What makes MMK different

It all started with a stapler.

Eighteen years ago, Charo Santos-Concio (now president of ABS-CBN) met perhaps one of the biggest challenges of her career as a producer (starting as line-producer for Regal Films until she put up her own company). She was tasked to conceptualize a drama anthology which she herself would host. She stunned the doubting Thomases of the network by coming up with a bright idea — in two weeks, the deadline given to her.

During the brainstorming, Charo saw a stapler on the table, picked it up and said, “There could be a beautiful story behind this...”

Since then, Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) has dramatized nearly 1,000 true-to-life stories sent in by televiewers, most of whom come from far-flung places, using one-word titles. It has also won numerous awards not only for Charo but for the writers, directors and the actors as well, from KBP Dove Awards, CMMA, PMPC Star Awards, etc.

Initially, recalled direk Olive Lamasan whose directorial skills were honed on MMK, they thought of calling the show Among My Souvenirs and then Memories, with Dulce, Carol Banawa and now Rachelle Ann Go singing the theme song.

“We are celebrating our debut,” said Charo who, surprisingly, has acted in only two episodes even if there’s a continuing clamor for her to act in more (after all, isn’t she a fine actress, one-time Best Actress awardee for Itim in the 1976 Asian Film Festival, directed by Mike de Leon who discovered her?). “Maybe two years from now when MMK celebrates its 20th anniversary.”

What makes MMK different from shows of the same genre is that Charo doesn’t moralize or “sermonize” at the end of each episode; she simply lets the televiewers learn lessons from those whose life stories are featured.

For its 18th-year offering airing on all Saturdays of this month (starting tonight), MMK has teamed up with The Filipino Channel (TFC) which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, starring Filipino actors based in the US in stories of love and friendship, forgiveness, healing and inspiration.

Stay tuned:

• Tonight’s episode stars Ai-Ai delas Alas and Erich Gonzales as mother and daughter in a tragic story;

•  Aug. 8: Noel Trinidad, Nanding Josef, Joji Isla, Prospero Luna, Louella Albornoz and Lucita Soriano in a story about the travails of Filipino war veterans, directed by Dado Lumibao;

• Aug. 15: Ryan Eigenmann and Giselle Toengi as a migrant couple who experiences hardships and trials as they try to start a new life in the Land of Milk and Honey, directed by US-based John-D Lazatin;

• Aug. 22: Princess Punzalan, Michael de Mesa and Miguel Vera in a story of a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, also by Lazatin; and

•  Aug. 29: Gina Alajar and newcomer Lauren Young as mother and daughter forced by circumstances to live in America, directed by Lumibao.

“Soon,” said Star Cinema head Malou N. Santos, “we won’t wait for televiewers to write letters to us; we will seek them out, this time Filipinos living and working in other countries such as Dubai and Japan.”

Does Lucy Torre bathe in milk?

No truth to the rumor that Lucy Torres bathes in milk, that’s why she has flawless complexion.

“Ang mahal ng gatas, ‘no!” Lucy laughed when asked about it during the media launch for the new Birch Tree commercial featuring her, her husband Richard Gomez, their daughter Julianna, and Lucy’s parents Julie and Manuel Torres. “But it’s true that I have been a milk drinker since I was little and my choice has always been Birch Tree.”

When the commercial was broached to her and Richard, according to Lucy, the producers wanted to hire people who looked like Julie and Manuel to act as Julianna’s grandparents.

Then, Julianna told Richard, “Why not get Lola Julie and Lolo Manuel?’ The producers agreed.”

Besides, as Lucy put it, “working double time” to have another child, the couple is bracing for the 2010 campaign. Richard is determined to run again, this time for Congressman of Leyte. Richard has run twice, the first time as party-list (for MAD) and in 2007 for senator.

Meanwhile, they are also scouting around for a new manager to replace the late Douglas Quijano whom Lucy described as “hard to match, wala siyang kapantay.” Richard said that they would start looking for one after the celebration of the 40th day last July 23 after Douglas’ death. “Pero ang hirap makahanap ng katulad ni Dougs,” added Lucy.

Sec. Lito wants Pacman to run as party-list bet

DENR Sec. Lito Atienza, who said that he’s now more known as Amain ni Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Tatay ni Kuya Kim (Atienza who has a big following as the weather man of TV Patrol World and host of Matanglawin), at first frowned on Pacman’s plan to run in the 2010 elections.

“But,” Sec. Lito said, “if he’s really intent on running, I advise him to run as a party-list candidate and not under a political party and be pitted against hardcore politicians. He has more chances of winning that way. All he needs is 300,000 votes and I’m sure he can get more than that, easily even one million.”

Sec. Lito believes that if elected as party-list bet representing athletes, Pacman can do a lot for his colleagues.

“He can train athletes. With his experience, maybe he can help the country finally win a gold not only in the SEA Games but even in the Olympics. He can also enlist as partymates the likes of Paeng Nepomuceno and Lydia de Vega. He can call his party the Pacman Party List.”

By the way, during the lunch with movie writers, Sec. Lito denied that the treasury of the City of Manila which he served as mayor for three terms was empty, as in bankrupt. He showed documents listing the city’s assets as more than P2-B when he turned the office over to incumbent Mayor Fred Lim.

What’s up?

• Bai Donna G. Dilangalen and Datu Jeng Ampatuan-Macapendeg (photo) will tie the knot on Aug. 16 at the ORC Compound in Cotabato City. She is the only daughter of Congressman Datu Didagen Piang Dilangalen and Bai Sendig Guimba; and he, the grandson of former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan and Bai Limbuan Uy Ampatuan, and the son of Datu Salih Nasution Pangilamen Macapendeg and Bai Shaydee Uy Ampatuan.

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