"My Kontrabida Girl" and "Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang" fight for box office supremacy

CEBU, Philippines - TV host comedian and Eat Bulaga mainstay Jose Manalo is embroiled in a controversy involving his wife Anna Lyn but he has to remain silent in view of recent events which saw his wife venting her ire on Jose through the media.

Jose has decided to issue the statement to address the controversy generated by his wife’s interview at the showbiz talk show “The Buzz.” The statement follows below:

Press statement of Mr. Jose Manalo

Jose is currently encountering difficult challenges in his relationship with Anna Lyn. He is, thus, deeply saddened by Anna Lyn’s decision to resort to media interviews when she is fully aware that such decision shall compromise their efforts at a mutually-acceptable resolution of their differences and, more importantly, shall not be in the best interests of their children.

Jose has received a copy of Anna Lyn’s Complaint-Affidavit for violation of Republic Act No. 9262 and has referred the same to his lawyers for proper action. He has been advised by his lawyers to refrain from commenting thereon in the meantime. Jose has not been advised of any other action filed by Anna Lyn against him.

Jose categorically denies Anna Lyn’s unfounded statements regarding an alleged extra-marital affair and shall address the same at the proper forum at the appropriate time.

Jose likewise categorically denies any allegation of neglect, financial or otherwise, as regards his children with Anna Lyn, the truth being that he is providing, and will continue to provide his children, such support to the best of his ability.

At present, Jose, in loving consideration of Anna Lyn and their children, is exerting his best efforts to refrain from resorting to any legal action against Anna Lyn in connection with various incidents involving him and other acts where even his own parents were offended and prejudiced by Anna Lyn.

As the matter ultimately involves his family, Jose requests the media to allow him and Anna Lyn some measure of privacy in order that they may be able to resolve the same out of the public eye.

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Allan Paule is saddened by the disqualification suffered by newbie director Emerson Sanchez at the Cinemalaya. Emerson’s entry titled “MNL 143” was disqualified owing to the dispute with regards to the casting. Emerson cast Allan for the role of the FX driver while Joy Viado portrays his long lost love. The Cinemalaya Executive Committee turned down the casting which led to the disqualification of the film.

“He is a new director who even won in the short film category in the Cinemalaya last year. Nakakalungkot ang nangyari,” said Allan who was the actor Direk Emerson wanted for the role in MNL 143 having worked with Allan in his film thesis.

The movie has a good story. “Although I play the FX driver, all walks of life nakikita dun sa kuwento kasi sumasakay sa taxi yung mga tao. Ako bale ang bida then si Joy ang long lost love ko. Simple lang ang kuwento. Nagustuhan din ito ni Kuya Ed (Instrella, his manager). Makikita mo ang mga tao from all walks of life through the story – mga nagtratrabaho sa opisina, mga estudyante, mga call center agents, matandang palasimba sa Quiapo, interesting talaga,” he related.

Allan was elated when he learned the movie was an entry in Cinemalaya but was saddened when the film was disqualified because of the casting. The disqualification came as a surprise.

“Marahil may ibang nangyari sa usapan. Pero along the way, may magandang hindi nangyari sa pag-uusap. Kaya lang nakakaawa ang mga artista kasi sila ang naapektuhan. Lumalabas kasi hindi sila (Cinemalaya) agree sa casting,” said Kuya Ed, the manager of Allan.

But even if the movie is no longer an entry at Cinemalaya, its director Emerson and its producer Nestor Abrogena will still shoot the film. They will just have to look for funding to enable them to push through with it.

Allan, in a way, was hurt with the turn of events but he recognizes that some changes are inevitable. But he feels sorry for his director. That’s why he is taking the side of his director in the issue of artistic integrity. And he is still going to play the part even if it will be produced outside of the festival.

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Two Filipino movies that just opened are in a collision course– “My Kontrabida Girl” starring Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica versus “Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang,” which features Erich Gonzales and Derek Ramsay.

Both are love stories but of different genres - My Kontrabida Girl is a romance-comedy while Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang is horror and drama.

The movie is an acid test for Rhian since this is her first movie since the controversy involving her and DJ Mo Twister. This is also a test for director Jade Castro if he was successful in making an actor out of Aljur.

On the part of Erich and Derek, Skylight Films is trying out a new combination with them.