Love for family

After doing a slew of sexy movies and launching the hottest babes in the land, Viva Films goes back to doing tearjerkers via Filipinas, a grand family drama topbilled by the biggest, brightest stars in Philippine cinema under the direction of Joel Lamangan and written by Roy Iglesias. The movie is Viva Films’ official entry to the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Topbilling the cast are Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Aiko Melendez, Victor Neri and Wendell Ramos, who play the children of Filipinas, portrayed to perfection by Armida Siguion Reyna.

Also portraying important roles are Raymond Bagatsing, Andrea del Rosario, Sunshine Dizon, Tanya Garcia, Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo in her big screen debut. Sarah also sings the theme song of the movie, Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Yolanda (Maricel Soriano), Filipinas’ third child who at 40, has remained a spinster. The devoted daughter that she is, Yolanda remains loyal to Filipinas, despite feeling betrayed by her siblings.

Like many present-day Filipino families, the children of Filipinas are divided by ambition, principle and geography. Richard, his mother’s favorite, has a white-collar job in California. Dawn, who makes her much-awaited comeback on the big screen, plays a caregiver in Israel. Aiko is the self-centered daughter engaged to an Indian trader. Victor is a union leader who goes underground. Wendell follows in the footsteps of his late father, a soldier fighting rebels in Mindanao. He is secretly married. Maricel keeps her mother company, and supports her by doing menial jobs. Sunshine is the adopted daughter.

Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo are Richard’s daughters while Andrea del Rosario plays his ex-girlfriend.

The brilliant, feisty Armida Siguion-Reyna gets the role of her life as the matriarch in Filipinas, an exemplary mother, raising her children alone; loving, caring and fighting for them to the very end. She teaches them to love God, to love the country and remain united no matter what.

But deep-seated resentments and clashing egos and interests divide the family, leaving Filipinas broken-hearted. It takes a tragedy to unite the family and keep them praying and staying together.

Viva Films prepared Filipinas especially for the Metro Manila Film Festival, hoping to entertain and inspire the Filipino audience with a story that captures the dream and frustration, joy and sadness of the Filipino family and the country today. It is written and directed by the tandem that brought the critically and commercially-acclaimed Mano Po.

In the same mold as their all-time favorite grand dramas like Bakit Ikaw Pa rin, Bituing Walang Ningning, Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala, Dapat Ka bang Mahalin, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Imortal, Ipagpatawad Mo, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw and many more, Filipinas will move you to tears and make you realize how short life is so we should make the most of it.

Filipinas, for me, is the most timely and relevant filmfest entry. It entertains and inspires parents and children to love each other like there is no tomorrow.

Mitch In A Night Of Jokes

Be ready to be mesmerized once again by Comic Diva Mitch Valdes as she returns to the concert scene with Mitch Valdes Rock and Rules, a night of jokes and wisecracks on Dec. 18, 9 p.m. at Onstage Greenbelt, with Jon Santos as special guest. Musical direction is by Mel Villena while stage direction is Kokoy Jimenez.

Mitch can keep audiences in stitches just by narrating everyday Pinoy life anecdotes. No matter how many times you get to see her on stage, there is something worth catching in her every performance. Which is why she remains one of the busiest performers today.

She has performed before international audiences in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Australia, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco; Vancouver and Toronto and in European venues that include London, Madrid, Athens, Rome, Paris and Germany. Through the years, she has ruled the live comedy scene with consistent sell-out shows, putting her on top of the league. Her brand of comedy has captured the hearts of local and foreign audiences, a cross section of society here and abroad.

Tickets to Mitch Valdes Rock and Rules are available at Ticketworld outlets or call 891-5610 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.