Robin cries for first time in Bato biopic

In playing the titular role in Bato: The Gen. Ronald dela Rosa Story, Robin Padilla confessed in Thursday’s presscon that he had to shed off his tough-guy image in a scene where he had to cry.

“Sa buong buhay ko,” said Robin, “hindi pa ako humagulgol sa pelikula. I have never been shown crying in a scene. But I have to be like Gen. Bato na matikas sa mata ng publiko pero umiiyak din. Just like Manny Pacquiao who is not ashamed to cry in public.”

Gen. Bato did admit being a Cry Baby when he met with movie writers in early December last year, referring to the Senate hearing on the drug war where he shed tears (of frustration). The movie directed by Adolf Alix Jr. is an action-drama-comedy which chronicles Bato’s early life which is full of action (as expected of a policeman relentlessly chasing criminals), drama (how he rose from poverty) and comedy (he can be funny during unguarded moments such as when he faced the movie writers).

“I had to exactly copy how Bato walked,” added Robin who is Bato’s choice to portray him, “kasi iba ang lakad ng mga military. We are different, appearance-wise, if you look at us now but we could be of the same size in the part of his life shown in the movie.”

They also differ in the love department. While Robin has been romantically linked with a number of the industry’s beautiful actresses and on his second marriage (the first was to Liezl Sicangco with whom he has four children and the second to Mariel Rodriguez with whom he has a child), Bato described himself as a one-woman man, meaning his wife Nancy Johnson Comandante dela Rosa.

“Mahal na mahal niya ang misis niya,” observed Robin.

Bato married Nancy in 1986 with then Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte among the principal sponsors. He has stuck to DU30 up to now that Digong is President. “Pres. DU30 is the greatest influence in my career,” Bato was quoted as saying.

That’s also where Bato and Robin are alike — being close to Pres. DU30. It must be noted that, despite the closeness, Robin has never asked any favor from Malacanang.

Kiko Estrada, who plays Bato during his PMA (Philippine Military Academy days), said that he was awed by Bato’s style of courting Nancy.

“Nakasakay siya sa tangke holding a gun with a rose at the barrel,” gushed Kiko, “Unique, di ba? Very romantic! In playing Gen. Bato, direk Adolf didn’t tell me to copy the general, so I did a fresh portrayal. It was fun, especially the courtship scene.”

Produced by Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Films and released by Regal Entertainment, Inc., the movie is opening nationwide on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Sorely missed at the presscon was Bato who could have explained his platform in his bid for the Senate in the May mid-term elections.

Other members of the cast present at the Valencia Events Place owned by Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde (“I’m happy to be a Regal Baby, finally!” quipped Robin) were Ricky Davao (with Gina Alajar as Bato’s parents), Efren Reyes Jr. as Mayor DU30, Joko Diaz as a reformed rebel, Kiko Matos as a Malaysian terrorist, Polo Ravales as a periodista, Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez as Bato’s wife Nancy, and Jake Joson.

Carlo creates CBA (Community Basketball Association)

CBA (Community Basketball Association) head Carlo Maceda and wife Derlyn with PBA legend Alfredo ‘Pido’ Jarencio

While not busy with showbiz, actor-turned-independent filmmaker Carlo Maceda tries a new form of entertainment for the Pinoy youth — his own basketball league which he founded in June 2018.

More than a decade ago, Carlo was one of the pioneers in producing independent movies under his OnCam Productions, such as Nars (2007), starring Jennylyn Mercado and Coco Martin, and Sisa (2008) starring Jodi Sta. Maria. As director, he helmed Gabriela (2013), a film on the historical revolt led by Gabriela Silang, which starred Tin Patrimonio, former PBB housemate and daughter of basketball player Alvin Patrimonio.

Carlo, his wife Derlyn Maceda, who is a charter president of Inner Wheel Club Rosario Diamond, and their friend Jeannette Beltran, a top marketing executive, recently founded Community Basketball Association (CBA), an alternative basketball league to develop grassroots Filipino basketball players from different parts of the Philippines.

“Instead of doing indie movies, I challenged myself to be active in Sports Entertainment,” said Carlo at a recent pocket interview in Luxent Hotel, sponsored by YHM for Men, Rien’a, and Arceegee Sportswear. Carlo was a varsity player at Grace Christian High School and at UP where he studied B.S. Math.

PBA legend Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio serves as the league’s consultant who would teach and guide Carlo in organizing the league.

CBA will kick off with its first game tomorrow, Jan. 27, in San Mateo Coliseum, to be telecast live on IBC-13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To be introduced are 12 teams that were formed starting in June last year.

“I’m so glad that IBC-13 gave us an airtime through Asian Television Content Corporation (headed by Engr. Rey Sanchez),” said Carlo.

Said Carlo, “We want to help the basketball communities nationwide, to bring entertainment sa mga sitio. We will go to different barangay courts kaya punong-puno, daming nanonood.

“It’s a highly organized and televised league for amateur basketball players, so bawal dito ang mga ex-PBA, ex-ABL, pero open for all ages from 18 years old and above. No age limit, as long as they are fit and can play.”

As of now, there are 12 teams in Metro Manila. Initially, there’s Nueva Ecija, Malabon, San Mateo, Quezon City, Pasig, Parañaque, Rizal, General Trias, San Juan, Binangonan and, hopefully, Bulacan or Tanza.

“We created it by legs so that the expenses of the team owners are minimized. Then, the top winners from different areas will move up to the finals where we will give away P1M cash and P1M in kind to be donated to a chosen beneficiary barangay, church or public school,” Carlo added.

Gen. Bato a judge in 2019 MissIntercontinental pageant tonight

Gen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa (photo) is among the judges in the 2019 (47th Miss Intercontinental pageant to be held tonight at the Mall Of Asia (MOA), starting at 7 o’clock.

The others are: Joanna Leonisa Oqueria Gimena Miyamae (chairman), CEO of the Miss Intercontinental Japan and the Miss Intercontinental Events & Management; Marilyn de Mesa (travel industry executive); Wilbert Tolentino (entrepreneur); Lorenzo Lamas (US actor of Renegae, Falcon Crest); Vincent de Paul (US actor and two-time Emmy awardee); Maydelise Columna (Mexican actress and 2010 Miss Intercontinental); and Dr. Yasar Sarigul (Plastic surgeon from Turkey).

Bublé coming for concert April 28 at Big Dome

BREAKING NEWS: Michael Bublé (photo) is coming for a concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 28, to be produced by the BG Productions of Baby Go.

This was relayed to Funfare by a BG spokeswoman who said that the concert will be for the benefit of PC Goodheart Foundation. Front act is Mark Mabasa, director is Louie Ignacio.

Bublé was in Manila for a concert a few years ago.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)