Raymond & Richard ‘twin-host’ S.O.P. segment

So who says that "never the twain shall meet?"

Well, not in the case of the Gutierrez twins Richard and Raymond who are reunited after more than 12 years of separation – career-wise, that is – effective Sunday, May 23, as hosts of the S.O.P. Gimikada segment of the GMA noontime show S.O.P.

The last time Richard and Raymond worked together was ages ago when, as toddlers, they starred in more than a dozen films after they were launched in Takbo, Bilis, Takbo! by Golden Lions couple Donna Villa and Carlo Caparas. Between Takbo and their last film together (Regal Films’ Kambal-Tuko) when they were eight years old, the twins proved quite a double delight in such comedies as Feel Na Feel and Lahing Pikutin.

In the 30-minute S.O.P. Gimikada segment, the twins will talk about topics close to the hearts of teeners like them.

While only a year ago the twins hardly looked like each other because of the big difference in their size/weight, now they do – after Raymond resorted to a crash diet of no rice, no softdrinks and no sweets and rigorous daily workouts, shedding more than 50 of his bulky 210 pounds. There, more like it. At 6 feet, Raymond is two inches taller than Richard who is as slim as an arrow.

Raymond dropped out of showbiz when he started growing up, concentrating on his studies (at Beverly Hills High School) while Richard took up where he had left off, doing soaps, movies and image-modelling for Bench (see those huge billboards at strategic points in Metro Manila, showing Richard with Manay Gina de Venecia?).

"GMA gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse," Raymond told Funfare, so he had to quit school temporarily. "Besides the S.O.P. Gimikada, I’m having another show."

As kids, Richard and Raymond loved to wear identical clothes, shoes, hairstyle, etc. As grown-ups, however, they want to establish different identities.

"Before," said their mom, Annabelle Rama, "they would borrow each other’s things. Not anymore."

In S.O.P. Gimikada, Richard will have his own set of clothes and accessories and so will Raymond. Even their hairstyles will be different.

Asked if he’ll resume his acting career soon, Raymond said, "Maybe later. I’ll concentrate on hosting first."

Melanie, Model Teacher

Experience is the best teacher, so they say, and Melanie Marquez knows it. That’s why she has decided to conduct a modelling workshop right at the Philamlife Homes (Quezon City) where she used to live (she has since moved somewhere else with her husband, Adam Lawyer, and their children).

"I don’t teach from the book," said Melanie who’s best remembered for, aside from winning the Miss International crown in 1979, mouthing quotables (like the classic "Don’t judge my brother; he’s not a book"). "I teach from experience. I want my students to learn what I myself have learned from experience."

A few weeks ago, Melanie started with 37 students (screened from hundreds who applied) divided into three groups. The students, ranging in age from seven to 49 (male and female), attended four meetings, two hours each, every week, completing the workshop’s First Level (consisting of courses in Footwork, Hand Movement, Basic Make-Up, Runway. etc.). The Second Level consists of Acting, Speech, Projection (on Camera) and Endorsing Products; the Third Level, of Photography, Internalizing and Projection; and the Fourth Level, of Styling, Set Card (Portfolio) and Video.

"I am a hands-on teacher," said Melanie who patterned the workshop (and courses) after those in modelling schools in the US and Europe. "Personalized ang teaching style ko."

Eventually, Melanie hopes to put up her own modelling school which which will also serve as job-placement agency for her students.

"I can recommend them to local agencies and, if they qualify, even modelling agencies abroad."

Encouraged by the success of her first batch of students, Melanie said she will hold the workshop every month starting in June (but she’ll have to skip July because she’s going to Canada to judge a Miss Vancouver contest and to train beauty queens there).

No, she hasn’t set aside showbiz. Between workshops, Melanie will shoot her scenes in the new GMA kuwela-novela Marinara (a spoof of the hit ABS-CBN fantaserye Marina) where she plays the mother of Rufa Mae Quinto (cast in a triple role as a mermaid, a maid and a Hollywooder).

(Note: For inquiries about Melanie’s workshops, call 815-4872.)

Onemig’s ‘Sound’ Project

Mens sana in corpore sano. Yes, a sound mind in a sound body.

"I believe in that saying," said Onemig Bondoc (Juan Miguel Bondoc in real life) who is a board member of the Benedictine International School Quezon City (BISQC).

Thus, through his United As One Youth Foundation, Onemig decided to include the BISQC varsity players in his scholarship program, with Mariano Bondoc III as team manager and Beaujing Acot as head coach. Aside from free tuition fee, board and lodging, the scholarship includes quality education in pre-school, elementary and high-school levels. BISQC has competent teachers conducting classes in fully-airconditioned rooms equipped with modern facilities.

Called Tigersharks, Onemig varsity players have been winning in tournaments, including the Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA), Junior Division, first runner-up; Athletic Association of Private Schools (AAPS), first runner-up; and the Quezon City Basketball League (QCBL), division champion.

Some of Onemig’s players have graduated to other teams in other schools, such as John Julien Foronda, now with La Salle’s Team A; David Golena, with Philippine Christian University’s Team A; John James Leonen, with Philippine Christian University’s Team B; Albert Olaya, with Rizal Technological University’s Team A; Nino Sanico, with Philippine Christian University’s Team B; Edgar Tanuan, with College of St. Benilde’s Team A; and Wilrick Anthony Yu, with National University’s Team A.

Incidentally, Onemig is now shooting Star Cinema’s Volta, topbilling Ai Ai delas Alas, for next month’s Manila Filmfest.

"I get a high helping poor but deserving students," said Onemig.

(Note: For inquries about Onemig’s school, call 951-7454, 951-7154 or 951-2319; and about the United As One Youth Foundation, at 634-1252 or 637-2797.)

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