Different kind of 'bomba' in movies

Noon, ang uso bomba sa movies.

Ngayon, ang uso binobomba ang movies.

Indeed, there's no business like show business. In uncertain times like we are in, when bombs are exploding everywhere and no place, it seems, is safe anymore, showbiz folk can still find humor in tragedy. The two lines quoted in this piece's intro is the current running joke in showbiz circles -- an "explosive" joke, if I may say.

The initial reaction of producers who have movies to show during this very "explosive" period was to postpone their playdates. But come to think of it, after seeing that security has been beefed up especially in malls, they back-tracked and decided to just delay the playdates a little bit, realizing that the promo/publicity for the movies involved have already hit the peak.

Viva Films gave the go-signal for the showing of the Janno Gibbs starrer Pedro Penduko: The Return of the Comeback which opened in several Metro theaters yesterday, only two days behind its original schedule. The foreign film Passion of Mind, released locally also by Viva, opened as scheduled last Wednesday.

Reyna Films' much-talked-about movie, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna's Azucena (released through Millennium Cinema), didn't start its regular run last Wednesday but will definitely open also in several Metro theaters next Wednesday, May 31. People have been looking forward to the movie which has been getting good reviews (note: when you watch it, don't reveal the ending to your friends lest the suspense might be spoiled), so might as well, you know, make hay while the sun shines.

Local movies have been enjoying a good market since the start of the year, with several blockbusters brightening up the otherwise gloomy scene, including the FPJ starrer Ang Dalubhasa (Millennium Cinema) and the three-in-a-row Star Cinema megahits (Minsan, Minahal Kita, starring Richard Gomez and Sharon Cuneta; Tunay na Tunay, Gets Mo? Gets Ko! with Jolina Magdangal and Robin Padilla; and Anak, with Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto, which is still drawing crowds, now into its third week, never mind the bombings).

Let's all hope and pray that the bombings will stop, not only for the sake of the revived movie industry but for you and me, for everybody!

Well done, Rustom!

After finishing his first project as line-producer, Millennium Cinema's Eto Na Naman Ako (topbilling his own brother Robin Padilla and Vina Morales), Rustom Padilla heaved a deep sigh of relief and is now looking forward to his next project.

"Mahirap na masarap," said Rustom about line-producing. "I learned how to budget the money; I was careful with the money because I was aware that it wasn't mine and I had to spend it wisely, every centavo of it."

That's why Rustom didn't mind if he was criticized by some people for being a "tight fist" (kuripot).

"I even had to talk to Robin and explained everything to him," added Rustom. "The budget for the movie was P25 million and I wanted it to look like a P25-million movie, even without us spending unnecessarily for the big scenes. That doesn't mean, however, na tinipid namin ang big scenes. We did spend, but cautiously and wisely."

For his next project, Rustom would like to line-produce not an action flick like Eto Na Naman Ako but a drama, maybe with him as a member of the cast. Right now, Rustom is still scouting around for a good material before he sits down to draw up the cast and choose the director.

Burlesk King

showing in

North America

The good news from abroad is that Seiko Films' Burlesk King, starring Rodel Velayo in the title role, will soon start its commercial run in North American theaters, distributed by Strand Releasing which first saw the film at the Toronto Film Festival.

Funfare's Toronto correspondent Ferdinand Lapuz sent Funfare a copy of the official press release fed by Strand into its website. Here it is:

* Burlesk King

Directed by Mel Chionglo

In the tradition of Lino Brocka"s

Macho Dancer

Harry leaves Olongapo, the former site of American bases, with his best friend James. They end up in Manila where they soon find work as macho dancers in a gay bar run by Mama Odette.

Harry has a troubled past-his American father used to pimp him and his mother, Betty. When his father accidentally killed his mother, Harry struck out on his own. He made a vow to kill his father. In Manila, Harry witnesses various kinds of relationships. He meets Aileen, the sister of James. Aileen is a lesbian whose lover's family frowns on their relationship. He strikes an unusual friendship with Mario, a gay writer whose love life with a former live-in partner, Michael, is not as rosy as the romance novels he dishes out. Harry finds love with Brenda, a teenage hooker with a soft heart for street kids and a mind for superstitions. She teaches him love and survival in its right time. A group of thugs Harry and James encountered in Olongapo, comes back to exact vengeance. James dies and Harry is inconsolable. He starts pimping Brenda who opens his eyes to the reality that he has become like his father. Now, Harry sets out to hunt him.

He looks for his father everywhere. He finds him in a lonely shack in a squatters' area in the heart of the city. His father, nearly skin and bones and dying of AIDS, is being taken cared of by an old friend. Miong. His father tells him his mother, Betty, is alive after all. Harry looks for her in Angeles City, where aging hookers ply their trade in darkened sidestreets. Harry and mother are reunited. She teaches him forgiveness. They seek out Harry's father to bring him home. Harry learns to accept his part and finally attains his salvation.

Burlesk King opens in July 2000 in select cities across the country.

What's up?

* The Grupong Tinta will hold its first Film Directing Workshop from June 25 to Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Sunday within that period. Heading the workshop is ace comedy director Chaning Carlos, with the help of other top directors in the country. Only 30 participants will be admitted, for a fee of P4,500 each. No professional experience is required of applicants. For particulars, call 439-43-25, 435-38-01, 0917-4097031 or pager 1277-22416.

* Movies to watch: Ever After on Star Movies this Sunday, May 28, at 9 p.m.; and the Rudy Fernandez starrer Alex San Diego Wanted on Viva Cinema (Home Cable) today at 12 noon.

* Here's a feedback from reader Charry Sobredilla-Thacker: Hi Ricky, Thanks a lot for being a regular columnist of the STAR. Since I am living away from home now, the only way for me to get informed about showbiz is surf your column though the net and be updated with what is going on. Home for me now is North Carolina, but I always reminisce the days when I would attend press cons (used to work with Hanzel Villafuerte at Daynamix) and enjoyed showbiz affairs. I hope that this little note would find a space in your column as I wish my friends in the Phils: teachers of Don Bosco-Makati, Business Ad. Faculty of MCU, Calookan and Hanzel Villafuerte and Calvin Neria, good luck in whatever endeavor they're in.