Aleck’s ‘revenge’

Make no mistake about it: I may not agree with Aleck Bovick’s selection as FAMAS Best Actress (for Tampisaw), just like I suppose millions of people out there, but I respect Aleck’s right to speak up and defend herself.

"Being the victim," said Aleck who’s topbilled in Hiram, opening in Metro theaters today, "I want to have the last say. Just this: I didn’t buy the award; I deserved it. Mamatay sa inggit ang mga sore losers."

Did I hear anybody say "Ouch!!!"?

No, Aleck added, she didn’t have any plans of returning her trophy which she displays with pride at home.

"If I return it," said Aleck, "people will conclude that I ‘bought’ it. I’m keeping it. Nobody can take it back from me – not even the FAMAS," adding with a laugh, "they gave it to me, why should they take it back?"

Aleck is aware that people, especially her critics and detractors, are keeping an eye on her, eager to find out how she performs in Hiram which marks the directorial comeback of Romy Suzara (remember Sutla?). For Romy to say "yes" to directing Aleck, it simply means that he believes in Aleck’s ability as an actress. "Mahusay siya," Romy said.

Anyway, I saw Tampisaw and the other movies that competed in the FAMAS and other award-giving bodies and, as I was saying, I didn’t agree with Aleck’s choice as Best Actress.

But I want to see Hiram and see for myself if Aleck’s portrayal (I will let you find out for yourself what role she’s playing and how she fares) will "vindicate" her.

Maybe the actresses beaten by Aleck in the FAMAS race should also watch Hiram and, yes, give Aleck even the benefit of a doubt.

Make way for Juliana

She stands 5’7," weighs a trim 120 pounds, has smooth and golden-brown skin, Spanish looks although both her parents are Filipino ("It must come from one of my grandparents, or great-grandparents or someone further down the line," she quips), and a crisp American accent that comes from having lived in Los Angeles, USA, since she was 11.

She is Juliana Palermo, the star of Maverick Films’ pinaysex.com, Tikoy Aguiluz’s forthcoming movie that delves into the heretofore untouchable world of cybersex. Tikoy specifically wanted a new face to play Joanna, the adventurous Filipino-American girl who gets into cybersex and discovers, in the process, that there’s more to it than the words she sees on a computer screen.

A few months back, Maverick Films and its managing director, Eric Cuatico, launched a nationwide search to cast the lead role. Juliana, whose nickname is July (she was born that month), was one of hundreds who sent their pictures and resumes. She learned about the auditions from a friend and went, initially, just because "it seemed like a fun thing to do." She had no showbiz experience whatsoever, except for having done some ramp modeling since she arrived in the Philippines a year ago after graduating from Hollywood High School in LA. Juliana – who was born in Davao to Filipino parents – moved to the US with her family when she was 11. She can still speak fluent Tagalog and Visayan.

Finding out that she won the role was a surprise. The 18-year-old Filipino-American model says she wasn’t really prepared to make acting a career. But now, she has no choice as the cameras have started rolling for her launching movie, and Maverick Films has signed her up to do two or three more under a non-exclusive contract.

Because pinaysex.com is a movie about cybersex, Juliana knows that the role will require some baring. "Yes, I’ve read the script, and I know that there is some breast exposure. There’s even a scene where I dance in front of the webcam in my underwear. But I’m ready for that," she says, without batting an eyelash.

Juliana is perfect for the role because like the character, she too is Filipino-American. Her attitudes toward life and sex are more open than those of the typical Filipina. "I’m very liberal and very open to talking about topics like sex," she says. "And as far as the movie is concerned, I’m willing to do what the script requires, as long as I don’t feel I’m being degraded as a woman."

Aside from Juliana, pinaysex.com also stars Gary Estrada, Carlo Maceda and Angelu de Leon in what could be her most daring role in her career.

Vic and Pia and Dina and Paolo

Remember Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice, that late ’60s Hollywood movie about, uh, changing partners?

It’s what came to my mind when a Funfare DPA sent an addendum to my item yesterday about Vic Sotto and his new girlfriend, Pia Cabreira, who is half his age. That’s the current "fad," isn’t it? I mean, May-November romances.

The Funfare DPA reported that there’s a curious "twist" to my story.

"Did you know," he said, "that Vic’s ex-wife Dina Bonnevie has crossed paths with Pia’s ex-boyfriend, model Paolo Paraiso (launched last Monday as a member of the ABS-CBN Talent Center’s Star Circle Batch 11)? It happened during Nono Palmos’s fashion show in Aklan recently. Dina must have been attracted to Paolo, one of the models, because she openly flirted with him. Paolo could only smile to himself. In short, wa epek."

Until now (but now she knows!), Dina didn’t have any idea that that handsome hunk is the "ex" of the current of her "ex". Oops! Is it getting somewhat confusing? Sorry. Merry-go-rounds are supposed to make you dizzy, aren’t they?

Like Vic, Dina has a fondness for younger people. She has been linked to, among others, Gary Estrada and Diether Ocampo.

"I have a suggestion," said the Funfare DPA. "Why don’t the four of them go out together – Vic and Pia and Dina and Paolo?"

Good idea, isn’t it?

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