Pinoy indie film wins top plum at prestigious int'l film fest

After the successful grand launch of StarStruck 3 on SOP last Sunday where a huge throng mobbed the launch venues in SM Cebu, SM Davao, Dagupan CSI Mall, and GMA Network Center, it is now time to start the nationwide auditions for the third edition of the original and the first reality-based artista search on Philippine TV.

From August19 to 21 (Friday till Sunday), StarStruck 3 auditions will be held on SM Cebu from 10am till 8pm. Simultaneous auditions will be conducted at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City from 8am till 6pm.

StarStruck 3 is open to teen-agers aged 15 to 18 years old who know how to sing, dance and act and has the "x" factor and preferably without managers. Interested teeners are required to bring a photocopy and certified true copy of their birth certificate, plus one close-up and full body picture. Those who are below 18 need to submit written parental consent and show a valid ID of their parents.

StarStruck 3 auditions will also be held at SM Iloilo on August 26 - 28; Dagupan CSI Mall on September 2 - 4; SM Southmall on Sept. 9 - 11; SM North EDSA on Sept. 16 - 18: LCC Mall in Naga on Sept. 23 - 25, and SM Davao on Sept. 30 until October 2. All StarStruck 3 auditions in the malls are open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., or until the malls are open.

On the days of the mall auditions, simultaneous auditions will also be held at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City from 8am until 6pm.

We initially thought that there won't be a StarStruck this year since we felt that GMA has not yet fully exploited the potentials of StarStruck 2 winners Ryza Cenon and Mike Tan, and the runners-up LJ Reyes and CJ Muere. Compared to the first batch of StarStruck winners, we feel that GMA needs to push some more the careers of Ryza, Mike, LJ and CJ since we feel they are sorely lacking in exposure, same with the other avengers of Starstruck 2.

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Still remember Jobelle Salvador, one of the stars of the hit Viva movie "Bagets?" Jobelle left the Philippines in 1996 and has been away for seven years. She came back to the country for a visit about a year ago and appeared in some shows in Channel 2 and played a role in Channel 7's Love to Love that made her extend her two-week vacation to three months!

"I never really left show business. I just took a long break! I'm still with Manila Genesis (Angeli Valenciano) and they would always find a project for me every time I'm in town," said Jobelle in an email.

Jobelle has her own event/promotions company, a real estate and an import/export business (Japan and USA). She just launched the Western Union money remittance campaign for the Filipino community (Tokyo, Japan) and after this, she's off to the US again. "I'm producing a couple of shows in LA and Las Vegas including the Pinoy Pop Superstar 2005 North America singing contest," said Jobelle.

Jobelle has two beautiful children, her son Jeremiah, 16, and daughter Jullyna, who is four years old. Here are excerpts of my short interview with her.

Do you miss showbiz? Do you have plans of making a comeback?

Jobelle: "I miss it a lot. When it regards to staging a comeback, I have a very flexible schedule. If there's a good project, I won't mind doing it. I can still do my work as long as I have my notebook with me," said the former teen actress.

What do you miss most about showbiz?

Jobelle: "I miss the camaraderie, the crew, the people I meet, the location shoots and people like you (the press)," she says. (Talking about the things she misses most about the Philippines, Jobelle names her friends and relatives, the beaches and the luxury of having two maids and a driver.)

Given a chance to revive your career, would you be interested in returning to the country for good or would rather stay in Japan and continue with your job there?

Jobelle: "I am still in the same business except it's no longer getting in front of the camera so it's not like I really left show business. I spend most of my time in the US, not in Japan. It's only when I have a job there that's when I go back to Japan. I have an office in Las Vegas and Tokyo."

How would you describe your life as a mother and a wife? Are you married (or living in with somebody)?

Jobelle: "I am still single and not living in with anyone. I can be happier. What do I wish for? A man of my own! A man who would love and take care of my two children as much as he loves me or maybe even more. I have been very busy with work and I don't really don't know how I will meet my prince charming."

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"Masahista," an independent film directed by Brillante Mendoza and produced by GEE International won the Grand Prix (Golden Leopard Award) in the Digital Video category of the 58th Locarno International Film Festival, beating equally impressive entries in an elite field that included Mike Figgis (director of the Academy Award film "Leaving Las Vegas"). Figgis' latest film titled "Coma" is in competition at the festival.

Starring Coco Martin, "Masahista" is the first and lone Filipino film entered in competition in the festival and the only Asian film at that to win the Grand Prix in the long history of the Locarno International Film Festival. The triumph of "Masahista" is the victory of independent filmmakers here in the Philippines. Aside from reaping good reviews, "Masahista" was also shown to jampacked crowds.

Coco had his fair share of interviews from the European press who marveled at the beauty of "Masahista." We also heard that several film distributors showed interest in marketing the film.

We certainly hope the victory of "Masahista" in the international market will inject life to the moribund local film industry that is still on a slump. Hopefully, the other local film producers will see the virtue of investing in a digital film to give jobs to the unemployed stars. It is less costly to produce one yet it yields good results.