Charo: Kris still Kapamilya

It’s all over but the signing.

Yes, after reportedly doing some, ehem, “soul searching” in London where she’s vacationing until tomorrow (Jan. 9, Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo) with her sons Joshua and Bimby…and thus keeping everybody guessing what her next “move” would be, Kris Aquino will stay on as a Kapamilya.

Funfare called up ABS-CBN’s gracious lady boss Charo Santos-Concio for confirmation and she said, that’s it, “Kris is renewing her contract” when she comes back. The contract expires anytime soon.

Then, Charo referred me to the latest Instagram entry of Kris who, I suspected, immensely enjoyed being at the center of suspense (so what else is new!?!), her ears flapping at being talked about even when she’s miles away after The STAR published the scoop that she might move to a new company (your guess is as good as anybody’s) that MVP has just bought (although Funfare sources claimed that negotiations are still in progress).

It was Kris herself who has been floating the yarn that she wanted to be a “president,” not of the Philippines (thank heavens!?!) but like Charo, a dream (if it really is) that may have to remain a dream for a long time, Charo Santos-Concio being a tough act to follow.

Anyway, here’s what Kris posted on her Instagram very recently, verbatim:

May I set the record straight?

I never met with any GMA officials but I am grateful to them for the generous coverage they gave My Little Bossings, primarily because of their long-starting partnership with Vic Sotto and the Eat, Bulaga! family.

I had met with MVP (Manny Pangilinan) in October and again Dec. 23 of 2013.

I have been with ABS-CBN for 18 years and like any other family we’ve had our ups and downs and sometimes unavoidable “tampuhan” — but we remain FAMILY.

My manager Deo Endrinal continued talks with our ABS bosses during the Christmas break and it is with much joy that I share with you that we have RENEWED my ABS-CBN contract.

I am grateful to my ABS-CBN bosses, Sir Gabby, Ma’am Charo, and Tita Cory for the trust, value and importance they have given me. What I have become as a host, entertainer and producer came about because in 1996 FMG who was then president of ABS-CBN told me, “Come back home.”

I would just like to give a shoutout to @cvidanes for being an inspiring boss who has not only my respect, but my love, @montie for the patience to work out all the details and have a deal where we are all winners, Boy Abunda for his unwavering faith, @luiandrada, @jasminip and @darlasauler and the whole Kris TV family because I couldn’t imagine a show of mine w/o you because we’ve learned to love each other unconditionally.

And the most important THANK YOU is for all the KAPAMILYA viewers, thank you for watching me, enjoying me and making me part of your daily viewing. Because of your support I get to continue a job I love and I am also able to provide well for Kuya and Bimb…From my heart, MARAMING SALAMAT KAPAMILYA!

Now, could it be true that it was Kris (or her “advisers?”) who spread that “move to head a network” rumor as a bargaining strategy against ABS-CBN?

If that is so, then I take my hat off to them for their business savvy. They got what they wanted. Right, Ma’am Charo?

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Brocka only Filipino director honored in book

I just got a copy of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, an updated edition, and the first thing I looked for was which Filipino director made it to the Honor Roll. There’s only one, Lino Brocka (whose first name is misspelled “Lina” in the Index) who is represented by his 1975 classic, Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila in the Claws of Brightness), the same movie also mentioned in the book’s earlier edition.

The feature (Page 593) shows Maynila lead actor Bembol Roco behind a window, looking dejected presumably after his frustrating search for his lost probinsyana girlfriend (played by Hilda Koronel).

On the cover is a scene from Life Of Pi, showing Indian neophyte actor Suraj Sharma with a Bengal tiger, directed by Ang Lee (Taiwan) who’s among the other Asian directors mentioned, including Jackie Chan (Hong Kong), Kaige Chen (China), Akira Kurosawa and Nagisa Oshima (Japan), Park Chan-wook (Korea), Satyajit Ray (India), Zhang Yimou (China) and John Woo (Hong Kong).

Incidentally, I want to thank Gerry Diaz (Funfare’s “beauty-watcher” and member of Aces & Queens, trainer of beauty queens) who gave me the book as a Christmas present.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)