Solomonic solution to Jake/Andi case

And it came to pass that after a protracted word war waged on social media, with their poor five-year-old daughter Ellie helplessly caught in the crossfire, estranged lovers Jake Ejercito and Andi Eigenmann finally agreed to settle things in the proper forum (which was the court) and not on social media, far from the prying public.

The protagonists were civil toward each other during the meeting to thresh out the un-couple’s differences and discuss a possible solution calculated to make everybody, well, happy.

“It seemed that they didn’t have a choice,” said the Funfare DPA, “unless they wanted to continue the ugly tug-of-war over their daughter and damage her further. Ellie is growing up fast and, sooner than later, she will start to make heads and tails of what her parents are fighting about and end up confused.”

Jake flew home from Singapore where he’s studying purposely for the “compromise talk” before the judge. He has filed a case for joint custody against Andi. Many people don’t understand why they have to fight (“Must be because of pride,” commented an observer, “or immaturity”) since Ellie is allowed by Andi to be with Jake when he is here during school breaks such as last April when father and daughter showed up together at the birthday party of Jake’s dad, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, at the Manila Hotel where they joined the rest of the Estrada-Ejercito clan in dedicating a song for the birthday celebrator.

No need to rehash the accusations and counter-accusations the ex-lovers have hurled against each other, as if they didn’t grow up closely since their moms, retired actress Laarni Enriquez and Jaclyn Jose, used to be good friends. (Note: Jake is Ellie’s DNA-proven biological father.)

Present at the meeting were Jake and his mom accompanied by their lawyer, Ferdie Topacio; Andi (not mentioned by the DPA if accompanied by a lawyer) minus her mom. Jake and Andi neither kissed nor hugged each other and only shook hands (“As if they were strangers,” noted an eyewitness). Andi respectfully gave Jake’s mom a kiss.

They parted after agreeing to what another lawyer described as “a Solomonic solution.” (The usually outspoken Atty. Ferdie Topacio was unusually mum, no thanks to the court’s gag order).

Henceforth, Ellie will spend equal time between her parents. The gag order covers Jake and Andi, and their respective supporters, so noise in the social media will be considerably minimized. And Ellie will hopefully enjoy a life free from a tug here and a tug there, and finally grow up like any normal kid.

It’s presumed that all parties have buried the hatchet…but not on each other’s backs, thank heavens!

Ang Sikreto ng Piso launched, hoping for slot at 2017 MMFF

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas was tapped to star in Ang Sikreto ng Piso (The Secret of the Philippine Peso), a family-oriented comedy and historical film inspired by actual events on the smuggle of the Philippine peso coin in 2006. The project was launched at a presscon Tuesday night hoping for a slot in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in December.

Ang Sikreto Ng Piso is written and directed by stage, TV and film actor-turned-director Perry Escaño, who is also one of the nine finalists of the main competition of full-length films for the 13th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for his Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa, also topbilled by Alfred (fresh from the success of the GMA Encantadia series). It’s the second collaboration for Alfred and Perry.

Having been in the business for more than 15 years, Alfred has done a number of lead roles in GMA soaps and various independent films. This new comedy movie is a breather for him as a dramatic actor.

“We are hopeful to get a slot in this year’s MMFF with this comedy movie. It’s our gift for all Filipino families during Christmas season,” said Perry.

Major roles in the film are currently being offered to the following: Joey Marquez, Wendell Ramos, Long Mejia and the cute child actor and Downy commercial model Yuan Francisco.

Alfred was not at the presscon but, among other sure members of the cast, Beverly Salviejo, Lou Veloso, Ernie Garcia and Akihiro Blanco were present. Also in the confirmed cast are Paul Sy and Wally Waley (winner of Showtime’s Look A Like contest) and Andoy Ranay (stage, television, theater actor and director).

Ang Sikreto Ng Piso is produced by MPJ Entertainment Productions and JPP Entertainment, owned by beauty queen and fashion designer Joyce Peña Pilarsky who will portray a strict wife in the movie.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)