'Mulawin' The Movie joins MMFF race

GMA Films is joining the Metro Manila Film Festival this year and it's fielding the film version of "Mulawin" as its entry. The widely-followed and top-rating TV series was responsible for the soaring popularity of Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin right now and GMA Films hopes that the Richard-Angel tandem on the forefront of the project would spell magic at the box office. GMA Films is banking on the strength of the love team of Richard and Angel who early this year scored a hit via "Let the Love Begin" also from GMA Films.

GMA Films hopes that the success of "Mulawin" as a TV series would also work in the film version. The production team behind "Mulawin" leaving nothing to chance. They would want to make sure that the film version of "Mulawin" would not only be a visual feast to the eyes but would also figure prominently in the awards. Since this is the comeback offering of GMA Films to the December filmfest, they definitely would want to do it with a big bang, in the same manner that they did with "Jose Rizal' "Muro-Ami" and "Death Row," all of which garnered critical acclaim as well.

We heard that sky is the limit for the budget of "Mulawin" as the production hopes to surpass if not equal the success of the TV version. But is it true that to make the "Mulawin" film version truly different from the TV version, major changes will be made not only in the story but also in the casting? We heard a rumor that some cast members of the TV version of "Mulawin" would not be included in the film version. Grapevine sources claim the characters played by Gary Estrada and Ara Mina were taken out of the film version. It is not clear as to what transpired that led to the alleged exclusion of the characters being played by Gary and Ara. But they are among the most important characters of "Mulawin" and it doesn't seem right to take them out.

Is politics involved in the move to streamline the casting of "Mulawin" and that's why some of the original characters would allegedly be taken out or written off from the story?

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If you were Cesar Montano, what would you do if you have been invited to the seven international film festivals? Naturally, the actor is very much elated with the attention given to his "Panaghoy sa Suba" and would have wanted to attend all the film festivals if only he has all the time in the world. He is very much grateful and passionate over the plaudits being garnered by his latest directorial opus so much so that if he really has the time to spare, he would be present at all the festivals.

Cesar left for Washington, DC to attend the premiere of his international movie "The Great Raid" which he made for Miramax. It was shown to the Washington Press yesterday. He left Monday with his manager Norma Japitana and his brother Rommel Montano to attend the premiere held at Lowe Cinema.

Before he left, Csear met with the local press in connection with his being chosen as the image model of Nature's Spring Mineral Water. According to Mr. Rey Sangalang, VP for Sales and Marketing for Luzon of Philippine Water Resources, Inc., they chose Cesar as their endorser because of his wholesome image and his being an environmentalist.

Supporters of the actor would be naturally disappointed because he has no entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival. His supposed project, "Balangiga" to be directed by Gil Portes, was not accepted as one of entries to the festival. Cesar says he's not disappointed and he'd be able to use his free time to attend the numerous film festivals where "Panaghoy sa Suba" would be shown.

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Ai Ai delas Alas nearly landed in a hospital due to fatigue because of her backbreaking schedule of shows last week. She had an asthma attack after her last show at Klownz Araneta Center last Saturday night. She was supposed to leave for Ventura, California last Sunday to attend the birthday party of her American boyfriend Art Carter who celebrated his natal day Wednesday.

Her schedule took its toll on her health that it was impossible for her to leave for the United States to join her boyfriend on his birthday. But Ai Ai somehow felt bad when she sense that Art was not inclined to believe she got sick that's why she can't go.

She was supposed to foot the bill of the party that was held at the residence of Art's sibling. She sent Art a text message telling him that she's sick and won't be able to join the merrymaking.