PBA stars offer take on the NBA finals
The NBA Finals kicks off today (8:30 a.m. Manila time). Two Fil-Am players are all set to make history by clinching an NBA championship. Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks and Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs give us reason to celebrate Pinoy pride as we watch them compete in the world-renowned basketball league.
I have always been such a basketball girl to the point that I married a PBA player many dribbles ago. Although my ex-hubby, Ed, and I have changed court after the annulment of our marriage, my fascination for basketball remains If only I could be 21 again and marry Spurs’ center/NBA’s French superstar, Victor Wembanyama, a.k.a. Wemby (pardon my wishful thinking).
I asked some PBA cagers (former and current) for their thoughts on the NBA finals. Let’s get the ball rolling. Here goes:
James Yap: “I am cheering for the Spurs. After they beat the defending champions, OKC, to make it to the finals, that’s enough proof that they are hungry enough to win the title. It’s Wemby’s time to shine.”
Benjie Paras: “I’m rooting for the Spurs. My advice for Jordan and Dylan… you’ve come this far and the pressure you’re feeling is an opportunity. Play with pride, trust your teammates, trust your instinct and trust the system. Communicate all the time.”
Chris Ross: “I am for the Spurs because I was born and raised in San Antonio. If I were the Spurs’ coach, I would tell them to enjoy the game and embrace the moment. My favorite player in the finals is Jordan Clarkson ‘cause that’s my boy.”
Alvin Patrimonio: “I am rooting for the Knicks. My former PBA colleagues Johnny Abarrientos, Marlou Aquino and Kenneth Duremdes are all cheering for the Spurs. Magpustahan kaya kami? (laughs).”
Gabe Norwood: “I have to go with Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper, of course. But I also like Mikal Bridges and Stephon Castle for their ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. I’m interested to see the individual matchups the coaches decide on. Who will the Spurs use to guard Brunson and what answer do the Knicks have for Wemby?”
Rico Maierhofer: “I predict that the Knicks will clinch it in six games. They must play physical and fast against Wemby, attack Wemby on the post and make him tired all throughout the finals. My fave players are Brunson, Hart and, of course, our Gilas player, Clarkson.”
JayJay Helterbrand: “I’m cheering for the Spurs. They must give all they have on defense. Guard Brunson and KAT as hard as possible. I can’t pick one fave player. I love the whole team.”
Jerald Napoles’ heartwarming movie, ‘Love, Ngo’
When I watched Jerald Napoles for the first time in “Rak of Aegis,” I became his fan instantly. After watching the premier of “Love, Ngo,” my admiration for Je grew. His heartwarming Viva movie, which is now showing in cinemas, is written and directed by Darryl Yap.
Jerald plays Ngo, who has a cleft lip and palate condition. It’s amazing how his portrayal would make you laugh then tear up simultaneously. He makes switching from comedy to drama seem so effortless. Social media influencer Malupiton, who plays Ngo’s beshie, was quite a scene-stealer even without intending to be one.
Candy Pangilinan as the snooty sari-sari store owner also delivered. Gina Alajar, who plays the mom of Ngo, was true to form. Her “heart-to-heart” scene with Je serves as the movie’s core. That made all of us at the premiere applaud like it was the winning moment of the NBA Finals.
As always, direk Darryl hit us bulls-eye with his obra maestra. He never fails to leave the audience with quotable quotes. To paraphrase my fave lines from the movie, “Hindi muna kita hayaan na mahalin ako kasi di mo pa kayang mahalin ang sarili mo” and “Those people who mock people with disability are the ones who have a real disability.”
The movie shows us that love is an inside job. It also reminds us that when all else fails, true friendship prevails.
When love comes with a price
Love is a prize we all yearn for, but what if love comes with a price? Sometimes full emotional investment is not enough. So, it leads to financial investment as well, just like in the erotic drama, “Sugar Mommy.” It will stream June 9 on VMX.
Directed by Christopher Novabos, it is top-billed by Jamilla Obispo, Ashley Lopez, Aerol Carmelo and Rash Flores. The characters they portray are caught up in an intense cycle of provocation. It’s liaisons dangereuses à la Pinoy.
Here are quotes from Ashley, Christopher and Rash:
Ashley: “When I get indecent proposals, I don’t entertain those men who mistake me to be like the sexy characters I portray. But to look at it in a positive way, it means my acting is effective because I was able to make men believe I’m something that I’m not.”
Rash: “In real life, I would rather be a sugar baby than a sugar daddy because I’m kuripot. Our movie will make the audience see sugar mommies in a different light. Just like all of us, they just want to be loved.”
Christopher: “Our movie is a precautionary tale about emotional abuse. We should not give someone our all if he/she is just using us out of need and not out of love.”
Ashley: “My takeaway from the character I play is to trust nobody, except myself. Unlike Gena (my role), I am not palaban. This is the first time I let my eyes do more of the talking in most scenes.”
Rash: “In real life, I won’t be able to handle such a complicated relationship like what is depicted in our movie. I’m territorial when it comes to love. I won’t share my girl with someone else, nor would I get involved with two women at the same time.”
Christopher: “Our movie explores the games adults play in the name of lust. But over and beyond the thrills is a void that just wants to be filled.”
Tale of desire & betrayal
What you resist will persist. That could very well be the tagline of “Kikirot Kirot,” which will stream on June 12 on Vivamax. Megged by Row Pajemna Jr, it stars Skye Gonzaga, Rinoa Halili and Mark Dionisio.
The film follows married couple Ace (Mark) and Roda (Skye), whose peaceful life hides cracks beneath the surface. Everything changes after a wild stag party where Ace meets Janice (Rinoa). What Ace thought was just a one-night stand turns into a full-blown affair that turns their world upside down.
Here are quotes from Skye and Rinoa:
Skye: “Even if my boyfriend cheats on me, but he satisfies me sexually, I won’t give up on him. I will try to satisfy him more so that he won’t feel the need to stray anymore.”
Rinoa: “I know that there are preconceived notions about VMX stars. To debunk that, I show another side of me on my socials. My postings reveal that there’s more to me than playing sexy roles.”
Skye: “My advice to the character I play is not to give up on her dreams for a man. Women should be able to stand on their own. Don’t be emotionally dependent on a man. Harness woman power.”
Rinoa: “My peg is Maui Taylor. I like how feisty she is, and I admire her staying power. When I graduate from doing sexy roles, I want to follow in the career path of Maricel Soriano.”
Skye: “The title of our film seems naughty, but it actually stands for the deep pain that a married couple is experiencing because of infidelity and jealousy.”
Rinoa: “My Tita Aurora was a former actress. While I was growing up, I got inspired watching her shows. That’s why I joined showbiz. Her advice to me is to ‘Show up’ and be consistent so people will see that my heart is really in my craft.”
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