Christine snubs Working Girls presscon

BUZZSTATION

Edgar Cruz

04/20/2010

Just as she did at the press conference of her launching movie Green Paradise, actress Christine Reyes did not show up at the media huddle for Working Girls (2010), a much-awaited sequel to the 1980s film by Ishmael Bernal. This led Viva bigwig Vic del Rosario to quip, “Baka kasama ni Dennis (Trillo, her ex-boyfriend).” Dennis, of course, is Jennylyn Mercado’s current heart squeeze. Jennylyn is part of the Working Girls cast. Despite having confirmed her attendance to the event with business manager Veronique del Rosario, Christine was a no-show for the event.

But, as we say in the biz, the show must go on. The media huddle pushed through without Christine, but with Jennylyn, who came not with Dennis, but love child Alex Jazz. AJ has become a fixture at his mom’s biz activities. Christine’s absence is only an inconsequential hitch as producers Viva Films, GMA Films and Unitel had already hurdled the biggest challenge, which was to come up with a sequel to the ’80s film, Working Girls.

Christine, in the movie, is promo girl Wendy, who will do anything to hook a celebrity lawyer. Jennylyn is Ada, an illegitimate daughter who ends up being a mother herself. She works at a call center where she meets a man who could turn her life around if not for a drawback.

On the other hand, Ruffa Gutierrez plays Marilou, the beauty queen widow of a rich man who must find justice in the light of hostile in-laws determined to cut her off completely from her inheritance. Eugene Domingo is Paula, who makes a living by selling items on the Internet. She is hardworking, overly ambitious and perennially trying to keep up with the Joneses. Eula Valdez tackles the role of celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr. Cleo, who becomes the object of ire of feminists. Iza Calzado essays the character, Tere, a nurse waiting for summons to work for a hospital in Boston, but ends up taking care of the dying wife of the man who had hurt her most in the past. And Bianca King is the spoiled brat daughter who works as a segment producer in a TV company. She hates her stepmother so she devices ways to try and get rid of her.

In true comedic fashion, the cast merely had a laugh over the whole incident of Christine’s absence. It is usually assumed that a comedy is of lightweight caliber, and doing a sequel can be pulled off with a drop of a hat. Not so, says Vic, who explained that since it is one of the most important films in the catalogue of National Artist Ishmael Bernal, many things had to be considered before anyone could even dream of touching the original.

The project, he reveals, was such a meticulous one that when it was broached to him five years ago, it took all this time to produce a sequel. “Besides, 26 years between films is such a long time that many of the scenarios in the original Working Girls, such as rallies in Ayala, are no longer relevant today. Times have changed and, along with it, women’s status in society. Only a sequel would be credible,” he explains.

Working Girls 2010 director and scriptwriter Joey Javier Reyes could not agree more, saying that even the actors who made the final cut were screened carefully to fit their roles to a “T.” Many of them, despite their solid resume, had to audition for their roles. “Hindi pipitsugin ‘yung pelikulang ‘yon at maging ang pelikula namin. To say that expectations are high on the update is an understatement,” Reyes stresses.

The movie is scheduled to screen in over 200 theaters nationwide starting April 21. To know more about it, visit www.workinggirls.com.

Sarah, the daughter Loren never had

A photo was taken at the Bulacan campaign sortie of Sen. Loren Legarda reveals how close she is to Sarah Geronimo: she held her hand; they sat close to each other; they ate together at the house of the Gatchalian family in Marilao! 

That’s because Loren treats Sarah more like her daughter than a campaigner. For Loren — and she has said this more than once — Sarah is the daughter she never had. She has two grown-up sons, Lorenzo and Leandro Leviste, both twentysomethings, the same as Sarah. 

For third time, Sarah joined Loren’s campaign-related activity in Bulacan and Malabon. The first time was when Loren introduced her as campaigner in the Annabel’s restaurant media huddle. The second was when she joined Loren in Santiago, Isabela. 

There’s no doubt Loren’s campaign has caught the imagination of the public. The huge gathering of Bulacaños patiently wait for Loren and Sarah’s arrival to Northville Elementary School in Lambakin, Marilao, Bulacan in Friday’s hot weather. 

It was Araw ng Kagitingan so the venue was loaded with young and old fans/supporters. They gamely sang “Ikaw,” Sarah’s song in praise of Loren’s virtues as a well-loved public servant. “Ikaw” now enjoys high recall among children.

At the lunch hosted by the Gatchalian family in Plastic City, Sarah expressed sadness over Mark Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go’s transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA 7. Loren, Sarah and the rest of the group went to Malabon City after for Loren’s feeding program of unprivileged children where Sarah also sang “Ikaw” to their enthusiastic participation.

Kiko in new Benetton campaign

“The ad was so small, you’d hardly notice it,” says Born to be Wild co-host Kiko Rustia, who had been picked by global fashion brand Benetton to model its forthcoming fall/winter collection. With his exotic dreadlocks and well-toned body, the GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) talent and Survivor Philippines finalist chanced upon the ad announcing the search for new Benetton models while he was flipping through a newspaper to kill time after dinner one Sunday evening.

Two days later, Kiko found himself joining the online search, but with little hope that he’d make it even into the Top 100 list. He, after all, has had little modeling exerience — and it was a worldwide search, which eventually attracted 65,000 joiners. “And until then, only my mom had told me I’m a handsome man,” he jokes, who landed in the search’s top 40 list partly on strength of votes by people from as far away as Antigua, Belarus and Kazhakstan.   

Two months later and a still disbelieving Kiko is now in New York City with other models selected for the campaign titled “It’s my time.” They will be captured on film by renowned photographer Josh Olin for use in the retail brand’s international advertisements and point-of-purchase paraphernalia. They are currently billeted at the super chic The Standard Hotel. Although Kiko was given but 200 euros worth of Benetton clothes for making it in the campaign, the 5”8’ Wild man is pleased to represent the Philippines.

Prior to New York, Kiko invested more time than usual in his regular activities to tone his already muscular body. Instead of hitting the gym, he did more of what he likes best: mountaineering, wall climbing and dragonboat rowing. The TV host is also an environmentalist, his advocacy nurtured by his stay in Boracay for three years where he spearheaded several coastal cleanups with his dive groups. Even if bigger opportunities come his way while in New York, Rustia said he will never turn his back on Born to be Wild, now on its third year as hosted by Doc Ferds Recio, and airs Thursdays after Saksi.

A ‘Wizz’ impersonates Michael Jackson

If the King of Pop Michael Jackson were alive today and he asks through song, “Who’s bad?” the answer can never be Kenny Wizz. After all, Wizz is acknowledged worldwide as Wacko Jacko’s number one impersonator. From Michael’s reed-thin frame and cleft chin down to the icon’s high-pitched voice and patented Moonwalk dance step, Wizz is a Jackson dead-ringer. Concert producer Danee Samonte brings Wizz, who was in Manila last year back, from April 18 to May 6.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Wizz grew up listening to R&B, Soul and Pop music. He went into street dancing in his teens, just when Michael Jackson had gone solo from Jackson 5. In his 20s, Wizz was asked to perform in Atlantic City where he perfected his Michael Jackson act. Back then, Jackson was already at the height of his career with the release of his best-selling album, Thriller. In real life, Wizz shares many similarities with the King of Pop. These include doing his own recordings and choreography, maintaining a vice-free lifestyle and devoting almost his entire day in preparing for his show. Wizz will head next to Hawaii.               

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