NEWSFLASH

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ALMA CONCEPCION SHELVED BY REGAL

Manila, Aug. 30, 1998 - Fans of Alma Concepcion will have to settle for TV newscasts and talk shows to see the face of their favorite actress, whose movie-making career has been put on hold by Regal Films.

"Alma is supposed to do a dramatic film for Regal Films, but producer Mother Lily Monteverde does not want to produce the film because the public might not yet accept Alma," a Regal insider told the Inquirer.

Alma's movie career was launched by Regal in the true-to-life drama MARIKINA FILES which showed the gory rape-slay series of crimes in Marikina.

The former beauty queen, who returned to the Philippines a few days ago after being held in a Guam jail for drug possession, seems to have accepted her fate.

"All I need now is to rest," Alma told reporters upon her arrival in Manila.

She expressed a desire to volunteer for the government's anti-drug campaign. She is in favor of drug tests for all employees and students, as well as voluntary drug testing for actors and actresses every six months.

A closeness to God has been the most outstanding result of her Guam experience.

"This may be the happiest day of my life because this is the only time that I found God. It is sad that it had to be this way for me to see God again, but He's been very successful in bringing me back to Him," Alma said.