Ryan vs. Piolo

Unitel Pictures, headed by Tony Gloria (which produced groundbreaking films such as "Crying Ladies," "La Visa Loca" and "Nasaan si Francis?"), is releasing three documentaries this year, beginning with "March of the Penguins" which won Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards early this month and earned $80 million in the United States.

Two years ago, Unitel released locally Fil-Am Ramona Diaz's Sundance winning-documentary "Imelda." It made P25 million at the box-office, proving that an informative and historical documentary can also be entertaining and well-accepted by lovers of mainstream cinema.

At the last American Film Market held in Santa Monica, Unitel acquired all Philippine rights to "March" from Wild Bunch, the French distributors.

But instead of releasing a subtitled "March" or the English version narrated by Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, Mr. Gloria thought of having the docu done in Tagalog, to be narrated by megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Mr. Gloria explained to the Wild Bunch representative that by doing so, they could reach more people. He wants as many Filipinos as possible to see the docu because of its beautiful story that would surely touch a lot of people.

The Tagalized version of "March" is being done by Chris Martinez (who wrote the award-winning film "Bikini Open" and is the librettist of the critically-acclaimed "Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Ze Muzikal)."

He said the company was eyeing a May or June playdate for "March." Unitel is also readying the groundwork for a Tagalog version of a six-part health docu special for television, as well as Diaz's follow-up to "Imelda," which Unitel is co-producing. With the working title "Teacher," this one follows the journey of Filipino teachers recruited for work in inner-city/ghetto schools in Maryland.

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Superstar Nora Aunor's latest film titled "Care Home" will be premiered at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on April 23rd at 4pm. "Care Home" is said to be a breakthrough in Nora's stellar career as it is a "digital movie" made by using handheld mini-DV camcorders.

Digital movies have made a breakthrough in local cinema since last year because of their much cheaper production costs. The film was shot while Nora was busy undergoing behavior modification program in Los Angeles, in connection with her arrest at the LAX last year.

Besides Nora, the movie also stars Gloria Sevilla, a perennial favorite to play Nora's mother in some of her landmark movies like "Nasaan Ka, Inay?," "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo" and "The Flor Contemplacion Story." Other members of the cast are US-based Divina Valencia, Rebecca, Dranreb Belleza, Lailani Navarro, Juni Ranillo, Germaine De Leon Padilla, and Jo Awayan.

"Care Home" is about a Filipino caregiver who decides to place her mother in the care home where she works. Mother-and-daughter conflict ensues as the mother feels unloved and rejected while the daughter bears the pain inflicted by her decision.

"Siguradong magugustuhan ito, hindi lang ng mga tagahanga ni Nora Aunor kundi lalung-lalo na ng mga Pinoy dito sa Amerika na nagpapakahirap para sa kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas," said Suzette, who co-wrote and directed "Care Home," which hopes to raise funds for the Sto. Niño de Cebu.

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Sandara Park wouldn't say how long she and boyfriend Joseph Bitangcol have been on. She said this is a private matter that should not be revealed to the public.

But what she didn't know is that the mother of her boyfriend told the press who attended the presscon of Star Cinema's "D'Lucky Ones" that Sandara and Joseph had been on for more than a year already. Joseph's mom also revealed that their family likes Sandara and they approve of the relationship.

Mrs. Bitangcol even revealed that Sandara no longer has to pay for the barbecue that she eats. You see, selling barbecue is the business of Joseph before he entered showbiz. Since Joseph's family loves Sandara, it would be good for them to remind Sandara to add up on her food intake since the Korean is underweight. She only weighs 87 lbs. and she'd surely look a little better if she will add on just a few more pounds to her lean frame. After all, she will surely be busy during the promo of "D Lucky Ones" that will open on April 15.

Sandara also urged the press to watch her movie with Joseph since she wore a bathing suit in the film, directed by Wenn Deramas.

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The past few days saw articles putting Piolo Pascual in the middle of the Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo relationship. In his recent press conference, the actor issued statements like "I hope I'm not causing any misunderstandings between them." (Manila Bulletin)

When asked why he did not make an outright denial of being the reason of the alleged misunderstandings, Piolo just smiled and said that he's aware of such misunderstandings reported to him by his and Juday's small, common circle of friends, as well as his mom who is close to Judy Ann's mom. (Saksi Ngayon and People's Tonight).

The recent developments prompted a reaction from Ryan and we are printing here his reactions on the matter. We quote Ryan's reactions as sent through the email by his manager, Noel Ferrer.

"Walang tunay na lalake ang magsasalita o makikialam sa relasyon ng iba."

"Whatever happens between me and Juday is between us, and we are okay. And for Piolo to talk about my girlfriend outside work is rather ungentlemanly."

"I learned that in a recent "The Buzz" interview with Piolo and Juday, Juday was caught by the camera saying "Echosero" referring to Piolo - after she repeatedly brushed off Piolo's advances as soon as the camera lights went on."

"I just have this to say Next time I see him, I'll put him in his place."