Friends beyond show biz

I didn’t get to watch “The Buzz” last Sunday, but well-meaning friends told me that Boy Abunda came to the defense of Claudine Barretto and Carmina Villaroel in connection with my story on the two actresses’ behavior on the set of a TV commercial shoot.

My friends said they felt bad for me since it seemed like I was maligned, along with PDI.  But I’m no baby in the biz who would cry over spilled milk. I’ve been intriga-fortified by all the controversies that I’ve survived. Boy also happens to be an endorser of the product that felt alluded to. So it figures. Holy cow!

Boy texted me for my side before they aired the story, but my reply came in too late and they couldn’t wait. I didn’t go to “Paparazzi” last Sunday since it was Zoren Legazpi’s birthday. I did not want to spoil his celebration with a clash about the controversy involving his wife, Carmina, and Claud. There will be a better time to deal with that.

In the spirit of fairness, PDI published the story about Carmina’s adverse reaction to my column. Point taken.

‘Sisterhood’

After “The Buzz,” Boy called me and explained what happened. He told me that he said on the air, “Knowing Dolly, she will stand by her story.” That’s exactly what I said in this column last Monday. Boy and I call each other “Sistah.” He has been there for me through all my ups and downs. And I’d like to believe that our friendship is beyond show biz.

Boy sent me a text last Monday, which partly read: “Just wanted to let you know that in no way were you put in [a] bad light. I am extremely prudent with the words I say on and off cam. Being on air has never been a license to disparage people. I respect your friends’ opinions but I hope you will personally watch it for you to know the truth. You will always have my love and respect.”

I am deeply touched by Tito Boy’s effort to reach out to me. I feel his sincerity. There are just some things he has to do. Duty calls. But that doesn’t make me respect him less. Show-biz controversies come and go but my “sisterhood” with Boy remains.

Birthday boy

The years have been good to Marvin Agustin. As his way of giving back, he treated kids from Operation Smile to a fun-filled afternoon in Enchanted Kingdom during his birthday. The restaurateur in Marvs shared some recipes from his Soup Kitchen as he performed a kiddie cooking demo. There were games and storytelling. Said Marvs: “I’ve learned that it is very important to never compromise who you are and stick to your values. One should embrace happiness and have a strong sense of self because, when you know yourself well, you make the right decisions. And so on all my birthdays I will do my best to bring happiness to those around me.”

Less than a hit

Too bad the show of Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby in Dubai was not that successful. But it’s neither Toni’s nor Sam’s fault. The problem was poor marketing and lack of publicity. According to a Dubai-based Pinoy events coordinator, the two hadn’t been paid when they got to the venue—so the show started very late. Hopefully, next time around, concert producers abroad would give Pinoy stars the drumbeating they deserve so as to make the long trip worthwhile.

Weird patient

A doctor was appalled by the request of an actress after her beauty regimen. She asked if she could take home the clinic’s water dispenser and bean bag. The doc readily agreed, even if he found it weird. With the actress’ lavish lifestyle, she could easily afford dozens of those. Perhaps she thought that the clinic’s services also included beautification of her home?

Soft spot

Imee Marcos is so down-to-earth, that I sometimes forget how influential she is. Even if she’s into politics, the charming Ilocos Norte governor’s heart has a soft spot for show biz. That’s precisely why she’s back in the scene with the “hip-hop fairytale movie” titled “Pintakasi,” which she coproduced. The world-renowned Pinoy hip-hop dance group Philippine All Stars showcases its skills in the movie. It’s a visual feast that combines elements of 2D animation and a special kind of hybrid animation with live action, making it the first mixed media film to hit the local silver screen. It won best new wave-independent film in the last Metro Manila Film Festival.

Imee is at it again. In 2008, the 1982 Nora Aunor-starrer “Himala,” which she produced, made it to the roster of CNN’s best Asian films of all time. “Pintakasi” is out to touch the mainstream audience (after wowing the indie crowd) starting Wednesday at SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, Fairview, Marikina, North Edsa, Cebu and Iloilo; and on Feb 29 in SM Baguio, Davao and Batangas. Imeelific!

The ‘Monologues’

I am looking forward to joining “The Vagina Monologues” once again. I immensely enjoyed my first VM experience some years ago. That was memorable because Ces Drilon and I hit it off instantly during rehearsals. To this day, we fondly call each other “VS” (Vagina Sister).

Monique Wilson sent me this invite from London:

“So good to reconnect with you. We at New Voice Company will be doing another ‘Vagina Monologues’ event in Manila on March 31st  to raise awareness on violence against women issues, [and] also to raise funds for the ‘comfort women’ lolas—who are getting so old and really need our help more than ever now. Out of 147 documented cases by Gabriela, 66 have died and only around 10 can still walk. Others are ill and dying. It’s so desperate and they still haven’t gotten the justice that they’ve been fighting for.

“Would you be willing to join us again? We will gather fellow empowered Filipinas from theatre, film, TV, journalism, etc., as we did before. It would be so so great if you could join!”

Count me in, Monique. With “Vagina Monologues,” the true spirit of La Pinay will never die!

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com