August 31: National Zombadings Day

Dennis Trillo was candid enough to admit that there was a time in his life that he cheated on a relationship. The actor, who is one of the leads of the new Regal Entertainment movie “My Neighbor’s Wife,” says someone cheated on him and he felt that he needed to do something to prop up his masculinity, hence, the urge to cheat to get back at her.

"When that (cheating) was done to me, I felt I didn’t handle it well. I didn’t reckon it would happen to me and when the opportunity came to fool around, I did it. It did not make me feel good to have done it. I know it would have a way of getting back at you if you do something wrong,” said the award-winning actor.

“Very rare that I would do something like that, yung mag-cheat because I know mabilis ang balik ng karma,” says Dennis. “But after that I became more careful and more cautious when it comes to my relationships.”

Did he regret having cheated? “Of course, kasi kasalanan iyon. Hindi iyon dapat ginagawa.”

People seem to like Dennis more when he’s playing bad guy roles on TV and in the movies. “I like doing those kind of roles kasi nailalabas ko ang angst ko. Mas nagiging makulay ang portrayal ko when I do a bad character unlike if I do a role na mabait ako o martir. I want to put angst in my portrayal. I want to do different roles, para maiba naman so that the audience won’t get tired of me,” he said.

In his latest movie, “My Neighbor’s Wife,” Dennis plays the partner of Lovi (Poe), with the couple Jake Cuenca and Carla as their friends. They were living harmoniously under one roof until something happens between Jake and Lovi, putting a strain on their relationship as friends. The movie talks about infidelity and wife-swapping, which happens when Dennis also goes to bed with Carla.

He said he has no reason to turn down a project like “My Neighbor’s Wife” because of its good story plus he has good co-actors. “I had fun working with them, they are all very good actors and when it comes to doing daring scenes, which were quite intimate, maayos naman ang dating,” said Dennis.

A comparison with Jake is inevitable but Dennis won’t say he has the upper hand, acting-wise, because Jake has improved a lot as an actor. “You will see a different Jake Cuenca in this movie. Since he has moved to ABS-CBN, his acting has improved. Even during rehearsals, his acting is already intense. He can measure up to me when it comes to acting. If you liked Jake in the movie In The Name of Love, you’d also love his performance in this movie,” added Dennis.

Despite being an award-winning actor, Dennis says he never puts it in his head that he’s better than any of his co-stars. “They are big stars as well aside from being competent performers. It’s an honor to have been given the chance to work with them,” he said.

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We heard that Raymond Lee, who produced the indie film “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” is feeling sore at Star Cinema. Why? Because Star Cinema is pitting the movie “Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi,” starring Eugene Domingo, Wendell Ramos, Toni Gonzaga and Eugene Domingo against their indie film project.

Raymond rues the move of Star Cinema. “Maliit na pelikula lang kami tapos tinapatan pa kami,’ he supposedly said. “And to think, we also have Eugene in our cast. Kinakalaban naman nila kami, eh we’re just small producers.”

We understand Raymond’s predicament since an indie producer doesn’t have the machinery to lock horns with a major producer like Star Cinema. In terms of logistics and machinery, Star Cinema has the decided advantage.

That is why their battle- cry and their appeal is to make August 31 as the National Zombadings Day, the same day that Zombadings and Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi clash at the box-office.

Raymond and the rest of the producers of Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington has this appeal to the moviegoers: "Please watch us on the 31st when the movie opens. After that, bahala na kayo kung ano ang gusto ninyong panoorin but please prioritize Zombadings on August 31."

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GMA Films and SMDC’s first co-production venture “ Tween Academy : Class of 2012” opens today in theaters nationwide.

The newest teen idols on the block, namely Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Bea Binene, Jake Vargas, Alden Richards, Derrick Monasterio, Joyce Ching, Lexi Fernandez, Kristoffer Martin will attempt to capture the hearts of the audience and make “Tween Academy: Class of 2012” the definitive youth movie of its generation, the same way that the iconic “Bagets” was the youth movie during its time.

“ Tween Academy : Class of 2012” had a successful premiere night on Sunday at SM Megamall. The movie opens today in more than a hundred theaters nationwide.

Veteran stage personalities in “Sleeping Beauty”

CEBU, Philippines - It was in 1973 when Benedicto “Benjie” Diola directed “Evil Eye” at CIC Auditorium. Marlinda  “Mayen” Angbetic was the lead actor with Isidro Borromeo (Tessie Javier and Noordin Jumalon were their dancing counterparts in the dream sequences). A year later, Benjie wrote, directed and acted in the first Cebuano rock musicale “Juan Pusong” at STC Auditorium. Mayen played his (Juan’s) mother.

Almost forty years later, these two stage veterans share a role as the Wicked Fairy Carabosse who curses the baby Princess Aurora, to grow up and die by the prick of a needle in Sleeping Beauty. The full-length ballet will be presented by Arts Council of Cebu and Balletcenter on August 26 & 27, September 2 & 3, at Ayala Onstage. Co-presented by Ayala Center Cebu, Tempra and Natrapharm Generics.

Best remembered for his portrayal of the leprechaun “Og” in STC’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow” in 1969 and years later as King Herod in CIC’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Benjie moved to Guam in 1973.

In Guam, Benjie carved a brilliant career as teacher and stage director. His established forte is harnessing an entire student body of up to 800 children to perform in spring concerts and Christmas plays. And “from him, these children have gained knowledge, discipline and a true appreciation of the theater.” (Bye Bye Birdie souvenir program)

Awarded three times with the Guam Governor’s Arts Award for the Performing Arts, as well as a commendation as Cebu City’s Outstanding Citizen in the Field of the Performing Arts (1973 & 1996), Benjie was bestowed the Guam Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. Inarguably he is Guam’s most sought-after director, not only for theater but also for huge stadium events, like the South Pacific Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies as well as productions of the Guam Symphony Orchestra.

Marlinda Angbetic-Tan started acting while still in high school all the way through college in the annual plays of USC. After marriage, Mayen was able to continue her love of theater when husband Danny Tan established the first dinner theater in Cebu at Tuxedo Junction in the 1980s. They popularized Neil Simon comedies and even brought the plays to Cebu Plaza Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.

Under director Allan Jayme Rabaya, Mayen acted in several episodes of “Kristal,” a live tv drama anthology over GMA Channel 7 in the 70s. In 1990, she portrayed Mama Mary in “Kristo” with Matt Ranillo III as Christ, at the Cebu Plaza Hotel Ballroom. She likewise portrayed Pilate’s wife/Mama Mary in the 2nd “Kalbaryo,” directed by Al Evangelio.

Arts Council Trustee for Dramatic Arts and the Literary Arts, Mayen took the lead role in AJR’s “Ang Misterio sa Karaang Balay sa Sepulveda St.” for Arts Council’s 40th anniversary, and a cameo role in the sarsuela “Mini” last year for the Art Council’s 50th anniversary.

Balletcenter last produced Sleeping Beauty in March 2004, with Benjie alternating with the late Joe Galleon, a noted Cebuano choreographer. Catch Benjie again as Carabosse on August 26, 7:30pm gala performance and September 2, 3pm matinee. Mayen will be onstage on August 27, 3pm matinee and on Sept. 3, 7:30pm farewell performance. Tickets are available at Balletcenter, 3rd level Ayala Mall.