Was Julie Anne once the ‘Yaya Dub’ in Alden’s life?

Because the AlDub tandem of Alden Richards and Yaya Dub/Maine Mendoza is the most popular today, not just here but around the world (in Filipino communities reached by GMA Pinoy TV), the name Julie Anne San Jose is brought up as having been a “Yaya Dub” in Alden’s life once upon a time (although she and Alden would keep mum if reminded about it).

I guess if asked about it, Julie Anne would simply blush as an answer. Same with Alden. Why their romance didn’t progress (didn’t it, secretly?) remains a little mystery up to now.

Both are happy where they are, Alden as the current Crush ng Bayan, Pambansang Dimples and Pambansang Bae rolled into one, and Julie Anne in GMA shows Buena Familia, Sunday PINASaya and Pepito Manaloto. Currently in New York (with Dingdong Dantes, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Christian Bautista and Betong Sumaya) for the 10th-anniversary celebration (yesterday) of GMA Pinoy TV, Julie Anne was recently named the newest celebrity advocate of World Vision. The music video of her latest single titled Not Impressed will be released anytime now.

Funfare let Julie Anne play the “If I Were” game.

• If I were an animal, I would be... A bird. I want to fly.

• If I were a song, I would be... Who You Love. Just because...Hahahaha!

• If I were a place, I would be... Outer space. Space-walking would be cool.

• If I were a tree, I would be... Cherry Blossoms. I wish to take it home.

• If I were a flower, I would be... A rose. I find it really lovely.

• If I were a food, I would be... Pizza. I’d never ever give up pizza.

• If I were a movie, I would be… A Marvel movie. I’m always fond of any Marvel movie.

• If I were a car, I would be... Lamborghini. That car’s sexy.

• If I were a part of the house, I would be... The music room, my comfort zone.

• If I were a hero, I would be... Superman. He’s a classic.

• If I were a cartoon character, I would be... Spongebob. He’s so cute and soft.

• If I were a book, I would be... The Mortal Instruments series. I’m addicted to it.

• If I were a Hollywood actor/actress, I would be... Johnny Depp. He can portray and slay any role.

• If I were a subject (Math, English, etc.), I would be... Science. I love science.

• If I were a president, I would be... Abraham Lincoln. He’s appointed to be the best leader of all time.

• If I were a perfume, I would be…Burberry. It has a sweet scent.

• If I were a musical instrument, I would be... A piano. It’s very soulful and can touch many hearts.

• If I were a drink, I would be… Water. It’s the major constituent of the fluids of organisms.

• If I were a country, I would be... Japan. I’ve never been there and I heard so many good things about that country.

• If I were a fictional character, I would be... Santa Claus. I also wanna ride on his flying sleigh with the reindeer.

• If I were a music icon, I would be... Beyoncé. Ultimate performer.

• If I were a luxury brand, I would be... Hermes. It’s a beautiful brand.

• If I were a sport, I would be... Firing. Guns are cool (if properly used).

• If I were a dessert, I would be… A cake. All-time favorite.

• If I were a season, I would be... Spring. Not that hot, not that cold.

Ina Alegre Mrs. Superstar at 2015 Mrs. Universe pageant

2015 Mrs. Universe Phl Ina Alegre: Good enough

Indie actress-producer Ina Alegre (Jennifer Mindanao-Cruz in real life) was named Mrs. Superstar and one of the finalists at the 2015 Mrs. Universe held last Aug. 29 in Minsk, Belarus (Eastern Europe). The crown went to Canada’s Ashley Callingbull-Burnham. Runners-up were delegates from South Africa, Ukraine, Costa Rica and Gibraltar. Sixty empowered married women participated in the ninth  edition of the pageant with “domestic violence and reflection over children” as its platform.

— Celso de Guzman Caparas

Taklub at the 2015 London International Film Festival

Taklub star Nora Aunor and director Brillante Mendoza

Brillante Mendoza’s Taklub will be screened at the 59th British Film Institute London Film Festival on Oct. 13 and 15 in United Kingdom.

Starring Nora Aunor, the film merited a glossy review from Ian Haydn Smith of the British Council Film published in the festival’s programme:

Anyone familiar with Brilliante Ma. Mendoza’s work through more outré films like Kinatay (LFF2009) and Captive (LFF2012) will see him operating in an entirely different register with Taklub. It’s a compassionate portrait of life in the Filipino city of Tacloban following the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Yolanda in 2010. The worst hit were the poorest communities along the coastline and Mendoza’s film opens among them. Babeth (the wonderful Nora Aunor) witnesses a fire that kills all but one member of a displaced family and her shock at yet more tragedy propels her into action, raising money for the grieving father.

Through her eyes, we observe a people who, far from defeated, are resilient and determined to rebuild their lives. With huge ships washed-up on the roadside, an entire infrastructure in a state of disrepair and thousands still missing, the odds seem stacked against them. But Babeth represents hope and Mendoza’s film is a moving testament to the community’s spirit of rejuvenation.

The 12-day filmfest, Oct. 7 to 18, will screen 238 films from 57 countries. Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett and Helen Mirren are among those expected to attend the event.

Meanwhile, Taklub will compete in the Official Section of the 53rd Gijón International Film Festival in Spain. The festival will run from Nov. 20 to 28.

— Celso de Guzman Caparas

OB-GYNE residency training program now accepting applications

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Ospital ng Muntinlupa is now accepting applicants for its four-year Residency Training Program. The training starts Jan. 1, 2016. Salary is good. Contact Ospital ng Muntinlupa through Dr. Elsie R. Dancel, chairperson, or Office of the Chief of Clinics through these numbers: 0917-8366017, (02) 7710457 or (02) 7710128. Or they can go to [email protected] or Facebook osmun obgyne.

(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.)