Bagong movie ni Iza, ni-reject nina Kris at Juday

Definitely out na rin sa cast ng Maria Leonora Teresa si Judy Ann Santos, whom Direk Wenn Deramas reportedly offered the role, when his original choice, Kris Aquino, begged off.

Judy Ann Santos reportedly is just too busy to report for shooting para sa movie, na possible entry sa Metro Manila Filmfest (MMFF). Since balak ni Direk Wenn na magkaroon ng dalawang entry sa MMFF this year, he would have wanted na masimulan na ang shooting niya for Maria Leonora Teresa.

His other MMFF entry, we heard, is The Moron 5, Part 2, which will have the original cast, consisting of Luis Manzano, Billy Crawford, DJ Durano, John Lapuz, at Marvin Agustin.

Kasama na sa final casting ng Maria Leonora Teresa sina Iza Calzado, Jodi Sta Maria at Zanjoe Marudo?

Of Judy Ann, aside from the reality show, I Do, which she will host, after matapos na ang programang, Bet on Your Baby, we heard na magsisimula siya with a new series.

Her husband naman, aside from his daily hosting stint in Eat Bulaga, will reportedly start with a sitcom for GMA 7 with Carla Abellana.

Wonder if matutuloy pa ang muling pag-e-air ng dati niyang popular program on TV5, Talentadong Pinoy.

Mama Nena ililibing na sa linggo

Sa first night ng wake of Mrs. Nene (Azucena) (Vera-Perez), who died at aged 96 early morning the other day, surprisingly wala kaming namataang mga “old timers” kumbaga, ng now defunct Sampaguita Pictures, which she co-owned with his late husband, Dr. Jose Perez.

Dr. Perez was the original starmaker. No wonder na ang kanyang studio had the most number ng magaganda at magagaling na artista, three of whom are still active sa showbiz, sina Gloria Romero, Eddie Gutierrez, at Susan Roces.

“He had an eye for potential stars,” ani Manay Ichu (Marichu Maceda), the eldest among the Vera-Perezes seven children. “Isang tingin lang niya, kung sino man ito, at saang lugar man niya nakita, alam na niya kung puwedeng ma­ging artista.”

Susan, Manay Ichu remembered, was watching a shooting at the Sampaguita compound, when he spotted her.

He had her summoned to his studio office. And the rest is history.

Susan’s first solo movie was Boksingero.

Gloria was under contract to another studio, when after her contract expired, ay iprinisinta ang sarili kay Dr. Perez.

At ginawan niya ito ng pelikula kasama ang several of his handsome leading men, Cesar Ramirez, Luis Gonzales, Ric Rodrigo, and Juancho Gutierrez, who later became Gloria’s husband.

Gloria has a daughter with Juancho, Maritess, na ina ng nag-iisang apo ni Gloria, si Christopher, now a chef like his mom.

Eddie was playing basketball in a vicinity near Sampaguita Pictures, when a Sampaguita talent scout spotted him.

He brought him to Dr. Perez. And, again, movie history took over.

Mama Nene’s remains is currently lying in state sa isang chapel sa Mt. Carmel Church on Broadway, Quezon City.

Her body will remain there until today, Friday. Saturday kasi, ibuburol ito sa Sampaguita compound.

Sunday ang kanyang libing sa Manila Memorial Park, kung saan nakalibing din si Dr. Perez, who died in 1975.