

Is he really "supah" in bed? "I think you should ask those I've gone to bed with. Mahirap nang ako ang magsabi, baka sabihin, nagbubuhat ako ng sarili kong sofa, di ba? At saka, wholesome po ang movie naming 'Supah Papalicious', hindi po for adults ito kundi pambata, pampamilya, kaya parang di dapat pag-usapan kung supah ako in bed. Ayaw ni Makisig Morales na anak ni Valerie Concepcion dito sa movie. "

How is it different from his past movies? "Past movies ko kasi, parang cartoons o kaya fantasy, like 'Gagamboy', 'Spirit Warriors', 'Mr. Suave', 'D'Anothers'. Ito po, very realistic dahil ang story is about family. Naiba lang po ako rito when I played three other characters na dalawa sa kanila, mga babae. Pero wala pong special effects na ginamit kundi make up lang. I'm sure tiyak na tatawa nang husto ang audience sa mga bagong characters kong ito. "

BABIES IN BALIKBAYAN BOXES?

AWARD-winning journalist Sandra Aguinaldo tackles a sensitive subject in tonight's "I Witness", that of sending babies of our OFWs in Korea through balikbayan boxes.

Many couples who stay there illegally send their newborn infants home through "biyaheras" to avoid deportation. These are Pinays who travel to Korea to sell Pinoy products and also act as "storks" who carry babies back to Manila. A couple either buys a biyahera's plane ticket home or pays 350,000 won or P15,000 for the baby delivery service.

One such couple is Nelson and Liza Atienza who met and married in Seoul while working in a garments factory. Liza delivered a healthy boy. To avoid immigration troubles, they sent their baby to their relatives in Manila.

Sandra documents the plight of the Atienzas and follows the baby's journey back to the Philippines. The practice has been going on for years now and the Philippine Embassy is aware of it. Sandra also chronicles the story of Alma Montalbo, who sent her baby back to her relatives in Mindoro seven years ago. She now communicates with her child only through phone calls and Internet chats. Don't miss this moving episode, "From Korea With Love", that will surely make you cry, tonight after "Saksi".

NOMINEES FOR MYX MUSIC AWARDS

THE MYXMusic Awards 2008 will be held at the Meralco Theatre on March 26. Here are some of the bands currently vying for prizes: Ciudad, an indie rock band that started in 1994 when its members were only 12 years old, is composed of Mikey Amistoso (vocals, bass, piano), Justin Sunico (guitar, vocals) and Mitch Singson (drums). They're nominated in the Best Indie Artist category in the prestigious MYX awards.

Silent Sanctuary, a unique band composed of Anjo (cello), Chino (violin), Jett (viola), Sarkie (lead vocals and guitar), Paolo (bass), and Allen (drums), is nominated in the Favorite New Artist and Favorite Song categories.

Three-piece act Hilera is composed of Chris (vocalist) and Bobby (drums) Padilla and Ivan Garcia (bass). They're nominated in the Favorite Remake category. Callalily has a big fan base and composed of Kean Cipriano (vocals), Tatsi Jamnague (guitar), Alden Acosta (guitar), Aaron Ricafrente (bass) and Lem Belaro (drums).

To vote for your favorite artists, tune in to MYX or type <MMA (space)(number of your choice)> and send to 2366 on your mobile phones. You may also cast your votes in the voting boxes located in any JB Music, Odyssey and Penshoppe stores nationwide. For nominee profiles, log on to www. odysseylive. net/ MYXmusicawards2008. Voting period is only until March 10. Just tune in to MYX 24/7 on Skycable Channel 23 for the latest updates in the MYX Music Awards.

TWO INTRIGUING PERSONALITIES

TWO intriguing celebs guest in Mariel Rodriguez's "Celebrity Hitlist" on Cinema One's Celebrity Block. First is Donita Rose, an actress who made a name for herself as a VJ in Singapore and now hosts the morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda".

She will share her very private must-have list in her career and in her personal life.

Then there's Dra. Vicki Belo, topnotch aesthetic surgeon of showbiz personalities who has faced so many challenges and controversies in life. She'll also share a list of the things that are dearest to her.

Is BF Hayden Kho part of the list? Find out as Mariel grills her in "Celebrity Hitlist" tonight at 9 p. m. And tomorrow, don't miss the premiere telecast of Boy Abunda's "Inside the Cinema", an in-depth conversation with award-winning actress Chanda Romero. You'll gain so many insights from Chanda about life and showbiz as she opens her heart and soul to the probing questions of Boy, the interviewer par excellence.

Source: People's Journal