Nadine Lustre and James Reid
With all the TV love teams vying for the public’s attention, they must go beyond “cutesy,” lest the viewers get bored with them.
Ratings is the name of the game. They must offer something more than just “kilig factor.”
That’s exactly what James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s “JaDine” tandem dared to do. In the Oct. 25 episode of their primetime series on ABS-CBN, “Till I Met You,” their characters (Basti and Iris) had a sensual love scene in the car.
Some quarters insist that the scene might have sent wrong signals to JaDine’s young fans because it connoted premarital sex. Basti and Iris were not yet a married couple when the controversial scene was aired. That episode made it seem like the show’s title had been changed to “Till I Mate You,” instead.
Although the intimate scene was tastefully staged, viewers have different sensibilities. As the cliché goes, you can’t please everybody.
That sexy scene has made the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) summon the production team of the series for a meeting on Nov. 10. I asked MTRCB Chair Eugenio Villareal for his sentiments on the issue.
His reply: “So as not to preempt the forthcoming proceedings, the Board prudently declines to comment on the particulars of the matter. The Board, however, assures the public that it shall always be interested in the welfare of younger audiences and how programs self-regulate to promote this end.
With all the complaints that the MTRCB receives, it’s “a kiss-to-kiss,” este case-to-case basis.
‘Beautiful’ win for Paolo
The Pinoy winning streak continues. After Jaclyn Jose bagged the best actress plum for “Ma’ Rosa” at the Cannes Film Festival, Paolo Ballesteros was named best actor for his portrayal in “Die Beautiful” at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
My son, IC Mendoza, is overjoyed to have worked with Paolo in the film, where some of its actors are confidently beautiful—with a gay heart.
IC shares his behind-the- scenes story, “Pao was so ‘cowboy’ on the set. No hang-ups or star complex at all. We were all in awe watching him do his own makeup to transform into different characters.
“Pao did it without any picture to copy! He said that he already memorized every look he wanted for the movie. He more than deserves the best actor award, because he gave his all for the film.
“There were times when he was already on the verge of crying because of the discomfort caused by wearing tight undergarments and high heels, but he soldiered on. He got allergies, scars and bruises from all the costume changes and difficult scenes he had to do.
“Come to think of it, Pao must be paid double because aside from being ‘Die Beautiful’s’ lead star, he was also his own makeup artist (laughs). He challenged the makeup artists on the set to do their own transformations and win a cash prize from him. He ended up giving all of them a reward!”
Stars for a cause
If you like shopping and stargazing at the same time, visit the Celebrity Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 12 and 13 and Dec. 3 and 4 at the BF Homes Phase 1 gym, Pilar Banzon st., Parañaque. Take a selfie with the stellar likes of Andi Eigenmann, Janice de Belen, Arlene Muhlach, Nadia Montenegro, Tirso Cruz III, MJ Lastimosa, Daiana Menezes, Niño and Alonzo Muhlach, Ynna and Yanna Asistio. Part of the proceeds will go to Damay Kamay, an organization that helps artists in need. It’s time to take that “sale-fie” with your idols.