Eugene Domingo's Christmas wish + Shake, Rattle and Roll XIII

Eugene Domingo can be considered as the "star" of this year’s Metro Manila film Festival which reels off on Christmas Day, December 25. Why? She is in three festival entries. She’s playing the next door neighbor of Ryan Agoncillo in OctoArts Films’ "My Househusband." She plays a guest role in ‘Enteng ng Ina Mo" with Vic Sotto and Ai Ai delas Alas in the title roles. And she plays the lead role in the "Rain Rain Go Away" episode of "Shake, Rattle and Roll XIII" written by Jerry Gracio and directed by her good friend Chris Martinez.

"I am most nervous with this project," said Uge ( Eugene’s pet name) at the presscon of SRR XIII held the other day at the Imperial Palace Suite of Regal Entertainment’s producer Mother Lily Monteverde. "I have belief in the script of Jerry Gracio and the direction of Chris Martinez. But no matter how good an actress is, if the material is not good or the direction is not that good that would not be enough. As far as this project is concerned, I am very dependent with my director and I am praying hard that the public would give me a chance with this movie."

For a change, Uge goes dramatic in her role as the mother in SRR XIII. "Everyday, during the shoot, I always asked if I did right. Did I make the right mix with regards to my acting? May takot ako kasi nakakatakot talaga kasi takot na takot ako thinking kung ano ang magiging reaction ng audience," the award-winning actress added.

Uge says the story of "Rain Rain Go Away" has something to do with the Ondoy disaster that struck us two years ago. One of the scenes required her to drown and for the scene, Regal Entertainment constructed a huge swimming pool in its warehouse in San Juan.

"I don’t want to preempt the story but yes, it has a connection with the Ondoy disaster that rendered many people homeless and killed many people. Through the story, you would know why we all felt guilty because of the aftermath of that disaster," said Uge.

Uge is working with Jay Manalo and Edgar Allan Guzman in this movie. She describes Jay as one of the best actors she has worked with. "Sa itsura pa lang niya (Jay) ang lakas na agad ng dating. He can be bida or kontrabida. Puwedeng nakakaawa ang itsura, puwedeng salbahe. Tapos ang guwapo, na ang ganda ng itsura pero flexible na puwedeng-puwede gumanap na totoong tao," she said.

"As for Edgar Allan, I admire his interest in this film. He’s very honest. 'Gusto ko nang maraming pelikula.' Gusto niyang maging katulad ni Jericho (Rosales) and Gerald (Anderson ) na box-office ang mga pelikula. He’s also an award-winner (best actor at the Cinemalaya for Ligo na U, Lapit na Me). Mararating niya what he is wishing for, basta he works hard."

What is your Christmas wish? "Ang Christmas wish ko hindi lang para sa akin kundi pati na rin sa mga pelikula sa filmfest. Sana maraming manood. Pag Pasko naman dumadagsa talaga ang maraming tao. At sana mas maraming trabaho ang dumating sa lahat," she said.

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Watch the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC), ALIW Award Hall-of-Famer for Best Choral Group, in "Reason for the Season: A Christmas Concert" on December 10, Saturday at 7 pm and December 11, Sunday at 5 pm, Abelardo Hall Auditorium, College of Music, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

"Reason for the Season" ushers in the most wonderful time of the year with a superb selection of home-grown choral masterpieces and international spiritual hymns, including the Philippine debut of Cantus Natalis, a large work by American composer Z. Randall Stroope, to be accompanied by the UP String and Brass Ensembles. This year's concert is also the grand launching of "Singkwenta Singkwela!," the UPCC's 50th anniversary celebrations for 2012.

Special guest artists include UPCC alumni Ms. Nanette Inventor, Manny Aquino of premiere Pinoy a cappella group The Tux, and Dot Balasbas-Gancayco of the Opera Band, along with Boscorale, grand champion of the 2011 Korus Klef Youth Choir Festival. Members of UPCC Batch '81 will also be joining the festivities, in celebration of their 30th anniversary.

The events are presented by the Friends of Korus Foundation, Inc, supported by online media partners ClickTheCity.com and PhilippineChoirs.com. Tickets available at the gate are P300 each, with preferential rate for students and senior citizens (valid ID required) at P200. A "Barkada" rate (group of 10 people) can also be availed at the same preferential rate. To reserve your tickets, contact Pola at 0917-5017652, or email [email protected]. For more details, visit the UPCC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/upconcertchorus.

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Young stars Kathryn Bernardo, Sam Concepcion, Louise delos Reyes and Hiro Magalona get the biggest scare of their lives in the "Parola" episode of "Shake, Rattle and Roll 13."

In the story, the group unwittingly ends up in a lighthouse inhabited by different creatures of the dark. Unknown to them, whoever sets foot in the lighthouse is cursed for life. These spirits will stop at nothing just to see them dead.

"Parola" is a hair-raising experience. Direk Jerrold Tarog meticulously handled each and every confrontation scene between mortals and dark forces to ensure that moviegoers would scream their loudest in cinemas.

Her role in "SR&R" is a totally different experience for "Mara Clara" star Kathryn. She is no underdog in the movie. Instead, she is brave enough to battle it out with evil creatures together with her co-stars Sam, Louise and Hiro.