THANKS TO OUR READERS for writing, calling or otherwise communicating with us to let us know what they think about news and issues related to entertainment and the arts.

From Cristina Ocampo-Ferrer of Bacoor, Cavite: ?I continue to be amused by your analysis of telenovelas, movies, etc. For my part, I particularly like watchng some of the well-made drama series on ABS-CBN, like ?Tayong Dalawa,? ?Kambal sa Uma? and ?Katorse,? so naturally played by Erich [Gonzales]. On the other hand, I wish GMA-7 would feature fresher faces and talents on its teleseryes.?

Virgil Losarda of Quezon City writes: ?I like ?May Bukas Pa? because it promotes good values, but I think its story has been stretched out too long, so its ?miracles? have become repetitious. The series should be ended soon at a high point.?

From Ely R. Posadas of Makati City: ?Congratulations on your latest CMMA award. When are you publishing a book of your columns and articles through the years?? (NUT: After my compilation of prize-winning plays and my book about Sampaguita Pictures come out. Thanks for your encouraging words.)

Edna Lirios of Paco, Manila, writes: ?Aside from birit singers and their shrill performances, the local music scene is also suffering these days from lip-sync. Some nonsingers obviously lip-sync on TV to other people?s voices. And, some singing stars also don?t sing live. What?s going on?

(NUT: Obviously, the nonsingers are simply trying to deceive the public, so their lip-sync efforts should be quickly rejected by discerning fans. As for singing stars who lip-sync, some of them say they do so, not to fool their listeners, but to make sure their performances are technically superior. Well, tell that to the Marines.

A famous singer once confessed to us that, the truth was, he did it on occasion because he was in bad voice, lacked sleep?or was simply feeling lazy. The best way to nip this deceptive practice in the bud is to complain when you hear it being fobbed off on the listening public. This is what they did in the States when a couple of singers were caught going the lip-sync route, and it put a stop to the practice, pronto.)

From Rico B. Cadiz of Makati City: ?I like watching movies from all over the world, but I feel frustrated, because most of the films shown here are from the States. What can be done to widen our viewing options??

Look into the offerings of the many embassy-supported film festivals being held here. Other film buffs also do their own movie programming at home or with friends?it?s now much less expensive that it used to be.