Perception star in an Oliver Tolentino at People’s Awards

2012 MMFF total gross: P767.8M

JUST IN: With P767.8M raked in during the 15-day (Dec. 25 to Jan. 8) 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the annual event beat by 21 percent last year’s P636.7M gross.

According to the Metro Manila Development Authority  (MMDA), which is on top of the MMFF, the four high grossers are: 1). Sisterakas, P342M (with a P39M opening-day gross); 2). One More Try, P173.5M; 3). Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako, P133.5M; and Shake, Rattle & Roll 14 : The Invasion, P45.3M. MMDA didn’t release the grosses of the remaining four entries, namely (at random) The Strangers, Sosy Problems, El Presidente and Thy Womb.

Additional info: Sisterakas is ranked No. 4 among the Top Four Moneymakers (foreign movies included, no figures given) in the Philippines last year: 1). The Avengers, 2). Spider-Man 3 and 3). Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

MANILA, Philippines - The designer choice of Rachel Leigh Cook, star of the US TV crime drama Perception, was Oliver Tolentino when she attended the 34th People’s Choice Awards in Hollywood on Jan. 9. The awards recognize public voters’ favorite artists in film, television and music.  

According to Funfare Update’s L.A. correspondent, Cook didn’t just attend, but appeared on stage to introduce country singer Jason Aldean while wearing her Tolentino gown on national television. The teal silk chiffon gown featured a hand-draped bodice, built-in twisted belt, and draped flowing skirt with a slit at the left leg.

Cook, who co-stars with Eric McCormack (as Will in the hit TV series Will & Grace) in Perception, has regularly voiced characters on the animated show Robot Chicken. But she is best known for her role as Laney Boggs in the Pygmalion retelling, coming-of-age 1999 film She’s All That opposite Freddie Prinze Jr. (An interesting bit of trivia: Author Stephenie Meyer reportedly had Cook in mind when she wrote the character of Alice Cullen in her Twilight trilogy.) 

Oliver’s creations have been worn on three recent national television programs. Besides Cook on the People’s Choice Awards, actress Victoria Justice wore her red mini presenter at the Teen Nickelodeon Awards and singer Fergie wore Oliver’s chartreuse yellow gown to co-host Dick Clark’s show Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. Justice (in Oliver Tolentino) was featured in Life&Style and US magazines, while Fergie (also in Oliver Tolentino) is featured in the current (Jan. 21, 2013) issue of OK! magazine.

What’s up?

= For its second year-opener for 2013, Larry Bautista, Brenand Bernardo, Leif Garret Concepcion, Noel Singcuenco and Apolonio Disimulacion, collectively known as The Manila Winds, take center stage today, starting at 6 p.m., at Paco Park Presents at Paco Park, San Marcelino, Manila. Thea Perez is program host. Admission is free.

= On Sunday (Jan. 13), starting at 5 p.m., Concert at the Park features the 22nd Romantic Piano Concerto Journey Tour of noted concert pianists Dr. Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Prof. Reynaldo Reyes. Venue is the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium. Admission is also free.