MANILA, Philippines?The 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival is most memorable to Jinggoy Estrada as it gave him a Best Actor award?his first?for ?Katas ng Saudi,? plus two other trophies from the Entertainment Press of the Philippines and Famas.
His MMFF entry this year is the poignant tearjerker ?Magkaibigan.? We gave it an ?A? rating at the Cinema Evaluation Board screening.
It?s a classic case of art (with a lot of heart) imitating life. I got goose bumps watching the scenes of Christopher de Leon who portrayed Jinggoy?s dying best friend in this tribute to Rudy Fernandez.
I could almost picture Daboy on the big screen. No doubt, Daboy must be smiling in heaven and saying, ?Good take, Jinggoy!?
He may have packed up from this world but not from his friends? lives.
Bonding time
I had a delightful time being a guest on the Christmas episode of TV 5?s ?Juicy.? Catch it on Dec. 24 at 12 midnight.
Since it was family bonding time, I interviewed my son IC who is Alex Gonzaga?s co-host in the show. Toni Gonzaga roasted her sis Alex.
Toni?s BF of 18 months, Paul Soriano, grilled Alex, too. In good cheer, Inday Garutay joined us and impersonated my mom.
Alex kept teasing Toni to kiss her. She revealed that Toni is not the beso-beso type. She has never kissed Alex since they were kids. IC ribbed me about talking to my fave piggy stuff toy when I?m having a weird moment.
That?s just a teaser of the wacky episode where we showed that like any other family, Christmas is us!
Ex?s excesses
I bumped into Bianca Lapuz at Tropezz Greenbelt. I cornered her about her ex Vhong Navarro.
?Civil na kami.? she said. ?Had to ask his permission because Mossimo is getting our son Yce as endorser. Our annulment papers are not out yet but according to the news, it has been granted.
?Pero nakabawi naman si Vhong when he said sa press con na I?m the best mom he knows. Yce is close to his half-brother Bruno. Vhong gives monthly support.
?Nagulat lang ako before na he has two other kids pala aside from our son Yce. The other one inako na niya kasi na-prove sa DNA test na anak niya talaga. But his daughter in the US he has not acknowledged because the mom doesn?t want her kid to undergo paternity test.?
Di NA sa DNA! Do kids need claim stubs to find their missing dads?
Another hit?
The first ?Tanging Ina? movie was a certified blockbuster that broke all box-office records, making Ai Ai de las Alas the Box Office Queen five years ago. Will she outdo herself in Star Cinema?s MMFF entry ?Ang Tanging Ina N?yong Lahat??
The movie begins a few years after Ina has settled her children and their issues. Her journey takes her to the President?s office and leads the country with her trademark humor.
I?ll never forget the time Ai and I were waiting for our sons at their rehearsal for Michael Jackson?s concert. They were part of Jacko?s ?Heal The World? number.
Ai got enraged when another actress shouted at her kid backstage. I saw how she fought for her son.
Ai really takes motherhood seriously yet still makes it fun on- and off-screen.
Grand blowout
Star Cinema?s Yuletide Babies were given a grand blowout by Star Magic.
The lucky birthday celebrators were Jake Cuenca, Yeng Constantino, Makisig Morales, Jessy Mendiola, Roden Araneta, Dionne Monsanto, Yulio Pisk, Mika de la Cruz, Lui Villaruz, Johanna Villeta, Yong An Chiu, Kobi Vidanes, Eda Nolan, Joshua Dionisio, Michelle Murenec, Tim Espinosa, Aaron Junatas, Kristel Fulgar and Rico Barrera.
With the Kapamilya network?s full support, they will shine brighter than the Christmas stars and lights.
E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com
