Yes, Loren is running!

You read it right: Sen. Loren Legarda is definitely running in 2004 and that’s what she told movie writers at yesterday’s presscon for her new ABS-CBN show Tara, Tena, which premieres on Saturday, Aug. 9, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (replacing Star Studio).

"I will run for reelection," admitted Sen. Loren who literally let her hair (usually gathered in a bun) down for Tara, Tena which is geared toward a youth market by featuring inspiring stories (based on those told by letter-writers) that would benefit the young. "But if there’s an offer for me to run for a higher office (meaning for Vice President), I might consider."

These past several weeks, surveys have been showing that Loren, along with fellow ABS-CBN talent Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, are among the front-runners for the country’s second highest post if the elections were to be held now.

"The next three months will be very crucial," added Loren, referring to the Dec. l5 deadline for filing of candidacy for the May 2004 national elections. "Many things can happen between now and then."

Asked who her "preferred running-mate" is, Loren said, "None, so far," but stressed in the next breath that she would like a (future) President "who has a vision to solve the many problems of the country."

Male or female?

"Why," Loren smiled, "has she made an announcement already?"

There’s a rumor that Loren had a meeting with Presidential aspirant Danding Cojuangco several weeks ago in San Francisco where Danding celebrated his birthday. Was it merely a "social call" or, ehem, a "politically-motivated" encounter? Did she talk politics with Danding? Breaking into an even wider smile, Loren answered, "How can politicians not talk about politics even on social occasions?"

Even the title of Loren’s new ABS-CBN show can be subject to "politically-motivated" (that’s the "innest" adjective these days, or haven’t you noticed?) speculations. You know: Tara, Tena sa 2004! Actually, Tara, Tena (English translation: Come on, let’s go!) is the grand-prize winner of the Jam Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan song contest run by ABS-CBN but it could, with new lyrics, be used as a catchy campaign song just like, remember, Loren, Loren, Sinta (from Leron, Leron, Sinta).

Loren said that Tara, Tena celebrates the energy and vitality of today’s youth and aims to encourage (especially the young) televiewers to act on their dreams and uphold traditional Filipino values like industry, commitment, perseverance, love and responsibility. The show will definitely bring Loren closer to the youth sector (35 and below) which makes up roughly 70 percent of the voting population and televiewers (prospective "absentee voters," roughly one million) abroad reached by the TFC (The Filipino Channel), ABS-CBN’s sister company.

The maiden episode this Saturday of Tara, Tena stars Baron Geisler, Desiree del Valle and Jaclyn Jose. The staff includes Desirey Fernandez as executive producer; Malou Sevilla, Erick Salud, John-D Lazatin and Leo Rialp as directors; and Richard Reynante (head writer), Agnes Gagilonia-Uligan, Joel Mercado, Chris Violaga and Dang Sulit.

Would Loren be acting on Tara, Tena every now and then (after the launching of her "acting" career in the Dolphy movie Markova: Comfort Gay)?

"Good idea, ‘no," she said. "Why not?"

Dina Out, Lorna In!

It’s definite: The much-fought-over role of the "third-wife" in Regal Films’ 2003 Metro Filmfest Mano Po 2 now belongs to Lorna Tolentino, with her "protagonist" Dina Bonnevie finding herself out in the cold, holding an empty bag. Yes, Dina is out of the Mano Po cast even if she already attended the movie’s presscon and has been telling the whole world that she’s be playing the coveted "third-wife," the same role promised to Lorna by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily who, in the end, realized that Lorna fits the role better than Dina does.

Lorna and Dina have been, well, "bumping heads" over roles lately. In Star Cinema’s Pagsasamang Kay Ganda: Noon at Ngayon, directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (who was inspired by her 80s’ classic movie Moral), the role of a balikbayan (who comes home to take care of her cancer-stricken mother, played by Laurice Guillen) played by Dina was originally meant for Lorna who simply shrugged it off and breathed not a single (harsh) word.

Actually, even if Dina appears to be an "underdog," it’s the prerogative of the producer and/or director to drop or add anybody to the cast. Remember how the late Lino Brocka junked the late Jay Ilagan as lead actor of the now-classic Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag and replaced him with newcomer Bembol Roco even if Jay had already shot for one week?

Dina and her manager, a certain Arnold Vegafria, are hurting – understandably. According to a Funfare source, this certain Arnold Vegafria "screamed" at Mother Lily when he learned the other night that Lorna was "it" (as third-wife) and Dina was out, and threatened to sue Mother Lily for, don’t look now, "lost opportunity." What’s that? Check out a legal book near you.

This certain Arnold Vegafria is also reportedly poised to declare a "word war" on Lolit Solis, Lorna’s manager, who threatened to pull out Christopher de Leon, his other talent in the Mano Po cast, if Lorna wouldn’t get the "third-wife" role. (Of course, in real life, all women prefer to be the first wife and not–never!–the second or the third. But the Mano Po "third-wife" role is said to be "challenging" and "demanding," thus the big row and the big brouhaha.)

The plot is getting thicker. With Dina’s manager taking on Lolit, a noted (notorious?) gerilyera, expect explosions you’ve never heard during the mutiny/"failed coup." Dina’s manager is a relative greenhorn in the field while Lolit has clout and a name/reputation which, in some situations, can send shivers down the spine of producers.

Dina has let loose quite a mouthful about the issue while Lorna, every inch a lady, has remained mum. The "war" is shifting between this certain Arnold Vegafria and Lolit Solis. Brace yourselves for interesting times on national television.

Martin Will Sing For Children

Anytime now, Martin Nievera will rudely interrupt his family vacation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to star in the Martin for Children concert slated on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the International School Fine Arts Theater at Fort Bonifacio. The concert is sponsored by the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), headed by Manay Gina de Venecia. to raise funds for The Haven for Children in Muntinlupa City.

Martin (who reportedly commands a P2-million talent fee per concert) will be performing gratis et amore. He loves children, you know, including his own (Ram and Robin, with ex-wife Pops Fernandez) and those of others, especially the poor and needy.

Ryan Cayabyab and Louie Ocampo have come up with a repertoire that includes Broadway hits, classics from the ’60s and ’70s, Josh Groban hits and more love songs.

According to Manay Gina, their goal is to complete the nine-building complex targetted to start construction next month and for turnover to the DSWD byt Feb. 15 next year, Manay Gina’s birthday.

"Once finished," she added, "the complex will serve as sanctuary for displaced children roaming the streets of Metro Manila." (For tickets, call 931-5670 or 931-5417.)

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