Miguel: Niño is worth the long wait

Curtain-raiser:

Because she has been “burned” (nasunog) by her wrong choice of partners, a popular (and sexually-outspoken) actress is careful about commitment. A model-aspiring-actor is making his presence felt with the actress. To find out if he’s verdadero (certified male), the actress pretended to seduce him but the guy made excuses until the actress found out his secrets: One, he has erectile dysfunction; and, two, he’s gay. Next prospect, please?

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Like the character that he plays in Niño, Miguel Tanfelix personifies hope which is the message that the GMA show aims to convey to televiewers, especially the young.

Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, the drama series is the story of Niño (played by David Remo who was cute in Aso ni San Pedro, another GMA drama in which Miguel also appeared), a child born out of great love between an ex-nun and a simple musician, who befriends the Sto. Niño. An accident renders the boy mentally retarded but his condition doesn’t stop him from upholding the goodness and morals of an upright society.

“Niño brings hope and helps in solving the problems of the community where he lives,” explained direk Maryo who identifies with the story because he’s a former seminarian and who, in his profession as director, can as effectively spread The Word via shows with uplifting message. “Niño brings joy and love to people who have lost them.”

As Niño’s friend, Miguel’s character also has the same purpose in life. It’s a role that took Miguel 10 years to bag. Even if direk Maryo is his manager, Miguel still had to audition with co-star Bianca Umali (14), enacting a scene as the special child that his character is. Others who auditioned were Renz Valerio and BJ “Tolits” Forbes, Miguel was the unanimous choice.

“Before the shoot,” said Miguel, “direk Maryo asked me to observe special children at SPED in our school (Cavite School Of Life). I also watched movies about special children like I Am Sam (with Sean Penn). Direk Maryo taught me every little detail…kung paano gumalaw, magsalita.” 

Together with a dozen kids, Miguel was launched when he was five years old in 2004 on the GMA talent show StarStruck Kids together with, among those who are still active, Bea Binene, Paul Salas and Sandy Talag.

“We were just like playing on the show,” recalled Miguel who’s turning 16 on Sept. 21, “palaru-laro lang kami. I was among the Final Four, with Ella Guevarra (not active), Sam Bumatay (who played Lawiswis in the GMA adventure series Mulawin) and Kirk Perez (who has migrated to Australia with his family). “I was in prep school at that time. With the StarStruck kids, I was able to visit several places in the Philippines, so enjoy kami.”

Too young to join StarStruck (the teen version that discovered Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado, Paulo Avelino, Rocco Nacino, Dion Ignacio, Katrina Halili and many others), Miguel honed his craft by playing “support” in GMA dramas (Tinik sa Dibdib, Paroa, as the young Dennis Trillo in Biritera and Sinner Or Saint, and as co-star of Richard Gutierrez in Mulawin and Sugo). The last was the remake of the hit ‘70s tearjerker Mga Basang Sisiw.

He’ll be a senior high school this year (that last batch before the curriculum extending secondary school to six years takes effect) at the Cavite School Of Life, a Christian school in Dasmariñas. He never missed school since between tapings and shoots he continues his  studies uninterrupted.

“Mas gusto ko regular school,” said Miguel who gets good grades. “That way, you make more friends and you can learn from one another. In home study, your time is limited to you and your teacher, just the two of you.”

The older of two children, Miguel is grounded, unlike most child actors intoxicated by an early dose of fame. 

“In school,” added Miguel, “I don’t act showbiz para huwag mailang sa akin mga friends at classmates ko. Itinuturing ko ang sarili ko na normal na tao para ganoon din ang turing nila sa akin. At home, I do the dishes and help clean up.”

A few more years and Miguel hopes to be the next Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez, his role models.

“One actor that I really admire is Tito Pen Medina. I worked with him in Aso Ni San Roque. Ang husay-husay niya sa role na bading” (originally intended for Eddie Garcia who begged off due to health reasons). 

Kapuso stars win the heart of NYC

The Kapuso spirit is alive not just on local shores but also in the US, including New York City where Kapuso stars Heart Evangelista and Tom Rodriguez graced the 116th Philippine Independence Day Parade along Madison Avenue on June 1. Then they met and greeted fans at the GMA booth which was one of the busiest in the area. GMA gave away Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV items.

In a related report, Funfare’s NYC-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel said that 2013 Miss World Megan Young in a blue gown by Albert Andrada also wowed the crowd during the parade. “That same day,” reported Felix, “Megan took a midnight flight to London where she will attend the 2014 Mr. World finals in Torbay, England, on June 15. The Philippine bet is John Spainhour.”

Three official candidates to the Miss Philippines Quest USA — Jenica Balmes, Melissa Ocampo and Isabella Estella — were also present. The winner will represent the Filipino Community of the US and Canada in the 2014 Miss World Philippines pageant, to be crowned by Megan.

At the post-parade cultural show, Boots Babushka (Stylist of the Stars) and Bessie Badilla (model/actress/producer) stole scenes with their astounding performances.

“Edgar Sulit, founder of International Professional Entertainment Network (IPEN), traveled all the way from Toronto, along with current and future kings and queens,” added Felix. “Edgar’s discovery, Kesiah Papasin (pure Filipina), was recently proclaimed first runner-up at the 2014 Miss Canada-Universe pageant.”

A million thanks to you, Pilita

My Canada-based journalist-friend Rod Cantiveros can’t stop gushing over the performance of Pilita Corrales at a concert last May 8 at the Winnipeg Centennial Concert Hall accompanied by the Winnipeg prestigious Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He was the over-all chairman of the event.

Part of Rod’s thank-you letter to Pilita, published in a Filipino newspaper there, reads:

“the day you came along, with your song, my heart began to sing…”

…the most touching metaphor of one of the greatest singing artists in the world…the Filipino-Canadian audiences were up in ovation to climax your performance, to cheer for more encore, the seniors’ palms had almost swollen from applauding your every song, showing their deep and faithful admiration of your unforgettable performance. Even the young were completely won over…

…yes, Pilita, “the day you came along with your songs, my heart began to sing…”

…your presence, your songs, your smile and your sense of humor have become links to how beautiful our lives should be lived…

…to quote a line from your classic song, a million thanks to you, Pilita!

Just for laughs

The following trivia was contributed by reader RT as a feel-good opener for the week:

• If ever Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde opens a bottled-water business, she should call it Water Lily.

• If ever Kris Aquino opens a doughnut business, she should call it Krispy Nuts.

• If ever Manny Pacquiao opens a wholesale business, he should call it Pacquiao Trading.

• If ever Shamcey Supsup opens a hot-soup business, she should call it Supsup Bar.

• If ever Gabby Concepcion opens a horror game room, he should call it Gabby Ng Lagim.

• If ever Dingdong Dantes opens a doorbell business, he should call it…what else?...Ding Na, Dong Pa!