Bong, Vic star in 2010 Metrofest pic

BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Bong Revilla (photo) and Vic Sotto (photo) are finalizing negotiations for their first starrer together, to be titled Enteng Agimat, which is intended for the 2010 Metro Manila Filmfest. The movie is a potential blockbuster considering that Bong’s and Vic’s starrers, Ang Panday and Ang Darling Kong Aswang, finished No. l and No. 2 grossers in the 2009 Metro Filmfest. Bong initially planned to do another Panday for this year’s Metro Filmfest but he scrapped it due to lack of time. He’s set to start campaigning for reelection and, he said, “Maraming requirements ang pelikula and we won’t be able to meet the Metro Filmfest playdate.” With his and Bong’s joint project (presumably under their own companies, Bong’s Imus Productions and Vic’s M-ZET Productions in association with OctoArts Films as he did with Darling), Vic must be putting on hold his plan to do another Enteng Kabisote also for the 2010 Metro Filmfest. Like Panday, the Enteng franchise is a consistent Metro Filmfest moneymaker.

If Pops and Martin were Kris and James...

We can’t seem to have enough of Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, can we?

This time last year, the ex-couple did a hit concert at the Araneta Coliseum, repeated with equal success in some other places both here and abroad.

On Feb. 14, Martin and Pops are together again in the Valentine concert One Amore Time (the addition of “A” to “more” is Martin’s idea) at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia (MOA).

Asked what’s new that they can offer, Pops said, “The concert will recall in songs more of Martin and my story, parang teleserye na may sad moments at mayroon din naman mga kontrabida moments.”

Quipped Martin, “Parang real life.”

Their special guest Jon Santos will act as the narrator/story-teller and at the same time playing myriad teleserye characters in his inimitable hilarious style of impersonating — “But not,” Martin hastened to add, still joking, “mga kontrabida sa buhay namin ni Pops.”

Having survived the effects of their failed marriage, the ex-couple are better off as friends now. They can even joke about their past by talking about what-might-have-beens and what they could have done where they went wrong, with Martin admitting, “I should have been more honest.”

At ease and more casual with each other now, Martin and Pops did a credible love scene, complete with a passionate kiss, for the video specially shot in Tagaytay last week as background material for their Valentine show.

“They were never that comfortable in their movie love scenes when they were still married,” said an eyewitness.

As an afterthought, Funfare asked Martin and Pops “mutiple-choice” style what they would have done if they were Kris Aquino and James Yap who have reconciled after a headline-making 10-day “separation.”

To Pops, if you were Kris and you found out that your husband was entertaining a problematic girl on the phone, would you, a). run to your room and cry alone, b). confront the girl, c). cut off a “piece” of Martin, d). break up with him, or e). none of the above?

Pops: “If I were the Pops back then, I would keep quiet. But now, I would give my husband a chance to explain.”

To Martin, if you were James, would you, a). tell the girl to be discreet, b). lead your wife to the bedroom and give her an extra hug, c). let your wife and the girl sort things out in front of you, or d). go away for a while to cool off?

Martin: “If I wasn’t hiding anything, I would let my wife listen to the phone call or show her the text messages. But if I were hiding anything, I would do letter ‘a,’ ask the girl to be discreet.”

Enough said.

(Note: Produced by Mauve Management and Entertainment, One Amore Time is directed by Rowell Santiago. For ticket inquiries, call 0918-8859335, 0922-2630183, 0906-3718174, 0917-7499860 and 0922-8132119, or landlines 425-7598 and 401-8002.)

It’s definite: Chicago coming!

As you must have noticed in the ads in this paper, Chicago is definitely coming for a concert on Feb. 16 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“No more postponement,” said Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions which is producing the show.

You see, Chicago was scheduled to come last year but the concert was cancelled several days before, causing some disappointment among a lot of fans.

The band will make up for that at their Feb. 16 concert which will feature as special guest the local band Midlife Crisis.

Titled Chicago Live In Manila!, the musical extravaganza will reunite the legendary group with music enthusiasts whom it first enthralled with its magnificent array of ballads and love songs during its debut concert here in the early 1990s.

According to promoter Renen de Guia, the musical event promises a wonderful evening featuring some of the greatest hits from the ‘60s to the ‘90s from one of the longest-running and most successful US pop/rock and roll groups whose line-up has remained practically intact.

“Chicago continues to cherish its memorable experiences with local audiences during its sold-out concerts here in the past,” De Guia said, “and eagerly looks forward to a reunion with Filipino fans. Since it knows the excellent taste in music of local music lovers, the group has prepared a special line-up of hit songs that it knows will live up to their expectations.”

Among the Chicago classic hits to be featured are Questions 67 & 68, Beginnings, Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Lowdown, Color My World, I’m A Man, Saturday In The Park, Dialogue and Free.

Other songs to be performed are Feeling Stronger Everyday; Just You And Me; I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long; Call On Me; Wishing You Were Here; Old Days; If You Leave Me Now; Baby, What A Big Surprise; Love Me Tomorrow; Hard Habit To Break; No Tell Lover; and Look Away.

The members of Chicago are Robert Lamm, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazider, Lou Pardini, Jason Scheff, Tris Imboden and Keith Howland.

(Note: Chicago Live In Manila! is supported by etc, 2nd Avenue, RJ 100.3 FM, Jack TV, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Imarflex, Mercedes-Benz, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, GMA, The Philippine STAR, BusinessWorld, philstar.com, GetzMo!, Focalcast Network and OptimaSignsolutions. Other media partners include NU 107, 105.9 FM Underground Radio, 105.1 FM Crossover, RX 93.1 Monster Radio, 97.9 Home Radio, 96.3 Easy Rock, 90.7 Love Radio and Magic 89.9.Tickets priced at P4,700, P4,500, P3,500, P2,500, P1,000 and P500 are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For inquiries and reservations, call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883.)

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