Unlike father, unlike son

While Nicco Manalo is following in his father Jose Manalo’s footsteps into showbiz, he said he has never thought of following exactly the same path, meaning he won’t be a comedian.

“He’s great in what he’s doing but I don’t think being a comedian is what I want to do,” added Nicco who said that he hasn’t seen his father in a long time. “I like experiencing different things, acting for different genres, but not comedy.”

Managed by Ferdy Lapuz (Funfare contributor who has connections with organizers of international filmfests), Nicco (his father’s carbon copy) finished AB Technical Theater at La Salle College of St. Benilde in 2006. His first TV role was on the fantaserye Fantastikids (2006) before he passed an audition as scholar of Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company.

“I left the company that same year,” said Nicco, “and started freelancing as actor for stage, working with other theater groups both professional and school-based such as PETA, Dulaang UP, Atlantis Productions, Ateneo Entablado and Talinhaga Theater Collaborative.”

Recently seen in the Eugene Domingo comedy Instant Mommy, Nicco has also done a number of indies (Zombadings, San Lazaro, Supremo, Melodrama Negra, Paglaya Sa Tanikala and Tuhog) and other TV shows (Maria La Del Barrio, Rakista and Valiente), aside from doing voice acting for TV and radio, and commercials.

Even if there seems to be a gap between him and his father, I asked Nicco if he ever asked for pointers/reminders from Daddy Jose.

“I don’t remember asking him for any advice or acting tips,” Nicco answered matter-of-factly. “I never dared to do that but when I was just starting on TV, he would always remind me to find my camera and also to tone down my acting.”

As it is, there’s no chance for father and son to ever do a project together, but then…

A lesson for adult stars from Ryzza

Here’s a rejoinder to this corner’s feature last Wednesday about Bimby Aquino Yap and Ryzza Mae Dizon who are making their movie “debut” in My Little Bossings, a 2013 Metro Filmfest entry, from Funfare contributor Leo Udtohan:

I was touched by Ryzza’s humility (at her tender age, ha!) when I saw her on TV talking with Kris Aquino. It was a fun repartee, with Kris asking Ryzza if she (Ryzza) is rich, what kind of car she (Ryzza) is driving, and other things about social status and stature. When Kris asked Ryzza why she was drinking coffee, Aling Maliit very honestly and straight-to-the-pointly answered, “Eh kasi, mahirap lang po kami!” Don’t you think some stars who are fond of flaunting their designer ek-ek should follow Ryzza’s example of being down-to-earth and not a show-off?

Yes, Leo, I agree with you 100 percent.

Incidentally, while it was Orly Ilacad (one of the four producers, also including Vic Sotto, Tony “Mr. T” Tuviera and Kris herself) who brought up the idea of including Bimby and Ryzza in the cast of Bossings, it was Vic who suggested to take in Aiza Seguerra as Ryzza’s mother. Perfect casting, ‘no?

Feedback on the glorious feature on Sampaguita

This corner’s recent feature about the glorious days of Sampaguita Pictures, contributed by Celso de Guzman Caparas, drew nostalgic feedback from readers (and especially from Sampaguita scions Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda and Lilibeth Perez Nakpil, daughters of Sampaguita Starmaker Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez). Here are some of them:

•  â€œCelso’s research on Sampaguita Pictures brings back fond and treasured memories. Then child actress Tessie Agana was my crush. I was eight years old. She shot a movie in our house in Cubao, Quezon City. My dad, Ariston Avelino, was then a musical director at Sampaguita Pictures. I remembered the producer ordered Max’s fried chicken for lunch. Tessie and I had one whole chicken each and I was so thrilled having lunch with her. Max’s whole chicken cost only P5 then. Now, it’s P350. Whew!” â€“ Mr. Gogoy Avelino, former Project Director of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.
• “Congratulations! Doc Perez was a classmate of my parents in UST, Medicine Batch 1939.” â€“ Edgar Allan, fashion designer

“Ang ganda ng article mo, pang coffee table book. Well researched. Congrats!” â€“ Pol del Mundo of MTRCB.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)