Christian Bautista pampered like a star in Indonesia

The fans of Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin came in droves at the premiere showing of the movie "I Will Always Love You" held at Cinema 10 of SM Megamall Monday night. The cinema was packed and we were amused at the way the fans reacted to the many romantic scenes of the movie's protagonists, Richard and Angel.

The fans reacted at every line uttered either by Angel or Richard. Even before a line could be finished, you'd hear a collective shriek or shout from the audience. From the moment the screening started until it ended, the fans were completely mesmerized by the love story directed by Mac Alejandre and penned by RJ Nuevas and Suzette Doctolero, the team also behind the movie "Let The Love Begin," the Valentine movie of Richard and Angel shown last year.

"I Will Always Love You" is definitely a crowd-pleaser and a perfect movie date for those who adore romance flicks. The movie is replete with numerous romantic scenes that would certainly drive any Richard-Angel diehard to delirious fits. The movie, co-produced by GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, should make good at the box-office when it opened Wednesday. As Eddie Gutierrez said after watching the movie, "Parang gusto kong bumalik sa pagiging teenager."

Incidentally, "I Will Always Love You" got a grade of B from the Cinema Evaluation Board. Congratulations.

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"Completely-Christian Bautista," the first-ever Indonesian television special done by Christian Bautista for RCTI, Indonesia's biggest TV station, was shown yesterday in Indonesia. The TV special had the singer sharing the stage with a 40-piece orchestra, young musical genius Andi Rianto and two popular Indonesian divas-Krisdayanti and Titi D.J.

This marks the first time that the Indonesian TV station invited a Pinoy singer to do a TV special and what makes it even more mind-boggling is that Christian is very new in the music scene. For sure, his popularity in the region is sure to soar since RCTI has a viewership of 180 million and its network reaches to nations namely Malaysia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.

Warner Music Indonesia gave Christian the kind of pampering reserved for celebrities, providing him with personal bodyguards outside his hotel suite 24 hours a day, a team of top stylists and expensive wardrobe (Hugo Boss suits!)- truly a superstar treatment. The TV special was shot with a six-camera set up and with the most high-tech lighting and sound system you could only imagine.

Aside from taping the TV special, Christian also shot music videos for his recent album's two Indonesian originals, "Since I Found You" and "For Everything I Am." Famed Indonesian film director Agung (along with a production crew totaling to 60 people) mounted a very intimate and romantic music video, set in a brand new $600,000 house in the Kabarubyan Village. Agung is known for directing big-time Indonesian films. His most popular music video was for Josh Groban's "She's Out Of My Life."

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Is it true that Patrick Garcia is following the footsteps of Marvin Agustin and Carlo Aquino and heading for GMA 7? According to rumors, Patrick is seeking release from the Kapamilya network and is reportedly transferring to the Kapuso fold.

The former child actor has reportedly visited GMA 7 and has allegedly talked to an executive. The rumor became more intense when Patrick agreed to guest in an episode of "Ganda ng Lola Ko" where he will play the boyfriend of Katrina Halili. At the taping of the said show aired on QTV 27, Patrick says he's now being managed by Viva Films and is ready to accept guest stints from other TV networks. His contract with ABS-CBN ends in June. When asked if he plans to renew his contract with Channel 2, Patrick says it depends on what they could agree upon.

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Cinema One, the Filipino movie channel on cable owned and operated by Creative Programs, Inc. (CPI), would like to invite all interested filmmakers, scriptwriters, film students to submit their dream movie proposals to the 2nd Annual Cinema One Originals.

You may send your proposal/s or full script to @abs.pinoycentral.com. This year's Cinema One Originals has a theme: "Paglalarawan ng Pamilyang Pilipino sa Makabagong Sine at Panahon."

There's no limit to the number of entries that you can submit before Feb. 28. They have basically the same rules and guidelines as last year except for the inclusion of the theme and for the semifinalists (around 30) to present and pitch their detailed proposals before the final selection of the top seven projects.

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Randy Santiago had a successful and lively launch for his brand new album at Ratsky's Morato the other day. The singer's new CD titled "Beinte Na, Hihirit Pa" is a collector's item, especially for those who had followed his recording career since 1986.

It feels good to listen again to Randy's hits like "Hindi Magbabago," "Naglalambing," "Siguro," "Babaero," and "Para Sa 'Yo" which were given new arrangements for a more contemporary taste and feel. The new album also includes the song "Never Will There Be Another One," which Randy wrote as a wedding gift for brother Raymart and girlfriend Claudine Barretto, who are tying the knot on March 27, which also happens to be the wedding anniversary of Randy and Raymart's parents.

In an interview with Randy after he did a mini-concert, he was asked how he felt towards Willie Revillame who's at the center of a controversy following the stampede that happened at the Ultra last Saturday.

According to Randy, there's no one to blame for the tragedy-not even Willie or ABS-CBN. He says Willie should not carry the burden upon his shoulders since he just did his job, as a "good soldier" that he need to advertise the exciting prizes for the first anniversary of the program "Wowowee" aired on Channel 2.

"Kahit na concert dudumugin ng tao basta't libre," says Randy. He says the economy is bad, but he stressed that not all people who went to Ultra last Saturday were after the prizes. "I believe most of the people who went there just wanted to be entertained and were not really there for the prizes."

He understands the plight of Willie and the staff of "Wowowee" since he witnessed how people would flock to the studio for the game show. He was once a part of "MTB" with John Estrada and Willie, and one of the most popular portions of that show was "Pera o Bayong," that also offers exciting prizes.

Randy says there might also be a lapse on the part of the PNP to secure the area. "The police should have dispersed the people when they started camping out as early as Monday when the show is scheduled for Saturday. What if a stampede happened on Wednesday? How are we going to address that problem?" he shot back at the press.