MAR & KORINA:  TULOY  AND  KASAL!

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - If it were a movie, the scene would look like this: Bride and groom are at the altar about to exchange “I do’s” and suddenly somebody from the church entrance broke in, screaming, “Itigil ang kasal!”

But, thank heavens, it’s real life and no such rude interruption is going to happen, not even the perceived clamor for Sen. Noynoy Aquino to be the Liberal Party standard-bearer in the 2010 elections, instead of Sen. Mar Roxas who has earned perhaps even more points for his gracious exit and clean-breast endorsement of Noynoy than his padyak TV plugs have ever done or could ever do.

Yes, the wedding of Mar and his beloved Korina Sanchez will be pushed through on Oct. 23. It’s not, as many people must have suspected, co-terminus with Mar’s presidential ambition.

“Oo naman,” Korina said in a text message to Funfare when asked if the wedding would be held as scheduled, as in tuloy na tuloy na.

“Yes, it will push through,” confirmed Veanna Fores, Mar’s cousin.

As Korina said in a dzMM radio interview yesterday by former Failon at Sanchez co-anchor Ted Failon, since Mar has given way to Noynoy (who was once romantically linked to Korina) and is not saying if he will agree to be his running-mate, “We will have more time to prepare for the wedding.”

The wedding is barely six weeks away and the invitations haven’t been printed yet. The sweethearts have yet to decide where to hold their “People’s Wedding”...Manila Cathedral, San Sebastian Church, Quiapo Church or Sto. Domingo Church?...and, except for Mar’s aunt Baby Araneta-Fores, the other principal sponsors have yet to be confirmed. But the reception will definitely be held at Bahay na Puti (in Cubao, Quezon City), the home of Mar’s lolo and lola and the venue of the reception for the wedding of Mar’s parents, former Sen. Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta, and his Auntie Baby and Dr. Raul Fores.

In an earlier Funfare interview, Korina said that she will have 12 bridesmaids who are her best friends since childhood.

There will be six flower girls, one of whom is Korina’s niece Saila; James Yap Jr. is ring bearer while Tyra and Maya, Korina’s two other nieces, along with Mar’s niece Mercedes, are junior bridesmaids. Dyan Castillejo’s son Matthew is Bible bearer.

Kris Aquino will anchor the ABS-CBN coverage of the wedding. Korina’s gown will be designed by Pepito Albert and those of the entourage by Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Randy Ortiz. Mar’s cousin Margarita Fores is in-charge of the menu.

Engkwentro is lone RP entry at the 66th Venice Int’l Filmfest

Congratulations to Pepe Diokno, who writes for this paper’s Supreme section, whose directorial debut, Engkwentro, is the lone Filipino film at 66th Venice International Film Festival. Starring Bembol Roco’s son, Felix Roco, the Cinemalaya finalist is entered at the Venice’s Orizzonti (New Horizons) competition, a section that provides a spectrum of new trends in cinema. The Venice Filmfest started on Sept. 2 and will run until Sept. 12. It is the oldest film festival in the world and one of the most prestigious.

According to Pepe, 22, many of the world’s biggest stars are expected to attend, including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Meryll Streep, Nicolas Cage, Sylvester Stallone, George Lucas, Michael Moore, Cate Blanchett and Charlize Theron.

“The cast and crew of Engkwentro are honored to represent the Philippines beside cinema’s most respected names,” said Pepe.

Inspired by true events, Engkwentro tells the story of two teenage brothers on opposite sides of a gang war. Tension between the two arises at a deadly midnight engkwentro (clash) when one is tasked to kill the other. All this happens while the City Death Squad, a band of vigilantes supposedly backed by a Big Brother-type Mayor, is hot on their trail. The two brothers must find a way out of their squalid situation in order to stay alive.Felix Roco’s acclaimed performance as a gangster desperate for his life is supported by stellar portrayals by director Celso Ad Castillo as the Mayor, as well as by young actors Zyrus Desamparado, Daniel Medrana and Eda Nolan, singer Bayang Barrios, and controversial indie filmmaker Jim Libiran.

Added Pepe, “The film is inspired by actual ‘death squad’ killings in some cities in the country where, in the last decade, over 814 people have been murdered by hit men allegedly sponsored by the government. Reports say many of the victims are minors, including gang members, petty criminals and street children.”

Engkwentro premiered at the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Shot in handheld style, the movie elicited strong reactions from audiences, with viewers calling it, “an eye-opener,” “raw and alarming,” “shocking,” “disturbing” and “a must-see.”

What’s up?

• The organizers of the Mister International Philippines 2009 announced the search for the Philippine bet to the contest’s international counterpart to be chosen in Taiwan in November. The local pageant will be held on Oct. 14 at the A. Venue Mall. Screening of applicants will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the 360 Bar & Restaurant, A. Venue Mall, Makati Ave., Makati City, 1 to 6 p.m. Applicants should be 18 to 29 years old, at least 5’11” tall and with a well-toned body.

• Here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule for this month: Sept. 4, 5 p.m. in Castañas, Sariaya, Quezon; Sept. 5, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon, and 5 p.m. Anticipated Mass at Luklukan ni Maria also at Kamay ni Hesus; Sept. 6, 6 a.m. at ABS-CBN Channel 2, 8 a.m. at NBN Channel 4 and 9:30 a.m. at SM North EDSA; Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus; Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m. also at Kamay ni Hesus; Sept. 13, 9 a.m. at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite, and at 11:30 a.m. at the Shrine of St. Therese, Villamor Airbase; Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m. at Buklod ng Pag-ibig Healing Center, Balete Drive Ext., Quezon City; Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus and at 4 p.m. in Lucena City; Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus; Sept. 20, 8 a.m. at NBN Channel 4; Sept. 21 in Baguio City; Sept. 23, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus; Sept. 25, 12 noon at Export Bank, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, and at 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Hospital, Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila; Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus and 5:30 p.m. at Graceland Estates, Tayabas, Quezon; Sept. 27, 9 a.m. at SM bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite; and Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus.

Mar-Korina wedding still on By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated September 03, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The most anticipated wedding of the year is still on.

Sen. Manuel Roxas II said yesterday he was looking forward to his wedding to broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez on Oct. 23 as he continued to work on the slate of the Liberal Party with Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III now the likely standard-bearer instead of him.

“Siyempre naman. Ang pulitika, pulitika. Iba ang puso (Of course, politics is politics. The heart is different),” Roxas said when asked in an interview over GMA -7’s morning show, “Unang Hirit,” if his wedding next month was still on.

Roxas is aware that his upcoming wedding is being tied to his presidential plans because of Sanchez’s popularity.

In the 2004 senatorial elections, Sanchez was even considered his lucky charm when he emerged as number one.

Roxas said Sanchez assured him that she would stand by him no matter what.

“She told me I love you no matter what,” Roxas said after he quit the presidential race to give way to Aquino.

Sanchez, for her part, said in a radio interview over dzMM that they will now have more time to work on their wedding.

“I told him that I love him and now we can concentrate on the wedding. Hindi na masyado yung (There’s less) tension, hirap ng katawan at pag-iisip. Mar is a very decent man. Whatever is true to his heart is what I want for him. I don’t worry about him. I know he was very hurt at one point but no matter how much it hurt him, the decision was painful but swift. That is a leader,” she said.

Decision not easy

But Roxas admitted he and his family were hurting because of the difficult decision he made.

“Of course it’s not easy. We Korina, we talk not just as sweethearts but as husband and wife, which we will be in a few weeks. Of course it hurts, but as Korina said to me, ‘you do what is right, you do what is in your heart.’ And for me, that was the foremost consideration,” Roxas said.

He also clarified it was not definite yet whether he would be Aquino’s running mate or if he would run for re-election as senator since the first thing they’ve settled was the presidency and the party’s unity.

“We didn’t talk about that. There was no trading, no commitment. I told Noy, let’s not cheapen this with horse trading. We entered public service, so let’s think about what’s best for the country. Now after you have looked into yourself, whatever you decide, then let’s talk again,” Roxas said.

Roxas maintained he was at peace with his decision and that he could face his forebears and all those who trusted him knowing that he made a sacrifice for the sake of the nation.

“The interest of Mar Roxas was not foremost. Aand that’s probably what you saw in me, that’s why you trusted me,” Roxas said.

Roxas said his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, commended him after he announced his withdrawal

“Hindi mo matatanggal ‘yung You can’t remove the emotions: sadness, of coursethere’s disappointment, I’m just human. But when I came down the stage, I passed my mother and she said, ‘I am proud of you,’” Roxas said.

Mar wants to help Noynoy

Roxas added that he would help Aquino and would like him to win because he would like the “magic” of former President Corazon Aquino and what she fought for along with her husband, the late senator and national hero, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. not to be lost.

He also maintained there was no tension between him and Aquino.

“We have a long history so so there’s o double-talk, no fake moves, we really had heart-to-heart talks,” Roxas said.

“I trust Noynoy, he just wants what’s best for the country. That’s also how I feel, so it was very easy for us to go to the bottom line. What do we want for the country? We set aside our personal situations. This isn’t easy for Noy either, to carry on the legacy of his parents,” Roxas said.

What about intrigues? Asked whether there were people inside the LP whose statements or moves hurt him and forced him to withdraw, Roxas stressed there were none.

“No, this was my decision. And as I said, we’re friends. We’re seatmates in the Senate. Our sisters were classmates. When we were growing up our fathers knew each other. We were together in marches, anti-Marcos, Cory-Cory, so there was no reason for us not to be honest with each other from the start. So our discussions were quick,” Roxas said.