Best buzz about the biz

CHAN. Clarioning the “proud-making” new slogan.

We’re happy that Bench and Ben Chan are now clarioning the “proud-making” new slogan, “#LoveLocal!”—Just two words in a straightforward campaign to change people’s hearts and minds, but it’ll go a long way in making the “colonially-minded” among us realize that it’s no longer “cool” to prefer foreign products and productions over our own, homegrown creations!

We’ve been plugging for this for decades now, because we’ve seen what a damaged and shattered culture ours has become due to the still potent efforts of our past and present colonizers to weaken our sense of self, and makes us believe that “imported” is inherently superior to “local.”

Some people have accused us of bucking the “globalization” wave, but we need to be more aware of its lurking dangers before jumping onto that bandwagon.

Quite “notoriously,” we have even urged people to minimize their use of seductive words like “world-class,” “Broadway,” “West End” and such, because they have acquired too much power through the years.

So, we thank Ben Chan for his “small” “#LoveLocal” reminder, which helps balance the picture and argument—in a big way!

So much is happening on global television these days that it takes unusually vivid and vibrant images and sounds to make viewers really sit up and pay attention.

This month, those top stunners are paced by sports icon Bruce Jenner’s astounding announcement that he’s initiated his physical and psychological transition—from male to female! That change is so elemental and seminal that it’s caught onlookers and peanut-gallery members where they live and breathe.

To see a sports hero like decathlon champ Bruce going that route is nothing less than globally headline-making—and news-breaking.

Especially when you factor in the fact that Jenner is the stepfather of the all-gal Kardashian sisters, and in fact has even added the two youngest girls, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, to the ever-extending family!

Still, rumors about Jenner’s LGBT intentions have been making the rounds for years, so show biz insiders weren’t exactly caught with their pants down when he finally “bared all” in a controversial interview with Diane Sawyer that broke viewing records in the States!

Missing Hilda

For fans who have been missing Hilda Koronel on our TV-film screens, the good news is that the acclaimed actress’ “indie” starrer, “Insiang,” was shown again at the Cannes film fest, 37 years after it created a mild sensation there.

Now based in the States, Hilda has thus far resisted producers’ efforts to interest her in acting in a new film or TV series. So she definitely has more great performances left in her!

A Hilda Koronel comeback vehicle would be the event of any show biz season, so we hope that she finally gives—her smiling assent!