Once upon a time, 17 years ago, there was a very handsome boy who was born without a mother. How could that be possible? Well, its like this: The boys parents were not married. When he was born, a tug-of-war over him erupted between his parents families, with the boys paternal grandmother gaining "custody" over him when he was barely a month old. He grew up to be a Lolas Boy and he never saw his mother at all. In fact, not having seen her picture nor talked to her, he doesnt have any idea how she looks like. He wont even recognize her if they bump into each other in the mall.
Fast-forward 17 years later: The boy, now a star material, joined and won the ABS-CBN noontime show MTB Ang Saya-Sayas talent search called TV Idol Ur DMan. He shed buckets of tears as he received his prizes (P500,000 and a one-year contract with the ABS-CBN Talent Center, P200,000 of then money given in cash and the rest he has to work for), saying he wanted to dedicate his victory to his "missing" mother but since he doesnt know her, hed rather share it with his father and lola.
Thats the life story of Roche Ahron Villena, a native of Batangas City, who bested four other worthy aspirants in the contest which started a few months ago with more than 30 hopefuls, with the number trimmed down to batches of 10 until only five remained standing after going through elimination rounds where they were made to sing, dance, act and host (an imaginary TV show).
It turned out that Ahrons mother has been working in Saitama, Japan, for many years now; while his father married another woman and broke up with her after siring a child. Because of his beckoning showbiz career, Ahron has decided to temporarily quit his studies at the Lyceum of Batangas where hes taking up B.S. Nursing.
Ill have to put the story "on hold" so as not to preempt Ate Charo if and when she decides to dramatize Ahrons story on MMK. This much I can tell you: Like most family dramas, this one is headed for a happy ending. You see, last Sunday evening, Ahrons mother called out of the blue after she saw Ahrons tearful appearance on The Buzz (presumably via The Filipino Channel), bridging the 17-year gap between them.
"It was the first time I heard her voice," said Ahron, "and I felt awkward. To make sure shes my mother, I asked her what my birthdate is and other personal facts about me. After a few minutes, we were exchanging jokes already. I ended our conversation by saying, What are you doing there? Come home. She was happy with my victory."
Ahron and his long-lost mother will have a much-awaited reunion in March next year when she comes home from Japan.
Asked whats the first thing he will do as soon as he meets her, Ahron said, "Ill show her my trophy."
Its about Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos who was so excited about her and Sen. Ralph Rectos son Ryan Christians TV "debut" last Monday night on the ABS-CBN sitcom OK, Fine, Whatever!, that she took time out to watch the episode in full (and, I guess, have it recorded). Mayor Vi even texted her friends to watch the sitcom.
I did and promised her to write a short "review" of the performance of Ryan Christian who appeared on OK, Fine with his Tito Edu Manzano and Kuya Luis/Lucky Manzano. The episode was "fantasy" and Ryan Christian was cast in a role very much like Harry Potter.
Heres my short "review":
He bungled some of his lines but so what? Hes cute just the same.
He would look at the camera every now and then but so what? He was cute just the same.
He missed his cues but so what? Hes cute just the same.
In short, hes cute and isnt it all that matters for the time being?
Will he grow up to be as good an actor as his mom?
Only the future will tell.
Incidentally, Mayor Vi would like to thank the cast (also including Gloria Romero and Aga Muhlach), the director (Danny Caparas) and staff of OK, Fine for the support given to Ryan Christian.
Marlon Jackson, one of the famous siblings in the Jackson 5 family (Michael, Janet, Jermaine and La Toya), became an instant fan of Lani Misalucha after hearing Lani perform (for the first time) at Ballys Las Vegas. He even gave Lani some tips on how to further enhance her flourishing career in America.
Marlon currently owns and manages a major cable network called MBC. On the other hand, Lani continues to enthrall audiences in the same show, with the Society of Seven as co-performers.
The show is produced by Rosy Cheeks Entertainment and Group Inc. and also presented by Seafood City Supermarket, The Filipino Channel, Asian Journal Publications, Goldilocks Bakeshop and Century 21/Emerald Financial.
(Its Jackie whos handling the shows marketing and promotions.)
The 2nd Australian Film Festival will be open on Sept. 17 with the screening of Walking on Water, directed by Tony Ayres, which won as Best Feature FIlm at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival. Venue is Cinema 2 at The Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Lav Diazs nine-hour film Ebolusyon will have its world premiere at the Visions Program of the Toronto International Film Festival next month, along with 20 other films from 14 countries. Visions focuses on innovation and spotlights works that enter new cinematic territory, use unconventional approaches to story-telling and employ new technologies in distinctive ways.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)