BACKROOM’S NYOBG (NOT YOUR ORDINARY BOYS & GIRLS)

MONTAGE

By George Vail Kabristante

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

Farmed out to pmpc.starnews, Pilipino Mirror, Remate, Iskandal, Columnists Monitoring Team, etc.

Sino nga kaya ayon sa mahiwagang salamin ni Philip aka “Dada,” ang darlingest ng “The Buzz” “visitors” ang sisikat sa pinaka-latest batch ng 9 na NYOBG (NOT YOUR ORDINARY BOYS & GIRLS) Backroom talents?

Si Ian Batherson ang pinaka-experienced sa lahat. Galing Starstruck at Surivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown. Baliko ang dila, but he’s working on it. You swear on hs “bod”!

Si Avery Paraiso ay kalog yet endearing . Na-workshop ko ito sa Circle of 10 ni Tom Adrales where he emerged top winner. Will go places.

Si Benj Bolivar ay varsity ng UP, runner-up ng Mossimo Bikini Summit and has done several TV commercials. Oozing with sex appeal. Saan ka pa?

Over ang recall ng balikbayang si Bon Jovi Osorio. Sino bang hindi nakakakilala nina Bon Jovi at Sir Bong Osorio, ang PR honcho ABS-CBN, ha? There is something to one’s name, di ba?

Stiff ang labanan ng UST graduates na sina Kayesha Chua at si Maui Lumba whose edge is that her father ay kasabayan nila Edu Manzano at Christopher de Leon sa modeling. Runs in the blood kaya?

La Salle dude Carlo Sawit appeared in a commercial with King Of Talk Boy Abunda. Aba sobrang lakas ng recall. Boy is Boy.

Nikita McElroy is half-French, half-Black at Star Factor finalist and has appeared in Kris Aquino’s “Rubadango” commercial. Kris is Kris din, di ba?

Kakaiba ang pitching ni PJ Go. Pa-poor effect and does not hide it, but his drop dead looks has brought him to class-A ramps. May paghuhugutan ‘ika nga. Pwdeng mag-emote all the way to stardom.

Sino sa 9 na NYOBG ang sisikat? Titigang mabuti ang salamin ni Dada sa “The Buzz.”

MAKA-SHOWBIZ NA ELDERLY FRIENDLY FOUNDATION

Celebrity-studded ang event ng Outstanding Elderly Friendly Awardees of the Phil’s. Foundation, Inc. (OEFAPFI) led by the internationally-acclaimed UNESCO Artist for Peace awardee called DREAMS directed by the National Artist for Theater na si Cecile Guidote Alvarez to which singer/movie actor Zyruz Imperial who plays Elias in the recent film version of “ Noli Me Tangere” and as lover to Cherie Pie Picache in a Vilma Santos's starrer and Director Jeff Jeturian's controversial Cinemalaya foray billed “Extra” also sang to the delight of the delegates.

Kasama ang co-hosts na sina Jojo Alejar at TV4 broadcaster na si Pirceylen Pialago sa first ever grand launch ng Pre-Summit Orientation ng BWES (Bahrain World Economic Summit) sa Manila Hotel organized by Jay-Ar Rosales, Pres. of OEFAPFI as official Marketing Consultant in partnership with Bahrain local chairman Mr. Roa Sevilla and spokesperson Keith Capoy.

Shortly after sa Great Eastern Hotel ay isang handover ceremony with media coverage ng approved project studies reviewed by OEFAPEI to BWES for funding by Bahrain Gulf Countries like Oman, Qatar, UAE, etc. Highly entertaining ang event owing to the fact na si Jay-Ar Rosales is himself a singer/movie/TV actor and “eventologist” as well.

GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE’S “NOLI ME TANGERE” PREMIERES IN STYLE WITH PHP. 100 THOUSAND CASH TO GRAB AT HANNAH’S BEACH RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER, PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE

OH LA CHIKA KAFATID MEL,

To make sure that this announcement has got to give some filmic relevance, this early I’m sharing with your fan page that the film “Noli Me Tangere” which I finished directing about three months ago will be premiered on May 25, 2013 at Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where PMPC members including us had their helluva time savoring the outing to the last breath cum team building activities last year, remember that?

            “Noli Me Tangere” (Ilang Kabanata Sa Nobela Ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal) is produced  by the President of Holy Rosary Colleges Foundation Joe Rivera, Ph.D. and has in the lead ABS-CBN actor/singer now running for political post in Bulacan Alex Castro as Crisostomo Ibarra and Zyruz Imperial as Elias, lead actor in Director Jigz Recto’s take on the Maguindanao massacre “The Road To Ampatuan,” Darryl Cruz’s “Pakawala,” the Malaysian co-production of John Ad Castillo’s and Z. Lokman’s  “Seksing Masahista” and in several significant films in support/cameo roles like Director Jeff Jeturian’s  Cinemalaya entry & Vilma Santos’s controversial starrer “Extra” as lover to Cherrie Pie Picache,  internationally recognized“Oros,” Director Mario O’Hara’s last oeuvre  “Paglilitis Ni Andres Bonifacio,” the unreleased  Cinema One Originals political/musical satire of  Khavn Dela Cruz’s “Dekada XXX,” Richard Somes’s visually-stunning historical epic “Supremo,” Director Tony Reyes’s monster hit “Enteng Ng Ina Mo,” and other films in-progress like Direk Tikoy Aguiluz’s first ever monumental epic/inter-generational film about the lives of the great, world-renown & phenomenal founding fathers of Iglesia Ni Cristo church billed “Sugo,” most self-effacing Director Joven Tan’s “Ben Tumbling,” Director Richard Spongky Villarin’s “Kuratong Baleleng,” directorial debut of Dan Gil’s take on the tricky world of advertising &  jingle making “Jingle Boy” and many more.

         

   Zyruz sings and composes as well. He is the musical director of the unreleased Tiktik  editor Sandy Es Mariano’s debut film “Jumbo Jericho,” and for the “Noli Me Tangere” as well.

            In cameo roles for “Noli Me Tangere” are Perla Bautista as Tya Sabel, Joe Gruta as Pilosopong Tasyo, Menggie Cobarrubias as Kapitan Tiago, etc.

            So imagine watching the premiere of “Noli Me Tangere” by the seaside at Hannah’s Beach Resort cradled in a lounging chair yet as the fresh salty air from across the Pacific caresses your face beckoning you to swim into the famously Blue Lagoon right off after viewing. Isn’t it stylish enough, ha Mel?

            But wait let me share with you the “kaakibat” (compendium, ba?) to the other major event on the same night which can serve as convenient passport to the movie world for the winners and non-winners as well in the pageant at hand. Think exposure.

Read on kafatid, and please spread the good news.

In hindsight this is one strategy of promoting a movie, kanya-kanyang diskarte because from Pagupdud I tell you “Noli Me Tangere” will be moved to the schools in the sovereign of the Marcoses in Ilocos Norte.

PHP. 50, 000  EACH FOR TWO GRAND WINNERS OF THE SEARCH FOR  MR. & MISS HANNAH’S BEACH RESORT ECO-TOURISM AMBASSADORS

The mere mention of  Pagudpud evokes the newest and unspoiled vacation destination famously known as Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center in Northern Luzon,  approximately 12 hours via the Northwest Highway from Manila and touted as the Boracay of the North.

A themed paradise of its own and known for its powdery white sand beach and crystal blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon, Hannah’s was built in perfect harmony with nature and to the present time it has preserved its natural landscape, lush vegetations and unpolluted sea waters in which one can jump into the world’s longest zipline over water at 1.150 kilometers long stretching out to the vast China Sea.

In keeping with its advocacy to step-up with sustainability in tourism

and environment-friendly advocacy to preserve the country’s natural habitats and resources, Hannah’s announces its first ever search for “Mr. & Miss Hannah’s Beach Resort Eco-Tourism Ambassadors/ Ambassadresses 2013” to serve as image models in the direction.

          The search is open to Filipino males (at least 5’ 7”) and females (at least 5’ 5”) from 18 to 25 years old, single with good moral character and must have gone to college for at least two years. 

The criteria for judging are : (1)   PERSONALITY ( 50 %) ---   innate intelligence, capacity to display  talent, creativity , spontaneity, wit,  environmental consciousness in particular  knowledge of eco-tourism and sustainability; (2) BEAUTY OF FACE & FIGURE (25%) ---  highly- enhanced facial contour,  less- than- ordinary looks, photogenic, glowing with strong x-factor appeal, centered & proportioned body;  and  (3) POISE (25 %)---  agile body deportment , strong stage presence,  grace and equanimity under pressure.

          Preliminary screenings will be held on April 27 in a designated venue in Quezon City, out of  which  fourteen  finalists will be chosen ( 7 males &  7  females) who will be brought to and billeted in Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte  all expenses paid for  to leave on May 24  for the    Pageant & Crowning Night on May 25, 2013.

Cash prizes at stake are as follows:

 Php. 50,000  each for MR. & MISS HANNAH’S BEACH RESORT ECO-TOURISM AMBASSADOR/AMBASSADRESS Grand Winners.

Php. 20,000 each for MR. & MISS HANNAH’S BEACH  RESORT ECO-TOURISM AMBASSADOR/AMBASSADRESS 1^st  Runners-Up -

Php.  10, 000 each for MR. & MISS HANNAH’S BEACH RESORT ECO-TOURISM AMBASSADOR/AMBASSADRESS 2^nd Runners-Up.  

The 8 non-winning candidates  will automatically receive a cash prize of Php. 5,000 each during the pageant.   Those interested to compete  can send their resume with close-up and full-shot photos ( in two-piece bikini for females & in swimming trunk, topless for males)  to: hannahs_tourismambassadors@yahoo.com

MIGUEL AGUILA IN VIVA’S FIRST MAJOR SOLO CONCERT

MIGUEL AGUILA

Multi-talented and teenaged singer Miguel Aguila is Viva’s newest recording artist. 

Honed in the tradition of a pop singer, star-builder with 
the proverbial Midas touch Vic del Rosario, Jr. of Viva Films in tandem with industry expert Vehnee Saturno has recently come up with a self-titled 6-track album for Miguel now raking in sales and hitting gold.

In line with Viva’s series of building up talents categorized under its Raising Stars Series project, Miguel Aguila embarks on his most challenging journey ever as live performing artist.

Almost eighteen, Miguel raises the curtain first in a solo concert billed “Soaring High” on April 12 (Fri.), 8:00 pm at Teatrino, Greenhills with a repertoire ranging from  upbeat and danceable parts to “kilig” songs including  memorable  OPM cuts.

Miguel will tackle  several  medley  hits of Bruno Mars, Adele,  Maroon 5 including Martin Nievera’s Party hits
and scores of Broadway songs.  Singing only two songs from his album, he will do one classic “Conte Partiro” with lone solo guest artist Rachelle Ann Go.

A NAMCYA grand winner and Aliw Hall of Fame awardee, Miguel has done musical plays like “Spoliarium,” “Song Of Joseph,” etc.,  sang in concerts in USA, Canada and Asian countries and in  several events at Malacanang, CCP, etc. and before esteemed personalities like US Ambassador Kristy Kenny, Beth Day Romulo, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe, Ex- president Jimmy Carter, etc.

With Viva managing his career towards a new high, Miguel Aguila is certain to  soar up much higher than usual in his métier as breakthrough  and total live performing artist of his generation to watch and behold. 

Editor ng “Apocalypse Now” TOTO NATIVIDAD FAIR-HAIRED ACTION DIRECTOR NG DOS

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)   

Farmed out in different versions to www:pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Iskandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

KING OF TALK BOY ABUNDA

I have long accepted the fact na matagal nang patay ang  “mainstream”  movie industry, but fortunately it re-incarnated and my word for this is “morph.”

             Yes, it has “morphed”  into what ABS-CBN now stands for.” Mapa-pelikula or mapa-TV man ang medium nito ,resulting in collaterals so-called ‘yong mga nawalan ng hanapbuhay or na-displaced sa sitwasyon.

I can only single out one mainstream movie director tulad ng Hollywood –trained/action director na si Director Toto Natividad (if you still don’t know ) who helped edit Francis Ford Coppola’s monumental “Apocalyse Now” shot here by Director Oliver Stone, classified great movie of all time.

Luckily, naka-cross medium si Direk Toto Natividad directing for some of ABS-CBN’s top-rated historical action epics on TV, one of which I remember so well made Derek Ramsay in his role as Kahimo the big action/drama sensation that he is now.

Right now, Director Toto Natividad is doing a  teleserye from Carlo Caparas’s  comics material “Dugong Buhay” for ABS-CBN.  It is supposed to catapult the career of award-winning actress Sylvia Sanchez’s son Arjo Atayde who recently won Best Actor in a single performance from PMPC’s Star Awards for TV.

ABS-CBN makes top-rated TV showbiz-oriented talk shows,  teleseryes, reality shows, game shows, etc. and blockbuster movies with consistent high production values and content in regular doses not only for local consumption but also for the Filipino communities abroad.

DIRECTOR TOTO NATIVIDAD

Nagre-revolve din lamang ang mga malalaking balitang artista, etc. sa mga artista rin ng ABS-CBN.  All these is given an edgy, dramatic  face with the way the celebrated actors in issue are made to sit on a hot seat, and spill usually for the first time (think scoop! scoop! scoop!) their guts out to the world before an awed audience on a lazy Sunday afternoon via “The Buzz” with the King of Talk Boy Abunda’s  highly  calculating and yet elevating if edifying  way of  handling a given hot and/or sensitive materials for the  week.

Exclusive, real jaw-dropping stories  the past week were the  confession of the alleged, disarming “that girl” Krista Miller  of Cesar Montano and the fabulous debut of  Gretchen Barretto’s  unica hija Dominique.

Boy Abunda got everybody there including me falling off the ringside. Only at “The Buzz” where showbiz stories of the week emanate and morph for everyone else in the industry to replicate, yes copy and pass it off as their own hahaha!

THE PHILIPPINE’S OSCARS “OCA” AWARDS 2013 WINNERS

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)   

Farmed out in different versions to www:pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Iskandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

"LIFE OF PI" DIRECTOR ANG LEE

 SILVERY JENNIFER LAWRENCE 

Out na ang resulta ng Academy Awards ng Hollywood’s Oscars, pero kami ni Tony V. Aguilar who is one of our columnists in Pilipino Mirror  has this penchant  for  making and comparing our own choices based on our own judgment dahil napanood naman namin almost lahat ng contending films.

TARANTINO'S  CHRISTOPH WALTZ

       We do not necessarily  agree ni Tony on our winners. Tawag ko dito sa prediction namin ay OSCARS “OCA” AWARDS 2013.

 I wrote this column on the eve of the Oscars Awards and the winners for us ni Tony V. Aguilar  respectively are as follows:

       “Life of Pi” Best Picture ni Tony, ako naman “Lincoln.”

       Sa Best Director Ang Lee si Tony for “Life Of Pi” ako naman Spielberg for “Lincoln.”

       Sa Best Actor agree kami pareho on Daniel Day Lewis for “Lincoln.”

STEVEN SPIELBERG'S "LINCOLN"

DIRECTOR MICHAEL HANEKE 'S "AMOUR"

       Sa Best Actress agree kami on Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook.”

       Sa Best Supporting Actress, Sally Field si Tony for “Lincoln,” ako naman Helen Hunt for “The Sessions.”

       Sa Best Supporting Actor, ako for Christoph Waltz for “Django Unchained” and si Tony for Philip Seymour Hoffman for “The Master.”

       Best Screenplay Adaptation “Argo” si Tony at ako naman for “Life Of Pi.”

       Best Original Screenplay for Tony is “Amour”  and ako naman “Django Unchained.”

HELEN HUNT'S  "THE SESSIONS"

       Best Foreign Feature for “Amour” si Tony, at ako naman ay wala coz wala akong napanood sa kategoryang ito.

       Boto kami pareho ni Tony sa “Life Of Pi” for Best Visual Effects.

       Sa Best Cinematography, “Anna Karenina” si Tony at ako naman ay “Lincoln.”

       “Anna Karenina” si Tony for Best Costume Design, at ako naman ay for “Snow White And The Huntsmen.”

JAMIE FOX "DJANGO UNCHAINED"

       Sa Best Film Editing, “Life Of Pi” si Tony, at ako naman ay “Argo.”

       Sa Best Makeup and Hairstyling, si Tony ay “Hitchcock,” at ako naman ay “Les Miserables.”

       Sa Best Music (Original Score) ay go kami pareho ni Tony for “Life of Pi.”

       Sa Best Music (Original Song), “Pi’s Lullaby” si Tony from “Life Of Pi,” at ako naman ay for “Suddenly” from “Les Miserables.”

       “Anna Karenina” si Tony for Best Production Design at ako for “Lincoln.”

       Sa Best Short Film Animated, “Adam and Dog” si Tony at ako wala coz wala akong napanood.

       Sa Best Sound Editing, boto kami pareho ni Tony sa “Life Of Pi.”

       Sa Best Sound Mixing, “Life Of Pi” si Tony, ako naman ay “Lincoln.” 

HANNAH’S BEACH RESORT IN SEARCH OF TOURISM AMBASSADORS AND MODELS

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)   

Farmed out in different versions to www:pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Iskandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

Trivia: Ano ang kauna-unahang beach resort sa may bandang Norte ang pinuntahan ng Superstar na si Nora Aunor sa una niyang pagbalik galing States?

          Sirit: Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center na pag-aari ni retired Col. Ricardo Nolasco aka “Father of the Singing Soldiers” kung saan nakapag- “major-major” concert na ang mga ito  sa mga  bonggacious shows ni Jobert  Sucaldito sa Zirkoh Morato  na incidentally ayon  sa part-owner na si Lito Alejandria will be holding their 9^th anniversary on Feb. 28, 9pm with proprietor Allan K leading the caboodle of top electrifying and most sought-after  artists of showbiz  and TV shows  like Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Gladys Guevarra, K Brosas, Ate Gay, Kim Idol, Boobay, Le Chazz, Boobsie Wonderland, Osang, The Miss Tres,  Phillip Lazaro, Sexbomb dancers, etc.

          Si Jobert din ang nag-facilitate para madala ang La Aunor sa Hannah’s dahil number one fan pala ng Superstar ang mom ni Col. Nolasco.

          Tunay na malakas ang recall ng Hannah’s Beach Resort sa Pagudpud dahil naging place to go and hide momentarily for a real breath of fresh air ang resort na ito among showbiz folks including TV networks kung saan doon na rin sila nagte-taping.

 Kung inyo pang natatandaan ang Pagudpud ay siyang naging favorite shooting place ni Madame Armida Siguion-Reyna at ng kanyang anak na si director Carlos.

          Sa Pagupud beaches sinyut ang unang major tambalan nila Richard Gomez at Dawn Zulueta sa pelikula kung saan nabigyan ng malaking role si Richard Quan.  

          Last year naman doon mismo sa Hannah’s Beach Resort isinagawa ng PMPC (Phil. Movie Press ) ang kanilang taunang out-of-town excursion cum Team Building/ Sensitivity Session  sa pangungulo pa ng presidente ng Movie Press Club of the Philippines na si Roldan Castro (na sinundan ngyayon ni Miss “F”aka Fernan De Guzman on his second term) whose members ay napalapit na rin kay Col. Nolasco.

KRISTEL ATINEN

          No wonder na-dub as “Boracay of the North” ang Hannah’s  na named after Col. Nolasco’s teenage unica hija, definitely minus the pollution and the unsavory, big and small infractions caused by human failings.     

The good news is that Hannah’s Beach Resort is

in search of Mr.  & Miss Tourism Ambassador to give a dramatic if not a beautiful, and personable face to the hidden paradise of the North where one can jump into the longest zipline over water at 1.150 kilometers long.

          May cash prizes ito and of course with the chance to travel out –of- town in style and fun.  Those interested (male and female, 18 to 27 years old only) ay magpadala lamang ng kanilang brief resume with close-up and long shot photos sa email address: ludivinabacay@yahoo.com. Saan ka pa? Join na.

To recall, sa nakaraang "CONSLA @ 40: PILLAR OF GROWTH AND STABILITY"sa convention center ng  Boracay Regency Hotel kung saan si Col. Nolasco ang presidente ay pinuri siya ni Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. ng Senate Committee on Bank Financial Institution and Currency dahil sa pangunguna ng CONSLA (Confederation of  Non-Stock Savings and Loan Assoc., Inc.) sa pagpapalago ng mga loan associations ng buong bansa.

RHONA MAY MERCADO'S STAR SHINES BRIGHTLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRY

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)   

Farmed out in different versions to www:pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Iskandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

RHONA MAY MERCADO HRD SPECIALIST

The Middle East is no country for women, much less for an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) tulad ng artistang si Rhona May Mercado with the stylish letter “H” in her name to note that she belongs to the 80s, the second golden  era of  filmmaking na kinabibilangan ng dalawang naging  National Artists for Films tulad nina Ishmael Bernal at Lino Brocka.

Ikabit mo ang pangatlong dear departed great director na si Celso Ad Castillo kung saan nag- cameo role si  Rhona May sa obra ng una na   “Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat Ng Lupa.” Rhona was twice the female lead of two movies “Lady Commando” and “Sintigas Ng Bakal” that she produced and starred in as well.

Now after 20  years of making a reputable name in Dubai and other parts of the Middle East  she’s back in the country to produce a movie from  the national hero’s novel “Noli Me Tangere” with her in a dream role yet as  Donya Victorina. Also to help resuscitate the comatose mainstream movie industry.

 Papano siya nag-survive and made a name in a country that looked upon women as second citizens? That in itself is worth making a movie about. Opposite to her Victorina role as pathetic high society’s sucker & slacker.

Joining the formidable ranks of men in the business world of Dubai was  not a walk in the park even as Rhona May had earned a license in Human Resources Management from Stonebridge Associated Colleges of the United Kingdom.

The degree coupled yet with the true grit of an ingenuous self-determined Filipino virtually making it in not so woman-friendly country catapulted her to one of the most enviable positions rarely assigned to women in United Arab Emirates  as HRD (Human Resource Development) Group Human Resources Manager of  Demat Group Hamriyah Free Zone- Sharjah Government with more than ten thousand employees under her, apart from being a business consultant to big-time foreign investors and to call on for succor  for Filipinos in difficult circumstances  with Arab laws.

So you cannot dismiss her now as “artista lang ‘yan.”

Rhona May who owns yet the signature Brooke Cendana line of wellness products is sought by another movie and stage actor/singer Jay-Ar Rosales who heads The Elderly - Friendly Awardees of the Phil. Foundation, Inc. (EFAP) and Live for Others Movement (LOM) as resource speaker in the launch of an inspirational book titled “The Power Of Duplication” written by the country’s top  business coach and mentor  Mr. Khyl Paredes to be held at the Pavilion Hall, 3^rd Floor, Great Eastern Hotel, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on March 16, 2013 ( Sat. from 3:00 pm to 8:00pm).

A former movie star turned-woman of substance and influence in the global world of business is a tough act to follow. Now you understand if I say, “hindi lang siya artista.” She got big balls as well.