Superstar leads Phl team to Venice FilmFest

Plus: - Postpones baby plans for teleserye - MMK pays tribute to grandmothers

The Philippine delegation to the 69th Venice International Film Festival left at midnight last night to attend the prestigious gathering of films from all over the world.

Leading the Philippine delegation are Superstar Nora Aunor, Direk Brillante Mendoza, Lovi Poe, and Mercedes Cabral to represent “Thy Womb,” which is an entry in the competition category of Venice, the oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

According to line producer Larry Castillo, everyone was excited about their trip to Venice. Before they left, the cast granted interviews for various TV talk shows on their participation in the prestigious film event.

Once in Venice, Ate Guy, Direk Dante, Lovi and Mercedes will grace the Red Carpet premiere of “Thy Womb,” the first Philippine entry to the Venice International Film Festival in recent years.

Ate Guy will be wearing a fuchsia-colored gown designed by Nono Palmos for the Red Carpet premiere. Also to be screened in Venice is the Ishmael Bernal film “Himala” in the “Venice Classics” section. “Himala” has been restored and looks brand new, according to those who have seen the new print. The movie will be screened twice in Venice.

Fans of Ate Guy, as well as film enthusiasts in the Philippines, are praying for Nora to win the best actress award at Venice International Film Festival. But even if she doesn’t get to bring home the bacon, the fact that “Thy Womb” was selected to be in competition is already a big achievement.

Good luck to Ate Guy and her company!

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Angelika dela Cruz is playing a kontrabida role in the newest primetime offering of GMA 7 entitled “Ang Aso ni San Roque,” which features child star Mona Louise Rey.

She is happy that she has a new show with GMA and she doesn’t have qualms with her kontrabida role. “I am playing a mangkukulam in the world of aswangs. In the world of mortals, I play the head of a syndicate using children in our illegal activities. That’s where I get to encounter Mona Louise who plays the blind girl Fatima and her dog Anghel,” she says.

Angelika says she is still unsure of her plans to run as councilor in Malabon in next year’s midterm elections. She might not be able to do so if she makes good of her desire to have her second baby. If she decides on having a baby, she would have to forego of her plan to run for public office.

Her husband has reportedly been asking her when they can have a second child. “I told him na after na lang may last teleserye…saka na lang ako magbubuntis…kaso dumating naman ang offer to do ‘Ang Aso ni San Roque.’ Sayang naman ang trabaho, di ba? Supportive naman ang asawa ko pero, really, we want to have our second baby soon,” said the Kapuso actress.

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Meanwhile, if LJ Reyes was daring and sexy in the indie film “Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino” (one of the most popular entries in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival), she is wholesome and demure in “Ang Aso ni San Roque.”

She plays the young mother of child actress Mona Louise Rey. This is the first time she is playing a mother role on TV. In the story, she was born as a “manananggal” in the world of aswangs. But since she didn’t want to be a creature of the dark, she leaves the world of the aswangs to lead the life of a mortal. There, she meets TJ Trinidad (who plays a policeman). But since an aswang and a mortal are forbidden to fall in love, the creatures from the aswang world made an effort to separate the lovers. But unknown to TJ, LJ is already pregnant with their child.

LJ got good reviews in the movie “Intoy Syokoy sa Kalye Marino” and many are asking when she is going to do another indie film. According to LJ, Boy Abunda (who produced Intoy Syokoy) had told her she will do another indie film project, also to be produced by the ABS-CBN talk show host.

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"Maalaala Mo Kaya" celebrates Grandparents' Month by sharing a heartwarming story of three loving grandmothers this Saturday (September 8) topbilled by three of the country's highly acclaimed actresses--Coney Reyes, Pinky Marquez, and Boots Anson-Roa.

Despite their different personalities and priorities in life, Lola Joy (Coney Reyes), Lola Jane (Pinky Marquez) and Mamaita Rose (Boots Anson-Roa) were able to find unity and showed love to each other when their grandson, Travelito, was born. What were the sacrifices they had to make to ensure their grandson's welfare? What will happen to Lola Joy, Lola Jane and Mamaita Rose when Travelito is suddenly taken away from them?

Aside from Coney, Pinky and Boots, the "MMK" episode will also star Biboy Ramirez, Karel Marquez, Ryan Ramos, and Justin Gonzales. It was researched by Alexandra Martin, written by Joan Habana, and directed by Darnel Villaflor. Don’t miss another touching family drama this Saturday in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) after “Wansapanataym" on ABS-CBN.