For Ali, it's 'personalan' all the way

I don’t remember who was it (Clint Eastwood or Arnold Schwarzenegger?) who said this line “It’s just a job; nothing personal” (or something to that effect) in what movie, but a similar line in Filipino has outlived the actor (yes, Rudy Fernandez!) who delivered it in one of his action-drama starrers (oops! sorry but I can’t remember what the title is at the moment). You know: Trabaho lang, walang personalan!

I remember that classic quote because in her new weekday show which premieres at 5 o’clock this afternoon on the GMA News TV 11, Ali Sotto is going against it; she goes “personalan” all the way even if it’s trabaho lang. You guessed it: the title of the show is Personalan since it brings Ali up close and personal with a protagonist, a villain and other secondary characters involved in the issue at hand. It’s in a way similar to a drama show that features real-life stories and lessons, but different from other “confrontational” shows like TV5’s Face to Face (hosted by your Tiyang Amy Perez) which freely allows protagonists to hurl invectives and curses at each other, pull each other’s hair or throw shoes or slippers or even chairs at each other, before they (always, always!) end up tearfully hugging each other in mutual forgiveness. It has become oh-so predictable.

“All issues can be ironed out in a civil way, puwedeng daanin sa masinsinang usapan,” said Ali, that is, without resorting to physical or verbal violence. “And that’s what we will do in Personalan.”  

Said Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMA Network’s AVP for Alternative Productions, “We are very happy that Ali is hosting the show. Her vast TV and radio experience, and her ability to relate to people and empathize with everybody from all walks of life make her the perfect host for this kind of program.”

Personalan came only a few weeks after Ali’s return-to-TV show Starbox (with Papa Jack as co-host) was axed two months after it started.

“Programming decision,” said Ali, “something beyond my control. Papa Jack and I gave it our all. The commercial load was okay and the rating was beginning to go up. It was a difficult show because we moved from one barangay to another; we were in close touch with the people. Subukan mo ngang mag-taping sa ilalim ng araw the whole day! Of course, I felt sad when it folded up and I’m glad na may mas okey palang show na naghihintay sa akin.”

Such was Starbox’s promise that Face to Face, which airs on the same timeslot with Starbox, also started doing remote telecast from barangay-level.

Lose some, win some.

Now that Ali is back on TV (again!), will her return to radio be far behind?

Radio listeners miss her terribly on her DZBB program Double A sa Double B with Arnold Clavio; they made such an interesting, exciting and intelligent tandem that their followers (this one included) could only wish that they’d get back together again.

Pinay produces US-made film with EDSA Revolt as background

Coming soon (within the year) to theaters in the Philippines is Unrest, a film produced by Marie Pineda and directed by her film-school classmate Christy Rubenstein.

Unrest producer Marie Pineda (top) and director Christy Rubenstein during the shooting in the streets of Los Angeles

Unrest stars US-based G Tongi and newcomer Pia Portiz in a story about two families caught up in the 1986 EDSA Revolt. G plays the daughter of a rich Marcos loyalist and Pia as the daughter of G’s housemaid determined to save her own family after the Marcoses fled the country.

Pineda migrated to the US 10 years ago. She studied Fine Arts at the New York University and later enrolled in a filmmaking course at the American Film Institute (where the likes of directors David Lynch, Terrence Malick and Darren Aronofsky also studied), with Rubenstein among her classmates.

After graduation, Pineda looked for a distinctly Filipino story her kababayan could easily identify with. That was how she settled for Unrest, so titled because of the country’s situation in that era of Philippine history.

What’s up?

= Health tips from my friend Dr. Welson Yap: Did you know that, 1) a daily serving of three to four tablespoonfuls of tomato ketchup lowers the risk of cardio-vascular disease, 2) black pepper guards against cancer, 3) cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar levels (so sprinkle it on cereal or coffee), and 4) a glass of wine a day can dissolve blood clots that can lead to stroke? Finally, laugh, laugh and laugh to improve blood circulation by 21 percent.

= Now on sale are tickets to the musical show Sweet Charity, starring Nikki Gil, set for Aug. 27 (Saturday), 3 p.m. at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC, Makati City. Prices are P2,000 (orchestra center), P1,700 (orchestra side), P1,800 (loge center), P1,100 (loge back) and P800 (balcony). Proceeds will benefit the KCDevenecia Foundation Scholarship.

= From Kris Aquino, this food for thought which she said she has read somewhere: Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.

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