Priscilla not coming home

Yes, Priscilla Almeda is happily pregnant and is waiting for the stork’s visit very early next year in New York which she now considers her second home, if not her "only home."

No, Priscilla isn’t coming back to the Philippines, not even after she gives birth. Her decision, according to Funfare’s Big Apple DPA, is to remain in New York and New Jersey with her boyfriend (reported father of Priscilla’s forthcoming love child) who works as a radiologist at a New Jersey hospital.

"At least here (in New York/New Jersey)," the DPA quoted Priscilla as saying, "I get the respect that I never got in the Philippines. Dito, igina—galang ako ng ating kababayan, unlike back home where people don’t really take me seriously. Sa Pilipinas, mababa ang tingin nila sa akin."

Well, it could be because "back home," Priscilla has cultivated a very bold image and you know how we folks regard bold stars. As they say, respect begets respect; you don’t force it from others, you earn it.

Anyway, if Priscilla has found the peace of mind out there which proved to be elusive "back home" (due largely to pressures in showbiz), then let it be and let’s wish her all the best. As of now, her mind is set on quitting (temporarily?) showbiz, never mind if she still has an unreleased movie, Gil Portes’ Huwag Kang Kikibo, Ako ang Hihipo, which is about a girl molested by a faith healer. Her last movie, Syota ng Bayan, was shown several weeks ago with Priscilla (then described as "malingering" in the US) missing in the promo.

"Priscilla and her boyfriend are staying with the guy’s family," added the DPA. "She has been asking her newfound friends here to help her get jobs, including, if possible or if any producer is interested, singing stints. She is also applying for ‘welfare’ so she can get free milk from the (US) government for her baby which she’s delivering sometime in January."

Regine in US shows

More news from "out there," this time about Regine Velas—quez’s "comeback" concerts in L.A., filed by Anne Stephanie D. Cruz. Here’s Anne’s exclusive report:

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez’s recent arrival in the US was a very emotional experience.

With several deep breaths to calm her nerves, the multi-platinum recording artist could not help but blink off a few tears when she set foot on US soil at the Los Angeles Airport on Aug. 30 (Thursday).

Although she had been in the US many times before, Regine paused a few seconds to take in the reality of the scene before her. She had to remind herself that this was not a dream. After all, it was only a few months back when she thought she would never be able to return to the US.

And, glancing at her waving, smiling fans, Regine once again thanked top immigration lawyer Michael J. Gurfinkel, for being so instrumental in making it possible for her to perform for her US-based fans.

"It’s good to be back," Regine said.

Regine, her manager Patty Mayoralgo, and her father Gerry Velasquez, flew in from Manila Thursday for final preparations for Regine’s Flying High concert tour scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, and on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Regine, the reigning Box Office Queen of Philippine movies, explains that she came ahead of schedule so that she would have enough time to visit Flying High selected ticket outlets all over Los Angeles and San Francisco, and personally thank her fans and supporters.

Regine’s dream of staging a solo concert in the US nearly burst last year when she was found guilty of alien smuggling by the US Embassy, an offense which ordinarily carries a lifetime ban.

But thanks to Gurfinkel, popularly known as "Attorney to the Stars," the lifetime ban was lifted, and Regine was permitted to come back and perform in the US.

When news broke out that she will finally hold her long-awaited concert, thousands of Regine’s fans immediately marked off the concert dates in their calendars and reserved tickets.

"I cannot believe this concert is finally going to happen. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to have been given another chance to bring joy to the hearts of our kababayans. Also, I am really excited – this being my first time to perform solo in the US," the singer said.

Since this is her US "homecoming" concert, Regine promises to entertain her audience with her signature songs Ikaw, Narito Ako, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw and many other classics which she has revived like Bluer than Blue, Never Ever Say Goodbye and Pa—ngako, Ikaw Lang, and many more love songs.

And to make the evening more romantic, King of Hearts David Pomeranz, well remembered for his ballads Got to Believe in Magic, King and Queen of Hearts and Born for You, will be joining Regine on stage as a guest performer.

Regine’s equally-talented sister, Cacai, is also a special guest.

Directed by the talented Jet Monte—libano and line produced by Edith Mon—telibano of Creative Concepts, International, Flying High is already being hailed by local tinseltown as the Concert Event of 2001.

Industry alive again

The "long dying" movie industry is showing positive signs of longevity and it’s a good reason for you and me, and especially industry people, to leap for joy and thank heavens for the promising turn of events.

More and more local movies are making money at the tills, including Star Cinema’s currently showing romance-drama-comedy Bakit ’Di Toto—hanin, starring Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual, which has raked in more than P80 million in 100 theaters nationwide (as of Sunday, Sept. 2) since it opened last Wednesday (Aug. 29). Last Sunday alone, Bakit grossed P25 million (nationwide), with the good news relayed to the movie’s director, Boots Plata, by no less than theater magnate Ng Meng Tam. When direk Boots said, "Good," Tam exclaimed, "What good!?! It’s very, very, very good!"

It’s not absolutely true that only Hollywood movies are making money. Some Hollywood movies do flop at the box office and some do attract the crowds and that’s the same with local movies. Some make money, some don’t.

Offhand, Funfare can rattle off other moneymakers shown since January, to wit: Booba, Balahibong Pusa, Sa Huling Paghihintay, Radyo and Pangako Ikaw Lang (more than P80 million so far), all by Viva Films; Red Diaries and, of course, the controversial Live Show, from Regal Films; and Narinig Mo Na Ba ang L8est, also from Star Cinema.

That’s a good batting average, considering the unabated (unstoppable?) operations of film pirates.

As you must have noticed, what’s making money are feel-good movies, not action flicks (which are mostly poor copies of Hollywood actioneers), and that’s a cue for producers.

To paraphrase that popular line from the Kevin Costner starrer Field of Dreams, If you make a good movie, the audience will come.