MANILA, Philippines?When the economy goes bad, people love their jobs and hold on to their last dollar or peso. Logically, therefore, the entertainment industry should suffer, since hard-up folks would prefer to buy food rather than pay for a ticket to see a film or a show.

A few months ago, that desultory rule of thumb appeared to have been verified by news that scores of shows were folding up on Broadway. Recently, however, another report articulated a dissenting opinion: In the US, more movie tickets were being sold than ever before. And, here at home, the new film, ?You Changed My Life,? is said to be nearing the P100-million mark at the box office?a hit with a high-flying capital H.

Other encouraging signs that show biz is refusing to sing the recession blues: Some singing stars? concerts have been SRO affairs. Popular TV shows continue to carry full commercial loads. And the impending reduction of the amusement tax from 30 to 10 percent should encourage producers to make more movies, thus boasting the local film industry?s flagging annual output.

Why have some sectors of the entertainment industry survived the global recession? Some observers note that, when times are dire, people need a psychological lift, an escape from their trials and tribulations, so they go to the movies. In the movie theater?s cool, dark womb, they experience two hours of delight and inspiration, and leave recharged.

But not all movies will do the trick. A cursory review of recent hit films indicates that people these days prefer light, bright entertainment, and give dark, difficult films a wide berth.

Their logic: They have enough problems in their own lives and aren?t about to add to their woes by watching tragedies unfold on the big or small screens.

Not that movies should be slap-happy from start to finish. As hit films like ?Slumdog Millionaire? and ?Gran Torino? have shown, viewers can ?take? a number of depressing scenes and situations?as long as movie protagonists win in the end.

They can even accept the death of a protagonist, like Clint Eastwood?s character in ?Gran Torino,? because his demise was a heroic sacrifice so that others might live.

So, the word?s out: If you want to ?recession-proof? your production, you don?t have to go the gaga escapist route from beginning to end. You can still confront and mirror life in all of its numbing difficulty?but make sure that you find positive meaning and worth in your story?s denouement.

Strong star value is also welcome, because it provides viewers with the comforting presence of a well-loved screen fave. But ?Slumdog? and ?Torino? have also proven with their generally non-star cast members that a ?starless? film can still connect with millions of viewers?as long as it aspires to inspire.

Inspiration?that?s the name of the show biz game in these dire times. When people feel like they?ve hit rock bottom, they want to look up to the light of inspiration, the psychological beacon they need to lift their spirits up ?and this is what good movies can provide.

Musical theater workshop

From April 13 to May 21, Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays, Gantimpala Theater will hold its annual musical theater workshop for teens and young adults, with Roeder Camañag and Only Torres facilitating. Enrollment opens on March 16. Call 528-0603 or e-mail gantimpalatheater@yahoo.com.ph.

?12 Rounds?

One wrong move could take the match closer to a deadly conclusion in the high-speed action flick, ?12 Rounds,? starring John Cena and directed by Renny Harlin.

The film?s story kicks off when Danny Fisher (Cena) stops a brilliant thief, Miles (Aidan Gillen) from getting away with a million-dollar heist, and the thief?s girlfriend is accidentally killed.

After escaping from prison, the mastermind exacts his revenge, taunting Danny with a series of near-impossible puzzles and tasks (the 12 Rounds), which he must complete to save the life of his fiancée, Molly (Ashley Scott).

Kelly Clarkson

The first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, is back with her latest single, ?My Life Would Suck Without You,? off her upcoming album, ?All I Ever Wanted.? Now topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song also holds the No. 1 spot on the Digital chart, with 279,605 sold on its first week.