Happy days are here again - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Things are coming up roses again in the local movie industry and shouldn’t we all rejoice?

Not isolated from the current economic pinch our country is caught in (remember, movie producers spend dollars in the purchase of raw film materials and in the processing of finished products abroad), the local movie industry’s fate has been hanging on a balance, much like the peso which is continuously losing more than its face value.

In fact, there have been dire reports that local movie companies will slow down on movie production next year and the alarming prognosis is that the industry might crank out not even one-third or one-fourth of its usual annual quota of 300-plus movies.

But the current upward swing of the barometer is optimistic, indeed, and it just might make local producers change their minds and plans and, hopefully, make more movies.

Are happy days here again, leading up to the Metro Manila Filmfest in December, the last for the old millennium, in which truly good movies are expected to be shown? Let’s keep our fingers crossed – and continue praying.

Which simply means that if you make a good movie, people will be lured to go out of the house and watch it, despite the unfair competition from the "pirates" who are among the industry’s worst enemies ("minor enemies" include, what do you know, cable-TV and, didn’t you know, star-studded TV shows that keep movie fans home).

Kahit Isang Saglit, movie-directorial debut of Gilbert Perez (namesake of the graphic artist and the couturier), is the surprise smash-hit of the season and its success should be attributed, besides to the people behind it and the supporting cast, to the three main stars – Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual and Leandro Muñoz – who form the heart-warming love triangle. Of course, the theme song by Martin Nievera, who sings it with such sweet pain, also helps a lot in enhancing the dramatic and emotional impact of an otherwise simple love story. See what a beautiful song can do to win people’s hearts!

Laro sa Baga is undoubtedly Chito Roño’s best directorial job so far, based upon Edgardo Reyes’ popular novel. Those who have seen it are all gushing, praising it to high heavens, one of them Chito’s townmate Dr. Reynaldo Uy, Mayor of Calbayog City (in Western Samar) who texted to Funfare his impressions: It’s one of the most beautiful Filipino films I’ve ever seen. I believe (Chito’s) art transcends our provincial politics. Indeed, Chito is reborn as an avant-garde quality director so different from his Curacha (a Waray shame). Carlos Morales and all the performers act very well. The film is well-crafted. As a first-time lead actor, Carlos is better than Christopher de Leon in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang. Chito should win a grand slam as Best Director. He’s at his coherent best in Laro sa Baga. Mabuhay ang mga Waray sa showbiz!

Well said, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, movie fans will have a great time watching a hateful Edu Manzano in Abandonada, a role which the Makati Vice-Mayor describes as "hindi lang masama kundi masamang-masama." Edu’s character abandons his wife (Maricel Soriano) and maltreats his new wife (Angelu de Leon). Edu’s credible and convincing performance is a feather on his acting cap.

Off-camera, Vice Edu is the exact opposite. He doesn’t maltreat women, treating them with respect and gloved hands, and he’s in very friendly and warm terms with his exes – Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos and, that’s it, Maricel Soriano – and his current beloved, too.

In closing, Funfare is inviting readers to go back to the movies. Yes, the magic is back!

Will Lea’s romance last long?

A self-effacing fortune-teller (not the publicity-hound variety whose credibility is as thin as cellophane) was watching Lea Salonga talk about her "new love," Korean-American actor Michael Lee (who took over the male lead in They’re Playing Our Song at the AFP Theater recently from Singaporean actor Adrian Pang), in Startalk and she (the fortune-teller) said she "read" lea’s romantic future through the small screen.

Her prediction? Lea’s romance with Michael will not last long and she might break up with him the way she did with Richie Grau – yes, through an e-mail. But let’s hope the fortune-teller is wrong because Lea deserves happiness and success not only in her career but also, more so, in her personal life.

Incidentally, after Lea’s three-month stint as Kim in Miss Saigon Manila, she will be flying to New York to close the Broadway production of Miss Saigon there. She will play opposite Will Chase, who has also played the role of Chris here.

Officially, the two will be performing in Manila until Dec. 24. Their stint in New York starts on Dec. 31 and will last a month until its closing on Jan. 28, 2001.

Starting Dec. 26, Cez Campos will take over the lead role as Kim with Miriam Valmores as her alternate. The role of Chris will be played by Scott Anson, with Shawn Kilpatrick as understudy.

The Engineer will continue to be played by Leo Valdez and Jon Jon Briones, with Robbie Guevara and Ian Venida as understudies. Robert Seña and Arvin Quirante will also continue to play the role of Thuy, with Jojo Urquico as understudy.

Schools and school organizations interested to buy tickets to Miss Saigon may now avail of a special discount rate to the show. For inquiries, call 522-7414 to 15 (look for Susan Ortiz).

Miss Saigon memorabilia such as T-shirts, caps, pins, bags and others are still available at the CCP Main Theater Lobby during performance dates. These would make ideal Christmas gifts for theater fans. For a complete product and price list, call Jennifer Basa at 302-1319.

Salamat Sa Pamana

The TV special Salamat sa Pamana, features the grand dance concert of former street children of Quezon City. They happen to be the children of the labanderas, street vendors, policemen and lowly laborers. You will be amazed how these poor children have been transformed to be world-class dancers.

To showcase the repertoire of the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Project chaired by Q.C. Mayor Mel Mathay, the world-class artistic directors and choreogrpahers (like Luther Perez, Eddie Elejar, and Tony Fabella) included classical ballet, pop dance, folk dance and modern dance suite in the repertoire.

Ara Mina will host the TV special which will be aired on RPN 9 on Thursday, Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dr. Gigi Javier Alfonso directed the TV coverage of the dance concert. The Artistic directors were Tony Fabella and Eddie Elejar. Dennis Marasigan was the light director for stage. Baby Nebrida wrote the TV script, edited and produced the dance concert. Cris Vertido wrote the script for stage.