Intimate gathering for Cesar’s 62nd birthday

Cesar Montano with granddaughter Hailey

BFF Buboy’s (Cesar Montano) 62nd birthday was devoid of anything show biz. It was an intimate gathering of family and close friends at his home. After his serious bout with Covid-19 when he turned 59 in 2021, he began celebrating his second lease on life every Aug. 1.

The birthday boy had a blast jamming with his grownup kids, Diego, Buching, Sam and Cheska. He doted on his young kiddos, Liam, Sam, Tenten and his granddaughter Hailey (Diego’s baby). Buboy’s fab partner, Kath, made sure that our tummies and wine glasses were full.

He also had a postcelebration with inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (Minimum Security Camp) in Muntinlupa. Buboy shared packed lunches and Bible readings. Not too many people know that he’s such a spiritual person.

Another highlight of BFF’s birthday month is the special screening of the digitally restored and remastered version of his classic film, “Jose Rizal,” at the Cinemalaya festival. It was produced by GMA Pictures in 1998.

How does Buboy feel about watching it after 26 years? “It made me miss Direk Marilou Diaz-Abaya all the more. She was my mentor,” he said. “While shooting Rizal, she did not allow people on the set to talk to me in Filipino. I had to immerse myself in Spanish.”

Buboy is all praises for Abaya. “To this day, I bring with me the lessons I learned from Direk Marilou. She taught me how to take the character I portray to heart. While doing Rizal, I had pictures of him all over my room. Direk told me to ‘breathe ‘Rizal.’”

At 62, Buboy still has what it takes to make hero-worship happen. He’s gearing up for his next “hero” role, Lapu-Lapu. Lights, camera, salute!

Vilma Santos —CONTRIBUTED photos

Vilma recalls rise of ‘fanatics’

Vilma Santos was the recent guest speaker at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ “Cultural Wednesdays.” She regaled the crowd with stories about her foray into show biz and public service.

Ate Vi’s honesty and candor endeared her to the diplomatic corps present. If only she would set her heart to it, Vi could be an effective ambassador. In her talk, she revealed that the word “fanatic” was coined at the height of the rivalry of her love team with Bobot (Edgar Mortiz) in the ’70s and the Guy and Pip tandem of Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III.

“That’s when I witnessed fans throwing chairs at each other,” she recalled. “They were so rabid back in the day.”

Then, she said she stepped out of her comfort zone to do socially relevant films. “It was a gamble, but that’s part of growing as an actor,” she pointed out. “Even if ‘Sister Stella L’ didn’t do well in the box office, it was critically acclaimed.”

At this point of her illustrious career spanning six decades, Ate Vi wants to do more films that will lure audiences back to the cinemas. She’s also game for screenings of her old films to the Gen Z crowd followed by an open forum so she can share her knowledge with young cinephiles.

The Star for all Seasons is looking forward to the immersive exhibit, Vilma Night at Archivo 1984, which opens on Aug. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. Viva la vida, Vilma magnifica!

Status updates for Caloy Yulo

Since Olympic double-gold medalist Caloy Yulo, his girlfriend Chloe San Jose, and his mom Angelica are the buzz du jour, let me share some of my funny status updates about the “trio loco”:

Blond(ie) is thicker than water.

The more success, the more Marites.

Caloy: Double gold, double trouble.

Silence is not always golden.

Yulo: You Ungkat Lives, Olympian.

The Goldie, The Oldie and the Boldie.