Costanilla: Cebuano movies lined up for public viewing

MOVIES. We are glad that at least two Visayan indie movies are having their regular run starting this Wednesday, Oct. 31, in a local cinema. We have Dili Ingon Nato (Not Like Us) and Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot (Our Fate Decides) to excite all of us, particularly those who have been waiting for films that promote the dialect and feature our local culture. While Dili Ingon Nato is a horror flick, “Palad...” is a drama/action/comedy treat that features boxing champion Nonito Donaire and singer Krissel Valdez in the lead roles. Donaire recently won a fight against his Japanese opponent in California.

Actor. Talking of Donaire, yours truly had the rare opportunity to work with him while we were shooting our scenes together for two days at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque. This Boholano boxer could act—yes, he acts naturally and delivers his lines like a veteran actor does. When we asked him about his participation in this movie, the boxer profusely thanked director Dandin Ranillo for giving him the chance to show his acting skill. He also stressed that he is willing to appear in the director’s next production. Next to boxing, acting is his other love, Donaire told us.

Concentrate. Now that one of Donaire’s fingers which was badly hurt during the fight had to be completely healed for a year, maybe the boxing champ could concentrate on appearing in the next Visayan film as planned by Ranillo. The hurt finger could temporarily sideline Donaire’s boxing career for at least a year, according to his doctors. Not bad at all, if we are to comment on the matter, because during the year-long rest period, he could conveniently shoot Ranillo’s next flick which does not involve actual physical fighting on the ring. We are sure that if fame and fortune do not go to Donaire’s head, he will have a long way to go both as boxer and movie star.

Pride. Another star that we Cebuanos should be proud of is Rochelle Vega-Siu a.k.a. Raki Vega. Remember the Ultimate Born Diva from Cebu? She e-mailed from Hong Kong Disneyland where she is presently working as lead vocalist of The Golden Mickeys. She handles three equally demanding roles in singing, dancing and hosting as the feisty reporter Bebe. She tags along with other Disney characters as the musical runs through its popular stories of friendship, heroism and romance.

Cantonese. “It took me two months to learn Cantonese for the demanding yet fulfilling role,” Raki wrote. She also stressed that Hong Kong is practically the happiest place on earth and seeing the happy faces of children and adults makes her work worthwhile.

“Here, we are exploring cultural diversity,” she added. Raki started working there in Oct. 2010.

Talented. We are not surprised to see the growth of Raki from being a concert singer in Cebu to being a popular star in Hong Kong Disneyland. Credit that to her talent—and guts. When she was still based in Cebu, we had the opportunity to observe her as a professional performer up close and personal and we predicted that she was destined to become a big star someday. Right from the start, Raki had never been an egoistic lady.

Her being a Marian devotee must have also helped her achieve a successful career in the field of entertainment. But she should stage a concert again here in Cebu if a vacation is possible.