Kevin Costner gives fans at Clark the big slip

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga -- Just the sight of him would have been the perfect Valentine's Day gift to his fans.

But Hollywood star Kevin Costner left the country as quietly as he came, disappointing those who trooped to this former US air force base to catch a glimpse of him.

In almost total secrecy, the award-winning actor and director stayed here for four days to shoot scenes for his latest movie project "13 Days."

Local movie fans, who found out that Costner was in town, rushed to the former military base yesterday to catch a glimpse of their idol, but were disappointed to learn that Costner and his film crew had already packed up and left last Wednesday.

News about the filming of a Hollywood movie in the area had quickly spread after residents noticed several vintage American war planes landing at the airport here.

Ricky Santiago, vice president of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), confirmed that Costner had indeed stayed here for four days, although he never caught a glimpse of the internationally renowned actor.

He disclosed that next month, Clark will play host to Tom Cruise, another top Hollywood actor who will also be shooting scenes for a movie.

Santiago's secretary Monina Dobles said Costner's filming here had been formalized in a contract between CIAC and Philippine Film Studios Inc. The latter, acting on behalf of the producer of the film, paid P25,000 a day to be able to shoot at the airport.

"It's a pity we were not able to even catch a glimpse of him (Costner) because we were simply loaded with work," Dobles said.

Costner and members of his film crew reportedly stayed at the Oasis Hotel on Fields Avenue near Clark.

She pointed out that during the filming, newly constructed facilities at the airport had to be covered so that only the tower and runway could be seen.

"They also brought in some fighter planes that looked antiquated," Dobles said.

Santiago said that the plot of the Costner starrer revolved around the Cuban crisis in the 1960s during the term of the late US President John F. Kennedy.

Some of the scenes were likewise shot at the area currently occupied by the Philippine Air Force, whose old aircraft were reportedly used as a backdrop in the movie.

Costner gained prominence in 1990 for his film Dances with Wolves, which won for him Oscar awards in acting and directing. Among his other well-known films were Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991); JFK (1991); The Bodyguard (1992); and Waterworld (1995).

While his fans were disappointed because they missed the rare opportunity of seeing Costner during his stint here, they vowed not to commit the same mistake when Cruise arrives next month.

"The celebrities that shoot here seem to enjoy their stay," Santiago said. "They obviously like our accommodations and hospitality."