Showbiz personalities fare well in the 2010 elections

There's no big news in showbiz these days and everyone seems to be preoccupied with the national elections held last Monday. Most Filipinos are now glued to their TV sets, getting the latest update on the canvassing of votes via the election coverage being done by the leading networks, namely; ABS-CBN Channel 2, GMA 7, ANC and QTV 11, just to name a few.

In other words, showbiz news has taken the backseat to the election coverage although people are also eager to find out how their favorite stars, who joined the elections, are faring in their respective districts.

Sen. Bong Revilla and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada are in the top two positions in the Senate race, based on the unofficial count being done by the TV networks based on the data provided by the Comelec. Other celebrities doing well so far in the senatorial race and who are among the Top 12, based on the data released by Comelec yesterday morning, were Lito Lapid, Tito Sotto, and Cong. Bong Bong Marcos who were among the Top 12. Of course, there were the old reliables like Miriam Defensor Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile.

Also making it to the winners circle so far is Ralph Recto and Teofisto Guingona.

Of course, former president Joseph Estrada is in second place in the presidential race, with Noynoy Aquino in the lead so far. In the VP race, surprise frontrunner is Jojo Binay, with Sen. Mar Roxas in second place, and Sen. Loren Legarda in third spot.

Batangas governor Vilma Santos is poised to be reelected with the huge lead she has over her rival, while Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista certain to be proclaimed as the new mayor of Quezon City, with running mate Joy Belmonte also a sure winner.

Manny Pacquiao scored a knockout this time as he is leading in the unofficial tally for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani.

Lucy Torres-Gomez is said to have won the congressional race in Ormoc City while former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos is also poised to assume the post as congresswoman in Ilocos.

Alfred Vargas, who is running for councilor in the second district of Quezon City, is among the front runners. But Ara Mina, it seems, is destined not to make it.

But as they say, it's too early in the game. The leaders cannot be complacent. But they should be vigilant that their votes are counted.

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Indie film director Mel Magno is fuming mad at actor-turned-producer Carlo Maceda whom the director says is holding his debut film titled Ripples hostage.

In our interview with Direk Mel last week, he lashed out at Carlo. According to him, he was just supposed to rent filming equipment from Carlo upon the recommendation of his star, PBB winner Nene Tamayo. But after talking to Carlo, the former Mossimo Bikini Summit grand winner was able to convince Direk Mel that he would serve as line producer cum executive producer for the film so the director could save on production budget.

Since he is a first-time director, direk Mel was convinced and gave his full trust and confidence to Carlo, only to be traumatized by succeeding events. Not only is Carlo not giving him his film, he's also asking him to pay him additional budget for the production. Direk Mel could not understand this since he had also shelled out money already. He has given Carlo half of the production budget amounting to P350,000, which Carlo had not given him an accounting.

“Nina-kawan niya ako, niloko niya ako, sinuba ako ni Carlo Maceda. I just want my film back dahil pera ko ang ginastos doon,” were Direk Mel's strong words.

Direk Mel said he already had his doubts on the first day of the shoot. According to him, Carlo just pocketed the P150,000 he gave him as initial down payment, without even bothering to count the money. Carlo also didn't fulfill his promise of giving contracts to the production staff and the stars involved in the film.

"Pinapirma lang ni Carlo sa palara ng sigarilyo ang mga artista bilang proof na may natanggap silang pera or talent fee from him," Direk Mel laments.

Now, Carlo is demanding payment for other costs incurred while filming was in progress.

"Kung totoong may utang ako, bigyan niya ako ng kopya ng sinasabi niyang utang ko. Second day pa lang ng shoot ay ako na ang nagbabayad sa pagkain at sa ibang costs of production na dapat ay binabayaran niya sa P150,000 na hiningi niyang downpayment. I already gave him a total of P350,000 na sa supposed to be would cover the cost of production pero up to this day ay hindi niya ako mabigyan ng liquidation ng total amount na ibinigay ko sa kanyang budget," the indie director rued.

Each time he'd ask for liquidation, Carlo would have all sorts of excuses like his laptop bogged down or he'd be out of town.

"All I wanted is to have my film back. Isang buwan na akong nagmamakaawa sa kanya para ibigay niya sa akin ang pelikula ko pero hindi niya pinapansin ang pakiusap ko," said Direk Mel.

Exasperated, Direk Mel decided to send a Carlo a demand letter from his lawyer that he return the film to him or he'd be constrained to take legal action. But Carlo even threatened him that he'd erase the film that's why direk Mel decided to speak out regarding this problem with the press.

"Kung hindi pa niya maibibigay ang liquidation at may sinisingil pa rin siyang supposed to be ay utang ko, magkaliwaan kami. Babayaran ko ang sinasabi niyang utang ko basta ibalik lang niya ang pelikula ko. Kung hindi niya ibabalik ang pelikula ko, mag-usap na lang kami sa korte," said the director of "Ripples."