LOTLOT and boyfriend Fred El Soury
I’ve never seen my godsister Lotlot de Leon happier than she was last Thursday at our fave hangout, Aruba, in Metrowalk. There was no special occasion. She was just celebrating the true joys of family with her biological American dad Donald Olson, her Lebanese boyfriend Fred El Soury and her brothers Kiko and Kenneth.
Lot’s got a whole lotta loving!
“I feel complete ever since I found my real father with the help of the Internet,” she said. “He was the missing piece of my life. He lives in Wisconsin but we visit each other often. I met my boyfriend just when I said I was ready to give up on love. He came at the right time.”
As a mother, Lot is overjoyed now that her daughter, Janine Gutierrez has joined the biz. “I’m no stage mother. But I guide Janine. I tell her to love her job. She should be on her toes always because competition is tough. She has the blessing of her dad (Monching Gutierrez). Until now, she’s a daddy’s girl.”
Same is true of Lot. She is definitely the apple of his dad’s eye. Superstar’s (Nora Aunor) daughter is out of her mom’s shadow. Lot has found the light in her dad’s love.
Honest Joel
When I first saw the ad of the ABS-CBN drama series “Honesto,” it reminded me of my mom Inday Badiday’s signature line, “Promise!” in her old show “Eye to Eye.”
The drama series (which airs Monday to Friday after “TV Patrol”) tells of a boy named Honesto (Raikko Mateo) whose nose swells when he tells a lie. If only Janet Napoles and some politicians could…
In the cast is top-caliber actor Joel Torre. Taking off from the series’ theme, Joel shares a childhood anecdote: “When I was 5, I had a vision and saw an apparition. When I told my family about it, they just laughed. To this day, I swear that what I saw was real. Children don’t lie.”
As for other visions, the great American dream is on the horizon, now that Joel’s acclaimed film, Erik Matti’s “On the Job,” will have a Hollywood remake.
“Abroad, there is a focus on Asian films, especially Filipino films,” Joel explained. “I’m proud that our stories have universal appeal. That for me is success enough.”
Kudos, my Ilonggo Bro! Success could not have found a more deserving person.
Man in Manhattan
John Arcilla continues to make waves internationally. Jacco Groen’s “Lilet Never Happened” bagged the best ensemble honor in the International Film Fest Manhattan (IFFM). John plays the husband of award-winning Dutch actress, Johanna Ter Steege who plays a social worker in “Lilet.”
Keep soaring, John!
Here’s John’s Manhattan story:
“I rushed back to the United States after the premiere of ‘Metro Manila,’ Britain’s entry to the 2014 Oscars best foreign language film category.
“The IFFM awards night was done, but the press and organizers welcomed me before the screening of the fest’s closing film, ‘Lilet.’ They interviewed me and handed me the plaque.
“Director Jacco and I celebrated our victory. ‘Lilet’ also won best youth film at the 2013 Copenhagen International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 16th Auburn Film Festival for Children and Young Adults in Sydney. The film is about child prostitution. That is why I accepted the project. It is an advocacy film for me.
“Then we rushed to another corner of Manhattan for the Mount of Hope Project. Our film received a citation for its “achievement in filmmaking and social advocacy.” It was a crazy yet fulfilling evening.”