Eugene “Uge” Domingo returns to her roots in theater

At the rate Eugene Domingo’s career is zooming, she can easily just keep moving forward. But she’s one big star who refuses to be caught up in the frenzy, so she makes it a point to look back.

That’s why Uge is returning to her roots in theater as she reprises Nora Aunor’s landmark movie role, this time in the stage play “Bona,” ongoing weekends till Sept. 23 at Peta Theater in New Manila (tickets available at Ticketworld and through petatheater.com).

How is she portraying Bona so she won’t be compared to Ate Guy?

“From the very start of the rehearsal, I have been honest with Direk Soxy Topacio and Peta artistic director Maribel Legarda,” Uge says. “I told them to please not make it exactly like Ate Guy’s Bona. I know my strengths, and I know I  can never repeat what Nora Aunor did. They gave me a contemporary Bona, which will better reflect the times.”

What made her decide to go back to theater?

“Theater is my home,” she points out. “A material as relevant and as entertaining as Bona is a perfect chance for me to attract more people to the theater experience. That, for me, is giving back.”

What can we learn from Bona?

“Bona is a reflection of all of us,” she says. “Bona is a fan. Who isn’t? We all want to be a part of somebody’s success.”

For sure, we will all turn into Uge’s fans after watching her do what she does best.

MJ b-day today

If Michael Jackson were alive, it would be his 54th birthday today. The Official Michael Jackson Fans Club Philippines  and Grupo ’80s will throw a party on Sept. 1,

6 p.m., at Café ’80s (corner Sgt. Esguerra and Mother Ignacia streets, Quezon City).

There will be surprise performances, games and a display of priceless MJ collections. All MJ diehards (like myself) are invited. Entrance fee is P150.

Come in an MJ-inspired costume and bring MJ memorabilia. Happy birthday to my all-time idol! Thanks for changing the music world for the better.

Apo’s timeless music

Jim Paredes is ecstatic that the timeless music of the Apo Hiking Society has been transformed into a movie, “I Do Bidoo Bidoo,” which opens today.

“It feels great knowing that Apo’s songs have become part of the soundtrack of Filipinos’ lives,” he beams.

What is his fave Apo song?

“They are all my children,” he says. “I love them all, although some children can be more charming sometimes. Right now it is ‘Panalangin’ for me.”

Long live Apo for making it more fun to sing in the Philippines!

No bad blood

In TV5’s “Ang Latest” (10:30 a.m., Saturdays), Rita Avila clarified the rumor about her texting Richard Gomez at ungodly hours, which reportedly sparked a fight between Goma and his wife Lucy.

“There’s no truth to that at all,” Rita said. “When my character in ‘Walang Hanggan’ had to make an exit, I left the show with no bad blood with anyone.”

Lucy backed up Rita’s story. “For want of a legit reason that Rita’s character is no longer in her teleserye with Richard, people made that up,” she said. “We all just laughed it off. Rita even gave me a Sto. Niño statue because she knew Richard and I wanted to have a second baby. It is said that such a gift brings good luck to those who want to have a baby.”

Wives just know if it’s a no or a go.