Kris to DOJ: Don’t use me as bullet against my Mom!

"Foul!"

That was the general reaction of most everybody, especially members of the entertainment industry, to one of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez’s "quotables" published in the dailies yesterday.

Reacting to former President Cory Aquino’s call for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation, Gonzalez was quoted as saying, "She (Cory) should first take care of her daughter (Kris). It appears that she is assuming that her voice alone can change this country," adding, when asked if Tita Cory is among the people the DOJ is allegedly monitoring, that there’s no need to do so "because I think Aquino is also busy monitoring her own daughter," noting that Kris has figured in a number of controversies in the past.

Gonzalez’s snide remarks against Tita Cory came after he was roundly criticized for making what was perceived as sarcastic remarks dismissing Susan Roces, after she also called for PGMA to step down, as "a griping widow" of FPJ who, still according to Gonzalez, didn’t deserve to be President, that’s why "God took him away."

True to form, Tita Cory politely refused to dignify Gonzalez’s comments with a rejoinder.

Asked by Funfare for her own reaction, a visibly-hurt Kris quoted the statement she sent yesterday to subscribers of Star Text:

DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez criticized my Mom using me as his bullet. Whatever mistakes I’ve committed are my own, not my Mom’s. I’m not a drug user or pusher, I’m not a thief, I don’t gamble, I haven’t killed anyone. In 2004, I was a prized endorser of PGMA. My life stumbles happened before 2004.

Brief and to the point.

In short, added Kris, "Don’t use me as a bullet against my mother!"

Hollywood, Here They Come!

Sixteen stood out among the dozens of actors and actresses who auditioned for Hollywood Dream, ABC 5 and Next Generation Production’s brainchild which finally takes off this Sunday, July 17, starting at 9 p.m. The winner of the reality-TV talent search will get a chance to try his/her luck in Hollywood. Prizes at stake include two Hollywood film contracts; a Screen Actors Guild card; auditions and meetings with Hollywood agents, casting directors, producers and directors and photo sessions and acting classes.

Those who impressed the screening committee (composed of, among others, director Boots Plata and Hollywood Dream producer Romeo Joven) during the auditions were Giselle Sanchez, Juliana Palermo, John Arcilla, Rey "PJ" Abellana, Lester Llansang, Roxanne Barcelo, Miguel Garcia, Dennis Coronel, Raymond Bagatsing, Pinky Amador, Andrea del Rosario, Rafael Rosell, Jao Mapa, Dimples Romana, Baron Geisler, January Isaac and Julia Clarete.

Talents from GMA and ABS-CBN also auditioned, including Valerie Concepcion, Czarina de Leon and Princess Schuck. So did stage actors Jamie Wilson, Joel Trinidad and Jake Macapagal.

Thirty-nine talents will go on to the next leg of the competition. The number will be trimmed down to Final 15 who will compete in the second episode. The 15 finalists will be given tasks and challenges designed to draw out Hollywood-caliber talent. Aside from creating their own commercials and kissing someone of the same sex, the contenders were dared to expose themselves (literally and figuratively) and to stretch their limits in acting.

Each week, their performances will be critiqued and rated by a panel of judges composed of Armida Siguion-Reyna, Joel Lamangan, Gina Alajar, Audie Gemora, Jaime Fabregas and Mitch Valdes.

Romeo Joven is the president of As We See It Pictures which is producing Wrinkles, the made-in-Hollywood movie which will star mostly Filipino actors.

Chinggoy Alonso Now With Lyceum

Lyceum of the Philippines’ president Roberto P. Laurel recently announced the appointment of veteran stage actor Chinggoy Alonso as the new artistic director of the Lyceum Theater Company. Henceforth, Chinggoy will be responsible for lining up and overseeing all the activities of the Tanghalang Batingaw, the Lyceum Dance Troupe and the Lyceum Chorale which comprise the school’s Theater Company.

Aside from the many roles he played in most of the country’s popular stage plays, Chinggoy, 55, is also a movie and TV actor, director, producer, musical arranger/composer, lyricist, librettist/scriptwriter, an author of poetry books, a narrator/annotator, art restorer/conservator, a commercial model, a lounge performer and a sought-after program emcee/host.

A former artistic director of the Metropolitan Theater, the three-time Best Actor winner (Aliw Awards) won as Best Performer and Best Director in the Karilagan Awards consecutively from 1974 to 1976.

With Chinggoy on board, the Lyceum Theater Company is now abuzz with activities in preparation for the forthcoming presentations already being lined up for the rest of the school year. (Note: For more information on this – including the school’s graduate, law and undergraduate programs – call (632) 527-8251.)

What’s Up?

• The fast-rising Orange and Lemons Band, which is behind the singles Hanggang Kailan and Heaven Knows respectively, will be at Tower Records in SM Megamall today. Orange and Lemons has just released its new album, Strike Whilst The Iron Is Hot (on Universal Records), containing all original compositions. The band will sign autographs and pose for pictures after the showcase.

• Folk singers are performing regularly at My Bro’s Mustache (at No. 68 Scout Madrinan corner Scout Tuason, Quezon City). For inquiries, call 0918-9206896 or 0917-8948129.

• The Philippine Music Training School is looking for new members for the PMTS Power Pop Girls group. Audition is set tomorrow and on July 17 at 117-A S. Macaya St. Barangay Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Those interested may call 454-0078 (look for Amada Porras) for more information.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)