Resumption of showbiz grind still unlikely

The Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed in Metro Manila is supposed to end on May 15. If ECQ is not extended, there are rumors of a plan to put Metro Manila on General Community Quarantine (GCQ) wherein select business establishments and other essential companies will be allowed to open, subject to rules and regulations set by the Inter Agency Task Force.

There are also rumors that Quezon City will remain under ECQ because it has a large number of Covid-19 patients.

If this is true, the entertainment business will still not be allowed to go back to “normal.” Most television networks are in Quezon City so it is very unlikely that a network will run the risk of doing a live show or reschedule the taping of ongoing programs affected by the lockdown.

How can you practice social distancing in a live show or taping an episode of a popular program with a big cast and utilizes a production team to put up an episode for immediate airing?

Going back to work seems easier said than done. No one would want to take a risk since lives are at stake. So unless a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available soon, local entertainment will remain quiet. It is a sad reality for showbiz folks whose jobs are affected by the pandemic. But we should remain hopeful that things will be better soon.

For now, televiewers will have to be content with program and movie replays.

Will there be a Metro Manila Film Festival in December? That is another question that needs to be answered. The scheduled summer MMFF was cancelled. Were the entries selected for the summer MMFF become automatic entries to the December filmfest if ever there will be one?

Will the audience be brave enough to watch movies just in case the filmfest pushes through?

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Kapamilya hunk Vin Abrenica was launched a few months ago as the newest endorser of an intimate apparel for men. He was beaming with excitement since it was his first major endorsement

“Lahat ng first time natin ay special – first love, first kiss, first taste of ice cream and first endorsement. It feels great to be given this chance to endorse a popular intimate apparel brand. Dreams do come true indeed,” said the younger brother of Aljur Abrenica.

Vin had said he prayed for this endorsement and was looking forward to doing mall shows to promote the product. But the pandemic came and large gatherings are prohibited. He is still looking forward to the day that he will be able to promote Hanford.

He also misses taping for "A Soldier’s Heart," the action serye of ABS-CBN that features Gerald Anderson in the lead.

Although his role in the series as the brother of Gerald has to be expanded, playing a soldier is a source of excitement and inspiration for him.

“I truly admire how dedicated the soldiers are to their jobs. It is amazing that they wouldn’t mind leaving their families behind just to make sure the rest of the populace can sleep soundly and at peace at night.”