Luis Manzano'sdaring scenesin new film

Luis Manzano reveals at the presscon of "Ang Cute ng Ina Mo" held last Tuesday inside the ABS-CBN compound that he has a "Brokeback Mountain"-inspired scene with newcomer Vince Saldana in the film topbilled by Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas, who plays his adoptive mother.

But Luis wouldn't want to elaborate on what he did but he added it is something that the viewers should all watch out for. He also revealed that he has two butt exposures in the movie.

When asked why he agreed to do the scene, Luis says, "Mahirap ang buhay ngayon. Saka nasa eksena. Either ipakita ko or hindi ako babayaran. Nakalagay sa kontrata eh." Of course, he said that in jest. "The scene came out well. I've seen the final cut when I dubbed for the movie. I don't want to say it was artistically done pero cute ang pagkakagawa."

If and when another movie offer comes along which requires more than butt exposure, would he agree to do it?

"Probably yes but it really depends on the offer or the script. We all need to do our job. We need to work for our loved ones. You'll never know, kasi I'm sure, those people who do striptease for a living, surely never thought when they were born that they'd like to do such kind of a job. It was probably because of opportunities and chances that they found themselves in such situation," came Luis' lengthy answer.

His mom, Mayor Vilma Santos, doesn't know yet about the butt exposure he did in "Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo" (where he is paired with his soulmate Anne Curtis). Plus he has another sexy shot which also ends in comedy. The butt exposure scene was part of a sexy shot. But it was done tastefully and comically.

"It doesn't have that sexy connotation to it unlike the pictorial I did for Cosmopolitan before na talagang inirapan ako ni Mommy. Pinakita ko kasi sa kanya 'yung polaroid shot ng kuha sa Cosmo. 'Yung isang shot nakaharang 'yung controversial door. Eh 'yung isang shot medyo revealing talaga. Eh wala akong plaster doon. Siyempre, yung isang shot, medyo dinaya na and in-air brush na. Pero 'yung test shot, mas kita talaga kasi sa ibang side naroon ang kamay ko. Sabi ni Mommy, ano ito? Anak, hindi naman ito kailangan," Luis related.

"The butt exposure scene I did in the movie was done with a lot of comedy. It was not meant to titillate the senses but was done in the context of a comic situation."

So if the butt exposure is meant to titillate and is for an R-18 movie, then it's an entirely a different matter?

"I don't want to sound like any other actor who'd say the typical 'basta artistic.' We do have to admit there are some really good scripts that call for butt exposure. But what's the big deal about a butt exposure when a lot of actors in Hollywood show off their butts, in very good scenes. So as long as the script is right, it's up to the MTRCB to decide if the movie gets an R-18 rating. I am not sure if you have a butt exposure scene in a film, the movie automatically gets an R-18 rating," explained Luis.

Since it's an election period and his mom, Mayor Vi is running as governor of Batangas, and his stepfather, Sen. Ralph Recto is seeking reelection as senator, whom would he join in the campaign sorties?

"They asked but I don't really have the time. I don't want naman to sound heartless but I don't really have time. Our new TV series, 'Rounin,' is airing soon and we need to finish it. And my mom understands that. But I would love to campaign for her. The moment I get a break in my schedule, I will be there to help her."

Ai Ai headlines another comedy

Comedy concert queen Ai Ai delas Alas still doesn't have a regular show on ABS-CBN after failing to get the slot as Kris Aquino's temporary replacement as host of "The Buzz." Even if she announced rather prematurely that she's taking over Kris' slot on the talk show since they talked about this, Ai Ai admitted she's also partly to blame because she did not wait for the final call from the management and from her manager herself, Mr. Boy Abunda.

While she is slightly hurt because she's expecting to be chosen as Kris' replacement albeit temporarily, Ai Ai believes there are greater things ahead of her. She's no longer pushing her luck to get this hosting chore with The Buzz and she's leaving it to her manager.

If Ai Ai was very much behaved while talking about this issue, she got irritated when informed of the news that the fans of James Yap wants her to apologize because of the joke that she told Kris. She reportedly told Kris, "Isuli mo muna si James sa nanay niya dahil sa gulo ninyong dalawa."

"This is just a joke between friends. I told her that to cheer her up and make her day and Kris took it as joke. So why should I apologize to his (James) fans? Wala akong pakialam sa nangyari with Kris and James. Wala rin akong pakialam sa mga fans ni James who couldn't take a joke."

Ai Ai is visible anew because she's promoting her new movie titled "Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo," a joint venture of Star Cinema and Viva Films directed by Wenn Deramas. It will be shown on April 7, Black Saurday, same playdate as the movie "D' Lucky Ones" last year which did very well at the box-office.

Golden Screen Awards opens awards season

The 4th Golden Screen Awards, given by the Entertainment Press Society, officially opens the awards season as it goes live on stage at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza tomorrow, March 17, at 7p.m. and will be aired on a slightly delayed basis on RPN 9. Produced by Eight Elephants of Harlene Bautista and Romnick Sarmenta, the 4th Golden Screen Awards honors the cinematic achievements of 2006.

The event is hosted by the real-life tandem of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo (who are nominated as best actress and best actor in the field of comedy, respectively), Heart Evangelista and Raymond Gutierrez. Trivia hosts are past Golden Screen Awards winners Ms. Maricel Soriano (nominated for best actress-drama for "Inang Yaya") and Aga Muhlach.

Four exciting production numbers spice up the evening. In conjunction with the luau theme, the opening number, "Celebrate The Day," carries a high-energy Polynesian/Samba beat featuring Jay R, Mark Bautista, and Ms. Pops Fernandez. The song emphasizes victory and sportsmanship--themes that reflect the spirt of the first awards night for the year.

This will be followed by a medley of Best Original Song nominees to be sung by Karylle, Kyla, and Philippine Idol finalists Gian Magdangal and Miguel Mendoza.

The third production number is the "Firedance" featuring three of the sexiest stars in Philippine cinema--Juliana Palermo, Regine Tolentino and Best Actress nominee Andrea del Rosario. This number is filled with heat and passion in a tribal milieu. Expect the RCBC auditorium to fire up.

The finale number has the theme "Vacation." Ushering in the summer season, this number, originally sung by Vitamin c, is an upbeat send-off before the major categories are announced. This features heartthrobs Dingdong Dantes and Jericho Rosales, dance idol Gabriel Valenciano, with Breakthrough Performance By An Actress nominee Maja Salvador together with last year's winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Musical or Comedy) Ms. Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The 4th Golden Screen Awards is sponsored by Tuseran Forte, Surf, Fitrum, Bear Brand Powdered Filled Milk and Arthro. Outfits for the usherettes are provided by Ruel Rivera haute couture.