A fitting comeback for Direk Laurice -DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Star Cinema’s Tanging Yaman got an A rating from the Film Ratings Board and is an official entry to the Metro Manila Filmfest. What a fitting welcome for comebacking director Laurice Guillen. "This is one work na puwede kong sabihin na gumalaw lahat. It’s amazing how our director made everybody move and do his part," respected actress Gloria Romero enthused. Some people also say that Dina Bonnevie was ready to pack her bags and fly to Switzerland where her mother is based but when she got the offer to do the movie, Ms. D. shifted gears and decided to stay. I’ve seen the full trailer of Tanging Yaman and it’s a kind of trailer that seduces you; it’s so poignant it can drag you straight to the cinema. I promise to watch Tanging Yaman. And now that Laurice is back as a director, I am looking forward to seeing Laurice act again on the big screen. After all, she is one of Philippine cinema’s most brilliant actresses.

It was heartwarming to see Laurice and Johnny talk and banter with Kris in Kris and Tell on The Buzz. Kris asked them what was that one most endearing trait of one another. "Trust. I can’t think of anyone whom I can trust more than Laurice," Johnny replied. "The laughter. He can be in the middle of a thousand people and I would still recognize Johnny’s laughter," quipped Laurice. Just like the rose in The Little Prince. Why is that rose so special among millions of roses? Because that rose is the one you watered, loved and nurtured. That’s what separates it from the rest of the roses.

It‘s refreshing to have Laurice and Johnny back in the industry. Johnny is also in the cast of Tanging Yaman.

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Concert comedy queen Ai-Ai de las Alas had a successful back-to-back show with versatile performer Ara Mina at the Music Museum. Rated A with an O filled the Music Museum to the rafters for two nights. Ogie Alcasid performed with the two. Ai-Ai, who is being accused of having said something nasty about Pops in her Folk Arts concert declared, "I didn’t say anything bad against Pops in my show. It was a joke I cracked about Regine, Pops and me being concert queens. Nakisali lang ako, actually. It was a joke and I think Pops understands this. And I hope this thing stops, kasi matatanda na kami."

On the other hand, Ara was deliriously happy on the second night of the show because the Mathay family was present to watch her. She said that she promises to work harder on her singing to prove to her dad, Chuck Mathay, that she has other talents (By the way, Laro sa Baga, Ara’s movie is a certified box-office hit).

Mayor Mathay was also at the Music Museum. Ara fondly calls him Lolo Mayor. When asked about Ara’s performance, the mayor of Quezon City answered, "She is a very good singer and she knows how to entertain. And you can’t deny that she really looks like Chuck and I’m truly happy." Chuck was beaming with pride after the show. "I really felt it, especially when she sang Reflection. It was touching and of course, finally, she found her reflection."

Congratulations, Ai-Ai and Ara for a wonderful performance.

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Congratulations to Anton Vasquez, a 16-year old Bacolodnan who was declared the winner in the Disney Channel/ESPN Junior X Games II presented by Toyota sweepstakes. He won a five-day trip to the serene island of Phuket in Thailand and was able to experience the ultimate in extreme thrill in the Disney Channel’s Junior X Games last Dec. 3 to 5.

A sports climbing enthusiast, Anton witnessed live the Disney Channel’s Junior X Games II, an international gathering of children aged 10 to 15 who are into extreme sports. Over 120 athletes from 12 countries across the region competed in four different sports events modeled after the X-Games, which used modified ramps, smaller climbing walls and a mini-half pipe. The four categories included Aggressive in-line skating, skateboarding, sport-climbing and bicycle stunt.

The Philippines sent a group to represent our country to the Junior X Games II. The Philippine group was composed of Andrew Robles, Martin Cu, Dalia Guerrero, Mary Frances "Lady" Angsico and Tagoy Ledesma (who was last year’s silver medalist for sportclimbing at the Junior X Games). A lone Filipino contender, Edward Chua, took a shot in skateboarding.

Anton, who admits that he is a big fan of the Disney Channel, has seen highlights from last year’s Junior X Games, from where he got sportclimbing tips, his favorite extreme sport. He then joined the Junior X Games II sweepstakes by writing about how sportclimbing gives him good exercise and how it challenges him physically and mentally. "I learned the values of discipline, endurance and humility. Sportclimbing has encouraged me to be a better and confident person."

Anton brought his parents to the three-day event which included X Games clinics and workshops with professional X Games athletes. The professional X Games athletes who made an appearance were Jim Waugh (sport-climbing), Brian Patch (skateboarding), Raphael Sandoz (aggressive in-line skating) and Kevin Robinson, Koji Kraft and Sean Peters (Bicycle stunt). The general public also had the opportunity to try their hand at the Junior X Games II with access to try different ramps, walls and equipment, bringing another interactive element to the event.

The Disney Channel will air highlight of the Junior X Games II from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 6 p.m. Meanwhile, updates will be posted regularly on the Disney Channel.