Huggable ‘DeJen’ movie

I immensely enjoyed watching “English Only, Please.” I agree with what TV5 host Lourd de Veyra told me, that it’s a movie that you’d want to hug.

Lead stars, Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay complement each other really well. They make you feel giddy without going overboard. Or, in local parlance, it’s kilig minus the umay factor.

Unlike in most of his films, Derek had neither steamy love scenes nor dramatic confrontations. But his endearing portrayal of a Fil-Am guy looking for closure with an ex bagged him the best actor plum at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Chacha Cañete

Jen and Derek were so candid and natural that it almost felt like I was eavesdropping on a real couple. More “DeJen” movies, please!

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Derek:

How has your best actor award changed you?

It has motivated me and it brought back the passion I once had for my craft. It helped me realize how versatile I can be.

What’s the secret of your screen chemistry with Jen?

We click because we are similar in many ways.

And how’s your off-screen chemistry?

She’s a good friend whom I will always treasure.

Any follow-up project with Jen?

We may have another movie under Viva Films.

Je suis Dong

Even while Dingdong Dantes is enjoying his honeymoon with wife Marian Rivera in Europe, he is not lost in their own little world.

As commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Dong sent me his sentiments on the Paris siege.

Being a Frenchwoman trapped in a Filipino woman’s body, I am also affected by the news. C’est vraiment triste! (It’s really sad!) Don’t suppress the press.

Here’s part of Dong’s statement:

“No amount of reason gives anyone the right to take another person’s life, even if that reason is defense of one’s religious belief…I share my small voice in condemning the storming of Charlie Hebdo’s office in Paris, and the indiscriminate shooting of its employees.

“While we still cherish our personal, private moments here in Europe, Marian and I join the people of the world, especially the peace-loving French people, in standing up for the universal concept of freedom of expression and the sacredly inviolable right to life of every human being.”

Little big star

I am proud of my goddaughter Chacha Cañete for winning in her second international competition.

She placed second overall in the Europop contest (10-13 age group category) held recently in Berlin.

At age 10, she was the youngest participant, but she held her own against Europe’s best. Cha was one of the crowd favorites and she impressed not only the judges and organizers but the other countries’ delegates and coaches as well.

Cha sang “Wish” from her “Bulilit Rockstar” album and “Impossible Dream.”

According to the German press in the Europop website, Cha provided sunshine with her moving performance (www.youtube.

com/watch?v=pZkLdxobi90 ).

Here’s my chat with the Little Big Star:

What’s harder, winning silver in two categories in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles or winning second place in Europop (EP)?

EP was harder because there are no individual categories and the winners announced are just the overall winners.

If you placed high in the worldwide hit, but didn’t score that high in the original/national hit, you will not advance to the finals. In WCOPA, you are entered in a maximum of five categories and there’s a winner in each category.

How do you manage to be a first honor student and international contest winner at the same time?

My studies are my priority. I am now in Grade 4 at Diliman Preparatory School. I am also part of the student council.

It’s all a matter of time management. I’m thankful that our school’s president, Ms Nikki Coseteng, is very supportive. She allows me to take makeup classes/exams if I have to be absent because of competitions.