Serna: La Diva to open Press Freedom show

I MISSED at least three events in the Cebu entertainment scene. One was the first (and hopefully not the last for me to be able to finally view it) public screening in Cebu of the award-winning indie film Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, a project that gave Paolo Avelino a best actor trophy and Jean Garcia a best supporting actress plum.

Also in the movie is local hunk Rocco Nacino.

Another was the formal opening of the new videoke-resto-bar Musicology located along F. Ramos St. (right across Ramos Supermarket). It is owned by beauty expert Jun Esma.

The place used to be Jun’s beauty salon, which he has relocated to the second floor.

Musicology features live bands and live entertainers on weekends. I had tried flexing my vocal chords there twice before the opening and I can say that the sound system is excellent. Check this out.

The third event was the press conference of the Star Cinema’s latest treat, The Mistress, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo love team. This one, facilitated by promo diva Josie Pereyra, I terribly missed.

The movie is said to be Bea’s most daring portrayal ever. Yup, she essays the role of the mistress herself.

Her lover here is veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez who is married to the character played by actress Hilda Koronel. Lloydie plays the role of the ardent suitor of Bea’s character.

The Mistress opened in over 100 movie houses nationwide last Wednesday.

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Why did I miss such big events? The date happened to be the church wedding (in Oslob) of a nephew, Godesol Luzano, to Amy Erabon and in events like this, more often than not, relatives both close and distant congregate to celebrate.

This gathering of kin is something I strive hard not to ignore for obvious reasons, thus the difficult decision to skip important events in the entertainment scene.

Better luck next time. No regrets though.

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The significant occasion that members of the Cebu media always look forward to at this time of the year will formally open this Sunday. I’m referring to the Press Freedom Week celebration.

This is one particular affair wherein workers from different media organizations put aside competition (professional or personal) all in the name of camaraderie and friendship. I wonder if our Manila counterparts have this in their calendar.

Anyway, before the formal opening marked by a parade, the E-Group will spearheads the selection of the Mr. and Miss Press Freedom Week tomorrow night. The pageant will be held this time at Harold’s Hotel.

To open the show is the trio of female Kapuso singing champs collectively known as La Diva. This is one indication that the celebration has leveled up a bit.

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Cannes Film Fest best director Brillante Mendoza’s effort to expand his horizon by joining the competition category of the 69th Venice Film Festival this year via his latest work Thy Womb, top-billed by no less than the country’s one and only superstar Nora Aunor paid off.

Though the movie failed to grab the major awards, the team did not go home empty handed. They Womb reportedly received the P. Nazareno Taddei Special award for showing “authentic human values with the best cinematic language.”

Likewise, the critics handed over to La Aunor two special awards, namely: La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award and the Bisato d’Oro Award, which, needless to say, are prestigious awards too. Congratulations!

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Some were amazed at Matteo Guidicelli when he replied using the Cebuano language to a question (also in Cebuano) on his break-up with Maja Salvador. He was all smiles though when he begged off saying, “Basin makahilak ko dinhi kon ako nang tubagon.”

At that moment I realized that many still don’t know or have already forgotten that Matteo spent his happy and active childhood and teen years in Cebu, before relocating to Manila to try his hand in show business.

When some members of the E-Group were in Manila last year and were given the chance chat with some stars during TV show breaks, Matteo proudly showed off his roots by cheerfully answering some of our questions in Cebuano.