Blooming Debutante

Posted on October 31, 2018 by @ffv Standard

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Vilma Santos’Grand Debut – “More than 40 years ago, Vilma Santos turned 18 (Nov. 3, 1971). Her grand debut party was held at the post Presidential Hall of The Plaza in Makati, attended by celebrities and other familiar names in and out of the movie world. Style Magazine covered the event. Vilma’s gown was a creation of Sonia Aquino, who later served as mayor of Tanauan, Batangas. Photos by Bob’s and cake by Joni’s. Vilma and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Amado Santos and Edgar Mortiz (then the debutante’s favorite leading man) received the guests. The guest list included: Eddie Peregrina (deceased) and Esperanza Fabon, now justice of the Court of Tax Appeals. Mildred Ortega (later wife of Gen. Mitch Templo). Ricky Belmonte (deceased) and Rosemarie Sonora, based in California. Panamin secretary Manuel “Manda” Elizalde (deceased). Janine Friaz and Baby de Jesus. From a pretty debutante in the ’70s, Vilma turned into an award-winning actress, Star For All Seasons and much-esteemed public servant. First as Lipa Mayor for nine years and then as Batangas Governor, also nine years. Vilma is the incumbent Congresswoman of Lipa. Photos are from Style Magazine.” – Danny Dolor, The Philippine Star, 25 February 2018 (READ MORE)

Danilo Franco Creation – The year was 1971, when ate Vi celebrated her debut. Ang tagal na pala. Parang kailan lang when I cut these photos sa isang newspaper. I was still in grade school then, at wala pang pambili ng mga magazines. So, I content myself sa newspaper naming sa bahay. As far as I can remember, isang bonggang birthday celebration iyon. Nagkaroon ng isang asalto on the eve of her birthday. Meron din fans party na ginanap sa Mehan garden, pero ang talagang coming-out party niya ay ginanap sa The Plaza restaurant. Wala na itong restaurant na ito ngayon, but it was very popular ng mga panahon na iyon. The restaurant, which was, located sa Makati, ay siya ring naging venue ng reception ng wedding nina FPJ at Susan Roces. Ang asalto, fans party sa Mehan garden at ang debut party ay added attraction sa movie nina ate Vi at Edgar na “Eternally.” Ang gown ni ate Vi was made by Ben Farrales. Sa isang write-up interview kay Danilo Franco, na siyang gumawa ng wedding gown ni ate Vi, nabanggit nito that he was working for Mang Ben during that time.

The white gown bore hand-painted pink roses, which were made by Danilo Franco. Star-studded ang party ni ate Vi. Halos lahat ng young stars of the era ay dumating. Ang mga kasamahan niya sa TV show na The Sensations ang siyang mga kasali sa cotillion. Dumalo rin ang big stars of the era like sina Rosemarie at Ricky Belmonte, at doon nila inannounce na magpapakasal sila the following month. Special guest din si Mr. Manda Elizalde of Panamin, na tinulungan noon nina ate Vi at Edgar para ikampanya para sa Senado. Dumalo rin ang super big action star noon na si Tony Ferrer kasama ang kanyang misis na si Mutya Ng Pilipinas winner, Alice Crisostomo. Naroon rin ang mga producers ni Ate Vi at ang mga press people. It’s now 2005, 34 years na ang nakakaraan, pero andito pa rin si Ate Vi at siyang nangungunang Reyna ng pelikulang Pilipino. Nawala na ang mga kasabayan niya at maging ang mga sumunod sa kanya, pero nanatiling nag-iisa ang tunay na Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino sa lahat ng panahon. – Eric Nadurata, V Magazine 2006

The Superstar at 18, Vilma Blooms – “Ay naku, musmos pa ‘yan talagang mahilig na sa drama!” And Mrs. Milagros Santos (or Mommy Santos, as she is fondly called by diehard fans), mother of Superstar Vilma, proceeds to relate how her darling daughter religiously followed her favorite soap-operas on the radio in her off-school hours, imitating the airlane actresses later on when the family gathered at the sala. “Umiiyak pa ‘yan,” Mommy Santos goes on, “and she really cried real tears.”

Of course, Vi’s histrionic potentials didn’t escape the attention of her teachers in school. Everytime there was an affair on the campus, she would be there on stage, either delivering a declamation, singing a song or making like a little Rosa Mia in a drama skit. One day in 1962, eight-year old Vi tagged along with her uncle Amaury Agra (a cameraman) to the Sampaguita Studios to watch her favorite actresses and actors act before the cameras. Doc Perez saw her and was so fascinated by Vi’s lovable ways that, there and then, he let her play one of the two waifs in the tearjerker, Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!, a Lolita Rodriguez-Luis Gonzales starrer, afilming at that time. “Doc didn’t even give me a screen test,” Vi cuts in.

Days later, during a shooting lull, Vi wandered around the huge studio and found herself in the office of Doc Perez where some 800 tots were being tested for the title role of the next Sampaguita film. By accident, Vi got into the contest and walked away with the coveted role hands down. “Doc asked me to cry, umiyak naman ako,” Vi recalls, “he asked me to laugh, tumawa naman ako ng husto, ganyan. He asked me to do many other things. He must have been impressed dahil he assigned the role of Trudis Liit kaagad to me.” That was how Vilma Santos broke into the big screen. “My real name is actually Rosa Vilma Santos. Pero sabi ni Doc, there were several Rosa’s in the movies already, may Rosa Mia, may Rosa Rosal, may Rosa Aguirre, so he decided to drop Rosa from my name.”

For four years, from 1962 to 66, there was hardly any tearjerker without Vilma Santos in the cast. A born actress, she was very precocious and had a notably alacrity for giving in to what her roles demanded. She absorbed difficult and emotion-filled dialogues with ease and acted her parts very naturally. As a child actress, she chalked up more than a dozen movies and had ably pitted acting talents with such drama stalwarts as Eddie Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Lolita Rodriguez and Luis Gonzales. “I have two favorite pictures as a child actress, “ she says. “ang isa ‘yong Trudis Liit nga and the other is Ging where I portrayed the role of a child actress. When I saw the first movie sa sine, I cried because I pitied myself in the movie, kawawa kasi ako doon, e. It was s sob story you know, at kahit siguro ikaw maiiyak ka rin.

In Ging, nahirapan ako ng katakut-takot because it was heavy drama. Pero it gave me a very good chance to really act dahil it had a little of everything, a little drama, a little musical, a little comedy, a little of marami pang iba.” She had to stop appearing in the movies after finishing grade school. “I wanted to concentrate on my studies, that’s why I enrolled at the St. Mary’s Academy. I wanted to take up Fine Arts after graduation. I loved to paint noon, you know, pero ngayon, hindi na masyado.” But once an actress, so the saying goes, always an actress. Vi was in her third year high school when she felt an irresistable itch to work again before the cameras.

At first, her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Amado Constantino Santos) were reluctant but a compromise was reached: no shooting during her class schedules. By this time, Vilma was growing up to be a lady. This was mid-1969. The advent of 1970 brought new prospects for Vi and her young colleagues. Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes had got hitched and there was some sort of a “search for another queen” in local filmdom. Because she had a strong public appeal and very endearing ways with her legions of followers (Vilmanians!) Vi was easily considered a possible successor to the throne left vacant by Susan and Amalia.

But she had a rival in the person of Nora Aunor. “There’s realy no personal rivalry between us,” she assures. “Friends kami, e.” It was when she got paired with Edgar Mortiz (Vi’s boyfriend on and off the camera) that Vi’s star shone doubly brighter in the movie firmament. The team up also did good to Edgar. First paired in Sampaguita’s Young Love (where they appeared with Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III), Vi and Edgar have now finished more than two dozen films, all of them veritable box-office hits. The two are under contract with Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions but they have an option to make pictures with other outfits with the proper consent of TIIP bosses. “I like Bobot (that’s how Edgar is called by Vi and their fans) naman because mabait siya at gentleman,” Vi smiles.

The crowning glory of their careers came early this year when they won as Mr and Miss Philippine Movies in a nationwide popularity contest conducted by a vernacular magazine. Their coronation grabbed the headlines when some fans of defeated stars staged a rampage, prompting Mommy Santos to announce on the microphone that “it was not our side that started the commotion. ” Aside from being good neighbors in a subdivision in Quezon City, Vi and Edgar are ‘always together’ anywhere they go. In addition to their movie work, they have also two regular shows on television, The Sensations (which was made into a movie) and Edgar Loves Vilma, both on Channel 2.

They also did several recordings together, all of them a sellout. Vi waxed her first (solo) single when she was 16 and the title of the song was Sixteen. But Vi has a drawing power all her own. No matter who her leading man is, her movies invariably attract moviegoers. Ikaw Lamang, where she had Paolo Romero for her love interest, was acclaimed topgrosser in the Quezon City Film Festival last September. One of her latest pictures, Teen-age Senorita with Manny de Leon, grossed no less than P40,000 on its first day showing in two theaters. (The movie was made by Zodiac Films, an outfit owned by Manny’s family.) Vi celebrated her 18th birthday last November 3 in a style befitting a superstar. There was a whole-day celebration; fans from as far north as Ilocos and as far south as Cebu came to greet her. The unforgettable day was capped with a formal ball at The Plaza where Vi had no less than Manda Elizalde, the senatorial candidate she and Bobot had campaigned for in the last elections, as a special guest. And like a faithful boyfriend, Edgar stayed close to Vilma throughout the affair.

Two weeks later, the two left to make two movies in Hawaii and USA. At 18, you may ask, what else does Vilma Santos crave for? “Not much”, she says. “I just hope that good things will continue to happen to me, that my fans will remain loyal and true.” Despite success, Vi has remained level-headed; she has admirably kept her sweet and charming disposition. Even when confronted with malicious gossip about her, she just remains calm: “I don’t mind rumors very much. As a movie star, I am susceptible to gossips, but I choose to ignore them.” And because she is truly aware that stardom is temporary, Vilma Santos doesn’t mind working hard now, accepting the many offers that come her way as long as they don’t endanger her health -and her image. “My philosophy is simple,” she says, “Make hay while the sun shines.” Mommy Santos could only nod in agreement. – Ricardo F. Lo, The Sunday Times Magazine, 05 Dec 1971

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Posted on October 31, 2017 by @ffv Standard

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Pinigil na Tadhana – “…Sinabi ni Ernesto Maceda, abugado ng 777 Productions, na ang pagpigil sa “Press Preview” o hayagang pagtatanghal ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” ay ilegal at labag sa saligang batas. Ayon kay Maceda, ang pelikula sinuri na ng BCMP, at dahil doon ay itinatanghal na iyon sa walong lalawigan…Sa isang dako, sinabi ni Gng. Olympia Lozano, kalihim-tagapagpaganap ng BCMP na pinigil ang pagtatanghal ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” dahil sa pagtanggi ng 777 Productions na iharap sa lupon ang pelikula upang surrin…Nagharap kagabi ng pagbibitiw sa Pangulong Macapagal si Jose L. Guevara bilang tagapangulo ng Board of Censors for Moving Pictures. Ginawa ni Guevara ang ganitong aksiyon kasunod ng pagpigil ng pelikulang “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” na naglalarawan sa buhay ni Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, kandidato sa pagka-pangulo ng NP. Ipinaliwanag ni Maceda na marami nang nakapanood ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana”at nagkakaisa ng palagay ang lahat na walang batayan upang pigilin ang pagtatanghal nito. Upang masubhan kahit kaunti ang pagkayamot ng mga inayayahan sa “gala premiere” kagabi sa Rizal Theatre, ipinasiya ang pagtatanghal ng pelikulang Ingles, ang “The Thin Red Line…” – Leonardo P. Reyes, Taliba, 3 & 16 September 1965 (READ MORE)

Tadhana sa Korte Suprema – “…Malamang makarating ngayon sa Korte Suprema ang hidwaan ng prodyuser ng Iginuhit ng Tadhana at ng lupon ng sensor na pumigil sa pagtatanghal sa publiko ng nasabing pelikula. Nakatakdang dumulog ngayon sa mataas ns hukuman ang mga abugado ng prodyuser ng pelikula matapos na pigilin ng hukuman sa paghahabol kahapon ang pagpapatupad sa utos ng mababang hukuman na nagpapahintulot sa pagtatanghal ng pelikula…Sa naunang hatol ni Hukom Edilberto Soriano ng hukumang unang dulugan ng Maynila ay ipinahintulot niya ang pagtatanghal sa masuliraning pelikula bagay na salungat sa pasiya ng lupon ng sensor na pumipigil sa nasabing pagtatanghal. Ang hatol ni Soriano ay idinulog ng mga abugado ng pamahalaan sa hukumang sa paghahabol sa kanilang matwid na walang huridiksiyon sa usapin ang mababang hukuman…Sinabi ni Abugado Claudio Teehankee, isa sa mga abugado ng prodyuser ng pelikula sa buhay ng Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos ng Senado na idudulog nila sa Korte Suprema ang desisyon inilagda kahapon ng Hukuman sa Paghahabol. Ipinaliwanag niyang ang dalawang sumusunod na matwid ang knailang ihaharap sa mataas na hukuman sa paghahabol: 2 Katwiran na Inilahad – 1. Na walang bisa ang kontrata na maaaring bawiin ang permiso sa isang pelikula upang maitanghal anumang oras. 2. Na hindi nagmalabis si Hukom Soriano sa pagpapasiya sa usapin…” – C. de Guzman, Taliba, 3 & 16 September 1965 (READ MORE)

Young Ones – “…Walang makapaniwala na magiging gayon kalakas takilya sina Nora at Tirso. Nagimbal ang mga taga-pelikula. Bakit daw gayon kalaki ang kinikita ng unang dalawang pelikula nina Nora at Tirso? Tsamba lamang daw kaya iyon o biglang nagbago ng panlasa ng mga manonood? Hindi tsamba. Ang mga sumunod pang pelikula nina Nora at Tirso ay mas malaki ang kinita. Daang-libo ang kinita ng “Teenage Excapades” at “Halina, Neneng Ko.” Itinambal ng Towers si Nora sa iba pang kabataang artista, malaki rin ang kinita. Katunayan na malaki ang hukbo ng mga tagahanga ni Nora. Sinubok naman ng Barangay Productions na itambal si Tirso kay Gemma Suzara, hindi gaanong kinagat ng mga fans. Nag-produce ng pelikula ang mag-anak na Cruz, pinagsama sina Ricky Belmonte at Tirso sa “Ricky na, Tirso Pa” isinama naman sa magpinsan si Pilar Pilapil. Tinapatan ng Tower ng isang pelikula ni Nora ang pelikula ng mga Cruz. Resulta: mas maraming nanood sa pelikula ni Nora. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Gusto ng mga fans na maging magkatambal sina Nora at Tirso. Sinagot ng VP Pictures ang kahilingang ito sa pamamagitan ng “Young Love.” Bukod kina Tirso at Nora ay isinaman pa ang mga young ones na sina Vilma Santos at Edgar Mortiz. Patok sa takilya!…” – Romy Galang, Pilipino Magazine, 18 February 1970 (READ MORE)

Stoned Remembrance – “…It was a wild, wild parade but the fans and the superstars enjoyed every minute of it. For the Pilipino movie fan, it was more than just an outing. He saw his favorite movie celebrity at the closest range possible. For the movie star, the wild response was more than a gauge of his popularity. A crowd close to 500,000 people bucked the hot afternoon sun to watch their movie personalities in a parade ushering in the seventh Manila Film Festival. The crowd paralyzed traffic in the downtown areas up to the late last night…The parade started at 3 p.m. and ended past 8 p.m. at the foot of the Quezon bridge…The biggest response was given to Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. Wearing pink ang black kimonos, the two superstars threw sampaguita flowers along the way as their fans, yelling friendship, waved their pointed thumbs wildly…The other float with the wildest applause was that carrying Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, who will appear in “Remembrance,” a Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Presentation. However, the float was stoned twice and it left the parade before it reached the Jones Bridge…” – Romeo J. Arceo, Philippines Sunday Express, 18 June 1972 (READ MORE)

Vice presidential choices – “…Nationwide, Poe emerged as the preferred choice for vice president, obtaining an approval rating of 24%, followed by Escudero with 20%. Roxas was a distant 3rd with 8%, followed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 7%, and Cayetano with 6%. The 6th spot was a tie among 4 who included Marcos Jr, Kris Aquino, Lacson, and Batangas Governor and actress Vilma Santos Recto, who each got 5%. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the second senator embroiled in the pork barrel scam, obtained a 4% rating. In the lower bracket were 4 other legislators – Senators Benigno “Bam” Aquino and Revilla who each got 3%, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito who got 2%, and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo who obtained 1%. In the National Capital Region, perceived to be home to the most critical and politically aware voters, Poe (25%) and Escudero (24%) were favorite vice presidential bets. Poe rated better than Escudero in the balance of Luzon, getting a 27% approval rating compared to Escudero’s 21%. The difference between the two top contenders was also more pronounced in Mindanao, with Poe getting 21% compared to Escudero’s 16%. Visayas respondents were almost evenly split, with 22% going for Poe and 20% going for Escudero…” – Chay F. Hofileña, Rappler, 29 Apr 2014 (READ MORE)

A Different “Grand Slam” (Ate Vi Scores A Victory But in a Different Arena) – When President Benigno Aquino III conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award on actress politician Vilma Santos-Recto, the Batangas Governor likened it in winning a “Grand Slam”- a showbiz citations given out by major award-giving bodies for a single movie. The last time she achieved that feat was in 2002, when she did Chito S. Roño helmed “Dekada ’70.” The two-term governor indicated that the Lingkod Bayan Award is just as special, maybe even more so than the Best Actress trophies she has collected over the years. “It recognized my hard work in public service. I think I am the only governor in the line-up. This is a different world from showbiz. This is not just a best actress-award. I’ve received other award awards fro government service in the past, but this is my first national recognition. Plus it was handed out by President Auino at Malacañang.” The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is handed out yesterday by the Civil Service Commission and is the highest honor a public servant can receive in the Philippines. Governor Vi was one of many awardees this year, for her effort to end the persistent overcrowding in Taal Lake and reduce fish kills. After the awarding ceremony, which was held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang on September 19, she said she was eager to show her award to her constituents, calling the achievements “team effort.” I couldn’t have achieved all this on my own. I’m excited to show the plaque and medal to the people in the capitol. They worked side by side with me in pursuing my different programs in the province. Our secret in Batangas is teamwork.” Among this year’s other awardees was the late Department of Interior Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash on August 18 2012. His daughter, Aida was on hand to receive his award. Governor Vi also had her lovedones there – her husband, Senator Ralph Recto, and sons, Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian Recto. After the ceremony, Governor Vi head back home to Batangas, there to resume work again. For her, it’s just another work day, much like the one she has when doing a movie, but delivering a different kind of satisfaction. – Roldan Mauricio, Star Studio Magazine, November 2012

Focus on Burlesk Queen – Celso Ad Castillo’s “Burlesk Queen”surpasses past attempts to integrate cinematic qualities in a firlm and Castillo’s own previous experiments, which critics found bombastic and purely commercial, like no other film by Castillo or other directors. “Burlesk Queen”with synchronized techniques and the significance of its messagfe successfully gives substance to the trendy subject of sex-for-sale. Castillo’s creativity is seen in the use of radio drama and music, meaningful gestures, and visual metaphors to dramatic situations. Lucid exposition and delineation of the conflict are carried out through particular techniques like ensemble acting to reveal the individual characters’ needs, emphasis on visual details rather than talky dialogues to drive home a point, and active camera movements (cuts) to suggests the passage of time in the burlesque dance’s career. The tragic ending is prepared for a logical presentation of what happens eventually to all characters. – Ananymous

Vilma Santos to team-up with Christopher de Leon? – “…They’ve been perennial love-team partners in countless movies, and now Ms. Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon are speculated to be teaming up once more, and this is for their political ambitions. Mayor Vi was reported to be running for a congressional seat, but if she’s partnering with Boyet, it must only be as governor and vice governor of Batangas. So what will happen to acting Governor Ricky Recto, brother of Senator Ralph Recto who’s Mayor Vi’s husband? Will Mayor Vi run against her brother in-law?…” – Manila Bulletin, 11 Feb 2007

Mowelfund pays tribute to Filipino Movie Greats – “…The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) presents a grand production to pay tribute to Filipino movie greats and at the same time increase awareness about and raise funds for Mowelfund. Slated on Feb 23, the Mowelfund Tribute to Filipino Mopvie Greats, will honor stars from today and yesteryears who have made tremendous contribution to the Filipino movie industry. Comedians Nanette Inventor and Leo Martinez will be the hosts for the night. Confirmed presentors and participants include Vilma Santos, Sen. Bong Revilla, Christopher de Leon, Rudy Fernandez, Sunshine Cruz, Cesar Montano, Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, Philip Salvador, Toni Gonzaga, and many more. To be honored with grand production numbers by today’s top stars are: Don Jose Nepomuceno, producer of the first Filipino silent film; National Artist Atang de la Rama, the queen of zarzuela and kundiman; legendary screen loveteam Rogelio de la Rosa and Carmen Rosales; Rosa del Rosario, the very first Darna of Philippine Cinema. Movie starwarts will also pay homage to the immortal memory of the King of Philippine Movies and National Artist for Film Fernando Poe Jr., the King of Philippine comedy Dolphy; and former President Joseph Estrada, founder of Mowelfund. Mowefund aims to ensure that marginalized movie workers can still enjoy social security despite tough times in the business. Affirming the invaluable contributions of various art forms in the crucial beginnings of local cinema in teh country – from literature to music to theater and even fasion design, the Mowelfund fundraising tribute to movie greats highlights the crossing over of these defining cultural elements in the history of Philippine movies. An exhibit of the Ani Awardees will be held at the Aliw Theater Lobby from Feb 17-23…” – Manila Bulletin, 11 Feb 2007

Ani Awards – “…The Awards celebrates a bountiful harvest in the unifying spirit that wold hold the industry together. It is a glittering testimonial to a lifetime dedication, hardwork, and perseverance in the pursuit of excellence by the Filipino public of a revered Filipino film artist,” shares Mowefund executive-director Boots Anson-Roa. Mowefund aims to ensure that marginalized movie workers can still enjoy social security despite tough times in the business…” – Crispina Martinez-Belen, Manila Bulletin, 20 February 2007

From Fashion to Films and Back – “…Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in “Breakfast in Tiffany’s (1961) did not just stay on the silver screen. It went on to become a classic shift dress that is still being worn today in varying styles all over the world. It si the other way around for “The Devil Wears Prada” where Miranda Priestly played by Meryl Streep took the best creations of international designers to the screen. Needless to say, television and movies dictate fashion, through in a subtle way. “Even from the early days of fashion, what people see on the movie have really played a big influence on what people want to wear in real life. Even with us designers, when clients come to us, they always ask us the popular artists that we have dressed up,” says designer Edgar San Diego, FDAP chairman. To show the synergy between film and fashion, the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will stage a fashion revue in music and dance showing the glamour era of Philippine movies at the first ever Ani Awards, Mowelfund (Movie Workers Welfare Foundation) Tribute to Filipino Movie Greats…desiners will present their creations inspired by the likes of the personalities and roles portrayed by Rosa Rosal, Rogelio de la Rosa, Carmen Rosales, Ric Rodrigo, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, and Sharon Cuneta…The era of stellar actresses like Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor showcased a more down-to-earth fashion…” – Manila Bulletin, 20 February 2007

Mini LP Fad – “…The mini-LP fad is fast catching fire for love duets. For Alpha, there is a mini by Nora Aunor and Manny de Leon; for Wilear’s minis are by Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan and Hilda Koronel; and for Vicor, mini is by Perla Adea and Tirso Cruz III. The mini has four selections and plays at 33 1/2. The retail price is now 6 peso (US $1)…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 04 July 1970

Film Premiere Draws 28 Philippines Record Artists – “…Twenty eight of the Philippines’ young recording artists singing in English presented one song at the gala premiere night of the locally produced film “Haydee” at the Rizal Theater in suburban Makati. The impressive convergence was a first in the Philippine entertainment history. But because it was for charity, local producers and artists gave all-out cooperation. Proceeds of the “Haydee” premiere were earmarked for the 1970 Awit Awards, the Philippine’s versions of the U.S. Grammys. Five record companies were represented in the two-hour on-stage attractions – Alpha Recording System, D’Swan Recording System, Vicor Recording, Villar Records, and Willears Records. The Alpha artist were Eva Vivar, Baby Alcaraz, Geraldine and Jay Ilagan. The D’Swan artists were Ernie Garcia, Jonathan Potenciano, Linda Alcid, and Eddie Peregrina. Singer-pianist Baby de Jesus guested under the label. The Vicor artists were Eric Dimson, Boy Mondragon, Freddie Esguerra, Sonny Cortez, Millie Mercado, Victor Wood, Perla Adea and Tirso Cruz III. Villar was represented by Roggie Nieto. The Willear’s artists were Alice Cerrudo, Raul Aragon, Raquel Montessa, Elizabeth Ledesma, Romy Mallari, Esperanza Fabon, Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz and Ed Finlan. The back-up group was the Blinkers…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 06 June 1970

Nobo Bono Jr. – “…There is a scramble among record companies to sign “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” national champion Nobo Bono Jr. The singer is contracted with the Talent Center of ABS-CBN which acts as his agent and personal manager. Bono is appearing weekly with Willear’s artists Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos in the new live TV series titled “The Young Ones” on Channel 2…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 08 Aug 1970

Hawaiian LP – “…Willear’s issued a Hawaiian LP titled “Aloha My Love” by Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz. It is a soundtrack of the film of the same title which is scheduled for exhibition here…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 11 March 1972

Wilear’s Top Company in Phlippine Awards – “…The third annual presentation of the Awit Awards was held at the Manila Hotel with Senator Doy Laurel of the Philippine Congress as guest of honor and principal speaker. The sponsoring group was the Philippine Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (PARAS). The event criticized in the local circle because of its unpopular results and deglamourized presentation, gave posthumous awards of merit to Frankie Martin, a juror last year, and Santiago Suarez, one of Filipino musical starwarts. The founder of the Awit Awards, Billboard correspondence Oskar Salazar, was also honored. Wilear’s Records scored heavily in the awards this year. The foreign division was permanently scrapped. Two major companies, Villar Records and Dyna Products, Incl did not submit nominations this year. The 1970 winners are…Record Company of the Year – Wilear’s Records; Song of the Year – “Forever Loving You” by Bert Dominic (Billboard); Best Single – “Sixteen” by Vilma Santos (Wilear’s)…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 14 August 1971

The Wonderful World of Music – “…The Wonderful World of Music,” produced by Tagalog Ilang-Ilang, was judged best musical in the Manila Film Festival. The picture stars Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, both artists of Wilear’s…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 24 July 1971

Internation Talent Directory – “…Vilma Santos (Vocalist, Wilear’s Records: The Sensations (LP); Sixteen (single & LP); Sweethearts (LP); Sweet Sweet Vilma (LP). PA: Cebu City, Ilo-ilo City, Olongapo City. TV: Edgar Loves Vilma, Oh My Love, The Sensations; Films: Angelica, Love Letters, My Pledge of Love, Our Love Affair, The Sensations, The Wonderful World of Music. Awards: Loveteam of the Year, Queen of Philippine Movies. PM: William C. Leary…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 04 July 1970

Second Album – “…Wilear’s Records will come with the second LP of Vilma Santos to be titled “Sweet Sweet Vilma…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 26 September 1970

Remembrance – “…Film artist Walter Navarro (Vicor) will have his first LP, “King of Balladeers,” this month. He is a contract star of Lea Productions and principal mainstay of the El Bodegon Club. Navarro is doing a film musical with Vilma Santos (Wilear’s) with Mirick Productions…Remembrance, another film musical, was chosen “best musical” in the Manila Film Festival. The film stars Vilma Santos (Wilear’s) and Edgar Mortiz (Wilear’s). The film also won in the categories of best film editing, best sound, and best script…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 29 July 1972

Tie sa FAMAS – “…Dalawa ang Best Actress sa gabing iyon. Nangangahulugang kapwa mabigat ang labanan at walang itulak kabigin kina Boots Anson Roa at Vilma Santos kaya minabuti ng inampalang na bigyan kapwa ng Best Actress na sina Boots at Vilma…” – Aruy Tapusan Komiks Magasin, 19 Hunyo 1973

Ate Vi Trivia – “…Vilma Santos (born Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos, November 3, 1953), tinaguriang “Star for All Seasons,” siya ang kauna-unahang babaeng gobernador ng Batangas. Siya rin ang kauna-unahang babaeng mayor ng Lipa City. The only actress na nanalo ng three consecutive years as best actres sa Urian Awards (the country’s film critics awards body) para sa kanyang mga pelikulang Relasyon (1982), Broken Marriage (1983), at Sister Stella L (1984). Hindi siya nanalo ng kahit isang best actres award sa mga pelikulang dinirek ng the late, great Lino Brocka. Unang aktress sa Philippine movies na naka-grand slam nung 1983 as best actress for her performance in Relasyon (1982) from the Catholic Mass Media, Urian, Film Academy and FAMAS awards-giving bodies. Si Ate Vi ang pinakamaraming Gawad Urian awards sa industriya ng showbiz, tallying 8 wins, 5 additional nominations (all for Best Actress) and 2 special awards for being the best actress of the ’80s and the ’90s!…” – Hi Magazine, December 2007

Would it be Good Karma? – One of the most misunderstood occult concepts. The nearest equivalent in European thought is contained in the idea of fate, though the oriental term indicates that fate is not a haphazard sequence of events of experiences, but is dependent on actions of previous lives or spiritual conditions. The idea is that a spirit undertakes to live in an earthy body for a given period of time, usually in order to learn something which cannot be learned in a disembodied state, and has to accept rewards and punishments for good and bad deeds committed in previous incarnations. In order that understanding may grow, any evil committed against another person will have to experienced by the perpetrator. The working out of Karma is not done consiously by ordinary people. The real reasons for the majority of peopleès actions and relationships may be understood only when the nature of their Karma is grasped -which is virtually impossible to understand or judge another person when seen in the context of one material lifetime only. Vilma Santos fits the role to a T. For the past years that she has suffered a string of misfortunes and setbacks in real and reel life, she has honed herself as promise, a common objective: to give the viewing pubic what it wants – entertainment with a capital E. For Danny Zialcita, aside from having a good screenplay, good direction and brilliant actors and actresses, the movie should have artistic values. Karma promises to be a very good vehicle not only for Zialcita but also for Vilma Santos and the rest of the cast. Will this movie be a good Karma for director Danny Zialcita, Vilma Santos and the rest of the cast? It’ll be a different kind of feeling you’ll get after viewing it. – Bong de Leon, Jingle Extra Hot Magazine, 02 November 1981, Reposted at: Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

Sparring Partner – Marahil ay napapansin ninyong lagi nang kasama sa Superstar Show ni Nora Aunor kung linggo and dalawang ito, sina Arnold at Eddie, (Ang hiuli ay kapatid na bunso ni Nora at mahal na mahal niya). Mainstay na sila sa TV show na ito, at nakakatuwa naman sila. Kailan lamang nagkakilala sina Eddie at Arnold ngunit kung makikita ninyo sila, aakalain ninyong matagal na silang magkaibigan. Kapag walang klase, lagi silang magkasama. Kung hindi si Arnold ang nasa bahay nina Eddie, si Eddie ang nasa bahay nina Arnold. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang magulang ni Arnold, at higit si Nora, pagkat nakikita niyang maligaya ang kanyang kapatid sa pakikipaglaro sa bagong kaibigan. At alam naman ninyo, ang mahal ng kapatid niyang ito ay mahal din niya. Kami naman ay natutuwa sa pagsasamahan ng dalawang batang ito kung kaya isang araw na naroon kami sa Greenhills residence ni Nora ay naakit kaming kunan ng pictorial ang magkaibigang ito na sa tingin namin ay tunay na sparring partner. – Ric S. Aquino, December 25, 1972, Unknown Entertainment Magazine posted by Arnold Gamboa on his Facebook page.

A Personal Survey – The Top 10 RP Movie Queens – “…Here is the attempt of one cineaste who has seen too many Tagalog films. See if you will agree with the list…1. Vilma Santos (1953-) Longevity is her weapon. To her credit is a mighty record of box-office successes and a stellar collection of film and public service awards. The 80s made her not only the number one film actress of the land. She became the highest-paid actress and constantly in-demand as a product endorser. Hosting-wise, she was phenomenon on TV’s Vilma! Vilma Santos-Recto is a picture of the ultimate movie queen. She is the prime example of an artist who has gone through several re-inventions. Ate Vi’s most important traits are her versatility, he willingness to learn, and her courage to always try something new. Her sincere appreciation of followers and fans also contributed to her status as the Star for All Seasons. Score Card: Longevity: 1960s-2000s, 5 decades; Artistic Achievements: Excellent; Box-office Records: Excellent…” – Rendt Viray, INsider The Entertainment Weekly, 12 December 2007

#OscarSalasar, #Remembrance, #SweetSweetVilma, #Sixteen, #Wilear, #Billboard, #EvaVivar, #BabyAlcaraz, #Geraldine, #JayIlagan, #DSwan, #ErnieGarcia, #JonathanPotenciano, #LindaAlcid, #EddiePeregrina, #BabydeJesus, #Vicor, #EricDimson, #BoyMondragon, #FreddieEsguerra, #SonnyCortez, #MillieMercado, #VictorWood, #PerlaAdea, #TirsoCruzIII, #Villar, #RoggieNieto, #AliceCerrudo, #RaulAragon, #RaquelMontessa, #ElizabethLedesma, #RomyMallari, #EsperanzaFabon, #VilmaSantos, #EdgarMortiz, #EdFinlan, #FAMAS, #fviray2017

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Book Launching of “Movie Queen”

Posted on February 13, 2017 by @ffv Standard

ARTICLES - Movie Queen

February 13, 2007, Tuesday – Haller mga co-Vilmanians around the world! Musta na kayo? Meron na naman akong ise-share sa inyo. Pero bago ito let me greet everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day…..and also Happy Feast Day kay Father Juancho G. de Leon aka Father J or Dre, the first Filipino parish priest ng St. Valentine, New Jersey, US of A dahil tomorrow, February 14, 2007 ang fiesta sa kanilang parish. Ang aking ikukwento ngayon ay ang book launching of “Movie Queen.” Pagbuo Ng Mito at Kapangyarihang Kultural ng Babae sa Lipunan by Cesar D. Orsal, Ph. D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences sa Trinity University of Asia (well, for your information, silent Vilmanian itong si Dr. O. di ba Jojo Lim?). Sa invitation na ibinigay mismo ng author ng libro ay nakalagay na magsisimula ang programa ng mga 2PM at the Mandell Hall Auditorium, Trinity University of Asia at 275 E. Rodriguez, Sr. Avenue, Cathedral Heights, Quezon City. Dumating ako sa Trinity University of Asia ng mga 1:20PM at habang hinihintay ko si Jojo at Nar Santander sa entrance ng school, ay nakita kong may mga nag-parehistrong mga Noranians na naka-uniform ng Ganap. Nang makalayo na yung mga Noranians (2 lang naman sila) ay nagkatawanan kami nung lady guard sabay komento nung guard na. “aba at buhay pa pala ang mga fans ni Nora Aunor.”

Nang dumating si Jojo ay agad kaming pumasok ng school at dumeretso sa Mandell Hall Auditorium. Nakita agad namin ang author ng libro na si Dr. O (kilala namin personally ni Jojo itong si Dr. O) at agad naming binati habang ang mga Noranians ay nakamasid lang sa amin. Bumili kami ni Jojo ng libro sabay comment ni Jojo ng “si Vi talaga ang tunay na Reyna dahil s’ya ang nasa itaas ang picture” (please see attach file) sabay ngiti naman nung nagbebenta ng libro. Sa unahan kami umupo ni Jojo at maya maya naman ay dumating na din si Nar. Sinabi ni Nar na narinig daw niya na sinabi nung isang Noranian na si Vilma lang daw ang pangalawa kay Nora Aunor (haller!.. 2007 na tayo noh.. wala na tayo sa DEKADA ’70…..matatapos na nga ang term ni Lipa City Mayor Vi juice ko po itik…..na naging pato…..itaas pa ba ang kanilang idolo…na hindi naman ka-ido-idolo…di ba naman Henry Llaneza?…anong masasabi mo Kuya Mar Garces?…huwag na bang patulan?…oo naman yan ang aming ginagawa…..matuk!). Eniwey nagsimula ang programa ng a little bit past 2PM via Invocation led by Ms. Gracia Sarao…na sya ding tumayong program host…na sinundan ng singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Ang director ng Research Center na si Dr. Angelita Bugnalen ang nag-opening remarks…..followed by an introduction of the author and lecturer by Ms. Lourdes Genevieve Martirez, PACSA President, Trinity University of Asia Chapter.

Sa lecture: Babae sa Pelikula at ang Pagbuo ng Kapangyarihang Kultural ng author na si Cesar D. Orsal, Ph. D. ay in-aknowledge ni Dr. O ang mga taong nakatulong sa pagbuo ng book launching na ito kasama na ang mga Noranians at Vilmanians (of course). Nang mabanggit ang pangalan ni Nora Aunor ay sigawan ang mga Noranians (para tuloy naging Awards Night ang okasyon). Ang sumigaw ay yung Noranian na nakasagutan namin sa programa ni Korina Sanchez…siya din yung taong nakasagutan ni Obet Sapin nung ipinalabas sa NCCA ang dalawang pelikula ni Ate Vi na Tag-ulan Sa Tagaraw at Love Letters samantalang si Nora Aunor ay isang pelikula lang…nagrereklamo siya sa organizer kung bakit isang movie lang ni Nora Aunor ang ipinalabas….hehehe…siya din ang isa sa mga nag-walk out sa Star Awards nang manalo si Ate Vi sa Mano Po 3: My Love…at sinabi pang nag-Intsik lang…nanalo na…siya din yung taong iniipon sa plastic ang mga upos ng sigarilyo ni Nora Aunor…siya din yung nasunugan ng bahay na ang iniligtas muna ay ang mga clippings ni Nora Aunor at hindi yung mga religious articles…siya din yung fan na nang magtampo kay Nora Aunor ay pumunta sa Vilma Show sa Broadway Centrum at nag-a-apply para maging Vilmanian. Lingunan ang mga estudyanteng nanonood.

Nang mabanggit naman ang pangalan ni Vilma Santos ay palakpak lang ang ginawa naming tatlo nina Jojo at Nar…subali’ t yung mga estudyanteng nanonood ay pumalakpak at sumigaw pa ng mas malakas pa sa mga Noranians para kay Ate Vi. May isa pa ngang estudyante…na katabi namin na sumigaw ng “basta ako ay para kay Ate Vi,” di ba Nar? May mga ipinakitang film clips ng mga Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Ipinakita sina Gloria Romero: Golden Girl of Philippine Cinema, Nida Blanca: Reyna ng Komedya, Babaeng Galawgaw, Susan Roces: First Lady of Philippine Cinema, Amalia Fuentes: Reyna ng Kagandahan, Nora Aunor: Superstar ng Masa, Vilma Santos: Star For All Seasons, Sharon Cuneta: Megastar, Maricel Soriano: Diamond Star, Rosanna Roces: Reyna ng Makabagong Magdalena, Kris Aquino: Cross Over Queen, Game Show Queen, Judy Ann Santos: Phenomenal Star of the Millenium. Pagkatapos ng lecture ni Dr. O…ay ang isang song number ni Mr. Danilo Ito, isang professor sa College of Education…na Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako. Halatang Noranian si Mr. Ito dahil nagbiro pa sya na sana daw…sa cover ng libro ay si Nora Aunor ang nasa itaas ang picture (sorry ka na lang sir…..Vilmanian si Dr. O).

Habang umaawit si Mr. Ito ng kanyang pangalawang awitin na Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas ay may mga estudyanteng pa-isa isang lumalabas ng Mandell Hall Auditorium…bakit kaya? Pagkatapos ng awitin ng isang Noranian ay ang Introduction of the Book by Mrs. Bezalie Uckung, Executive Director of New Day Publishers, Inc…then ang Book Review ni Mr. Ricky Lee, Film and TV Scriptwriter (isa pa ring Noranian). Ang Presentation of Appreciation to Dr. Cesar D. Orsal ay iginawad ni Mrs. Bezalie Uckung and after the program ay ang signing of the books by the author. Unang nagpapirma ay si Mr. Ricky Lee na kinausap pa namin ni Jojo at sinabing mga Vilmanians kami. Alam pala ni Ricky na may gagawing pelikula si Vi at si John Lloyd at palagi daw may revision sa script. Well…anong masasabi mo, Franco Gabriel? Si Nar, si Jojo at si ako ay nagpapirma na din ng libro kay Dr. O. Around 3:45PM na natapos ang programa at agad na kaming lumabas ng school. So….yan muna ang aking maikling kwento (maikli daw o….). – Alfonso Valencia, V Magazine, December 2009 (READ MORE)

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TSS’ Stars of 1970s

Posted on December 30, 2016 by @ffv Standard Reply

1:00 PM Summer: 7 Stars in Special Sunday Session – Summertime. And Sunday too. So it started like a summer day. Casual yet exciting. Carefree and promising. With a lot of expectations for the moment ahead. So it was with having seven young stars around, TSS Stars ’70: Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, Nora Aunor, Eddie Peregrina, Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan, and Hilda Koronel (in the order of their arrivals). There they were, prompt in their youth, bubbly in their youth, unassuming in their confident in their success amid an ancient backdrop, the UST Pharmacy Gardens. When age and youth meet in such a dramatic setting, there is bound to be communication, reaction, combustion. Effects! And what is a more fitting place to spend an early summer afternoon than staid, old UST with young, alive radiant stars for company and that peculiarly romantic, nostalgic summer air. And when the yound stars started posing, smiling, obliging and when the cameras went on clicking, popping shuttering and when scribes began talking, laughing directing, the summer day with its flair, laziness and air became an impromptu ball for all concerned. One fun-filled episode of a lifetime. A slice of real life to be kept in one’s heart for the memory. Now, you may wonder why we have seven successful young star this issue when TSS launched only six last January?

Blame the whole mess on Ed Finlan. Blame it on his personality, his promise, his name that just can’t be ignored. Blame it all on the zooming career of Edward Walter Valdes Finlan. So the special seven. On this photo-session hangs a story. A story of hope coupled with a little confusion from that time Kuya Bert planned to put out another issue as a follow-up. Timely enough. After all TSS started the whole pakulo. The session itself was postponed three times – just to be assured of the attendance of all – including Nora Aunor who missed it that first round. Every time it was moved to another date, we lost face some wasy, especially to Pip’s Mommy Elma with whom we played ulianin by reminding her each time we met. That first time, it was called off. Edgar and Vilma were in Baguio City for shooting. The next date, everybody can’t make it with TV programs and last time shooting to do. So it was finalized on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 piyem. It would have been Fort Santiago as rendezvous but Sunday is Sunday in the forth with the usual Sunday crowd being there. Why not a school campus since graduation and demos were in the air? And the stars came beyond modest expectation, ahead of schedule. Vilma Santos came with her Mommy Mila and Papa Amado. Tirso Cruz III came with uncle Joey and a group of friends while Nora entered the scene with a few fans.

A Mustang (aba, bago!) ushered in Eddie Peregrina with his man Friday. Edgar Mortiz with Dad Celso adn Mom Lucy with fans Angge, Mario Cay, Luz Orellano and Araceli Paraiso. Ed Finlan arrived with his usual confident self. And Hilda came with Mila Parawan to complete the magnificence. At little confusion resulted. It began with a comedy of errors. With Vilma, Pip, Nora and Eddie, there was only scribe Ched Gozales to entertain them and out they were in the Pharmacy Gardens before one one o’clock only to be told later taht the assembly point was the UST Arch along España. Under the heat of the summer sun, the group went to the Arch only to be told that the locale would actually be the Gardens. Since after all, a big number of movie fans and onlookers had already started to form at the UST entrance. The merry excited entourage made its way to the Gardens once again. Ed Finlan with his shocking humor and equally color-shocking attire of yellow shirt with loud-striped pants under the golden sun was summer in motion. Vilma on the other hand had a ball ribbing Eddie Peregrina for being “mayabang kasi Edong ka na ngayon.” Edgar Mortiz was extra solicitous and ultra-PR conscious that time. Hilda did her thing – more of a girl, rather than woman with self-conscious laughter and sweet and pretty flair. Pip was surprisingly in his calm self and ruffled impeccable long sleeve shirt.

Eddie Peregrina was in paisley with that typical Peregrina grin. Nora, quiet and lady-like with a few smile here an a wave of hand there, was in a blue-orchid print. Hilda was the only one in pantsuit, a purple hablon, and she stood out really. Ditto with Haydee’s make-up and hair color on Ed. Oh what they had to forego just to make it to the appointment on time. Edgar and Vilma came from ABS where they had My Love For You at noon. But before that, Edgar came from Sta. Teresita Church where he acted as baptism sponsor. Hilda and Ed came from the Haydee set and they were expected back there in two. Pip was in a rush too, from ABS and then to the bingo social of his fans at their compound and the photo session as far as he was concerned. Eddie Peregrina had an appointment at 2:30 and it was Nora it seems who took her own sweet time. The Gardens yielded an old well, a gazebo-like concrete structure for photographic effects and possibilities. At half-past one, the poses were planned, the shots called for and everyone appearing swell putting their best faces forward, looking deserving of the TSS choice. An old well, very symbolic really, for the first shot and when that first one popped, the sessions began. And for a good forty minutes, the cameras aimed to catch for eternity the faces, the stances, the poses with the smile and bravura of that early Sunday afternoon. After all, that was what the session called for! And after all, what are photos for but for catching, freezing, preserving what is today for tomorrow?

The atmosphere was kept livelieer, dramatic with some curiosity-seekign fans and a number of scribes and last-minute guests. There was Jusyo C. Justo popping out of nowhere with his OBBB, OBWB, CTS and BAB, Doddie Alvarez, Donnie Ramirez, Mercy Lejarde, Marina Reyes and Ched made their presence felt with summery get-up. Late arrivals were Rene Tiosejo for a look-see and Oskar Salazar with a brand new-opera glasses (but Romy Mallari and Roldan de Villa weren’t around). Zeny Peralta of Roper’s was there for someone’s moral support. Two mothers managed to snae some attention – Lucy Mortiz in pink pantsuit and the latest Christian Dior hairdo and Mommy Milagros Tuazon Santos in blue pantsuit, with their respective male halves of course. At twenty past two, Ernie Alfonso had used u his one and half rolls of color film while Bert Verlidas had two black rolls. There was Fred Garces of Roper’s jiving in. The session, the main part of it, was now over. After all the camera clicks, the 1-2-3 shots, the photographers’ directions and the frozen poses were done and the thank-you’s and see-you were said, still one is left with the thought that so far, so good. TSS Stars ’70 are still unspoiled byt success and we hope as one that they all stay that way. And there is something more left in the memory, something better felt than described. For how can such feeling, or any feeling at all for that matter, be caught and pinned down as words in print? I am attempting to that now but I know that it would be the pictures of that special session which will speak a thousand words, a thousand feelings, a thousand hopes. Pictures, eloquent and feeling-filled, with a history of their own! – Billy R. Balbastro, TSS Komiks, 1970 (READ MORE)

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Fine Film

Posted on December 12, 2016 by @ffv Standard

FILMS - Karma 3

The Technical preview of “Karma” the other night was delayed for about an hour but I didn’t mind waiting because I was quite certain that I’d be seeing a fine film. To while away the time, “Firecracker”, co-starring American actors with local talents like Chanda Romero, Vic Diaz and Rey Malonzo was shown. Chanda and Vic delivered their lines themselves but surprisingly Rey didn’t. Before one whole reel could roll, the prints of “Karma” arrived. “Don’t stop it yet, a bed scene is coming,” Mario Bautista protested.

FILMS - Karma 2 Happily, “Karma” turned out to be as good as I expected. It’s performers are first-rate – Vilma Santos, Ronaldo Valdez, Tommy Abuel, Chanda Romero – so their award-winning acting didn’t surprise me at all. The script was outstanding but even that was expected, coming from director Danny Zialcita. What impressed me was that minor parts were played by name actors. The housekeeper who appeared in one short sequence could have been played by any elderly woman but those who made the movie wanted nothing less than Etang Discher. The psychiatrist could have been played by any decent-looking man but they didn’t settle for anybody less than Vic Silayan. The male lover at the start of the story had to be acted out by Dante Rivero, that at the end by Christopher de Leon.

The movie boasted of several bold scenes. Those involving Vilma weren’t much as we know for a fact that Vilma could show only so much. One scene showing Chanda was a different story. It showed her with absolutely nothing on, yet it didn’t offend anybody as it was executed in style, shot with great care. There was just one thing which looked unnatural to me – the way in which one of the main characters killed himself. “That’s all right,” Danny assured me. “Before we shot it, we doublechecked its possibility.” Reincarnation and transference are undoubtedly mindboggling subjects but, to his utmost credit, Danny managed to present them simply, bringing them down for everybody to understand. “Bala lang yan. Katawan lang ito. Babalik at babalik kami sa mundong ito,” Dante vowed. Come back they did as they promised building the foundation of the story. – Bob Castillo, People’s Journal, 12 December 1981 (READ MORE)

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Post Election 2016 (Photos and Videos)

Posted on May 22, 2016 by @ffv Standard Reply

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Everything About Her (Videos) 3/3

Posted on January 30, 2016 by @ffv Standard

Basic Information – Direction: Joyce Bernal; Cast: Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos, Michael De Mesa, Noni Buencamino, Khalil Ramos, Alexa Ilacad, Robert Villar, Nor Domingo, Vangie Labalan, Niña Dolino, Devon Seron, Bart Guingona; Executive Producers: Malou N. Santos, Charo Santos-Concio; Production Company: Star Cinema; Language: Tagalog, English; Release Date: 27 January 2016; Country: Philippines; Also Known As: All of My Life

Plot Description – Powerful but ill-stricken business woman, Vivian Rabaya (Vilma Santos) navigates her complicated relationship with her caregiver, Jaica Domingo (Angel Locsin) and her estranged son, Albert Mitra (Xian Lim) in this story about acceptance, love and forgiveness. – IMDB (READ MORE)

#EverythingAboutHer, #AngelLocsin, #JoyceBernal, #VilmaSantos, #XiamLim

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Everything About Her (Videos) 2/3

Posted on January 29, 2016 by @ffv Standard Reply

#EverythingAboutHer, #AngelLocsin, #JoyceBernal, #VilmaSantos, #XiamLim

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Everything About Her (2016)

Posted on January 27, 2016 by @ffv Standard

“Pag nagkakamali ba ang nanay, di mo na siya nanay? Pag binigo ka niya, nababawasan ba ang pagkananay niya? Nanay pa rin kami. Nanay niya pa rin ako.” – Vivian Rabaya

“Di mo naman sinabing impakta ang potah!” – Jaica Domingo

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Basic Information – Direction: Joyce Bernal; Screenplay: Irene Villamor; Story: Mia Concio; Cast: Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Michael De Mesa, Nonie Buencamino, Khalil Ramos, Devon Seron, Alexa Ilacad, Jana Agoncillo, Vangie Labalan, Buboy Villar, Niña Dolino, Dante Ponce, Bart Guingona, Sharmaine Buencamino; Executive Producers: Malou N. Santos, Charo Santos-Concio; Production Company: Star Cinema; Official music video of the movie ‘Everything About Her’ titled ‘Something I Need,’ performed by Piolo Pascual and Morissette, Arranged by Paulo Zarate, Mixed and Mastered by Dante Tañedo; Original Song from band, One Republic; Music Production by Jonathan Manalo; Language: Tagalog, English; Release Date: 27 January 2016; Country: Philippines; Also Known As: All of My Life

Film Achievement – The film earned ₱15 million on its first day of release; As of February 5, 2016 the film has earned ₱100 million; The film is graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) and is rated PG (Parental Guidance) by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (Wikipedia); All-Time U.S. and Canada Box Office – Weekend of Feb. 12, 2016 -Feb. 14, 2016 Weekend Gross #32 $245,000; Cumulative Gross for two weeks: $1,248,700 (59,474,956.65 Philippine Peso); # of Theaters: 50 (NY Times); Star Cinema’s most heartwarming movie of the season, “Everything About Her,” has already earned P208M worldwide since it opened in cinemas. Star Cinema Ad Prom director Roxy Liquigan posted the good news via his Twitter account last February 16. (Star Cinema ABS-CBN)

Film Reviews – “…Please note that there may be other services under each category that you may be aware of. We recommend that this list be a starting off point to a more comprehensive search for services. The Housing Help Resource Tool Kit’s Housing Stability section has been updated to include these news resources as well. The story is simply told thus giving it a natural flow. The direction makes the film appealing for both millennials and non-millennials alike. You are almost tempted to wish and hope the film would end ala-Ishmael Bernal or ala-Lino Brocka. But Direk Bernal is into her own generation and knows her present audiences at the palm of her hand. Some dramatic scenes actually ended up funny but the actors were so versatile you end up laughing and in tears at the same time. Indeed, the performances of both lead actors and supporting cast were so compelling you felt almost everyone in the cast deserved an acting award. The surprise actor in the cast was Xian Lim who delivered not just a focused performance but a highly stirring one. His hospital scene with Vilma Santos was a stand-out one could hear people quietly sobbing behind me. Angel Locsin has no match as a supporting actress, the part of Nonie Buencamino (as the padre de familia) has all the hallmark of a good actor and the part of Shamaine Centenera Buencamino and Vangie Labalan (no matter how brief) registered with layers of pathos. Most of all, this could be Vilma Santos’ best performance todate. The transition of her character from corporate mogul to repentant mother revealed the true artist in her. The musical scoring blended with the story but my favorite part is the household scenes with the character of Vilma Santos noting the significance of the chandelier in the living room with a movement from Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in the background. The grandness of the music matched the leading character’s grand ambition. It is also gratifying to find classical music find its way in a family drama…” – Pablo A. Tariman, Arts News Service, 6 February 2016 (READ MORE)

“…Given that she plays a character that teeters towards caricature, Santos is tasked to humanize Vivian, which she does with astounding ease. She manifests a quiet understanding of the character, depicting the role of an uncomplicated woman without the histrionics that one often sees from comediennes who are required to portray dramatic roles and the discomfort that one often observes from serious thespians who are forced to be uncharacteristically comical. Locsin provides Santos more than ample support. She is charismatic and amiable but not to the point of patronizing a character that is written to champion the diligence of the working class, or in this film’s case, the members of the nursing profession. Their scenes together are mostly golden, with the two actresses effortlessly earning chuckles or tears from their innate understanding of their characters ludicrous situations. Lim plays the angst-ridden man-child well enough. The role only requires him to brood and be emotionally impenetrable. Unfortunately, when the story requires him to be softer, he persists to play the stoic son, squandering the opportunity to maximize a role that explores various spectrums of an adult who is still haunted by his childhood. Lim is simply unable to grant his character depth beyond calculated gestures, welling eyes and fumbled lines…It is a film that does not necessarily earn its fairy tale conclusion, but its efforts in allowing its audience to bask in feel-good escapism is not completely wrong. In the end, it deserves its rainbow, even though the rains that precede it is blanketed in all the conveniences formula affords. Bernal has the sense to treat all the tropes with levity, inflicting comedy when necessary, and then toning everything down when the story steers towards seriousness. This balancing act is commendable, as it results in a film that is initially silly and whimsical, but essentially heartfelt where it counts…” – Oggs Cruz, Rappler, 29 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Larger-Than-Life Portrayals – “…Vilma Santos’ latest starrer, “Everything About Her,” is a worthy addition to her pantheon of exceptional screen portrayals. Right from the get-go, she affirms her versatility by playing a “new” character for her, a powerful and abrasive property magnate who reduces her victims to quivering masses of protoplasm….the production’s thespic crown firmly rests on Vilma’s head, due to her daringly strong character choice and ability to come up with a suitable larger-than-life portrayal, despite her slight and light physical frame. Even more compellingly, Vilma is able to dig really deep and summon up the especially strong emotions needed to make her inordinately powerful character believable—while still being able to shift naturally and depict her at her most vulnerable. Finally, “Everything About Her” is a revelatory change of pace and tone for its director, Joyce Bernal, who’s usually identified with more light-hearted and “cheeky” film fare. Her adeptness at humor leavens this film’s tragic scenes, while not diluting them—a tough directorial feat to pull off! It’s a testament to Bernal’s maturing skills that she’s able to do it—and, in the process, show us a bracingly new facet and prism to her directorial scope and oeuvre…” – Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Generous to Co-stars – “…Vilma Santos diehards will not be disappointed as Ate Vi handles her role with much understanding. At first, the character is almost caricaturish, with people she interviews shown breaking down or throwing up after talking to her. But Ate Vi knows how to humanize her Vivian with little knowing nuances here and there. Even in her heaviest dramatic scenes, she shows an intrinsic understanding of Vivian by not resorting to histrionics. Hindi na niya dinadrama pa ang mga dramang eksena, even in that scene where Angel is expecting to be fired and she just says quietly: ‘Kunin mo ang putanginang gamot ko.’ And she is so generous to her co-stars in their scenes together, allowing them to shine on their own, especially to Xian Lim in that hospital scene where he delivers a long aria of how much he hates his mother. Honestly, we were feeling uncomfortable for Xian on how he’d handle that scene of a son haunted by an unhappy childhood, but in all fairness to him, he manages to acquit himself quite well. Since this is a production of Star Cinema, you can expect a feel good happy ending. There is the obligatory fairy tale romance between the caregiver and her boss’ son. In photos, they’re even shown being wed and having a baby. Needless, as far as we’re concerned but, hey, the movie has to be very family friendly. So give escapism a chance. We’re sure Director Joyce Bernal was told to treat it all with levity. And that’s exactly what she did. If you want a more serious film about a dying woman, watch Ate Vi’s similarly themed classic film directed by the other Bernal…” – Mario Escobar Bautista, Journal, 12 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Credit to Make-up Artists – “…That is where I found out from E.R. Tagle that the movie “Everything About Her” was showing at a nearby cinema house. He was all praises for it, so I told him that any movie starring Ms Vilma Santos was worth watching. I am happy to catch a few on TV. The following day, I had to drag myself out of bed, fearlessly cross our busy street, risking life and limb to see the movie. It wasn’t the last full show; it was only 12:15 noontime, and the movie was just starting. But already we had to rise for the Philippine National Anthem. I told our “street facilitators” from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (“The joy of being useful,” Opinion, 1/29/16) that anyone who can sing our national anthem and not choke up with emotions rising from their breasts and leaving a lump in their throats do not love their country enough. They agreed with me, but I have my doubts about the last sentence—about dying for my country. Well, if push comes to shove, maybe. As expected, the movie was excellent despite a few things, but the main thing was I enjoyed the movie, was fully entertained even if more than half of it had tears rolling down my cheeks and, to top it all, I didn’t have any tissues with me. I must say, the cinematography was something to rave about; the acting was superb, the leading man was handsome as he should be, and the two leading ladies’ acting skills were flawless. Some credit must go to the makeup artist whose skilled hands transformed Ms Vilma’s character into a tough and uncompromising business person. I regretted it had to end, and I stayed for the credits to find out who performed the theme song and to give a chance for the crowd in the ladies’ room to clear…” – Shirley Wilson de las Alas, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Pinakamahusay na aktres ng bansa sa kasalukuyang panahon – “…Mahusay si Vilma Santos sa kanyang papel bilang pangunahing tauhan ng pelikula. Sino pa bang kukuwestiyon sa kanyang husay bilang aktres? Wala na. Maituturing mo siya talagang pinakamahusay na aktres ng bansa lalo na sa kasalukuyang panahon. Every inch, every scene napakahusay. Dahil sa husay ng kanyang performance, mahirap malimutan ang pelikula at maaaring siya na uli ang best actress ng 2016. Makatuturan ang pagbabalik ni Vilma sa napakatalino niyang desisyong piling-pili ang uri ng ginagawa niyang pelikula. Mas effective sa akin si Xian Lim. Mahusay! Nauunawaan niya ang role niya. Sumabay talaga siya kay Vilma Santos na generously ay sinuportahan siya. Sa lahat ng eksena nila, nilalamon ni xian si Angel ng buung-buo. Napakasinsero umarte dito ni Xian na kita mong bawat bitiw niya ng emosyon ay galing sa puso…Sa kabuuan, typical Star Cinema pa rin ang pelikula. Maganda na sana pero dahil kailangang bigyan ng resolusyon lahat sa ending, pilit na pilit; very unrealistic; pumangit lang tuloy ang dulo. Ganda na sanang sa party na nag-end ang movie habang nagsasalita si Vivian (Vilma) at may hope na tatagal pa ang buhay niya. Bakit kailangan pang ipakita thru collage photos na kinasal at naging mag-asawa sina angel at xian?! Yuck! Ok na sana kahit wala silang romantic angle tatayo ang pelikula. To beginwith, mukhang tiyahing tibo ni Xian si Angel. Pero dahil Star Cinema nga ito, kailangang babuyin ng ganun ang ending ng pelikula na sinasabi nilang pang masa, na sa tutuo lang, iniinsulto nila di lang ang masa kundi ang mga manonood na nasa matinong pag-iisip…” – Ronaldo C. Carballo, Facebook, 08 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Symbolism of the Chandelier – “…The cinematic devices and motifs the film employs to drive its narrative have given it much advantage. Particularly noteworthy is the symbolism of the chandelier that Vilma is shown to gaze at in one of the many heartfelt moments of quiet drama the film boasts of. The convulsion scene is carried out in a single take that only an actress of Vilma’s caliber could ever pull off with much aplomb. Vilma proves her comic mettle and efficacy in at least two scenes. One is the long shot of an open field with her voice heard clarifying with her staff the exact number of executive people she is about to have an exclusive meeting with. Another is the one upstairs at her residence as she confronts Angel’s character with the latter’s wrongly sent phone text referring to Vilma’s character as a creature from hell and a whore…” – Nonoy L. Lauzon, Young Critics Circle Film Desk, 08 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 – “…Indeed, the performances of both lead actors and supporting cast were so compelling you felt almost everyone in the cast deserved an acting award. The surprise actor in the cast was Xian Lim who delivered not just a focused performance but a highly stirring one. His hospital scene with Vilma Santos was a stand-out one could hear people quietly sobbing behind me. Angel Locsin has no match as a supporting actress, the part of Nonie Buencamino (as the padre de familia) has all the hallmark of a good actor and the part of Shamaine Centenera Buencamino and Vangie Labalan (no matter how brief) registered with layers of pathos. Most of all, this could be Vilma Santos’ best performance todate. The transition of her character from corporate mogul to repentant mother revealed the true artist in her. The musical scoring blended with the story but my favorite part is the household scenes with the character of Vilma Santos noting the significance of the chandelier in the living room with a movement from Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in the background. The grandness of the music matched the leading character’s grand ambition. It is also gratifying to find classical music find its way in a family drama…” – Pablo A. Tariman, Arts News Service, 06 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Iconic Maternal Roles – “…Everything About Her has good and bad parts. This can probably be said about most Star Cinema movies — as the fulfillment of formula has made these qualities distinguishable, knowing where it goes well and where it nose-dives — but with Vilma Santos and Joyce Bernal, the desire to endorse it, and make a good case for it despite its inevitable shortcomings, is strong. It is convincing at first, from the start when the characters and conflicts are established and all the way through the piling up of challenges for both female characters. But in an effort to close it with something remarkable and leave the audience with warmth, it decides to be generic and resort to platitudes that dilute the inspired moments, in turn weakening what could have been a moving depiction of female (and maternal) strength. Ate Vi gets away with the many times she repeats herself (her approach and sentiment) from her previous movies, and this showcase of recognizable maternal roles makes her iconic in this regard. But Everything About Her does not find its soul in her but in Angel Locsin, delivering what could be one of the best Star Cinema characters in years…” – Richard Bolisay, Lilok Pelikula, 08 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Uber-Bitch – “…Vilma Santos has fun with her role, and she looks terrific. We do take issue with the scenes in which her character telegraphs to the audience that she’s not as bitchy as they think she is. As one who is extremely familiar with the species, a bitch does not care whether you like her or not. In fact an uber-bitch would prefer to be loathed so that she doesn’t waste time pandering to the tender feelings of people she doesn’t give a shit about. You know what words a bitch finds irritating? “You’re nice naman pala.” “Hugot” lines do nothing for us, but there is one line in the movie we especially like. In one scene, Vivian gets nauseous and starts to throw up on her bed. Jaica grabs Vivian’s designer bag and dives across the bed to catch it. “Kunin mo na rin yung Balenciaga bag ko,” Vivian says, deadpan, “Doon ko gustong sumuka uli.” Bitch, that’s a bitch…” – Jessica Zafra, Interaksyon, 05 February 2016 (READ MORE)

The Heart of the Story – “… Speaking of Albert, Xian Lim’s character was the central source of drama in the movie. The scenes of Vivian and Jaica were mostly comedic and amusing, but it was the introduction of Albert that brought more heart to the plot. Albert’s character is what drives the conflict – with Vivian struggling to re-establish ties with her son, and how Jaica’s job seemed to get more complicated with her feelings for Albert. Xian was definitely revelatory in this film, and my initial doubts of having him as the leading man faded with my impression that he’s only good for rom-coms. Surprisingly, he had great chemistry with Vilma Santos an Angel Locsin, and he was able to add more dimension to his otherwise uptight character by being emotional when needed. This and the fact that he had similarities with the features of Vilma Santos made it hard for me to think of anybody else more perfect for the role…Vilma Santos still has her charm and her performance was nothing short of remarkable. She was able to fuse the two sides of Vivian seamlessly together – one was this terror business magnate who’d go out of her way and ride a chopper to Tagaytay just so she could fire someone personally, and the other was this loving mother who longs for the forgiveness and embrace of her son. The role allowed her to once again showcase her versatility as an actress, and the heart and dedication that she gives out to every scene transcends effortlessly to the audience…Angel’s role was what brought comic relief and lightness to the story. She no doubt demonstrated her flexibility as an actress in the film however, there were several unnecessary comical moments from her character…” – Geoffrey Ledesma, GeoffReview, 03 February 2016 (READ MORE)

Biggest revelation – “…The iconic actress (Vilma Santos) embraces her character’s flaws and fortitude with affecting clarity in a superlative portrayal that is passionate but never coercive. Her meticulous insistence on honesty guarantees that no tear is unearned—and no emotion manipulated…Angel also comes up with a focused performance that, for the most part, benefits from the film’s propulsive dramatic proceedings…Xian may not have Angel’s earnestness or Vilma’s finely calibrated bravado, but he is the movie’s biggest revelation. He figures in some of the film’s most gripping dramatic sequences—and delivers his moving moments with aplomb. It doesn’t hurt that Xian is cast in a role that fits him to a T: Albert is distant, guarded and spiteful, and is armed with an emotional axe to grind! Bernal makes clever use of those elements to thrust the heretofore phlegmatic performer outside his self-limiting comfort zone. Result: Xian’s finest portrayal to date!…” – Rito P. Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 30 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Affectionate Charm – “…Whereas the film’s proceedings come across as yet another orchestration of a familiar film cliché, it strikes a chord by remaining adherent to a formula, that maybe too predictable at times, but nonetheless works because of its relatability. There is an affectionate charm in its humor and subtle comic attempts, and it massively works when injected on the film’s emotional moments. It is barely a surprise how Santos pulled off Vivian with undeniable credibility here. She delivers her character and its layers with profound depth, believability, and artistry that probaly only someone with her caliber, could do. On her character’s most heartbreaking moments, Santos delivers exactly what a woman faced with the wrath of death, while also struggling to reach out for a son she might probably don’t have enough time to spend together with, would feel and look like, an act she easily carried out with searing capacity. Locsin, on the other hand, has an equally impressive maneuver of Jaica, who on most occasions, is presented as the film’s comic effort, acting as one of the narrative’s heart and its very symbol of hope. The character is commendably pulled by Locsin with irresistible charm and affection, a capacity she maintains even on the character’s very own moments of breakdown. But the biggest commendation, perhaps, should go for Lim, who emerges here, with an unfamiliar but convincing versatility. This is probably the actor’s strongest performance yet, having gotten across with the necessary power required by his character, whose wounds and struggles are equally as deep and excruciating as his mother’s…Rating: 3.5 out of 4…” – LionhearTV, 27 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Most Effective Actress – “…The film highlights the importance of family during hard times and how these obstacles bring forth understanding and forgiveness. I find myself crying at times and relate to scenarios that, we somehow deny or refuse to accept…Vilma Santos kept her promise and profile. She remains one of the most effective actress for all season. Her execution brought tears to every single scene. Bernal successfully defined her character at the beginning of the movie. They approach Vivian as a figure in a time-honored character template in which a convenient plot mechanism allows the bitch to revisit sad chapters in her life so that we can understand that it was quite a life, indeed. But she failed to understand motherhood that her son suffered from missed opportunities being with her because of her profession. It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters…9/10…” – Rod Magaru, Rod Magaru Show, 28 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Familial Attachment – “…Innate to Bernal as a filmmaker is her unmistakable grasp in comedy. On crucial points where comic relief might not be necessary, her cast carries out effectively—not just to call for laughter but to keep the audience drawn to these characters, their motivations as well as their individual dilemmas. It is just nice to laugh it all off and see how these characters react and clash with one another. Aside from the kinky Balenciaga scene (“Kunin mo na rin ang Balenciaga bag ko. Do’n ko gustong sumuka ulit”), notable is that one where Jaica, after getting confused with the text message from the hospital head doctor, mistakenly sends a hate text message to Vivian. “Di mo naman sinabing impakta ang potah!” is such a winning line (or at least a memorable one at that)…In spite of the predictability of the story right from the very beginning, the entire ride is memorable, granted how the story is weaved without compromise—without fear that the audience would not stay put. As it wants to stir up sadness towards its ends, it controls itself by giving into the tested formula of the outlet. True enough, it works fine on that note. There is a stinging sensation at the end of the line but happy thoughts prevail and make use of its impact. Before the last frame, Vivian cries, “But in the end, even if we die alone, we need other people.” As we hold onto her last words, there is really much to relate to in her story as there is much to believe in ourselves. Familial attachment is everything about her. And we are more than familiar with that…” – J Bestillore, Cinemabravo, 27 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Final Title – “…Everything About Her ang final title ng pelikula nina Batangas Governor Vilma Santos at Angel Locsin. Hindi natuloy ang balak ng Star Cinema na lagyan ng salitang “life” ang pamagat ng pelikula dahil sa paniniwala na masuwerte kay Vilma ang mga project na may title na “life…” – Nitz Miralles, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 07 January 2016 (READ MORE)

Theme Song – “…Ayan, may playdate na ang All of My Life movie ni Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos sa Star Cinema at kung hindi magbabago, pang-opening salvo raw ng Star Cinema ang nasabing pelikula for 2016. Mula sa hit song ni Diana Ross ang All of My Life na ang theme song ay kakantahin ni Kyla. Teka, parang si Kyla na ang favorite ng Star Cinema at ABS-CBN na kumanta ng theme songs ng kanilang movies at teleserye. Anyway, marami na ang excited sa All of My Life dahil for the first time ay magkasama ang future magbiyenan na sina Gov. Vi at Angel Locsin. Wise decision ang pagba-backout ni Luis Manzano sa movie, iwas kontrobersya dahil tiyak na uusisain sila ni Angel sa kanilang relasyon…” – Nitz Miralles, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 21 October 2015 (READ MORE)