Sharon Cuneta's new show; Derek Ramsay's transfer to TV5

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino had won only one acting award for a movie and this was for the Cinema One Originals entry “Prinsesa” which won her a best actress trophy in 2007. But for the Cinemalaya movie “Nino” directed by Loy Arcenas, Shamaine had won three best supporting actress awards from the Cinemalaya, Asian Film Awards and the Golden Screen Awards, the last two triumphs coming in a matter of weeks. She had won two best actress trophies on theater for Gawad Buhay and once for Aliw Awards although she had been nominated for the last four years.

“Exhilarating.” That was how Shamaine described her victory in Asian Film Awards. “Ang saya-saya kasi I told myself they really liked me. What did I do to deserve this? What did I do to make them think that I was better than those of other countries? It made me realize also that my acting must be something that can be compared to them because they liked me. Kasi di ba they say Filipinos are overacting. They always say that. Madrama tayo masyado or OA tayo, walang sophistication ang acting natin,” she said of her victory.

She didn’t expect she’d win an award for “Nino” because she felt her role was not dramatic enough or not big enough. When she got to watch the film at the Cinemalaya last year, she felt her co-star Raquel Villavicencio should have been the winner.

“Her role was bigger and more award-winning than mine. She was the moving force in the story. When her character arrived, everything moved in a much faster pace. And mine was just one of the support characters. Sabi ko nga mabuti na lang nanalo siya sa Bisperas. Ang akala ko nga siya pa ang mananalong best supporting actress sa Cinemalaya,” Shamaine recalled.

Her winning at the Golden Screen Awards last March 24 was Shamaine’s first from a mainstream award-giving body. “This is my first. I have been nominated before but I never won. I wasn’t expecting anything kasi you really can’t guess what the jurors would like. And every set of jury have different tastes. Kumbaga, sa Cinemalaya iba rin ang jury so must be able to please the requirements of the different set of juries. There must really be something in your performance that they would really appreciate depending on their standard,” remarked Shamaine in an interview with The Freeman a few days after she won the Golden Screen Awards.

It was the chance of working with Loy Arcenas that made her accept the role in Nino. The director even checked if she looked like Fides (Cuyugan Asencio) who played her mother in the film, same with Art Acuna (who played her brother). She auditioned for the part but she didn’t get the role at once. It was only after Direk Loy was able to watch her in the indie film “Tsardyer” where she played a woman who acted manly that she got the part. “Loy told me that even if he wasn’t sure that he’d be able to get Art for the role of my brother, she got me na because I might accept another acting job and lose his chance of him getting me for the part.”

Doing a lesbian role is nothing new for Shamaine. She did a short film for Cinemalaya titled Behind Closed Doors where she played a lesbian and even had a kissing scene with another theater actress.

What does winning an award mean to her? And how did it affect her? “Ang effect sa akin nang pagkapanalo ko? Naisip ko na parang sinasabi sa akin ng Diyos na handa na akong magkaroon ng career bilang isang aktres sa pelikula,” said Shamaine with a laugh. “I will always remember my win in the Golden Screen Awards because this is my first from a mainstream award giving body and it’s truly memorable.

“Kasi di ba sa theater we are always trying to break into film or television kasi that is where the money is. Pero I devoted so much time to my family and Nonie (Buencamino, her husband) was the one who really went to mainstream. Parang sabi ko, parang nalampasan na ako. I would always have minor roles. With the award, parang binigyan ako ng blessing ni Lord. Bobongga ka na.”

Shamaine plays the role of Lovi Poe’s mother in “Legacy.” Her role was introduced in week 7 of the top-rating drama series although the production staff told her it would be a recurring role. Shamaine is awaiting word as to when she will tape again for “Legacy.”

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We were among those who were invited to the taping of Sharon Cuneta’s new talk show on TV5 titled “Sharon, Kasama Mo Kapatid” last Monday at the Delta Theater Studio of TV5 located in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

We were so delighted to have been invited and to watch the new show of the megastar in the newly-refurbished theater which will now be one of the resident studios of the Kapatid Network and home of Sharon, Kasama Mo Kapatid.

Sharon had a fun time with her guests - Lolit Solis of Startalk of GMA 7 and Cristy Fermin of TV5 - two women from the showbiz world who both embody women empowerment, two women who stood up to the challenges of life and didn’t allow it to break them despite the odds. It was the first time that Nanay Lolit and Nanay Cristy (as they are fondly called in showbiz) are appearing together in one show. And it took the Megastar to do that.

The three had a very engaging and interesting discussion - spontaneous, fun, witty and candid as Sharon, Nanay Lolit and Nanay Cristy talked about motherhood, children, secrets known only to Nanay Cristy and Nanay Lolit. The guest press even had a chance to ask the two showbiz talk show hosts questions which they gamely answered.

There were many revelations into the lives of Nanay Cristy and Nanay Lolit which the viewers would find very interesting.

We all had the loudest laughs when Nanay Cristy asked Nanay Lolit about her sex life and vice versa. Even Sharon nearly lost her poise when this question was asked but the two showbiz talk show veterans candidly answered the question which brought the audience and Sharon into fits of laughter. Both Nanay Lolit and Nanay Cristy were very candid and honest about their answers.

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Kapuso actress Jean Garcia is very happy with her winning the best actress (drama) award at the 9th Golden Screen Awards for the movie Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.

“The nomination already made me very excited, what more when I won the award. Nomination pa lang ay masaya na ako kasi napansin ako. Kumbaga hindi ko ini-expect. Gusto ko lang i-acknowledge ang ibinigay sa aking nomination ng Enpress that’s why I took time out to attend the awards night. I wasn’t expecting anything at all. Kasi hindi naman sa lahat ay napansin ako eh. I am happy kasi na-appreciate ninyo ang trabaho na ginawa ko sa movie and I am very, very thankful talaga,” said Jean who plays a kontrabida in the top-rating afternoon drama “Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis.”

It was Jean’s first acting award in a movie that’s why it was so memorable for her. What makes her also happy these days was the chance given her by GMA 7 to host “Personalan,” the talk show on GMA News TV which was previously being hosted by Ali Sotto.

“This is another challenge for me kasi hindi naman ako TV host pero sobrang nakaka-relate ako sa mga istorya that we are featuring in the show. Sana maisip ng GMA News TV na gawin na akong permanenteng host ng Personalan kasi kakaiba ito. I will pray na sana magkatotoo ang wish ko,” said Jean.

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The Kapamilya Network issued a statement on the decision of Derek Ramsay to move to TV5. The actor is currently in Australia, taking a vacation with girlfriend Angelica Panganiban.

“Derek Ramsay has decided to transfer to TV5. For months, ABS-CBN has exerted efforts to make him stay as a Kapamilya. TV5, however, offered him an amount that was difficult for him to refuse. We thank Derek for the many years he has been with ABS-CBN,” said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications.

We likewise got a text message from Joji Dingcong, the manager of Derek which says:

“Yes. it’s true that Derek (Ramsay) and his family have reached a decision to move to TV5. Dutifully as his manager and friend, I will support fully whatever decision he makes. He is grateful for the opportunities the network has extended him and in return, he delivered and served the network well. I know his fans and friends will continue to support him and his future works, as he pursues and embarks on a new chapter in his life’s exciting journeys.”