FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
IS IT TRUE that GMA and Viva Films is doing a remake of Sining Silangan’s “Langis at Tubig”, the theme song of which was popularized by Sharon Cuneta in 1978, as the reunion movie of Mark Anthony Fernandez and Claudine Barretto? The decision was made after GMA and Viva execs show well Director Mac Alejandre megged “In Your Eyes” so the remake of “Langis at Tubig” was offered to him. Both films are love triangle flicks about two women fighting for the same guy. The original “Langis” starred Vilma Santos as the wife, Amy Austria as the mistress and the late Dindo Fernando as the erring husband. Claudine and Mark will be perfect as the husband and wife, but wonder who’ll be chosen the play the mistress role this time? Our suggestion: Cristine Reyes since she’s a Viva property. Direk Mac is really so busy. He’s megging the hit GMA soap “Endless Love” that will run until mid-October. After that ends, he goes to Italy to do a wingtertime romance at the beautiful “Lake Cuomo” between Lugano and Milan. This is for APT Entertainment of Tony Tuviera, but he won’t say yet who’ll be his stars, so we tell him maybe it’s Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola.
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OGIE ALCASID and Ryan Cayabyab, both songwriters, are having a big concert together for the first time, “O.C. at the PICC” on October 8. At the start of its presscon, Ogie quickly warns us: “No questions about the wedding please.” To which our first question is: “When will it be and which church?” He laughs. “I can’t discuss the details of the wedding simply because Regine and I haven’t really sat down together to figure it out. Also, we want to keep it secret as we cannot invite everyone. We’ve been public figures for so long we want our wedding to be private naman so it won’t turn into a circus. I hope you’ll understand.” For sure it won’t take place in Taal Church, where his first wedding took place. He laughs again. How come Dr. Vicki Belo has announced on TV that they’re leaving with her soon as Regine’s gown will be made by the U.S.-based Monique Lhuillier? “She did that? Aaaay, gusto kong sumigaw.” Will he get a discount since he’s an endorser of M.Lhuillier? we joke. “I doubt it,” he says. Looks like the groom is the one who’s busy attending to the details of the wedding this time? “Because I promised her a memorable wedding and I want it to be really special.” Is it going to be for good this time? “I have no choice. My theme song for Regine is ‘Ngayon at Kailanman’.” Wasn’t that also his song for the first one? “No, English version yun, ‘Now and Forever’,” he laughs.
He’s excited to work with a music legend like Mr. C. What are his faves Mr. C songs? “’How Can I’, ‘Araw-Gabi’, and ‘Tuwing Umuulan’ which Regine sang.”
And what songs of Ogie are the faves of Mr. C? “’Nandito Ako’, ‘Dito sa Puso Ko’, ‘Kailangan Kita’,” Mr. C says. “We’re both concerned with Original Pilipino Music and we’re thankful to Beginnings at 20 Plus of Pelita Uy for producing our concert kasi puro foreign acts ang ginagawa rito lately.”
“As president of OPM, we want to bring back the heydays of local music,” says Ogie. “If you’d notice ang tagal ng walang local song na naghi-hit. Christian Bautista is tops in Indonesia, Rico Blanco in Hongkong, Charice in the U.S., but how come dito sa atin puro songs ni Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, or Korean songs ang maririnig mo? We’re guilty of that even in Party Pilipinas na mostly foreign songs are used. So in our concert, we want it to be 80 or 90% OPM, led by the songs namin ni Mr. C and our guest, Noel Cabangon.”
For tickets, call Ticketnet, Ticketworld or 544-7906, 544-7904. The producer of their concert also produced Joel Lamangan’s acclaimed “Sigwa”, which got an A from the Cinema Evaluation Board. Ms. Pelita Uy said they’re very proud of “Sigwa” that will have several fund-raising screenings to help charitable institutions and has already been invited to various international filmfests.
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A BROADSHEET writer reported that Wendell Ramos was arrested due to drug charges and was only released on bail. “That’s not true,” Wendell says at the presscon of “Jejemom” that starts airing tonight after “Kaya ng Powers”. “Nagtaka nga ako kung bakit may lumabas na ganun. I’m a health freak. Mukha ba kong nakadroga?”
Wendell displayed his perfect physique when he joined the Bench underwear show last month and it’s pretty obvious it’s not ruined by drugs. As a matter of fact, “Jejemom” star Eugene Domingo says he’s the perfect lover boy. “Siya ang bumuhay sa dugo ng pagkababae ko na akala ko’y patay na nang gawin namin ang ‘Hot Mama’ at pinamasahe niya sa’kin ang hubad niyang katawan,” says Eugene. “Mag-asawa kasi kami roon. Kaya nga, request ko sana, bigyan din kami ng ganung love scene sa ‘Jejemom’. E, di raw puede kasi wholesome comedy ito kaya I’m sure nanghinayang din si Wendell na hindi niya makakamtan ang pinagnanasaan niyang katawan ko this time.”
Wendell is thankful that GMA management did not believe the chismis about his arrest and continues to give him good projects. “Pero naapektuhan ang family ko, lalo na ang anak ko, sana naman naisip yun ng writer na nag-imbento ng chismis tungkol sa’kin.”
His two shows now, “Bubble Gang” and “Jejemom” are both comedies. “Oo nga, nakaka-miss gumawa ng drama. Drama actor din naman ako, a,” he grins.
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DINA BONNEVIE is now a Kapatid as she has moved to TV5 to do a new series on primetime. This is “My Driver Sweet Lover”, a romantic comedy similar to those light entertainment fares made by Koreans. It stars JC De Vera in the title role of the romantic driver and included in the cast are former lovers Eddie Gutierrez and Pilita Corrales, with Danita Paner and Carla Humphries.
Annabelle Rama, manager of JC De Vera, says Pilita personally asked her to find a new show for her since Pilita feels sickly when she’s not working. “Laging matamlay raw ang pakiramdam niya kapag wala siyang trabaho,” says Annabelle. “When I told her kasama siya sa bagong series ng TV5, natuwa. When she performed sa show niya sa Salt and Pepper sa EDSA, bigay na bigay na ang performance niya.”
It’s nice she’s in good terms with Pilita and allows her to co-star with husband Eddie even if the two had a past. “Oo naman, wala na sa’kin yun. Pati nga anak nilang si Monching, I manage him. At saka, sure na sure na ako na sa ngayon, si Eduardo, sa akin na lang, solong-solo ko na,” she laughs.
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PINOY DREAM ACADEMY runnerup Ronnie Liang has left former manager George Roca and is now handled by Arnold Vegafria of ALV Entertainment. “George said he wants to focus on making indie films so siya mismo arranged my transfer to Arnold,” he says. “Maayos ang paghihiwalay namin at niyakap ko pa siya.”
So what’s Arnold’s plans for him? “As of now, we’re still talking about it. But so far kasi, I’ve had a gold album with the hit single ‘Ngiti’ and have done shows in small venues. Gusto ko sana to do a concert naman in a bigger venue and also be more active sa acting. I did ‘Your Song’ and ‘Betty La Fea’ sa ABS, but I want to be given the chance to star in a soap and in a movie sana. So Arnold says he wants to repackage me para I won’t be just a singer but also an actor. I’m optimistic that ALV will be able to explore all my talents to the limit.”
He’s been chosen by the Department of Education to be their endorser and ambassador of goodwill to help encourage the youth to take their studies seriously. “I’ve done a TV commercial for them. Ewan lang when it’ll be shown kasi nagpalit ang secretary of education natin.”
How come he’s referred in blind items as having a sugar mommy in the States who bought him a house and a new car? “I do have a girlfriend in New York but I don’t think she’s qualified to be a sugar mommy since she’s only 23 years old. She’s a nurse who’s half Pinay-half American. I met her when I did a show in New York. Yung house ko, I loaned sa banko para mapatayo yun for my parents. I’m the youngest of seven kids at marami rin akong tinutulungan sa mga pamangkin ko. My car naman, hinuhulugan ko pa up to now for five years. Naghihirap ako in accepting even out of town shows just to earn. Kahit nga magulo sa ibang cities in Mindanao, tinatanggap ko for added income.”
Isn’t it hard to maintain a long distance relationship? “High tech na naman tayo ngayon. We have cellfones, webcams, the internet. Also, binibisita ko siya roon or binibisita niya ako rito.”
IS IT TRUE that GMA and Viva Films is doing a remake of Sining Silangan’s “Langis at Tubig”, the theme song of which was popularized by Sharon Cuneta in 1978, as the reunion movie of Mark Anthony Fernandez and Claudine Barretto? The decision was made after GMA and Viva execs show well Director Mac Alejandre megged “In Your Eyes” so the remake of “Langis at Tubig” was offered to him. Both films are love triangle flicks about two women fighting for the same guy. The original “Langis” starred Vilma Santos as the wife, Amy Austria as the mistress and the late Dindo Fernando as the erring husband. Claudine and Mark will be perfect as the husband and wife, but wonder who’ll be chosen the play the mistress role this time? Our suggestion: Cristine Reyes since she’s a Viva property. Direk Mac is really so busy. He’s megging the hit GMA soap “Endless Love” that will run until mid-October. After that ends, he goes to Italy to do a wingtertime romance at the beautiful “Lake Cuomo” between Lugano and Milan. This is for APT Entertainment of Tony Tuviera, but he won’t say yet who’ll be his stars, so we tell him maybe it’s Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola.
**********
OGIE ALCASID and Ryan Cayabyab, both songwriters, are having a big concert together for the first time, “O.C. at the PICC” on October 8. At the start of its presscon, Ogie quickly warns us: “No questions about the wedding please.” To which our first question is: “When will it be and which church?” He laughs. “I can’t discuss the details of the wedding simply because Regine and I haven’t really sat down together to figure it out. Also, we want to keep it secret as we cannot invite everyone. We’ve been public figures for so long we want our wedding to be private naman so it won’t turn into a circus. I hope you’ll understand.” For sure it won’t take place in Taal Church, where his first wedding took place. He laughs again. How come Dr. Vicki Belo has announced on TV that they’re leaving with her soon as Regine’s gown will be made by the U.S.-based Monique Lhuillier? “She did that? Aaaay, gusto kong sumigaw.” Will he get a discount since he’s an endorser of M.Lhuillier? we joke. “I doubt it,” he says. Looks like the groom is the one who’s busy attending to the details of the wedding this time? “Because I promised her a memorable wedding and I want it to be really special.” Is it going to be for good this time? “I have no choice. My theme song for Regine is ‘Ngayon at Kailanman’.” Wasn’t that also his song for the first one? “No, English version yun, ‘Now and Forever’,” he laughs.
He’s excited to work with a music legend like Mr. C. What are his faves Mr. C songs? “’How Can I’, ‘Araw-Gabi’, and ‘Tuwing Umuulan’ which Regine sang.”
And what songs of Ogie are the faves of Mr. C? “’Nandito Ako’, ‘Dito sa Puso Ko’, ‘Kailangan Kita’,” Mr. C says. “We’re both concerned with Original Pilipino Music and we’re thankful to Beginnings at 20 Plus of Pelita Uy for producing our concert kasi puro foreign acts ang ginagawa rito lately.”
“As president of OPM, we want to bring back the heydays of local music,” says Ogie. “If you’d notice ang tagal ng walang local song na naghi-hit. Christian Bautista is tops in Indonesia, Rico Blanco in Hongkong, Charice in the U.S., but how come dito sa atin puro songs ni Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, or Korean songs ang maririnig mo? We’re guilty of that even in Party Pilipinas na mostly foreign songs are used. So in our concert, we want it to be 80 or 90% OPM, led by the songs namin ni Mr. C and our guest, Noel Cabangon.”
For tickets, call Ticketnet, Ticketworld or 544-7906, 544-7904. The producer of their concert also produced Joel Lamangan’s acclaimed “Sigwa”, which got an A from the Cinema Evaluation Board. Ms. Pelita Uy said they’re very proud of “Sigwa” that will have several fund-raising screenings to help charitable institutions and has already been invited to various international filmfests.
**********
A BROADSHEET writer reported that Wendell Ramos was arrested due to drug charges and was only released on bail. “That’s not true,” Wendell says at the presscon of “Jejemom” that starts airing tonight after “Kaya ng Powers”. “Nagtaka nga ako kung bakit may lumabas na ganun. I’m a health freak. Mukha ba kong nakadroga?”
Wendell displayed his perfect physique when he joined the Bench underwear show last month and it’s pretty obvious it’s not ruined by drugs. As a matter of fact, “Jejemom” star Eugene Domingo says he’s the perfect lover boy. “Siya ang bumuhay sa dugo ng pagkababae ko na akala ko’y patay na nang gawin namin ang ‘Hot Mama’ at pinamasahe niya sa’kin ang hubad niyang katawan,” says Eugene. “Mag-asawa kasi kami roon. Kaya nga, request ko sana, bigyan din kami ng ganung love scene sa ‘Jejemom’. E, di raw puede kasi wholesome comedy ito kaya I’m sure nanghinayang din si Wendell na hindi niya makakamtan ang pinagnanasaan niyang katawan ko this time.”
Wendell is thankful that GMA management did not believe the chismis about his arrest and continues to give him good projects. “Pero naapektuhan ang family ko, lalo na ang anak ko, sana naman naisip yun ng writer na nag-imbento ng chismis tungkol sa’kin.”
His two shows now, “Bubble Gang” and “Jejemom” are both comedies. “Oo nga, nakaka-miss gumawa ng drama. Drama actor din naman ako, a,” he grins.
**********
DINA BONNEVIE is now a Kapatid as she has moved to TV5 to do a new series on primetime. This is “My Driver Sweet Lover”, a romantic comedy similar to those light entertainment fares made by Koreans. It stars JC De Vera in the title role of the romantic driver and included in the cast are former lovers Eddie Gutierrez and Pilita Corrales, with Danita Paner and Carla Humphries.
Annabelle Rama, manager of JC De Vera, says Pilita personally asked her to find a new show for her since Pilita feels sickly when she’s not working. “Laging matamlay raw ang pakiramdam niya kapag wala siyang trabaho,” says Annabelle. “When I told her kasama siya sa bagong series ng TV5, natuwa. When she performed sa show niya sa Salt and Pepper sa EDSA, bigay na bigay na ang performance niya.”
It’s nice she’s in good terms with Pilita and allows her to co-star with husband Eddie even if the two had a past. “Oo naman, wala na sa’kin yun. Pati nga anak nilang si Monching, I manage him. At saka, sure na sure na ako na sa ngayon, si Eduardo, sa akin na lang, solong-solo ko na,” she laughs.
**********
PINOY DREAM ACADEMY runnerup Ronnie Liang has left former manager George Roca and is now handled by Arnold Vegafria of ALV Entertainment. “George said he wants to focus on making indie films so siya mismo arranged my transfer to Arnold,” he says. “Maayos ang paghihiwalay namin at niyakap ko pa siya.”
So what’s Arnold’s plans for him? “As of now, we’re still talking about it. But so far kasi, I’ve had a gold album with the hit single ‘Ngiti’ and have done shows in small venues. Gusto ko sana to do a concert naman in a bigger venue and also be more active sa acting. I did ‘Your Song’ and ‘Betty La Fea’ sa ABS, but I want to be given the chance to star in a soap and in a movie sana. So Arnold says he wants to repackage me para I won’t be just a singer but also an actor. I’m optimistic that ALV will be able to explore all my talents to the limit.”
He’s been chosen by the Department of Education to be their endorser and ambassador of goodwill to help encourage the youth to take their studies seriously. “I’ve done a TV commercial for them. Ewan lang when it’ll be shown kasi nagpalit ang secretary of education natin.”
How come he’s referred in blind items as having a sugar mommy in the States who bought him a house and a new car? “I do have a girlfriend in New York but I don’t think she’s qualified to be a sugar mommy since she’s only 23 years old. She’s a nurse who’s half Pinay-half American. I met her when I did a show in New York. Yung house ko, I loaned sa banko para mapatayo yun for my parents. I’m the youngest of seven kids at marami rin akong tinutulungan sa mga pamangkin ko. My car naman, hinuhulugan ko pa up to now for five years. Naghihirap ako in accepting even out of town shows just to earn. Kahit nga magulo sa ibang cities in Mindanao, tinatanggap ko for added income.”
Isn’t it hard to maintain a long distance relationship? “High tech na naman tayo ngayon. We have cellfones, webcams, the internet. Also, binibisita ko siya roon or binibisita niya ako rito.”
