MOTHER  LILY  LOSES  LV  IN  LONDON

MANILA, OCTOBER 13, 2009 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS (Although it did not include any valuables, the Regal producer still feels bad about the incident.)

MOTHER Lily Monteverde, together with daughters Meme and Roselle, and Meme’s husband Stephen Teo and her daughter-in-law Grace (wife of son Dondon), just returned from a 10-day cruise to Europe.

They took a 7-Star Luxury liner for the cruise, Mother Lily said.

She remembered they were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean en route to The Netherlands when Ondoy happened. "Kagagaling lang namin sa London, where I had a terrible experience. In the hotel, where they were billeted, while she was at the lobby waiting for her companions, she lost her Louis Vuitton bag.

"Mabuti na lamang," she said, "I only had my make up in that bag. I entrusted my passport to Grace. And my money (dollars) to Meme.

"But still I doubt kung makakaligtaan ko ang nangyaring iyon sa akin. Ang mga magnanakaw nga talaga are all over."

In any case, going back to her Ondoy experience inside the luxury ship, she sensed right away that the storm was not ordinary.

"The rains falling," she stated, "was not ordinary. Lalo na ang alon. When I peeped at the window of the cabin assigned to me, I was the strong waves rocking our ship.

"At times things from our cabinet fall.

"Nakakatakot talaga. Scenes in the movie ‘Titanic,’ came to mind. But I know I need to be strong. Ganundin kasi ang nakita kong ginagawa nina Meme, Roselle, Stephen and Grace."

They never made it to The Netherlands, reported Mother Lily. Deep in her heart, she really doesn’t mind.

***

Now it is back to work with Mother Lily and Roselle, who now manage their film empire, Regal Entertainment. They are set to leave now with the cast and crew of one of their entries in this year’s Metro Manila Filmfest, "Mano Po 6: My Mother."

"We have a strong cast, I know," said Mother Lily, "For the first time, Sharon Cuneta is doing a movie with Regal Entertainment. Her supporting cast include Heart Evangelista, who will play her daughter, Ciara Sotto, Christopher de Leon, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dennis Trillo, Boots Anson-Roa and, if negotiations prosper, we might include Jericho Rosales, who will play a special role."

Joel Lamangan directs the movie.

"Mano Po" is the sixth among the series of "Mano Po," which Mother Lily has produced in the last six years. The previous five are "Mano Po" (2001), "Mano Po: My Family" (2002), "Mano Po: My Love" (2004), "Mano Po: Ako Legal Wife" (2005) and "Mano Po: Gua Ai Di (2006)."

***

Heart Evangelista had actually two entries in this year’s MMFF. "But I heard that she has only a few days of shooting in ‘Juan’ (which Dolphy topbills and is produced by the comedy king’s RVQ Productions)," said Mother Lily, "guest role lang siya sa pelikula."

Dolor Guevarra, who manages the showbiz career of Eric Quizon, Dolphy’s son who is at the helm of "Juan," supported Mother Lily’s statement. "Ang alam ko rin Heart will play the young Gloria Romero, who plays naman the wife of Dolphy."

The young Dolphy is played by Epy Quizon, another son of Dolphy. "Si Vandolph naman ang gaganap na Eddie Garcia (who is Dolphy’s co-star) when Eddie ws still bata pa."

Is this the same movie which Dolphy was supposed to make with Willie Revillame?

"Ang alam ko kasama si Willie sa pelikula," Dolor replied. "But only because he hosts ‘Wowowee,’ the TV program where Dolphy and Eddie supposedly meet.

"Actually, I have no idea yet how the story of the movie will end.

"Basta sabi lang ni Eric, maganda ito."

***

From Dolor, we also learned that Heart’s role as the young Gloria Romero was first offered to Kristine Hermosa, who, right away, agreed to do it.

"Ang alam ko rin, ipinagpaalam siya ng RVQ Productions kina Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) and Mariols (Alberto), heads of Star Magic, talent and discovery arm of ABS-CBN.

"Pinayagan naman daw si Kristine, kaya nag report na siya for measurements for the costume which she will be using.

"A few days before the shooting, nabalitaan ko na lang from Eric that she backed out.

"Why? I asked Eric.

"He refused to elaborate."