G Tongi to UCLA

Curtain-raisers:

• Congratulations to G Tongi (photo) who has been admitted to the UCLA College of Letters and Science for the fall quarter 2009 with Communication Studies as academic major. “The past two years have been tedious,” wrote G in an e-mail. “I’ve been raising two children and studying at the same time.” In his letter of acceptance to G, Vu T. Tran, Ed.D., a director of UCLA, said, “You bring an impressive array of strengths to your academic endeavors. We know that UCLA will benefit from your intelligence, imagination and energy, and we hope you will choose UCLA for your undergraduate education.” In June, G will be here to relax and do some tapings.

• Now it can be told: Actor J broke up with Actress K because of her bad behavior (masamang ugali). She’s pretty, all right, but she’s forever frowning. Which simply proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

• When a veteran drama actor had a brief romance with an innocent-looking actress young enough to be his daughter, he thought she was, well, innocent. Imagine how shocked he was when he discovered that she knew all the bedroom calisthenics in the book. Again, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

• A popular TV star sometimes gets frustrated. She would dim the lights, play a love song and set dinner by candlelight to put him in the mood. It doesn’t work, not even when she bathes herself with the most romance-inducing perfume. No, the man is simply not that, hmmm, mahilig...

* * *

At a showbiz party, Mel Chionglo told Gina Alajar he was looking for an actor who’d play a crusading radio announcer in Bente, one of six indie entries to Sine Direk ongoing in SM cinemas. Gina suggested Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Richard Gomez overheard the conversation and asked Mel, “Bakit di mo ako kinukuha?”

It turned that there was a good role for Richard, a hired gun. Of course, Mel was only too glad to offer it to him. After all, Mel is a friend from way back and has directed him in a few movies.

Like Richard, Jinggoy accepted Mel’s offer without second thoughts. He liked the script very much. Written by Ricky Lee, Bente focuses on a malaise which has shocked Philippine society for the past so many years — the mysterious disappearances and killings of Filipino journalists and activists.

Jinggoy is looking fit and trim these days, down to 140 pounds, working out to firm up his muscles. People compliment him on his “new look” — 10 years younger.

Is it in preparation for 2010 when he runs for reelection? Surveys place him on top among senatorial aspirants.

But back to Bente...

Mel was plagued by casting woes. Originally cast as the student activist was Marky Cielo who died before the camera could grind. Marky was replaced by Aldred Gatchalian who auditioned for the part.

Lani Mercado was supposed to play Jinggoy’s wife but had to beg off because of conflict in schedule. Snooky Serna took over.

Jewel Mische backed out at the last minute — literally. She would have played Aldred’s girlfriend. Jewel reported to the set early in the morning — only to tell Mel she couldn’t do it for one reason or the other.

Manny Valera came to his rescue. His talent, Glaiza de Castro, was, thank God, free that day. She reported to the set at 2 p.m., studied her lines, and delivered them well. Well, Glaiza is a good actress.

Also in the cast of Bente are Ricky Davao as the town mayor at odds with Jinggoy, Iza Calzado as the wife of Richard and Ryan Eigenmann.

Despite their busy schedules, Jinggoy and Richard found time to shoot Bente — gratis et amore.

Like the five other entries to Sine Direk, Bente has limited budget. The cast and staff settled for honoraria — or no fees at all. Sine Direk, a joint project of Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment and the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc., is non-profit and non-competitive. Proceeds will go to the educational program of the Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

The five other entries are: Joel Lamangan’s Fuschia, Soxie Topacio’s Ded Na Si Lolo, Lore Reyes’ Litsonero, Peque Gallaga’s Agaton and Mindy and Maryo J. de los Reyes’ Kamoteng Kahoy.

Jinggoy is being courted by presidentiables to run for Vice President, but he has decided to seek reelection. “Mabibigat ang kalaban,” he says, probably referring to fellow senators Chiz Escudero and Kiko Pangilinan.

Is his dad, former Pres. Joseph Estrada, running in 2010?

“I think he is,” says Jinggoy, noting that he is warmly welcomed, mobbed even, wherever he goes. The Erap magic is as strong as ever.

Jinggoy concedes that the 10-million votes each he and his mother (Dra. Loi) got when they ran for senator were really Erap votes.

By the way, Joyce Bernal offered Jinggoy a movie (a comedy) opposite Eugene Domingo. It’s playdate is before the Metro Filmfest in December. Jinggoy has no filmfest entry this year as his dad is doing one for Star Cinema, Ang Tanging Ama N’yo, with Ai-Ai de las Alas.

The past two filmfests, Jinggoy had entries, the acclaimed Katas ng Saudi and Magkaibigan.

Katas ng Saudi gave him three Best Actor awards.

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