Roger Serna
Sounds and Images

‘TAYONG Dalawa resulted in the increase of the number of PMA enrollees this year’

“Move on.” That’s the usual phrase we hear from people who want to console, lighten the emotional burden or somehow help brighten up someone’s gloomy world after a tragedy, a scandal, an all time low phase, a heartbreak or just anything
unpleasant, unwanted, unexpected.

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So after a brief period of mourning for the King of Pop, the music idol, the music icon, family member, friend, whatever you may call him, let’s allow him to enjoy peace and tranquility in the after life.

For those (or could be us) who are still trying to find our definite places under the sun or are striving to excel in whatever endeavor one may be into, move on. That’s it. Move on. So move on, we must.

***

“Move on.” That’s exactly what controversial star Katrina Halili wanted to do when she accepted the invitation of Gaisano Main and Country Mall for the guesting stint last Saturday.

She was apprehensive when she left Manila but the feeling vanished into thin air when she witnessed the warmth and support of fans, Cebuanos and non-Cebuanos alike, starting from the airport, to the restaurant where she had lunch up to the venues of the raffle.

A Gaisano Main and Country Mall insider swore it was the biggest crowd that a celebrity guest of theirs was able to gather, ever. That guest stint was not without oppositions though. At least two callers voiced out their disgust over the choice of showbiz personality for the task.

That insider explained that long before the scandal broke out, Katrina was already a close friend of Rosemarie Gaisano.

Katrina has earned the trust and confidence of the Ms. Gaisano, who felt that at this phase in the beleaguered star’s life, she needs moral support the most. So that’s what Ms. Gaisano readily extended.

In addition, who are we to judge? Are we that clean as to throw the first stone? And haven’t we learned that the Savior came to this world not exactly for the upright but for the sinners instead?

***

During the interview, when the scandal was brought to the fore, Katrina poured her heart out (no, she did not cry this time but did not remove her dark shades either), having felt betrayed and trampled upon. She narrated how her father and lawyer had asked her in the beginning if she’s really bent on pursuing her fight for justice because if she’s not that determined, she better not start the fight at all.

The rest is history. Somehow, she said that the experience had made her family bond closer, that they now pray together especially at mealtime. She hesitated to use the word “stronger” to describe her present stance but later on, for lack of a better word perhaps or simply feeling the appropriateness of the term, she described herself as stronger than before.

She’s Cosmopolitan mag’s current cover girl and will soon be appearing on the cover of two other magazines for women. No men’s mag appearance as of the moment, said Kat’s road manager, Rommel Gacho, said.

***
First, it was the tandem of Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca, the lead actors of ABS-CBN’s top-rating teleseries Tayong Dalawa, who was given recognition by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for giving a good image to the institution which, if my memory serves me right, resulted in the increase of the number of PMA enrollees this year.

Then it was the turn of Tonton Gutierrez’s and former Ms. International Lara Precious Quigaman’s to receive a special award, this time from the Philippine National Police, for the duo’s role as exemplary law enforcers in another top-rating teleseries of the same network, May Bukas Pa. Going showbiz?

Perhaps not. Just an acknowledgement on their part for the good impact that the shows and the actors have on the viewers. It’s an encouragement for similar portrayals in the future.

To both camps, I’d say, keep it up.