Movie producer dupes Ivatans for tourism film

I immensely enjoyed my very first trip to Batanes. Endless thanks to my PDI colleague, Mandy Navasero, and Hiro’s Travel and Tours’ gracious owner, Lydia Alberto for making it happen. Even if there are no malls and nightlife there, I still had the time of my life.

Being in Batanes reminded me that the best things in life aren’t the material kind, and that life can still be one happy party just by being surrounded by picture-pretty scenery.

Thank you, Batanes, for making me rediscover things that really matter. The simplest joys are indeed the truest ones.

Ideal destination

Heard from some of the wonderful Ivatans (locals of Batanes) that John Prats and Bianca Manalo were on vacation there recently.

Aiza Seguerra was also spotted with “Protegé” winner Krizza Neri.

Batanes is an ideal destination for celebs because Ivatan people are not the type who would ogle. They let stars be.

It was just sad to learn that some of the Ivatan people who forked out money from their savings to help fund a movie shot there to promote their province have not been paid till now.

“Nakakaawa sila, kasi may mga namatay dahil sa sobrang stress na ’di nila mabayaran ang mga utang nila,” my source lamented. “In good faith, they helped the producer who, it turned out, didn’t know his way around the island, pero ang ending tinakbuhan sila. Pati mga artista ng movie ’di pa fully paid.”

Be that as it may, the innate kindness of the Ivatan peoples’ hearts and the splendor of their province remain intact.

Cover girl speaks

Much has been said about Bela Padilla’s appearance as cover girl of a men’s magazine. It became a raging issue on the Internet and a hot topic in international forums.

What has Bela learned from the brouhaha? “My parents taught me to care for other people. Which is why, even if I didn’t find the cover offensive, I cared enough to apologize,” she told us.

(The cover shot has her in the foreground, with girls behind her whose complexions contrast stunningly with hers.)

“I don’t like seeing anyone hurt. If some people did get hurt, they should know that none of these was meant to happen,” Bela said. “I want to thank those who took time to hear me out.”

Bella is one strong girl who need not run for cover.

Personal

Thanks a million to my newfound friends—JP Fulgencio of Batanes Seaside Resort, Dan Bartilad, Narding Zureta, Jehana, Marjorie and Dwight Castillo—for an overdose of Ivatan warmth and hospitality.

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