No movie plugging, no sibling rivalry

DEREK Ramsay

It’s strange that whenever the trailer of  Derek Ramsay’s movie with Anne Curtis and Andi Eigenmann, “A Secret Affair,” is aired on his former home network, ABS-CBN, his parts are edited out. And his name is not mentioned when they plug the film.

How does Derek feel about that? “I’m really okay with it. I respect their decision,” he says. “I will just focus on finishing the film and doing my TV5 work to the best of my ability.”

Spoken like a true gentleman. But while that is the prerogative of the Kapamilya network, it’s sad that in the competitive TV world, ‘Family (Kapamilya)’ is not forever after all. We are family … until further notice.

No sibling rivalry

ALJUR Abrenica

Aljur Abrenica is very supportive of younger brother Vin’s foray into the biz. “When I heard that he was going to audition for Artista Academy, I told him I could help him enter the biz faster by recommending him to my contacts,” Aljur says. “He told me that he wanted to start from scratch and experience what I did when I joined  ‘Starstruck.’ That makes me really proud. When he finally makes it big, it would be more fulfilling.”

Vin got misty-eyed when a poem written by Aljur for him was read on TV 5’s “Ang Latest.” “He writes poems only for girls,” says Vin. “This is the first one for me. I am so touched.”

Vin Abrenica

Here are some lines from Aljur’s “Mahal Kong Utol”:

“Sinong mag-aakala sa ating pamilya na/ Sa showbiz dalawa na tayong Abrenica/ Aking kapatid malaki nga ang ating pagkakaiba/ Ako’y tahimik at laging seryoso/ Ikaw naman ang komedyante at ubod ng bibo/ Sa tuwing may problema ang pamilya / Ikaw ang taga balance nito.”

No sibling rivalry, only revelry, as they trek the same path.

Remembering Abaya

Cesar Montano remembers his mentor, Marilou Diaz-Abaya fondly: “I was like a sponge when she was around. I tried to absorb everything she taught me,” he gushed. “She was a walking encyclopedia. Before I met her, I thought I knew how to love. But  when I got to know her, all the more I learned what love was about ’cause she was so loving, especially toward unsung heroes in the biz.”

Buboy recalls funny moments with the late great filmmaker. “When we were shooting ‘Jose Rizal,’ there was a time she was in a bad mood because someone was [aggravating] her. There I was, tied up for my execution scene; but when I heard her yelling, I ran to her side ’cause I wanted to take on whoever was annoying her. In ‘Muro-Ami,’ she didn’t warn  me of the sound system underwater. While waiting for my take, I was swimming with the fish and was shocked when a voice hollered, ‘Cesar!’ I thought it was God speaking to me under the sea.”

It’s pack-up time for Direk Marilou, but her incredible legacy remains in the spotlight.