Mark Bautista, Boy Next Door No More

MLR Films is proud to announce the completion of the principal photography of the digital film Kubrador (The Bet Collector), shot in 12 days. This is their third project (the first being Minsan Pa and the second, a co-production of Mga Pusang Gala with Erasto Productions). The people behind MLR Films are currently busy with the post-production of the movie at Ignite Media. The transfer to 35mm will eventually follow.

For those who are not familiar with the project, the screenplay was written by Ralston "Joel" Jover and supervised by Armando "Bing" Lao. The material was directed by Jeffrey Jeturian with Boy Yniguez as the director of photography, plus production design by Leo Abaya. Its lone star is Ms. Gina Pareño as Amy, the kubrador.

Ms. Pareno has able support from theatre greats and other talents like Soliman Cruz, Neil Ryan Sese, Fonz Daza (remember him as the father of Christian Vasquez in that famous PLDT commercial "te suportahan taka"?), Joe Grutta, Nanding Joseph, Jeremiah Rosales, Nico Antonio, Jess Evardone, Jaja, to mention a few. The digital film also features the special participation of Johnny "Mr. M" Manahan.

Kubrador is composed of three acts with an approximate running time of 95 minutes.

MLR Films hopes support will come in when the movie is finally shown in local theatres. In the meantime, the production team is seriously looking into the possibility of joining forthcoming festivals abroad.

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After three years in the business, Mark Bautista is ready for something new. So in his latest album and music video, Mark sheds his boy-next-door persona and trades it for a sexier, more mature image.

Now, the former small-town boy from Cagayan de Oro takes the big step in his career by starring in his first major solo concert, "Pop Heartthrob," at the Aliw Theater on March 24 at 8 pm. The concert features Sarah Geronimo and Juris of MYMP as guest performers-with special participation of Ogie Alcasid and Rufa Mae Quinto. The concert will be directed by GB Sampedro, with the musical direction by Marc Lopez.

This concert is also his third anniversary celebration in showbiz. So it's going to be a big night for this singer who has gone a long way since finishing first runner-up to Sarah Geronimo in "Star for a Night." Today, not only is he acclaimed as one of the country's finest young singers; he's also a good dancer and promising actor. He also already played the lead role in "Lastikman" and recently, turned in a roundly-praised performance in an episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya," where he starred in a story of a May-December affair, with Gloria Diaz as his love interest.

"I'm so nervous now that concert is drawing near," says Mark who is losing sleep just thinking of what he's going to do when the show comes. He will be expanding his repertoire as he performs songs you might have never heard him sing before.

"I used to be with a band that's why I can do a lot of numbers, various songs… name it and I'd probably done all or majority of these songs in some ways," says Mark. "I will be doing songs that I love to sing, not the usual stuff I sing on TV. Just let me know what the songs you want me to sing and I'd do it."

Mark's new image somehow makes us wonder if there's a conscious effort to mold his new image ala Enrique Iglesias. "But there's no such thing. I just want to feel comfortable with the songs and this new image that Viva is asking me to project."

Not even in his wildest dreams did Mark imagine he'd be in the position where he's right now. All he wanted then was just to sing and score an album-yes, just one album, and he'd be truly happy. His stint in showbiz enabled him to travel to places he never quite imagine he'd see and bringing joy to the people there through his music.

"Everything that has happened to me so far I consider a great blessing. Kung may dumating pang iba, bonus na lang iyon," he adds.

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Heart Evangelista is busy taping for the second world of Panday, the reason why she has not been visible lately. The new Panday will start in April and the production work is taking its toll on Heart's health, causing asthma attacks. But the professional that Heart is, she does her work dutifully like a real pro and never complains even she's already having an attack.

"Her doctors advised her to take it easy on her work," says Angeli Valenciano, Heart's manager. "But she's so hardworking that's why even if she's already experiencing an attack, she doesn't complain. But Heart should heed the advice of her doctors if she wants to be get back to her old self."

Despite the denials regarding her rumored pregnancy, the rumor persists, that's why Angeli is planning to hold a presscon or an interview so that Heart could answer all the questions regarding her true condition.

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Whoops, the trendy clothing apparel boutique known for clothes made of comfy materials and with designs that range from funky to stylish, celebrates its seventh year with its second milestone event, "Whoops Battle of the Bands: A Music and Fashion Clash."

The event comes on the heels of Whoops' first milestone-the presentation of its first image models, fashion-commercial mannequin Nicole Hernandez and dance icon and youth model Gabriel Valenciano.

Now holding auditions for the first batch of competing bands, Whoops challenges high school and college students to have an exciting vacation by joining "Whoops Battle of the Bands." Celebrity guests include Gabriel Valenciano, Salamin and Bamboo, with hosts Issa Litton and fashion czar-columnist Tim Yap.

For his part, Gabriel says it came to him as a surprise that he was taken in by Whoops apparel to be its endorser. "I am not that good-looking and I don't have a great body so I was shocked when my mom told me I got this offer."

With Gabriel around, the press can't help but ask him about Nikki Gil, his girlfriend. He says they had been on for five months and their relationship is doing very well because they constantly communicate with each other even on the phone.