True enough, the eight-member girl group was named after either from the first or from the last alliteration of “binibini” (Filipino word for a single woman, a young lady mostly described and alluded to a maiden), a reference to the modern Filipino woman as an independent, informed, sweet yet fierce individual. Without minding, though, the...
Category: Entertainment
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Why Gawad Urian is a rare film awards night
The Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) is a rare film recognition event in show business. Every year, the awards night of this group of critics is something to look forward to. Since the Urian’s inception in 1976, the state of the local movie industry has always been the central and confining...
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The Famas fiasco is not only about Eva Darren
It could have been a scene out of a Joseph Mankiewicz, or a Maning Borlaza: For the big night, a long-retired actress spends a fortune to have a gown made and to go to a salon for her hair and makeup. She brings along her grandchildren, never mind if she had to pay a hefty...
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What went wrong with the ‘Eddie Garcia bill’?
After third and final reading at the Senate, the “Eddie Garcia bill” was sent in April to the Office of the President for signing. No action has been taken so far. Meanwhile, certain quarters in the local entertainment industry have spoken about some questionable provisions in the final form of Senate Bill No. 2505, or...
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A mouthful of a musical, and spectacular
“Buruguduystunstugundstuy” is quite a mouthful of a musical. With a title like that, the audience expects something beyond the usual fare. The creators of “Buruguduystunstugunstuy” promised a wild ride—an “acid trip,” as director Dexter Santos described it. They did not disappoint. They delivered as they promised. Using songs of the popular band Parokya ni Edgar,...
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‘Mainstream’ star Marian Rivera to star in an indie for Cinemalaya
Marian Rivera is scheduled to shoot her first indie film, and it’s a political one. The “Kapuso primetime queen” will take on the role of a public-school teacher who witnesses electoral fraud as the Philippines transitions from manual to automated counting. How she acts on what she has seen and its consequence to her personal safety...
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New chair of film council to lead ‘Parangal ng Sining’
The first official function of Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes as the new chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the “Parangal ng Sining” scheduled on April 19. Reyes will lead the Parangal, or the FDCP’s annual homage to the women, men and organizations who have shaped the Philippine film industry and...
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What’s cookin’, Juday?
Viber beeps a message: “Can you take a call?” I reply: “Who is this, please?” A few minutes later, Viber beeps again: “Hello, Mr. Farmer. Can I call?” I realize who it is. Ext. Seashore. Early morning. The scene opens with a man preparing to cast a fishing net into the sea. Another man is...
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Ricky Lee’s birthday party was a wedding like no other
I kept gushing about the arrangements at his party and our dear birthday boy, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, replied that if he would get married, it would also be potluck. But I was talking about his wedding! On his 77th birthday last March 19, Xavierville Clubhouse was transformed into some kind of wedding...
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Piolo Pascual returns to the ‘teleserye’
Cinema is transforming, and actor-producer Piolo Pascual hopes that Filipino filmmakers are ready for the changes. Unlike the naysayers who predict the death of the cinema, Piolo would rather view recent developments in the film industry as a transformation. Developments in technology, the economy, and the attitudes and habits of the movie-going public are dictating...