Vhong Navarro is Agent X44

Vhong Navarro admits feeling the jitters. His latest movie "Agent X44" under Star Cinema will open on January 17 as the opening salvo of the film arm of ABS-CBN for 2007.

After opening 2006 with the Judy Ann Santos-Piolo Pascual starrer "Don't Give Up On Us," Star Cinema gives Vhong the rare distinction of testing the waters after the Metro Manila Film Festival via "Agent X44" directed by Joyce Bernal.

The dancer-turned-comedian is hoping to cash on the remake of the Tony Ferrer classic to draw the crowd. "This is a very big test for me," says Vhong who admits of being nervous but is nevertheless confident that he has a good project at hand. He left no stone unturned to ensure that the moviegoers would get their money's worth. For one, he did all his stunts no matter how difficult they were.

This is Vhong's reunion movie with director Joyce Bernal who also directed the comedian in the blockbuster hit "D'Anothers."

"Everybody would love to play Agent X44 (popularized by the debonair Tony Ferrer) and I feel privileged to have been given the part," Vhong says.

Vhong was supposed to be reunited with Toni Gonzaga in this project but since Toni was quite busy with her hosting chores, she was replaced by another talented TV host, Mariel Rodriguez who was only too glad to be part of the movie. She also didn't mind being second choice. "What is important is that they considered me for the role and I hope I did justice to it," says Mariel.

Also starring in "Agent X44" are Pokwang, Cass Ponti, John Lapus and many more.

Vic Sotto looks forward to team-up with Dolphy

A very elated Vic Sotto, buoyed by the box-office success of "Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka Fairy Ko (The Legend Goes On and On and On)," was met with applause at the thanksgiving cum victory party held at the Virgin Cafe on Tuesday afternoon. Food was plentiful and a raffle capped the affair, with prizes in cash and kind going to the invited press people. As they say in showbiz, "walang umuwing luhaan."

The actor-comedian-producer was in his element and was in a joking mood. He was absent at the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards night last Friday where "Enteng Kabisote 3" was named Best Picture. He finally got hold of the trophy last Tuesday.

"Eto, hindi na ito mapapasakamay ng ibang tao. Umiyak na kayo hanggang gusto ninyo pero dito na ito matutulog sa bulsa ko," says Vic referring to the trophy in his hand.

He also thanked the jurors of the Metro Manila Film Festival. "This is really unexpected. I was expecting other awards but we didn't get it. Hindi naman ako umangal kasi kanya-kanyang opinyon iyan. The judges have their own opinion; the people who are running the festival have their own opinion and I respect them, same with the people who have other things to say regarding the victory of Enteng Kabisote 3," adds the actor-producer.

"Although this was unexpected, we accept this wholeheartedly. This award is a bonus, an added recognition for us. The public made us number one for the third straight year. And I am proud to announce that Enteng Kabisote 3 has broken the record of Enteng Kabisote 2. And this Best Picture award truly makes us proud."

This is not the first time that an "Enteng Kabisote" flick won the best picture plum at the Metro Manila Film Festival. In the 1991 festival, "Okay Ka Fairy Ko" won the Best Supporting Actress award for Tetchie Agbayani and the Best Child Performer award for Aiza Seguerra, aside from winning the award for Best Float.

The following year, "Okay Ka Fairy Ko" won the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award. This was the highest award given that time. The movie also won the award for Best Visual Effects and the Best Float.

Vic said he doesn't mind all the intrigues being thrown their way. "We didn't ask for this award. They gave it to us. If they have a problem with the regards the criteria, I should not be blamed for it. Hindi naman ako ang gumawa ng criteria," he said. "What is important is that we were able to come up with an entertaining film."

And they are amply rewarded for doing so. "Enteng Kabisote 3" had been pulling the crowds in since Day One. And with the Best Picture award as an added bonus, the movie stands to earn more money at the box-office. And no matter how controversial the win of "Enteng Kabisote" may seem, the jurors have spoken, and so does the viewing public which the movie top-grosser.

Vic said it's not yet certain if they will do "Enteng Kabisote 4." He said they would only decide after their brainstorming session with the EK3 production team. Pre-production work for EK takes time and they don't want to do an inferior project.

What Vic is looking forward to is his first movie team up with Comedy King Dolphy and if everything comes into place and all kinks are ironed out, shoot starts either this January or early February.

Top 20 StarStruck

hopefuls presented to the media The Top 20 StarStruck hopefuls were presented to the press last December 28 and on New Year's Even, four of them bid the show goodbye. These were Jean de Castro of Mandaluyong, Kiko Junio of Pampanga, Chariz Solomon of Pasay, and Lui Perez of South Cotabato.

Aside from the votes of the StarStruck Council composed of multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino, multi-media director Louie Ignacio and top-caliber manager Douglas Quijano, the fate of these StarStruck hopefuls will be decided by text votes.

This early in the competition, the StarStruck Top 20 has proved to be an exceptionally diverse mixture of personalities and promising talents. Down to 16, they are out to prove their worth and evade elimination this Sunday where two more StarStruck hopefuls will bid goodbye.

Left to carry on the quest to be the newest batch of teen idols are Aljur Abrenica of Pampanga, Chad Burden of Cebu, Dave Valentino of Marikina, Dex Quindoza of Manila, Hazel Uy of Cebu, Jan Manuel of Laguna, Jesi Corcuera of Pasay, Jewel Mische of Bulacan, Kris Bernal of Quezon City, Lizzy Pecson of Pampanga, Mart Escudero of Cavite, Paulo Avelino of Baguio, Prince Stefan of Iloilo, Renee Lascuna of Davao, Rich Asuncion of Bohol and Stef Prescott of La Union.

The Top 16 will be subjected to more numerous tests that will test their talent and move them to the next level of competition. Come January 7, two more StarStruck hopefuls will say farewell.