Showbiz’s purita mirasol

In showbiz lingo, purita mirasol is poor and miserable. A most apt description of a once—devastatingly handsome ramp model-bold actor. The pathetic guy now drives a tricycle in a nearby province, the shadow of his former self. The hard life – he was once hooked on drugs – made him a physical wreck.

"Di mo na makikilala" is how a TV scriptwriter described him. "Maitim, marungis. Talagang purita mirasol."

The writer went all the way to the province to see if his life could be adapted for a teledrama. But he was so unnerved by what he saw that he decided against talking to him. Perhaps some other time.

Truly purita mirasol are bold stars who, for lack of movie assignments, are forced to perform (read strip to the bone) in honky-tonks and gay bars. They failed to save for the lean season and so when it comes these poor guys and dolls have no choice but to bare and dare in cheap joints.

Come to think of it, a youth-oriented TV show (now defunct) is said to be the "alma matter" of a number of macho dancers and so-called cage dancers.

One time, an esteemed and revered TV host was shocked to see a poster advertising an "alumnus" of his show as the star dancer of a gay bar.

Well, times are hard. Movie and TV offers rarely come, if they come at all. So kapit sa patalim is the name of the game. That’s entertainment. . . rather life.

Longing for a comeback

Rita Magdalena denies gossip-column items saying that she’s purita mirasol. That she lives in a squatter area and is always bangag.

She discloses she just transferred to a townhouse in Pasig. "At tingnan nga nila ang katawan ko. Eto ba ang nagda-drugs?"

Rita is, indeed, on the plump side, but remains as lovely as ever.

Rita says she intentionally bowed out of showbiz to nurse a broken heart. A basketball player who promised her marriage dumped Rita and tied the knot with someone else. "Pero huwag na nating pag-usapan ’yun. Gusto kong makabalik sa pelikula. Gusto kong ipakita ’yung galing ko sa pag-arte. Huwag na ‘yung katawan ko. Sa dami nang pinagdaanan ko, natuto na akong umarte."

Who’ll give Rita the chance to act? Why not her discoverer Jun Posadas?

Boots on women’s rights

But on to a more pleasant and relevant topic, like this release from the camp of the Boots Anson-Roa for Senator Movement.

Senatorial candidate Boots Anson-Roa urged showbiz personalities, especially famous actresses, to help in creating greater awareness of women’s rights.

Anson-Roa, who is running for the Senate under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino led by the presidential team of Fernando Poe Jr. and Sen. Loren Legarda, made the call in connection with the nation’s celebration of March as National Women’s Month.

Anson-Roa told students of the University of the Philippines that for an effective campaign on women’s rights and reproductive health, female stars in showbiz should help, saying they are the "most effective" endorsers of women’s well-being.

The KNP senatorial bet said an information campaign will not be enough to promote women’s rights. She added that women themselves should hold programs espousing their cause for greater participation in government and in social and economic activities.

She said vestiges of discrimination against women in employment and other opportunities still exist and urged the government to exert greater efforts for women’s empowerment.

A multi-awarded actress, Anson-Roa called on fellow actresses to help in any form of information dissemination to enhance the protection and well-being of women.

"They should make a little sacrifice since the good results of the campaign will be for all women," said the KNP bet, voted outstanding alumna of UP and one of the Ten Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service.

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