Is Katrina Halili a victim?

Congratulations to Brillante Mendoza for winning the Best Director award at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for his latest movie “Kinatay.” It was a resounding triumph for Dante whose film was termed as the worst by a film critic. Nevertheless, this is a triumpp for Philippine cinema.

“Serbis,” which was selected as entry to the Cannes filmfest last year, drew mixed reactions when it shown here in the country. And we won’t be surprised if “Kinatay” would suffer the same fate, if we were to base our assessment on the film reviews that we have read regarding “Kinatay.”

But we should be proud that a Pinoy director beat a formidable line-up in Cannes. Imagine, pulling the rug over such luminaries like Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar and Quentin Tarantino who said he liked “Kinatay.”

We can’t wait to see “Kinatay.” We hope Direk Dante decides to have its Manila screening soon.

Aside from the vehicular accident that happened to Richard Gutierrez, also the talk of the town is the controversial sex video involving Katrina Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho. Some friends had been calling us, asking if we have seen the video or do we know of anyone who has a copy. Sorry but we don’t have a copy of it and we don’t have any intention of seeing it, as a show of support for Katrina who had been violated with this act that is a work of a person who is sick in the mind.

In a talk with some friends, they had varied opinions on the matter. One said, why is Katrina acting like the victim when she herself is part of the crime – having an affair with someone whom she knows is the boyfriend of somebody. On the other hand, another friend said, Katrina is indeed the victim and the proliferation of the sex video on the Internet is a dastardly act that should be punished.

Whether you view Katrina as a victim (or as others claim a willing victim, which we beg to disagree), the bottom line here is that this act should not go unpunished. Taking a video of an intimate moment, especially when the other person is not aware of it, is already repugnant. What more if you show that illicit video for the world to see. There should be a law to punish the perpetrators of this transgression.

The Entertainment Press Society has issued a statement in support of Katrina and we are running the statement here which reads:

“THE Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS) supports Katrina Halili in her quest for justice for the mental anguish that she’s suffering brought by the proliferation of the sex video that has caused dishonor to her person. This statement comes with the hope that the persons behind this evil deed will be made to pay for their transgression so that justice would be served to the aggrieved party.”

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One of the entries to this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival which runs at the CCP is the Mike Sandejas film titled “Dinig Sana Kita.” The director previously joined the Cinemalaya with his entry “Tulad ng Dati” which was based on the story of The Dawn and had Dawn soloist Jett Pangan in the lead role. The film won several awards at the Cinemalaya that time.

The new film of Direk Mike Sandejas tackles the story of a deaf dancer who falls in love with a student in a dance school. Playing the lead role is theater actor Rome Mallari, who is the brother of former That’s Entertainment mainstay Victor Reyes.  

A deaf dancer and rocker girl become close to each other while staying in a Baguio camp. The movie takes a look on the life of our deaf brothers. The film is also the first one to utilize deaf actors in its cast.  

We had a chance to interview Rome at the presscon of Cinemalaya thru the help of an interpreter who accompanied him to the presscon held at the CCP Main Lobby last Thursday.

According to Rome, he auditioned at the Miriam College-Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf. Direk Mike talked to Ms. Carol Ui, the school principal and informed her that he’s looking for a deaf actor to appear in his film.  

It was Ms. Carol Ui who referred Rome to direk Mike. There was no need for him to audition for the role. After their initial meeting, Rome got the male lead, opposite Zoe Sandejas, the daughter of direk Mike.

Hindi na kinailangan ni Rome to audition for the role. After na mag-meet sila ng director ay kinuha na siya for the lead role.  

According to Rome , it had always been his dream to become an actor.

“It’s always been my dream to be an actor. May influence siguro ang pagiging artista ng kuya ko (Victor Reyes). Lagi ko kasi siyang kasama before and I learned a lot from my brother,” he relayed through an interpreter.

But Rome’s background is more on dancing. He’s also a part of Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas, an organization of dancers and deaf performers. They have performed in various places and venues even abroad that’s why he’s experienced when it comes to theater acting. He had been a member of Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas since 1999.

Rome, who is playing a deaf dancer in “Dinig Sana Kita,” is in third year college at De La Salle College of St. Benilde School Deaf Education and Deaf Studies. He’s taking up Applied Deaf Studies track Multimedia Arts.

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Studio 23 brings back the hit drama “Brothers and Sisters” after a month of hiatus on its new timeslot every Tuesday (starting May 26) at 9 PM.
Justin (Dave Annable) and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) take Tommy (Balthazar Getty) on a surfing trip in Baja California only to discover a crowded beach of party goers. Kitty (Calista Flockhart) shares her discomfort as the busy senator's wife with Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) and Nora (Sally Field) while one member of the Walker family plans to leave and never come back.
Don't miss the much anwaited episode of the hit US medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” featuring the wedding of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Sheperd (Patrick Dempsey) on Monday (May 25) at 8PM. 
Meredith will finally wed Derek in a wedding organized by their friend and colleague Izzie (Katherine Heigl).
Don’t miss all these on your one and only Kabarkada on television, Studio 23. Get it here!

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International singing sensation and platinum-recording artist Charice has once again sung her way to the hearts of her fellow countrymen.
Based on sales at Odyssey Music stores, her newly-launched album entitled “My Inspiration” under Star Records has bagged the second spot in the list of overall top 10 sellers locally. It also soars high as number two in the list of best-selling Original Pilipino Music in the country, making her one of the most favorite artists in today’s music scene.
Charice’s music video “Always You,” which premiered on MYX last May 18, continues to receive praises from her hundreds of fans in the country. Her mall tour in part of her album promotion, recently held at the Sky Garden in SM North Edsa, was also given two thumbs-up by those who attended.
Hit the nearest music store today and add Charice’s album “My Inspiration” to your collection.
More on this talented young artist on http://abs-cbn.com, http://starrecords.multiply.com and http://starrecords.ph.