Na-Martial Law na URBAN ZONE QUEEN DAPHNE OSENA-PAEZ NA- PEOPLE POWER PA

MONTAGE

By George Vail Kabristante

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

 

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

DAPHNE OSENA PAEZ

First time naming nakatsikahan ang smart looker, TV host ng Urban Zone ng ABS-CBN na si Daphne Osena-Paez who is the first lady of the equally well-known broadcast journalist/producer na si Patrick Paez kung di ‘nyo pa alam.  She spoke volumes about the harrowing trauma na na-experience ng kanyang pamilya sa Canada (pre-Patrick days pa)   nung idineklara ni Marcos ang  Martial Law hanggang sa nagka-People Power.

        “For years after the People Power walang iniwan sa amin ang isang pamilyang without a country due to political persecution. Exiled status kami sa Canada at di rin kami pwedeng umuwi sa ‘Pinas dahil di kami pwedeng isyuhan ng   visa,”pagkukwento pa ni Daphne.

PATRICK PAEZ

        Nalampasan din nila ang nasabing persecution at ngayon dual citizen na ng bansa si Daphne in her capacity, among others,  as  urban and environment specialist (graduate siya ng Urban Management course sa Canada) / UNICEF advocate para sa kapakanan ng mga kabataan sa buong mundo.  Then she met Patrick. They fell in love. And she became Mrs. Paez.

Kaya perfect ang pagkapili sa kanya bilang Vita Pops Mom, the first and only pop rocks Vitamin C ng bansa gawa ng Unilab, leading healthcare provider na siya ring  nagpauso ng Ceelin vitamins.

        Ang Vita Pop rocks vitamin C maliban sa ito ay tummy friendly (1/5 lang ang sugar content compared to your regular vitamins)  ay parang kendi at natutunaw sa bibig kaya siguradong magugustuhan ng mga bata ito at  nakapaloob sa isang sachet at handy na dadalhin   kahit saan para sa mag-ina. “Taking vitamin C using Vita Pop Rock has never been that fun and memorable for both children and mom” dagdag pa ng Product Manager na si Joseph Aruta.

        Ini-launch ang Vita Pops kamakailan lang sa isang pangmalawakan at highly educational one day Science Fair sa Music Hall ng MOA na kino-host pareho ng svelte maven na si Rikka Dylim at si Daphne kung saan ang huli ay nag-share din sa mga moms and dads present sa nasabing fair tungkol sa makabagong parenting tips at kung papaano niya napapangalagaan ang tatlong Maria  nila Patrick despite  busy schedules in the direction of making their children take the right kinds of vitamins.

DAPHNE'S TRES MARIAS

        Ayaw na ba nilang magkakaanak pa ng lalaki? “ Not that ayaw namin, pero yun ang bigay sa amin ng Dios so that’s it.  Besides, Patrick thinks that there are many ways by which one can immortalize oneself and not necessarily through having a male progeny who can carry your family name,” says Daphne. I think so too. Makes me think Patrick is not one straitlaced chauvinist, not too conventional nor traditional, but a liberated free thinker. Makes Daphne a lucky wife as well.

        Over a yummy lunch at  Ebun Restaurant naikwento rin sa amin ni Daphne na naka-raise siya ng milyones  lately sa fundraiser niya for UNICEF  selling clothes, what-nots, donations, etc. from friends, colleagues at mga artista  through E-Bay ng internet. What a powerful, vivacious and all-too child friendly Vita Pop mom indeed, this Daphne!

GERALD SANTOS SECURE BENEATH THE WINGS OF A HARDWORKING MENTOR

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

 

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

 

Some years ago, napakilala sa amin formally ng ex-prexy ng PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club) who is now on his second term as prexy for the same movie press club Roldan Castro ang tinaguriang Prince of Ballad na si Gerald Santos at pati na ang kanyang hardworking, unwavering manager/mentor rolled into one  na si Doctor Rommel Ramilo.

       If Dok Rommel is not the “wind beneath” Gerald Santos’s wings which to us in a manner of speaking is,  ewan lang kung ano dapat ang itawag natin kay Dok sa kanyang paghihirap mapapalipad lang nang todo ang pakpak ni Gerald sa rurok ng tagumpay.

       In any case, it was in an exotic steakhouse sa Timog kung saan nagkaroon kami ng eyeball-eyeball- disclosures with one another tungkol sa struggle at journey ni Gerald together with some members of the movie press mostly from the PMPC.

       Doon napag-alaman namin na hindi pala walk in the park ang tinahak ni Gerald Santos pagkatapos niyang maging   Grand Champion ng GMA’s Pinoy Pop Superstar Season 2, 2006 hosted by Regine Velasquez coz muntik-muntikan na siyang ma-rape ng isang kilalang musical director at magtapos sana ito ng sexual molestation case kung hindi nagawan ng mga inampalan na i-black out na lamang ang malaking eskandalo.  

       Naka-moved on na si Gerald successfully  from the trauma and thank God despite the ups and downs along the way, sa walang patid na pagtulong sa kanya ng kanyang manager na si Doktor Rommel masasabing slowly but surely nasa-tamang direksyon ang  career path ni Gerald at sa tulong na rin ito ng kanyang mga loyalist fans, believers, sponsors, good friends and press friends including us ( i-write in ba ang sarili?), family friends both on the side of Dok Rommel’s  and Gerald’s as well.

       Nakita namin na cross-sectoral nga ang mga tagahanga ni Gerald sa latest grand launching niya ng kanyang third album billed  “GERALD SANTOS: THE PRINCE OF BALLAD” ng bagong record label na Prinstar Music Philippines and distributed by IVORY Music and Video, Inc.

Ang full album tracklisting nito ayon sa tagapamahala nito who is a good friend  Nanette Brillante include revivals of the famously  “Ikaw Lang,” “Paminsan-minsan,” “Hindi Magbabago,” “Maghintay Ka Lamang,” “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Mahal Ko,” “Ikaw Lang (minus one),” at “Paminsan-minsan” (minus one).

Sa tingin namin hindi na virginal ang aura ni Gerald nung pinaunlakan niya ng ilang songs ang mga guests niya at kaya nga may kakaiba at makapal na dimensyon na ang dating ng boses niya sa amin.

       Non-exclusive contract artist sa ngayon si Gerald sa TV5. He has done two great music theaters  directed by another good friend Joey Nombres.

 Kinanta niya ang theme song para sa miniserye ng Superstar na si La Aunor ‘Sa Ngalan Ng Ina”. Gerald Santos was the personal choice of the Living Legend Sonny Jaworski to sing for him during the Big J’s jersey retirement at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum sa taong ito. Gerald’s rendition of Jaworski’s favorite “WINNERS” ( originally by Frank Sinatra ) brought the icon to tears and gave Gerald a standing ovation and warm congratulations.

       Gerald Santos has been reaping awards left and right on his way to the top, like the Star Awards for Music's Male Pop Artist of the Year  and ALIW Awards' Best Male Concert Performer, etc.

Personal witness kami sa stairway to heaven journey nilang dalawa ni Gerald at Dok Rommel  kahit ang ilan nito ay may halong roller-coaster ride. But who says the way to stardom is all  strewn with roses  yet?

PIOLO PASCUAL SETS THE BAR HIGHER AT MAO TSE TUNG’S KOMRAD MORATO

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

 

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

PIOLO PASCUAL

Nakatira ako malapit sa Il Terrazzo, Morato, Q. C. which is but a wink away from the humongous  ABS-CBN network, the turf of most beloved PR guru Bong Osorio, but hindi ito ang tsika ko.

Sa mga hindi informed ang Il Terrazzo ay resto and mall hub that define nightlife scene unique to Tomas Morato. Ka-cluster din ang famous salon of our good friend/award-winning TV/ movie actor/ stylist non-pareil Fanny Serrano just across it standing  tall almost unchallenged pandering to the beauty and wellness needs of the rich and famous this side of  the city.

PIOLO IN A PRESSCON AT KOMRAD

        Lately lang, right here in this exciting hub sa Komrad resto ini-launch ang bagong proyekto ni Piolo Pascual kung saan suportado siya ever ng Sun Life Financial insurance company for the past years  para sa kanyang family-funded charity: the Hebreo 12:1 Foundation.

By the way, ang salitang Komrad ay galing sa  terminolohiya ng mga komunista sa pangungulo noon ng isa sa mga iconic world leaders na si  Mao Tse Tung whose ideals ay naging pilosopiya ng pagpapalaganap ng pang-komunistang kamalayan  dito sa bansa nung dekada 70 hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Tamang-tama lang ang ambience ng Komrad resto para sa co-venture project ni Piolo with Sunlife this year na “Rave, Run, and Raise Funds for a Cause” para sa proyektong pang-edukasyon, pangkalusugan at fitness.   

MAO TSE TUNG AT KOMRAD

“ Sa taong ito mas exciting ang SunPiology Run dahil makakasama namin ang marami pang Star Magic talents in a musical special called  ‘Star Magic Gives Back,’” sabi pa ng Sun Life chief marketing officer na si Mylene Lopa.

        Itsurang ini-level up si Piolo Pascual sa imago ng kahanga-hanga at pamosong si Mao Tse Tung whose lifesize photo and bass relief  are tucked prominently elsewhere in the spacious, swanky red-dominated color statement ng Komrad.

CHEF JASON CHEN FROM CHINA

Kung ikaw ay produkto ng First Quarter Storm at lumaban sa diktadurya ni Marcos, you will find yourself in nostalgic mood as I did promise, walking back in time in this top, elite, and exotic foodie destination that excels in offering delectable  Hunan  cuisines from China, okay Red where Mao Tse Tung came from to conquer, move and shake the world. Komrad's chef is imported from China you bet.

Only at Komrad I tell you!

BASS RELIEF OF MAO TSE TUNG AKA MAO ZEDUNG AT KOMRAD

In any case, SunPiology is a three-year-old project that has been hosting fund-raisers such as photo exhibits and marathons. Last year, among SunPiology’s activities was the environmentally-themed “Pursuits Journal” or “PJ”—wrought from Piolo’s nickname, PJ—a planner/journal/calendar that featured nature-inspired photos that the actor took himself.

To kick off this year’s event is an exhibit themed “Panoramic Portals” that will display Piolo’s personal photo gallery alongside the original hand-drawn artworks by a Hebreo scholar. In effect, the earnings culled from the exhibit will finance the education of the featured artist.

Meanwhile, an online bidding for Piolo’s pictures will transpire until January 12, 2012, concurrent with the end of the exhibit.

A Piolo-charity event will not be complete without a race.

Apart from being a passionate actor, Piolo has become a competitive runner who has participated in several marathons. He recently completed his 21 km distance run where he narrates pulling a nail from his shoe at the end of the race.

 Despite such mishaps or inevitable injuries, Piolo is determined to persist. “You just have to get better and get used to running,” he says.

Running has become a regimen for Piolo— “a time to think and just let go.” Moreover, it pushes him “to see how far he can go.”

While he regrets not being able to join the New York marathon this year—something that he envies Sun Life President Riza Mantaring for— he has willingly set it aside for next year. By then, he should be more than ready to nail his first full marathon as well through a 42km race.

Meanwhile, Piolo keeps busy preparing for SunPiology’s “Sunset Run” which is a 3-part race—comprised of 3 km, a 5 km, and a 10 km categories. The race will start with the Vertical Run at the Sun Life Center at the corner of 5th Avenue and Rizal Drive.

Asked if he foresees a happy Yuletide season for himself, Piolo answers, “[I] hope so.” We know he has reason to be happy and fulfilled with a race to complete and a year-ender charity to bless his beautiful soul.

PILAR PILAPIL PREMIERES OCT. 8 IN A CASTING COUP FOR ABS-CBN’S NEW PRIMETIME BIDA

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

 

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

MISS PILAR PILAPIL

    It was overwhelming to witness today’s grand press launch at the towering 14^th flr.,  ELG Bldg., Q.C. for  ABS-CBN’s much-awaited Primetime Bida drama series titled “Ina, Kapatid, Anak.”

The event was made more sparkling by co-hosts Aaron Domingo (who moonlights on the side as event host this side of the city) and Eric John Salut moderating it and  making sure not a dead air gets in the way at the open forum. Oh la la!

MAJA  & ENCHONG      XIAN  & KIM

Onstage were vivacious as vivacious can be inter-generational cast showcasing renowned veteran stars in Philippine showbiz like Ronaldo Valdez, Pilar Pilapil and Eddie Gutierrez; highly-acclaimed seasoned actors Janice de Belen, Cherry Pie Picache and Ariel Rivera; and on top of it all yes, four of the hottest young stars of their generation Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Maja Salvador and Kim Chiu.

EDDIE GUTIERRREZ

Can you ask for more? Nothing more says Director Don Cuaresma, adding that the casting of the  drama series at hand is more than perfect. To which Kim Chiu, gamely retorted, saying “Direk may blowout ka sa amin mamaya.”

Everybody in the cast guffawed in approval of the high regard that the director has for them.

To note, Pilar Pilapil who is a no-nonsense actress is indeed a breath of fresh air to the series. And so is Eddie Gutierrez who has been a bit away from the turf of ABS-CBN’s dream factory.

RONALDO VALDEZ

Ronaldo Valdez whose métier has been tested and proven many times over at the home studio provides the added excitement  as he slugs it out with the rest in the cast including Cherry Pie Picache, Ariel Rivera and yes, Miss Pilar Pilapil no less.

I asked Miss Pilapil if  her inclusion in the powerhouse cast would be a landmark role yet for her?   “I will keep my fingers crossed because I have not yet read the full script. I will just hope for the best. Who knows, that really depends on so many factors. If it was a movie, maybe at this point I can already figure out my role and how I will go about it, but one thing sure though this project is  more than a challenge for me given that I will be working with the best of our generation and today’s generation and to consider among others, the ingredients of a hit teleserye  --- like unbreakable filial love, power, deception, rivalry and acceptance. I could imagine savoring yet  my role and I love it.”

To the uninformed Miss Pilar Pilapil has just wrapped up a film about an aging OFW  billed “Leona Calderon” in which she topbilled  and was shot entirely in London. 

             Incidentally,  Pilar Pilapil’s co-star is an iconic British & Hollywood actress Virginia McKenna, a Golden Globe best actress nominee for the naturalist film “Born Free” in 1966 and a Sir Laurence Olivier best actress winner for West End’s “The King & I,” in which she starred opposite Yul Brynner in 1979.

CHERRY PIE PICACHE , ARIEL RIVERA, KIM, JANICE, & MAJA

 McKenna also received, among many other awards from Hollywood, the British Academy for Film and Television Arts (Bafta) Award for best actress for her performance in the film “A Town like Alice.”

          Isn’t it exciting to watch Pilar Pilapil do a teleserye with co- veteran  actors and with the best of the present crop of the young generation?  Yes, it is.

Watch out for the grand premiere of “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida on Monday Oct. 8. For more updates, log on to www.facebook.com/InaKapatidAnak.TV or follow @_InaKapatidAnak on Twitter.