'CAPTAIN BARBELL' TO BE SCREENED FOR INDIGENT KIDS

MANILA, December 22, 2003  (BULLETIN) Crispina Martinez. Belen - It will be a Christmas treat like no other when about 1,300 street kids and orphans from different charitable institutions in the National Capital Region (NCR) are treated to a special screening of “Captain Barbell,” Premiere Productions Metro Manila Filmfest entry this year. The premiere will be held tomorrow, Dec. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Cinema 10 of SM Megamall.

The charitable houses which gave their wards the chance to view “Captain Barbell” include Nayon Ng Kabataan, home for victims of child labor; Ahon Center House, halfway house for street children; Marilao Hills, home for girls in conflict with the law. The invitation was coursed through Ms. Dinky Soliman, secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It was Bong Revilla, who plays Captain Barbell, who thought of having these unfortunate children screen the movie even before its opening day on Dec. 25. “Last year,” said Bong, “ipinapanood ko rin sa mga batang lansangan at mga orphans ang pelikula kong “Agimat, Anting Anting ni Lolo,” which was Imus Productions MMFF entry. Hindi ko nakalimutan ang ligayang nakita ko sa kanilang mukha nang matapos nilang mapanood ang pelikula. Then and there, I knew I had a (film) winner. “Agimat,” Bong continued, “was a good movie. but I think ‘Captain Barbell’ is better. Ipinagmamalaki ko ang pelikula kong ito not only because of the 212 special effects or so, but because napakaganda ng movie. Lutang na lutang ang istorya nito.” Directed by Mac Alejandre, “Captain Barbell” features two other well-known Pinoy superheroes, Darna and Lastikman. Together, the three of them take the herculean task of saving mankind. It is Regine Velasquez, box-office star in her own right, not to say that she is the country’s No. one singer, who plays Darna when in one scene she dreams of helping “Captain Barbell,” with whom she is in love with, fight his enemies. PJ Malonzo plays Lastikman. Ogie Alcasid is Enteng, the janitor in the school where Regine is a teacher. He became the alter- ego of “Captain Barbell.” Three other super powers on the wrong side of the fence are featured in “Captain Barbell.” Those are Dagampat (Taong Daga), portrayed by Jeffrey Quizon; Freezy (Ruffa Mae Quinto) and Lagablab (Albert Martinez).

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Motherhood has certainly changed Ruffa

A scene and fulfilled-looking Ruffa Gutierrez greeted the movie press during the baby shower hosted by Manay Gina de Venecia in honor of her baby, Gabrielle Lorin, in the Vera-Perez gardens in Valencia, Quezon City, recently. The Vera-Perez compound was turned into a baby girl’s nursery that night, as small and big stuffed toys and pink-and-white balloons festooned with massive curly ribbons adorned the game room where the meet-and-greet the baby was held. The cute little baby was deluged with a heaping table full of gifts from her mother’s friends in showbusiness. Lorin was the apple of the eye of the movie press, who could not help but gush on how adorable Ruffa’s bouncing baby girl was. And while maybe a bit confused at all the fuss surrounding her, Baby Lorin took it all in stride and gamely posed, with her mother and grandparents for photos. Her glamorous mother, in turn, detailed how life was like in Turkey and how husband Yilmaz has become very confused on his new role as a father. She also noted how much her famous parents, are head-over-heels in love with Lorin. Si Daddy, pag walang trabaho, he is always home by Lorin’s side. Grandmother Anabelle has even been to Turkey twice just to watch over the latest addition to the family. Anabelle has nothing but praises for her new granddaughter. “Mabait na bata, tahimik. Hindi siya iyakin.” Eddie also noticed the effect motherhood had on his darling daughter. “Ruffa has changed a lot. She seems very happy and more at-peace ever since she had the baby.” Ruffa said that she gained 50 pounds during her pregnancy, hard to believe, considering that her now-svelte frame is almost back to her pre-pregnancy form. In fact, she has been tapped by Dr. Vicky Belo to be her latest model for her new non-surgical weight-loss procedure. A baby, a husband, a new life. Indeed, Ruffa’s story-book family life, gives her enough reason to glow.

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Sarah stages another concert on Dec. 28

After her successful fan’s day at the Araneta Center, Popstar Sarah Geronimo continues to treat her friends and followers in a special early New Year concert at the Ynares Center on Dec. 28. The concert, entitled “Popstar… A Dream Come True” and produced by Viva Concerts, will feature Sarah with her special guests Jay-R, the Viva Popstars, including Jason Velasquez, Tosca Puno, the all-girl trio 3YO (Musica, Angeli Mae and Athena), Florie Mae Lucido, Dexter and Ashley. Also guesting in the concert is Mark Bautista, who, like Sarah, was also a finalist of the “Star For A Night” talent search. Mark, who just released his own debut album under Viva Records, co-hosts a segment on GMA-7’s “Search For A Star” with Sarah, and also played her love interest in the music video of her hit song, “Forever’s Not Enough.” Mark and Sarah also did a duet of “Broken Vow,” which is included in the latter’s album. On the big screen, Mark and Sarah will play each other’s love interest in the Viva movie, “Annie B” starring Jolina Magdangal, set to hit theaters in January 2004. But before that, Sarah will have her big screen debut via two Metro Manila Film Festival entries, “Filipinas” and “Captain Barbell,” both produced by Viva Films. “Popstar… A Dream Come True” will be Sarah’s last concert for 2003, and will usher in an even busier 2004 for the young singer-actress. “Very excited po ako sa concert na ito. This is the first time na magpe-perform ako during the Christmas season. First time ko din mag-co-concert sa Ynares Center. I hope my friends will continue to support me in this show,” says Sarah. “Popstar… A Dream Come True” is sponsored by Nestle Ice Cream and Pepsi Blue. Tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, Araneta Ticketnet, Video City Antipolo, Rejoice Supermarket (Lores Antipolo) and the Viva Concerts office.

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“Biktima: Campus Coed”

The R-18 “Biktima Campus Coed” which is now showing in Metro Manila will give you more than what you expect. It stars new nymphet Amalia Jones and Sabrina M, both of the sex genre movies. The film director, George D. Pascual said that the movie “will certainly make Amalia the hottest sex symbol today. She shows not only her physical assets but what she can do that others can’t.” Amalia Jones does nude dancing on stage and also acrobatics on bed! Amalia plays the role of a young campus girl who fell into the hands of the notorious Rape Gang. They torture her while in the nude, and she also performs a lot of steamy scenes — something that the male audience would not like to miss! Sabrina M plays the title role — with more sexual impact. Both Sabrina and Amalia appear in the movie “in all their naked glory!” Produced by Bee Gees Films, “Biktima Campus Coed” also stars Juan Rodrigo, Daniel Fernando, Jess Sanchez, Fernando Montenegro, Joker, and child stars George Mae Rose, Tonton Santos and Gladys Mae Santos. The movie is based on characters created by Esmeraldo “Bing” Santos, and scripted by Leleng Ubaldo and produced by Mario D. Cabanting with Lilibeth Maria as executive producer

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Tidbits: Happy bday greetings today, Dec. 22, go to DILG Secretary Joey Lina, Dr. Ine Mauricio, society columnist Maurice Arcache, Cora Jacob, Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, Cely Kalaw, Simplicio Mathay, Trixie Garcia, Monina Co Palma, Dorothy “Ging” T. Triño, and Mrs. Josie C. Domingo... Belated b-day greetings to Soledad A. Lagana (Dec. 20) ...Condolence to Lydia Hao on the death of her husband Dr. Pepito Hao. Interment will be tomorrow, Dec.23, in Lucena City.