The good and the bad about 2005

(2nd of Two Parts)

New year, new life, new beginnings. Last year, a lot of horrible things happened in local show business. But let’s forget about that as we face a brand-new year. In my Saturday column, I’ve already made a list of the people in the entertainment profession who stood out in a positive way last year. Below are some more positive showbiz newsmakers for 2005:

Cesar Montano – He was the big winner in the Gawad Urian – having gone home with three trophies: Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture, all for Panaghoy sa Suba. Later in the year, his Hollywood movie, The Great Raid, was finally shown. Although the film wasn’t exactly a box-office hit, it was still an impressive Hollywood debut for Cesar Montano, who played an important role in the film and even eclipsed the performances of the bona fide Hollywood actors.

Richard Gutierrez – Undeniably the biggest male star of 2005, his winning streak began when his and Angel Locsin’s Let The Love Begin was released as a Valentine presentation and hit it big at the box-office. On TV, there was, of course, Mulawin, which turned out to be another winner when it was turned into a movie that is now still showing in the ongoing Metro Manila Film Festival and Sugo that is now rating very well on primetime TV.

Angel Locsin – There had been other actresses who played Darna before her, but she will be remembered by a whole generation of fans as the sexiest. On the big screen, she also tasted big success with her movie outings with Richard Gutierrez. Her movies with him were patronized by fans in spite of the fact that they know that they’re not an item in real life. That is how strong the Richard Gutierrez-Angel Locsin loveteam is.

Mark Herras – A trying year for him – especially the latter part of 2005 when his biological father, now in jail, came out and media feasted on the young actor’s life. Add to that his on-off, on-off romance with Jennylyn Mercado. But Mark survived all that and his star has become even brighter last year and I predict will shine even more this 2006.

Jennylyn Mercado – Instead of splurging on her 18th birthday at some big hotel, she celebrated that special day doing charity work. Later, she was also given a big birthday bash at the SM Megamall Cinema by Lily Monteverde during the premiere night of her movie. The fact that she also survived her tumultuous romance with Mark Herras and came out of it with her chin up made her admirable in the eyes of the public.

Pauleen Luna – One of the most beautiful young faces today, she got involved in a love triangle with Mark and Jennylyn (it turned out to be untrue – there was no romance with Mark) but remained ladylike all throughout the hullabaloo.

Ciara Sotto – It’s not because she’s in a loveteam now with Paolo Ballesteros that I’m putting her in this positive showbiz newsmakers list. She gets to this list because of her beautiful transformation from an awkward teeny-bopper to one of the loveliest faces in the noontime scene today. Even her trained singing voice has greatly improved.

Pia Guanio – She was undeniably one of the biggest stars on TV in 2005 – one of the most popular and visible and one of the best young talents today.

Precious Lara Quigaman – Her victory as Miss International 2005 gave temporary relief last September to this country that was (still is) beset with socio-political and economic problems.

Manny Pacquiao – His movie may have had disastrous results, but he gave us honors in the international boxing arena and – knock on wood – may even bring us some more in his coming soon rematch with Erik Morales.

Richard Gomez – In spite of his problems with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, he still made us proud in the recent SEA Games.

Pinoy Big Brother housemates – Although Nene was the big winner, people also talked about the other housemates: Cass, Jason, Uma, Sam, etc. The question is: What next for the Pinoy Big Brother housemates?

Independent filmmakers – There are so many of them to mention here, but through their efforts with the use of digital films, they were able to keep local cinema alive – somehow – in 2005.

Matet de Leon – She gave birth prematurely to a boy at seven and a half months. But through her grief, she kept her composure. Startalk tried to get an interview with her after the wake, but she and husband Mickey Estrada begged off and as a compromise promised not to give any interview with anyone else. I know other stations were also after them, but she and her husband kept their word. If only for that, I’m convinced there was still decency left in showbiz as of 2005.