LONGEST-REIGNING  MOVIE  QUEEN

MANILA, OCTOBER 9, 2009 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS (‘This proves Ate Vi is really the “Star for All Seasons.”’)

DIEHARD Vilmanians must be gloating. Her movie "In My Life" is a certified hit not only in her home country but also abroad where it was shown. We got a report from the US that some of the premieres in different cities were even covered by local newspapers there, saying "the Tagalog language film starring a governor-actress from the Philippines" is so popular that it attracts huge crowds. Those who lined up paid as high as $20 to $30 for their tickets and they were interviewed about Ate Vi as the crowd is so different from the number of normal viewers who go to the theaters. The interviewers were so surprised to learn those who are queuing come from places that are one to two hours away from the venue. They really traveled and took time out to watch Ate Vi’s movie. It’s standing room only in most of the venues. This early, Vilmanians are predicting that their idol will be proclaimed "Box Office Queen" next year. She’d be up against Sarah Geronimo whose "You Changed My Life" also did exceedingly well at the tills early this year. This proves Ate Vi is really the "Star for All Seasons" as she competed for the "Box Office Queen" title with rival Nora Aunor in the ‘70s, with Sharon Cuneta in the ‘80s, Judy Ann Santos in the ‘90s and now, with Sarah G. in the new millennium, making her the longest-reigning movie queen in Philippine history.

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Bianca Gonzales is proud to be back on primetime as one of the hosts of "Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up."

"We’re all happy that the feedback on the changes made in the show are all positive," she says. "Bago na ang bahay ni Kuya, beautifully designed, at hindi lang isa kundi dalawa pa ang bahay niya. Very intriguing also ang composition ng various housemates, with two sets of identical twins at that."

Bianca is also glad that the other show she is hosting, "Y Speak," won an award for Promoting Education for the Marginalized in the recent MTRCB Awards. "We’re really grateful we got that recognition kasi akala ng ibang tao, wala na ang aming youth-oriented debate show that focuses on significant Philippine issues. On pa rin po kami sa Studio 23 so do watch us."

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Maja Salvador turned 21 last Monday and she got many precious gifts. "Una na ang bago kong drama series, ‘Nagsimula sa Puso,’ na mapapanood sa hapon," she says. "Then there’s the new RC Cola commercial I did with Korean actor Kim Bum. So marami talagang biyayang dapat ipagpasalamat."

When she was informed she’d topbill "Nagsimula sa Puso," she didn’t believe it right away. "Kasi I started taping two new shows, ‘Moon River’ and ‘Anna Liza,’ but they were both shelved so I’m afraid ganun din ang mangyari rito. I prayed hard na sana matuloy nga ito and when we finally started taping, grabeng saya ko and I’m really thankful to ABS-CBN dahil ‘di nila ako nakalimutan. I’m happy but kabado rin kasi I will play the role of Hilda Koronel in the original movie. I know kung gaano siya kagaling. But hopefully, when she sees our version, sana matuwa siyang ni-remake namin ito at masabi niyang, magagaling pala ang mga batang ito, kasi I’m paired with two actors na pareho nang nanalo ng awards."

She’s referring to Coco Martin who won best actor and best supporting actor plums for "Masahista" and "Jay," and to Jason Abalos who won best actor awards for "Endo." Coco will play the Richard Gomez role as Maja’s student who kidnaps her while Jason plays the Jay Ilagan role as her husband. In the Armida Siguion Reyna role as Maja’s controlling mom is Jaclyn Jose. Also in the cast are Gloria Diaz and Buboy Garovillo as Jason’s parents, Laurice Guillen as Coco’s mom, plus Ronnie Lazaro, Nikki Gil, Joseph Bitangcol and Nina Jose as Charie, a girl from Italy who follows Jason to Manila to seduce him.

Maja has love scenes with both Coco and Jason. "This is the first time I’ll do such scenes and I felt na 21 na ako, I should now stop playing pa-tweetums roles and tackle more mature ones. To prepare for the love scenes, I watched Hollywood films for mature audiences, like ‘Original Sin,’ para alam ko ang atake."

Angelica Jolie bared a lot in that film. Will she be as daring?

"Only up to what the MTRCB will allow kasi sa ‘Hapontastic’ kami ipalalabas, so ‘di puedeng sobrang sexy."

"Nagsimula sa Puso" will replace "Kambal sa Uma" that ends this Friday.

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Richard Gutierrez is pleased and proud to have been chosen by GMA News and Current Affairs as the co-host of award-winning news anchor Vicky Morales for TV special, "Ondoy Environmental Special Report." It will show not only the extent of Ondoy’s damage but the why’s and wherefore’s of devastating floods. We’re sure one of the reasons will be the rampant cutting of trees in watershed areas and also the unabated dumping of trash particularly by the urban poor who live beside creeks and floodways. GMA chose Richard as he’s been tagged the "Environmental Awareness King" after hosting such shows as "Full Force Nature," "Signos" and the top-rating, "Planet Philippines."

The special report will also give viewers advice on what to do and what not to do when natural calamities occur. Richard also gets to recount the full story of his rescue of Cristine Reyes in flooded Provident Village at the height of the typhoon.

Program unit manager Ella Evangelista Martelino said that when they conceptualized the TV special, they already had Richard in mind as one of its hosts. "We’ve worked with him before at bumilib kami sa dedication niya and professionalism when we did our last environmental special, ‘Planet Philippines,’" she says.

Although he’s busy with his Halloween movie with Cristine, "Patient X," directed by Yam Laranas, Richard is enthusiastic to take time out to host the "Ondoy" special with Vicky. "I’m a staunch supporter of environmental protection so I’ll be delighted to host a special about ecological concerns anytime," he says. "I know how much it will benefit the public who should be more aware of taking better care of Mother Nature."

"Ondoy Environmental Special Report" will be shown on Saturday, 9:30 p.m., after "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho."