The silent search is over.
The role of Sharon Cuneta’s daughter in Mano Po 6: My Mother, the successful Regal franchise intended for the Metro Filmfest in December, has landed on Heart Evangelista’s lap. It was first offered to Angel Locsin but she wasn’t given the go-signal by Star Cinema even if she still has an existing contract with Regal. Mother Lily could have filed a “breach of contract” case against Angel, but what for? She just shrugged it off and let divine justice take its course.
“Do I mind being a second choice?” Heart asked in a chat with Funfare the other night after she and her manager Annabelle Rama signed the contract. “Why should I? What matters is that I got the role.”
In showbiz history, second choices always turn out to be the better choices, to wit: Snooky Serna turned down the lead role in Mike de Leon’s Kisapmata and it went to Charo Santos who came up with a classic performance, and so did Albert Martinez (replaced by Joel Torre) in Peque Gallaga’s Oro, Plata, Mata, Lorna Tolentino (by Vilma Santos) in Celso Ad. Castillo’s Burlesk Queen, the late Jay Ilagan (by Bembol Roco) in Lino Brocka’s Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, beauty-queen Marilou Destreza (by Hilda Koronel) in Haydee and Alma Moreno (by Gina Alajar) in Laurice Guillen’s Salome.
“I’m excited,” said Heart who is working with Sharon (making her “debut” as a Regal “baby”) for the first time. “The last time I did a movie was two years ago. It was Ay, Ayeng, an indie film by Edd Palmos. It’s my honor to play Sharon’s daughter and to be directed by Joel (Lamangan). I’m happy because my friend Angelica (Panganiban) is also in the cast.”
Shooting will start end of this month. Like the Vilma Santos’ Mano Po, the sixth installment will be shot partly in Beijing sometime in November.
In preparation for the movie, Heart is watching DVD copies of the previous five Mano Po movies. She’s also studying Fookien with her Chinese friends as tutors.
Side A gives OPM new life
The long wait is over.
After a hiatus from the recording studio, Side A has just recorded an all-OPM (Original Pilipino Music) album titled Only 1 (released by MCA Music Inc.).
Having filled up different concert arenas to the brim, selling chart-topping and award-winning albums, and creating massive hits not only in the country but abroad, Side A proves that it’s still the country’s premier band.
Known for its romantic ballads and up-beat live performances, the group is unyielding in reinventing themselves, working hard to give its very best in both recordings and live concerts. Composed of Joey Generoso, Naldy Gonzales, Ned Esguerra and new members Ernie Severino and Leevon Cailao, Side A is the most durable band in the country; it continues to be an ever-innovative musical force in the industry. The band is managed by Wyngard Tracy, a well- respected figure in the entertainment industry.
The band is breathing new life to OPM in its Only 1 album which features its latest single I Just Wanna Be With You with Leevon doing the lead vocals. Other tracks include Only One, Tila, Something’s Missing, Where Do I Go and Die Just A Little.
The band is a representation of timeless Pinoy music, maintaining its unwavering success in the industry. Among its accolades: Awit Award’s Best Performance by a Duo or a Group, Awit Awards’ Song of the Year and Katha Music Award’s Best Group.
To be released on Oct. 19, Only 1 will be available in all major record bars nationwide. Tracks from the album are available for mobile download via Globe and Smart WAP sites. To download a ringback tone of their latest single I Just Wanna Be With You, key in the code K885 and send to 2332 for Globe Subscribers, or the code IJUST and send to 2728 for Smart Subscribers.
* * *
“The tour’s theme is timely with the recession in the US and the destruction brought about by Typhoon Ondoy,” said Kuh. “That’s why we are inviting our kababayan in the US not only to watch the concert but also to give donations in whatever form to the Ondoy victims. We are requesting everybody here to tell their relatives and friends in the US to donate. This is a time for unity.” (Note: For inquiries, call 1-877-JIRF-JIR [1-887-547-3547] or 1-877-KUH-777 [1-887-584-57777] or log in to www.kuhlshw.com.)
Kuh (and daughter Isabella) will be leaving with a light heart now that Kuh’s ex-husband Louie Gonzalez has been cleared of murder charges by the Supreme Court and freed after languishing for two years in prison.
“The Lord has a purpose,” said Kuh. “I trust that The Lord is doing something good in Louie’s life... in our lives. Kung ‘yan ang mas nakapagpapalapit pa sa amin sa Kanya, then good. I knew from the start that Louie is innocent. We lived together for years and he’s not a violent person. I think what they should focus on now is to look for the real killer.”
Louie was quoted in news reports that one never realizes how valuable freedom is until you lose it.
“Only The Lord can change a man’s heart,” said Kuh.
However, she discounts any possibility of her and Louie getting back together again as a couple.
“The Lord has taught me na puede pala ako mag-isa at maging masaya,” said Kuh. “ I said, ‘Lord, ang sarap pala. Okey na akong mag-isa. Puede ba akong mag-isa na lang’. Louie and I first broke up 10 years ago. The second time happened seven years ago. I cried overnight at okey na ako. Trust The Lord to lead you in the right direction.”
A Boholano in Mr. Int’l Phils. contest
Sixteen macho guys are competing for 2009 Mister International Philippines with grand finals on Oct. 14, 8 p.m., at the A Venue Mall (7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City).
Adbul Wallace, the Boholano representative, loves the bees and the flowers. The entrepreneur, towering at 6’ and weighing 165 lbs. (waistline is 32”, size of briefs is medium and shoe size is 10.5), is the son of Bohol’s Queen Bee, Vicky Wallace, owner-manager of Bee Farm.
“The feeling is indescribable. I can’t believe it…it’s overwhelming,” admits Abdul who is turning 24 on Oct. 30.
Abdul finished high school at the Bohol Wisdom School and nursing at the Holy Name University. He loves R&B, mellow and alternative songs; and admires artists like Akon, Sean Kingston, Ying Yang and Justin Timberlake.
The 2009 Mister International Philippines will compete in the 2009 Mr. International contest in Taichung, Taiwan. The last time the Philippines won the title was in 2001, with ramp model Alexander Aquino.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)