Bonding with Buboy

Cesar Montano

I immensely enjoyed bonding with my BFF Buboy (Cesar Montano) and his brothers Kuya Jing and Kuya Noel at the former’s place. We all had a good laugh when they reminisced about the crazy pranks they did during their younger years—like the time Jing shaved off the eyebrows of their uncle while he was asleep.

According to Buboy, his body clock is messed up due to his nonstop traveling as Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief. He has recorded a Christmas song, and made a corresponding music video, for overseas Filipino workers. He has big plans to help uplift the movie industry via an event next year. Even as TPB head, a big part of Buboy’s heart remains in show biz.

Viva Las Lolas

“Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs Zombies” is hilarious and heartwarming in equal parts. We gave the movie of “JoWaPao” (Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros) a grade of A at the Cinema Evaluation Board. They were able to pull off the zombie scenes superbly. Viva Las Lolas de (Eat) Bulaga!

Here’s my chat with Jose (J) and Wally (W):

What’s the toughest part about making the audience laugh?

J: You have to be sensitive to what your audience likes because you can’t expect everyone to get your punchline. You have to be prepared for all kinds of audience. It’s trial and error.

How do you handle bashers?
J: All the controversies I’ve been through, I always faced them head-on. But when it comes to bashers who have no bearing on my work, I ignore them. I just try to understand them. I don’t have any social media accounts to avoid trouble caused by bashers.

W: Deadma. Why empower them by reacting? Their comments are all nonsense, anyway.

The Lolas (from left): Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros

Reason for the season

What a visual delight “Belenismo sa Tarlac” is. The 10-year tradition (“belen-making” contest) was started by Doña Isabel Suntay and her daughter Dr. Isa of Tarlac Heritage Foundation. It was such a treat to be one of the judges of the annual competition along with my media colleagues. I marveled at the creativity of Tarlaqueños, who used recycled and indigenous materials to create various kinds of “belen.”

Some of the themes are: bountiful harvest, protecting the seas, Spanish fan, fishing, corn crops, peace in Mindanao, Caromata and European windmill. The star of them all is a “belen” that pays tribute to our Marawi heroes. I turned into a “fan girl” when I met some of our brave soldiers at the event.

Check out the “belen” exhibit (until January 2018) so that amid the Christmas rush, you’ll be reminded of what the reason for the season really is.