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Friday, September 27, 2002
Bloodbath under fire
By Troy Ciar
It was Friday the 13thth when I got a call from San Miguel Beer (SMB) Corporation asking me if I could cover the event they were sponsoring that night.
I said “Sure, what event is it?” The officer replied, “Bloodbath 4!”
The scene
I arrived at the scene with not just one, but two of our eager photographers: Sun.Star chief lensman Alex Badayos and Ruel Rosillo. We were welcomed by SMB people, who, just like us, had no inkling of what was going to transpire during the show. All that we could see and hear during the waiting period was the boring performance of a live band. It probably would have been better if they were only allowed to play for at least an hour so the audience wouldn’t tire of hearing the same kind of music.
The young crowd, however, came into the Lantaw Pavilion of Cebu Plaza Hotel as early as 9 p.m. and continued to grow by the hour. I was told that the main attraction was the unveiling of the pool once the clock struck 12 midnight. Indeed, the pool was uncovered. But never did we expect what was to unfold.
Semi-live show
Sol Eugenio, who originally conceptualized the bloodbath series since it started last year, surfaced on the blood-red waters, together with an Assunta de Rossi-look alike beauty siren. Both were clad in skimpy swimsuits with a backdrop of smoky lights.
Playing the king of the vampires, Sol started seducing the girl by kissing and touching her. And then vice-versa. Everyone was obviously caught by surprise, even our photographers. The young audience started screaming, as the two continued on in the pool. As some spectators would put it “maora mag live show.”
In his role as vampire, Sol bit and sucked the girl’s throat leaving her lifeless and virtually, topless. The seduction drama scene lasted for about five minutes, which marked the start of the pool party.
Judith wails
“I don’t have any control if indeed there were some minors present during the show.
But there was no malice intended whatsoever in that event. And I have a video to show to you that it was done in good faith,” said Judith Eugenio of J. Eugenio Concepts, who was behind the controversial Bloodbath 4, following complaints by some parents.
“You know me as a person, Troy. I always pour out my everything whenever I have a show… my heart, my soul and my mind… just to get their money’s worth. That’s why all my events have always been successful because they were all well-planned, well-organized and I never forget to ask for Divine intervention, if I’m doing the right thing or not.
“I’m just trying to earn a good living for my four little kids. I don’t want this issue to be blown out of proportion. Naa sad koy konsensiya uy, mahadlok sad kong makarma,” she wailed.
Learning experience
Judith said it was a learning experience for her and vows to never resort to the same style of marketing anymore. She is also putting off her plans to do a sequel for Bloodbath in December, scheduled on another Friday the 13th, as she wants to think things over with Sol, who is the cousin of Judith’s husband, Karl.
Both Judith and Sol were actually ballroom champions in Manila before they settled in Cebu. They started small ballroom party gatherings before Judith eventually put up her own production outfit, J. Eugenio Concepts, in 1997.
Apart from events, she’s also promoting some civic-oriented projects, like the annual “Aerokick Competition” and the “Give Blood Save Lives” program.
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