Woman Power at Star Cinema

Woman Power rules at Star Cinema, today's leading movie company ("The only one which hasn't succumbed to the bold-wagon," declared a proud staffer), and it's very obvious, very glaring, in the company's box-office record since the start of Year 2000.

Thus far, Star Cinema has released three films and they're all giant hits - Minsan, Minahal Kita, the return team-up of Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez; Tu-ay na Tunay, Gets Mo? Gets Ko!, the first team-up of Robin Padilla and Jolina Magdangal; and the currently-showing record-breaker Anak, the first and only movie for this year of Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos pitted against Claudine Barretto in a searing family drama.

Not many people have noticed perhaps that all three films were directed by women - Minsan by Olivia Lamasan, Tunay na Tunay by Joyce Bernal and Anak by Rory B. Quintos. Woman Power, as I was saying.

Last Friday, Star Cinema/ABS-CBN top honchos Gabby Lopez, Freddie Garcia and Charo Santos-Concio hosted a cocktails party in honor of the stars of the three movies and other talents involved in them at ABS-CBN's Executive Lounge which sparkled with blinding brightness with the presence of superstars (hard to gather in one cozy room, I tell you), including Richard (minus pregnant wife Lucy Torres) and Sharon (joined later by husband Francis Pangilinan) for Minsan, with direk Olivia; Robin Padilla and latecomer Jolina Magdangal (in a backless gown) for Tunay na Tunay, minus direk Joyce (who, I heard, has a tampo - against whom?); and Vilma, Claudine, Amy Austria, Baron Geisler, Jodi Sta. Maria and child star Sheila Mae Alvero for Anak, with direk Rory and scriptwriters Ricky Lee and Raymond Lee (no relations).

Noting that the character of Joel Torre (shown in flashbacks, as the late father of Vilma's three children) in Anak is a weakling, Gabby Lopez suggested to Ricky Lee to do a screenplay with the man as a strong character, for a change, so during the thank-you portion of the affair, Charo half-jokingly announced that Star Cinema's next project would be titled - you never guessed it - Tatay!

Charo also noted that although the industry, just like the economic scenario not only in our country but the whole of Asia (and several parts of the world, for that matter), hasn't really been consistently rosy, she nonetheless thanked the public for supporting the three, Star Cinema films calculated to gross more than P350 million during their entire run nationwide (not to count the gross from the foreign market).

Incidentally, apropos the Woman Power at Star Cinema, be reminded that another lady director, comebacking Laurice Guillen, is now halfway through with the shooting of Tanging Yaman, starring Gloria Romero (the main character), Dina Bonnevie, Joel Torre and many others.

Shouldn't this pose a big challenge to the men at Star Cinema? Where have they gone? Where are they now? They should start bracing up and waving the flag of Man Power; start the "ball" rolling (if you know what "it" means).

The glow in Vilma Santos' face is generated not only by the tremendous box-office success of Anak (which has already broken the record of last year's top moneymaker, Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko, also from Star Cinema) but also by her recent American holiday with her family (husband Ralph Recto, sons Luis/Lucky and Ryan Christian, and the rest of the Santoses now based in California).

"It was invigorating," gushed Vilma. "Talagang heaven!"

In response to popular demand and requests from readers, Vilmanians and other fans, Funfare is putting out more exclusive photos of that US bakasyon grande. Have you fill and enjoy the trip with Vilma, even if only vicariously.