A word from — and for — Noranians

The International Circle of Online Noranians (ICON) sent me a long letter in reaction to an item last week about my suggestion that for their idol Nora Aunor’s movie(s), especially her latest, Angora Films’ Naglalayag which was shown at the financially-dismal Manila Filmfest, to stay in the box-office race, Noranians should go all-out in their support by actually paying their way in and not just paying lip service.

I made that suggestion in the light of Naglalayag’s not-so-good showing at the Manila Filmfest where it was pulled out of some theaters only on the second day of the 10-day event. I said that if there were, for example, 500,000 Noranians in Metro Manila and they took time to watch Naglalayag, the movie could have easily made more than P40 million (and that’s supposing that the Noranians bought only orchestra tickets, at P80 each) and thus emerge as top grosser.

Until now, everybody (especially the people behind the filmfest) is mum on how much the six movies (with Star Cinema’s Volta at No. 1) earned in 10 days, although there are speculations that the amount was not more than P12 million. Dismal, wasn’t it?

Anyway, some Noranians and Nora herself cried "Foul!" and "Politics!" when Naglalayag wasn’t included in the 6th Cinemanila International Film Festival which ends today, accusing Makati Mayor Jojo Binay of "discriminating" against Nora because she campaigned for President GMA. An FPJ supporter, Mayor Binay said that he had nothing to do with the selection of the Cinemanila films, that Tikoy Aguiluz was in charge of it (he being the founder-head of the event) and that Makati only served as host of the Cinemanila.

Anyway, in their long letter, the Noranians through ICON said that they have never failed to support Nora and her movies, that they printed stickers (for Naglalayag) and distributed them to public vehicles for display, created a Nora Aunor website, mobilized their friends and relatives and encouraged them to watch Naglalayag by giving them movie money, that many of them watched the movie as many as five times, etc.

They then called upon not only Noranians but other sectors to patronize good movies like Naglalayag (for which Nora won the Best Actress award) not only to boost the local movie industry but also to inspire and encourage especially independent producers like Angora Films to pursue their objective of producing quality, even if low-budget, movies.

Well taken. I agree, I watched Naglalayag and I loved it. It’s a beautiful movie that should have been seen by much, much more than the number that did during the Manila Filmfest. I admire and commend the ICON/Noranians for their effort which was, sadly, maybe not good enough. They should try harder next time and, if at all possible, make a census of the Noranians and monitor them at least during the showing of Nora’s movies to make sure that they go and see it. The ICON guys forgot to say how many members they have. This piece of friendly, if unsolicited advice is good not only for Noranians but for avid fans of other stars (Judy Ann Santos, Vilma Santos, etc.).

Bruce Lee Will Carry On

In that same filmfest, Bruce Lee Ricketts, nephew of Ronnie Ricketts, created his own wave as his uncle’s co-star in Mano-Mano III (written, directed, produced and starred in by Ronnie himself, under his own Rocketts Productions).

Because of his performance in the movie, Bruce Lee (named after you-know-who), who’s turning 14 on Wednesday, July 14, and his father, Topher Ricketts (a master in martial arts), were invited to the Second World Filipino Martial Arts Convention in Las Vegas slated on Oct. 1.

A sophomore at La Salle-Zobel in Ayala Alabang, Bruce has been training in martial arts since he was a kid. He also plays badminton and golf.

He and his uncle Ronnie have been busy promoting Mano-Mano III in the provinces (Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod, etc.). Bruce will also be included in the cast of Ronnie’s next project which is a true-to-life action flick based on the experiences in the US Army of Ronnie’s brother Alex and nephew Jason who both recently served in Iraq.

Bruce has been getting "feelers" for commercials and movies. He’s managed by Ronnie’s wife Mariz (who may be contacted at her and Ronnie’s The Barn Restaurant at 426-0066).

Corrections, Please!

• Oops 1 (from reader Nelson Villarica): Tintin Bersola and Julius Babao got married on Dec. 8 last year and not last January. Her wedding gown was designed by Renee Salud and not by Njork which did make some of Tintin’s suits.

• Oops 2: The actor who almost married Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man 2 is not James Franco but newcomer Daniel Gillies (playing an astronaut). The wedding is aborted when Kirsten (as Mary Jane Watson) doesn’t show up and instead seeks out Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) in her flowing wedding gown.

• Oops 3 (from readers Kaye Catral and Freddie Ferrer and many others): Francine Prieto’s measurements are 26-36-26? I wouldn’t describe her as wow-wow. (Note: It was a typo error. Francine’s true measurements are 36-26-36. Really wow-wow, ‘no?)

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