Paul Salas is waiting in the wings

Teen star Paul Salas got good reviews for is performance in his most recent ABS-CBN teleserye “You’re My Home” where he played the son of the iconic tandem of Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez. However, he has yet to receive an offer to do a new drama series from the Kapamilya network.

Not wanting to be idle, Paul accepted the offer to do the indie film “Maestra” directed by Lemuel Lorca and produced by educator Carl Balita.

He plays the role of Poldo in the film, the love interest of Aya (played by Anna Luna). Paul was challenged to play the role because he is portraying a 20-year-old student who fell in love with his teacher.

“I want to show the audience that I can also do mature roles,” the 18-year-old actor said.

The last indie film he did was titled “Latay” which is about hazing, but was not released in theaters and was only exhibited in schools.

Paul says he is just waiting for whatever plans ABS-CBN may have for him. “Baka po hinihintay pa nila akong mag-mature. I used to be chubby before when I did ‘You’re My Home’ so what I did was go on a diet and worked out as preparation for future projects,” he explained.

He is happy with ABS-CBN and he recently signed up with Star Magic, the management arm of the Kapamilya network. He gets occasional guest appearances in several programs of ABS-CBN and that is fine with him.

He was asked to audition for Hashtags but he was unable to do so as he was busy then taping for “You’re My Home.” While he has no qualms being part of a group like Hashtags, Paul says he wants to carve a career as a solo performer so he can showcase his acting talent.

He got noticed when he posted his sexy pictures in his Instagram account where he flaunted his abs. “I really didn’t plan to show it but going to the gym is my passion. My friends and my family urged me to show my photos. Sabi nila, pinaghirapan mo yan. Ipakita mo para makita ng mga tao na may bagong nangyari sa iyo.”

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The 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival was launched Tuesday with the announcement of the new members of its Executive Committee.

MMFF Overall Chairman Tim Orbos lauded concerned legislators and stakeholders of the industry for the substantial changes in the MMFF theme and thrusts last year. The new MMFF Execom was thoroughly screened and vetted to get a much wider spectrum and crosscut from the movie industry – different stakeholders of the industry, academe, government, media and private sector professionals.

“We need to bring now our quality films to a bigger market. This is good for the industry, for our moviegoers, and to the MMFF beneficiaries. To assure this objective, this year’s Execom reflects respected personalities from the film industry,” said Orbos.

Appointed to the new MMFF Execom are Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano, Philippine National Police – National Capital Region chief Oscar Albayalde, Movie and Television Review Classification Board chair Rachel Arenas, Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Liza Diño, Movie Producers and Distributors Association of the Philippines president Wilson Tieng, Jun Romana from the Bureau of Broadcast Services, Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association’s Jesse Ejercito, and Mowelfund chair Marichu Maceda.

Also appointed to the Executive Committee were actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo, film distributor Victor Villegas, SM Lifestyle Inc. president Edgar Tejerero, Ayala Cinemas assistant general Rolando Dueñas, Vista Mall Cinemas general manager Christina Caparas, Robinsons Movieworld operations manager Evylene Advincula, movie directors Jose Romero IV and Mel Chionglo, academician Rolando Tolentino, Quezon City Film Development Commission executive director Ed Lejano, screenwriter Ricky Lee, journalist and documentary producer Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, professor and multimedia practitioner Noel Ferrer and Optical Media Board chairman Anselmo Adriano.

Among the new appointees, several names easily stand out.

Vilma Santos-Recto is a distinguished actress-turned-politician who was asked to be a judge in last year’s festival but declined due to her busy schedule.

There is also Senator Poe, a former MTRCB chairman who was previously a member of the MMFF ExeCom before it was drastically revamped last year following the anomalous disqualification of Erik Matti’s acclaimed drama, “Honor Thy Father” from the Best Picture category .

Poe herself made headlines in last year’s MMFF when she took back the Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award named in her father’s honor won by Alvin Yapan’s political drama “Oro” in light of its controversial dog slaughter scene.

We are hoping that this year’s MMFF Execom will do a better job than the previous one. We also hope that they change the composition of the screening committee so that there would no more controversy with regards to the selection of eventual entries.