Brillante’s best birthday gift
Director nonpareil Brillante Mendoza turned another year more brilliant. His best birthday gift? “A handwritten card from my daughter, which says I’m the best dad in the world,” he said.
He just wrapped up filming “Prey,” a movie about the 2001 Dos Palmas hostage-taking and the controversial Lamitan siege, top-billed by Isabelle Huppert, Angel Aquino, Coco Martin and Sid Lucero. He is set to do an episode for “Maalaala Mo Kaya” about “no to mining” in Palawan.
His immediate plans for this new year in his charmed life? “I will keep on making projects and documentaries about my advocacy for the environment,” he said. “And films that tackle social issues.”
The Cannes Best Film director is not one who would rest on his laurels even if it happens to be a Palme d’Or.
Morning, noon, nighttime
If plans don’t miscarry, Aga Muhlach will be hosting a game show, a variety show and a docu show on TV5. Aga has been missed on the boob tube. So his fanatics will rejoice to have Morning (his pet name) at noon and at nighttime as well.
Coming, going
What a bizarre coincidence! Now that Nora Aunor is coming home, her impersonator Teri Onor is running away… from his obligations.
A staff member of a high-end watch brand and jewelry store sought out my help. “Teri issued bouncing checks at first, then the second time, his account was closed,” he lamented. “He owes us P182,000. He has not paid us a centavo since he got the items last March. We’ve been trying to reach him but he doesn’t take our calls.”
It’s bad enough that Teri is not keeping his promise to pay. Worse, he is also keeping his distance from the hapless merchant.
Closer than ever
Aiko Melendez and Martin Jickain’s adorable daughter Marthena just turned 5. They had a simple merienda celebration at home and she will have a party in school. Aiks and Mart are closer than ever. Their amusing banter on Twitter is such a delight to read. Even if they lead separate lives, Marthena serves as their eternal link.
‘First-time’ father
John Estrada feels likes a first-time father now that his wife Priscilla is preggy. “Malaki na kasi yung bunso ko,” he says. “So parang nanganganay ako uli. It’s a whole new ball game, ’ika nga.”
He would welcome a boy or a girl though he’s hoping for a boy since he only has one son and already has three daughters.
What’s Pri’s craving and will she give birth here or in Brazil? “Wala naman siyang pinaglilihian in particular,” he says. “She’s just more careful with what she eats now. Of course, dito siya manganganak.”
Made and born in the Philippines with good old Pinoy lambing and a dash of Brazilian spice.
Timely message
Mark Bautista is excited over his portrayal of Ibarra in “Noli Me Tangere The Musical” at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino this month. Directed by Audie Gemora, with music by Ryan Cayabyab, it also stars Cris Villongco as Maria Clara.
“The message of Noli is very timely,” says Mark. “Ito ang magpapaalala sa atin kung paano natin dapat mahalin ang ating bansa, not just as citizens but as leaders of the country. We are emphasizing how buwayas still exist in our government and how it all started.”
Same buwaya, different setting.
Personal: Birthday hugs to my dear friends Marilu Martirez and Janette Salanga. Muchisimas gracias to fab couple Ian and Gina Reyes of Ricky Superstyle Kamuning. Mother Ricky now has a hair, este, an heir apparent!
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