‘Lightbulb moments’ brighten show biz scene

Most of the time, when “innovative” TV-film productions are announced, entertainment buffs dazedly react: “What’s so new about the same, old stuff in slightly different packaging?”

This month, however, we’re being treated to some truly bright “lightbulb moments,” or bright ideas that promise to energize our viewing days and nights.

First off, the savvy and canny show biz person or gnome who at a Star Cinema production meeting thought aloud, “Why don’t we make a musical rom-com flick starring Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo?” should be rewarded with a trip for two to any fave destination of his choice!

Only a few years ago, the project would have been a no-go from the get-go, because Sarah was too “emotionally young and inexperienced” to credibly share romantic or dramatic scenes with the older Papa P.

But, now that she’s 26 and has a true-blue real-life BF in the very loving and patient Matteo Guidicelli, she’s deemed finally ready for the young-adult assignment.

New chapter

Yes, she’s done hit rom-coms before, but they generally came off as “acted” instead of felt affairs, so her new film, “The Breakup Playlist” is, make no bones about it, a whole, new chapter in her thespic career.

For his part, Piolo has also had some catching-up to do and it’s fortuitous that it’s happened just in time for this potentially hit pairing.

In the past, his screen portrayals were too safe and controlled to excite viewers, but his recent incursions into indie acting and producing have imbued his new portrayals with greater edge and bite.

Another bright highlight of the month in show biz is the Actors Guild of the Philippines’ brainstorm to showcase its members who not only act but also paint, by way of an art exhibit from July 4 to 7 at the Big & Small Art Co., fourth floor SM Megamall.

Titled “Portrayal (Portraits for Freedom),” the fundraising exhibit has human rights and freedom for its theme. It includes paintings by Heart Evangelista and Cesar Montano, who’ve “seriously” exhibited at Ayala Museum and other “legit” venues.