Bianca shines in Most Wanted episode

When Bianca Lapuz was just starting in show business a couple of years ago, I didn’t think she would amount to anything much as an actress. In a recent episode of The Philippines’ Most Wanted on Channel 5, however, I was surprised to find out she is capable of delivering a credible performance.

In that episode of Most Wanted, Bianca played a bar girl who – in real life – was abducted and later gang-raped by a bunch of hooligans led by Brando Legaspi. The rapist Brando sadistically inserted a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel (the round type) into the poor girl’s private part – bottom-end first.

Of course, the whole thing was just simulated. But the facial reaction of Bianca Lapuz proved to be so convincing, most viewers – I’m sure – must have been unsettled in their seats during that part of the drama presentation. Watching her cry in pain, it looked like Brando and company were really abusing her.

After watching her fine performances in that episode of Most Wanted, I’m hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that she’ll get more offers to do meatier parts on television – if not the movies.

Most Wanted as a crime docu-drama series is actually no match to Rudy Fernandez’ Kasangga on Channel 7 nor to Kabalikat: Loren Legarda on ABS-CBN in terms of production values. But this program isn’t really so badly staged – in spite of its obviously limited resources. I’m giving it an A for its effort to come up with a decent enough production week after week – again, despite the show’s meager budget.

My only wish is that host Raffy Tulfo would refrain from using cuss words when describing the suspects while their cartographic sketches are being flashed on the screen. I know that these unlawful elements deserve to be called the worst names possible. But then, there could be kids watching the show. Surely, we want them to grow up morally upright and not wayward – so that they don’t end up someday being featured as hardened criminals in the Philippines’ Most Wanted.

Martin still ‘it’

After almost three years on the air – late night after late night-I was expecting Martin Late@Nite to be, well, a bit tired by now. To my delight, however, this ABS-CBN talk show is still in tip-top shape to this day.

The past few weeks, I’ve really been staying up late – lapping up its every episode. Among my favorites were those that featured the mother-daughter tandem of Maritess Revilla and Bianca Araneta, the brother-sister team of Ian and Matet de Leon and Tina Monzon Palma and her exciting travels abroad.

Martin Nievera has developed into an even better host today. He absolutely knows how to interact with his guests and is able to draw even the most withdrawn among them out of their shells. And every word that comes out of his mouth now speaks of his maturity not only as a performer, but also as a person.

Osang meets Rosebud

There’s no denying that the woman of the hour is Mary Ong a.k.a. Rosebud. Starting from the day she sat in the Senate hearings, she has been all over the papers, radio and television.

Early this week, the Philippine STAR carried a page one feature about the possibility of having her life story made into a film with either Vilma Santos or Rosanna Roces playing her part. Today on Startalk (2:30-4 p.m. on GMA-7), Rosanna will have Rosebud as her guest in the segment Osang Afternoon Delight and we will get to see the parallelisms in their very colorful lives.

Invitation from Pete

Pete Roa, currently the vice president of the Film Development Foundation, is inviting local screenwriters to join this year’s scriptwriting contest that is being organized by his office. For those interested to join the contest, please read the details below.

The Film Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (FDFPI) has recently launched its annual scriptwriting contest. The contest is open to all Filipino scriptwriters – professionals and non-professionals alike. A total of P220,000 in cash prizes await all 10 finalists: P70,000 for the first prize winner, P50,000 for the second prize winner and P30,000 for the third prize winner. The remaining seven finalists will each get P10,000.

The screenplay must be for a full-length feature film written in Filipino, English or a combination of both languages. It must be a new material – never before produced by any movie company or awarded in any competition held here or abroad. The contest sets no limits on the subject matter and/or theme – leaving all participants to exercise their own creativity in the writing of their original material.

Entries must be submitted in four copies (one original and three duplicate copies) – with the duplicate copies clear and readable, bearing no name, no pen name or alias indicated on the scripts that would lead to the identity of the writer. It should be typewritten or computerized on regular bond paper (8.5" x 11"), in standard format, around 100 to 120 pages maximum and accompanied by a one-page synopsis. Each participant should submit only one entry. Deadline for submission of entries is Nov. 9 at 12 midnight.

Accompanying the entry, however, is a sealed envelope containing a notarized affidavit attesting to the originality of the work. If entry is an adaptation of another literary work, the contestant must obtain the written consent of the real author or submit a certification asserting that such original work has become part of the public domain. Together with the above documents, enclose two current passport-size colored photos and a one-page resume’ of the author which should include name, address, contact numbers, date and place of birth, civil status, name of parents, educational attainment, occupation and Tax Payer’s Identification Number (TIN).

All entries must be addressed or brought personally to the Film Program and Coordination Unit, Film Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc., 3/F Production Design Center Bldg; CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 1307. For further details, please call 5514677 and 8321125 locals 2113-16.