Ai-Ai: St. Teresa is my idol

Because she visited the Philippines several times, newly-canonized Saint Teresa touched the hearts of everyone that she crossed paths with.

Tempo’s Ronald Constantino and I have our own chance encounter with then Mother Teresa a few years ago. We got stuck in traffic along Roxas Boulevard and barely two meters away was a Ford Fiera pickup going in the same direction.

“Look,” Ronald exclaimed, “there’s Mother Teresa!”

The future saint had her chin on the window pane of the Ford Fiera (apparently not air-conditioned because the windows were open). When we called out her name in excitement, Mother Teresa flashed what Ronald and I remember as a sweet (saintly?) smile lit up with humility. Before the traffic moved, we waved at Mother Teresa and she clasped her hands under her chin and bowed at us.

We would learn later that the VIP host sent a limousine to drive Mother Teresa to the airport, but she politely turned it down and opted for the Ford Fiera pickup.

“We can claim that we have met a saint,” Ronald now says. “What a spiritually-lifting experience!” (Incidentally, I have also seen in person another saint, Pope John Paul II, during a trip to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer retreat outside of Rome, several years ago.)

“It’s a pity that I didn’t have a chance to meet Saint Teresa,” rued Ai-Ai delas Alas, “but I feel that I know her well because I have read books about her.”

Not many people probably know that for 20 years now, Ai-Ai has been helping bathe the sick old women at the Missionaries of Charity in Tayuman, Tondo, Manila, as part of her panata (vow). It’s one of several branches Mother Teresa put up around the Philippines.

“When I learned that Mother Teresa was the founder of the Missionaries of Charities,” said Ai-Ai who is a Marian devotee (she sponsors a special Mass every year to celebrate Mama Mary’s birthday month), “I started buying books about her.”

Having come from humble beginnings, Ai-Ai easily identifies with Saint Teresa.

Here’s a letter Fr. Erick Santos (Ai-Ai’s long-time friend) once sent to Jojo Gabinete, one of Ai-Ai’s close writer-friends, who very kindly let Funfare share portions of it with readers, “unedited:”

It is noteworthy that behind the fame she has enjoyed from the Filipino cineastes and TV enthusiasts is a woman who has almost anonymously espoused the cause of the poor.

She has been serving the Missionaries of Charity’s Tahanan — Home for the Elderly, Sick, Dying and Destitutes — for more than 24 years…

Left: Ai-Ai was named Most Influential Film Actress of the Year by the recent Sixth Edukcircle Awards. On Sept. 17, she will star with Lani Misalucha (right) in Ai Meets Lani, Lani May Ai? at the Kia Theatre. ‘It’s going to be a riot,’ promises the Comedy Queen as she prepares to match Lani’s inimitable singing style with her own unique comedic style. A match-watch show. For tickets, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.

…during her heyday as stand-up comedienne in mediocre comedy bars and playing bit roles in movies and TV, she readily and unconditionally helped and supported, financially and with her presence, the Missionaries of Charity.

Allow me to recall instances in which her love for the poorest of the poor stood out:

As a newcomer in showbiz, she had to rent a small apartment in Quezon City where I would visit her on her birthdays. She would serve her specialty: spaghetti, plain spaghetti matched with barbecue bought from a nearby sidewalk vendor. She had her own financial difficulties. Times were hard. She had to feed her children.

I accompanied her to the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan where we would attend Mass, pray the rosary, fall in line to kiss the mantle of Our Lady and light several candles for various intentions.’

…she would receive notices of power and water disconnection. Such challenge didn’t defeat her spirit. Even in the midst of having almost nothing, she always felt rich enough to continue her charities.

Even her last centavo would be intended for the Missionaries of Charity. She continued to dedicate a day during the week to help in various tasks at the Tahanan… 

Now you know why Ai-Ai looks up to Saint Teresa as her idol.

Hello Kitty Live, Fashion and Friends is a perfect bonding show for the family because of the values it portrays

Hello Kitty at Meralco Theater on Dec. 20

The kawaii, cheerful and happy girl stars in Hello Kitty Live — Fashion & Friends, set at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City on Dec. 20 (until Jan. 1, 2017).

The show is touted to be a perfect bonding for the family because of its portrayal of values in a story about talent, friendship, respect, kindness, hard work and a passion for creativity. Making it more exciting is the lively and pop soundtrack that includes songs from Clean Bandit, Charli XCX, Kylie Minogue, Flo Rida, Echosmith and Bruno Mars. It’s a “pop show” made colorful by the fantastic costumes designed by Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand Tokidoki.

Set in modern-day London, Hello Kitty is a young girl who is determined to realize dreams despite the challenges along the way. Luckily, with the help of her twin sister Mimmy, best friend My Melody and boyfriend Dear Daniel, she takes on the opportunity that can change her life. Also featured in the story are troublemaker Bad Badtz-Maru and the easy going Pom Pom Purin.

The show assembles an accomplished creative team comprised of Adam Stafford, director and actor of dozens of shows and West End musicals such as the Life of Galileo; Richard Lewis, creative director of a long list of successful productions including Peppa Pig Live and Lazy Town Live; Del Mak, choreographer of TV show Got to Dance; and Lorenzo Ceccoti, one of the most acclaimed upcoming visual artists on the digital scene, director of The Dark Side of The Sun and creator of the visual novel Golem.

Two years ago, Hello Kitty hogged the headlines when her real identity was questioned. Is she a feline or a young girl? Hello Kitty Live answers this question.

During the show’s Manila run, the audience will get a chance to have their photos taken with the cast after the show upon availing of the “meet and greet” pass on a first-come-first-serve basis. Citibank debit and credit cardholders can get first access to tickets with a 15-percent discount from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. After the pre-sale of Citibank, tickets will be available to the general public at all Ticketworld outlets (891-9999 or log on at www.ticketworld.com.ph).

Royale Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc. and Zen Tiger Live make Hello Kitty Live — Fashion and Friends are the producers, supported by Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas (official residence of Hello Kitty and friends) and Warner Music Philippines. (For more info, call 0906-4180786 or 0918- 4972121.)

The Pamilya Ordinaryo team (from left): Director Eduardo Roy Jr., stars Ronwaldo Martin and Hasmine Killip, executive producer Almond Derla and producer Ferdinand Lapuz (of Ignatius Films)

Winners all

• Pamilya Ordinaryo (Ordinary People) received 70.3 percent positive votes to receive the desired People’s Choice Award at Venice Days film festival on Sept. 9 at the awarding ceremony held in Lido, Venice, Italy, for films of the Official Selection. It was the first Filipino film screened at the event.

In attendance were lead actors Ronwaldo Martin in a black attire and Hasmine Killip in a stunning Grecian goddess-inspired white gown by Filipino designer John Herrera, together with writer-director Eduardo Roy Jr., executive producer Almond Derla and producer Ferdinand Lapuz of Ignatius Films.

Pamilya Ordinaryo had its international premiere at Venice Days, parallel section of the Venice International Film Festival (VIFF). The 107-minute contemporary drama is about the life of teen snatchers Aries and Jane. — Reported by Edgar O. Cruz

Iadya Mo Kami director Mel Chionglo (left) and Allen Dizon

Allen is Best Actor in Salento Filmfest

Allen Dizon won Best Actor for his performance as Father Greg, the wayward priest fighting for moral dilemma in Iadya Mo Kami (Deliver Us), directed by Mel Chionglo from a screenplay by Ricky Lee, at the13th Salento International Film Festival (SIFF) held Sept. 10 in Tricase, Italy.

Allen also won Best Actor for the same film at the 4th Silk Road Film Festival in Dublin, Ireland, last March. The film won for Chionglo the Special Jury Prize (Contribution to Philippine Cinema) in the first World Premieres Film Festival in Manila last June.

Founded in 2004 by Luigi Campanile, the SIFF emerged as a major cultural event and the top film festival in South Italy. Each year, it introduces filmmakers worldwide to the Salento area’s unique resources, while celebrating the history and future of the film industry with four days of world premieres, special events, seminars, feature films, short films and documentaries.  — Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

2012 Miss Universe first runner-up Janine Tugonon in a head shot

Help Janine get into Top 12 Nu Muses

Janine Tugonon, 2012 Miss Universe first runner-up, was chosen as one of the Top 100 of the Nu Muses. Help Janine get into the Top 12 Nu Muses by voting at http://numus.es/janine. Janine is currently ranked first. You may cast one vote a day for Janine until Sept. 17 (that’s 5 p.m. West Coast, 8 p.m. East Coast and 8 a.m., Sept. 18 in the Philippines). The Top 20 models, selected through social voting and a panel of judges, will be announced on Sept. 20 and invited to a final casting. The 12 Nu Muses will be announced on Sept. 28. Getting into the Top 12 will help Janine enjoy a career opportunity of a lifetime that will open more doors for her as an international model.

The Top 12 Muses will be photographed by David Bellemere in an exclusive location for a luxurious and timeless photographic calendar. The photographs will grace the walls of art galleries and collectors’ portfolios. It will be launched at a VIP event at the Art Basel Miami in December at an exclusive art exhibition. — Reported by Gerry Diaz 

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