Cesar draws applause at 'GREAT RAID' world premier

Cesar Montano was warmly applauded for his role in his first Hollywood movie, "The Great Raid." The movie, which stars Benjamin Bratt, had its world premiere last week at Loew's Theater in Washington DC. In attendance were the former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, now New York senator, and two other lawmakers.

"When my name came on the screen - and I hate to brag - the audience shouted and clapped. Even the people from Miramax Films (the movie's producer) were mildly surprised," Cesar said in an interview later.

The theater seats 800, and Cesar estimates Filipinos made up only 10 percent of the audience. So he was amazed by the reaction of the American viewers. "I'm excited because the movie has finally been shown. It's a dream come true for me. A very rare opportunity."

Cesar has a two-year, three-picture contract with Miramax, but there's a hitch developing. Miramax and Disney Pictures are merging, so he may have to re-negotiate his contract. He'll know the details when he returns to the US next month. So far Miramax has not lined up its next project for the Filipino actor. Another reason why Cesar is bound for America again is that he's trying to hire an agent to handle his career in Hollywood.

"The Great Raid" will be shown in the Philippines on August 10 and in the US on August 12. The film, which had a budget of almost $80 million, is based on the daring attempt by American troops to rescue 500 prisoners in a Japanese concentration camp in Cabanatuan during World War II.

Incidentally, Miramax Films is appealing the decision of the US movie ratings watchdog Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to bar youngsters from seeing the movie. The MPAA gave an "R" rating on "The Great Raid" citing "strong war violence and brief language." That means that youths under the age of 17 are not allowed to watch unless accompanied by an adult.

Miramax argues that "There have been a number of war films with comparable levels of violence that were given a 'PG-13' rating including such films as 'Hotel Rwanda,' 'Master and Commander' and 'Pearl Harbor.'" o0o

Lady luck must be favoring Pia Guanio. All her programs in GMA-7 - "24 Oras," "Eat Bulaga" and "S Files" - all enjoy high ratings. Their success hasn't gone to Pia's head. She remains modest, almost self-effacing. She owes her good fortune to God.

She doesn't let intrigues bother her either. She's focused on her job, and that's the mark of a true professional. Pia has proven herself to be a top-rate interviewer. She has developed a following for her segment, "Chika Minute."

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Some stubborn people do not want to accept that Susan Roces is not interested in politics. A faction in the opposition tried to pressure her into challenging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even presenting her as a likely successor to the President if Mrs. Arroyo is forced to step down. But the widow of Da King must have seen through their plan and has refused to play along.

"I can understand why the opposition is disappointed with Susan," a friend of mind who is close to Susan said. She would rather play with her granddaughter. Her daughter Mary Grace is now the one shielding her from insistent politicians.

Since FPJ died in December, he has "contacted" his wife only once. My source told me Susan and Ronnie loved to have coffee in their room in the morning. Since FPJ died, Susan had taken out the coffeemaker. Whenever she wanted to drink coffee, she has to go downstairs to the kitchen. One morning the bedroom smelled of coffee. That was the day Susan spoke before a big rally in Makati.

I am also told that the mother of FPJ's son, Ronian, is talking with Susan's lawyer, Harriet Demetriou, about inheritance. The funny thing is that Ronian's side wants a copy of the marriage certificate of Ronnie and Susan. "So what Attorney Demetriou did was to ask for Ronian's birth certificate. And guess what? It didn't have the signature of FPJ!" my source said.

Despite everything, Susan reportedly is still willing to give Ronian what is due him. Ronian wanted to get into showbiz but his plans were derailed after FPJ suffered a stroke and eventually passed away. o0o

She's caught 10 wedding bouquets but Ms. Andeng Bautista, Bong Revilla's sister, had remained pretty much single. But not for long. Andeng has an altar date in November. The groom? Junjun Ynares.

This early she's busy preparing for the big day. Still she can't get her mind off the controversy involving her nephews Jolo and Bryan.

Bryan reportedly tested negative for drugs recently, belying what Rosanna Roces claimed last Sunday in "The Buzz" that the young actor and Jolo were hooked on Ecstacy.

According to Atty. Ernesto Perez II, Jolo took a separate drug test last June 8 at the De La Salle-HSC Drug Testing Laboratory and no trace of narcotics or prohibited drugs were found.