Monday, October 30, 2006 Costanilla: Wanted magicians! By Sam Costanilla Spotlight
MANY are hoping, not necessarily expecting, at least two Visayan movie producers to try to further revive the dormant Cebuano/Visayan movie industry. Lawyer Joji Alonso of MLR Films and actor Cesar Montano of CM Films have been challenged to produce at least one Cebuano/Visayan movie per year and encourage other moneyed individuals to go into film production. Alonso produced Minsan Lang which was shot entirely in Cebu, while Montano did Panaghoy sa Suba shot entirely in Bohol. We are hoping that both Alonso and Montano will be enticed to produce one Cebuano film each at least per year.
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PAGING Cebuano entertainers. A legitimate Japanese firm whose representative is coming to town soon is in immediate need of 50 clowns, 25 magicians and 25 acrobats. Composer-arranger Doy Montaña told me that those interested must be 40 years old and below, male or female, must possess a passport and must submit some pictures taken during an actual performance. With this number of entertainers being enticed by the Japanese firm to work in the Land of the Rising Sun, we could imagine the enormous assistance that the company will be extending to them and their families here. Definitely, the pay and benefits are substantial. Qualified and want to join? Call tel. nos. 269-8036 or 273-5199 and look for Maestro Doy or call or text yours truly. My number is at the bottom of this article.
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ON another matter but still related to music, Maestro Doy is happy to announce that his Doy Montaña Band, composed of 10 musicians and four vocalists, is now available for musical engagements and other social functions in the cities and towns here and outside Cebu. Being a veteran musical arranger and conductor, Maestro Doy vows to offer a musically-enriching experience to his audience. Those who’d like to avail of the band’s expertise, contact the same numbers listed above.
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THE Cebu Malay Society of Composers, Authors and Producers (Cemscap), headed by Jun Laspiñas, and the Cebu Association of Legitimate Musical Artists (Calma), founded by Maestro Doy, should be commended for trying their best to regroup and encourage local composers, singers and other artists or performers to join the cause in discovering new talents as well as promoting the love for compositions penned by our homegrown songwriters. We have a surplus of them here anyway.
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OUR weekly television program Sam Enchanted Evening over INTV/CCTN channel 47 or Skycable channel 56 every Tuesday night has a new timeslot—from 10 to 11 p.m. and a replay on Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Tomorrow, I’ll have two special guest performers, but I’d rather not reveal their names now. Find out who they are by simply watching the show. They’re really nice singers.
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SO they’re finally planning to revive the glorious ambience of historic Colon, the country’s oldest street. Nice move. But the very first thing to be done is to completely, not partially, round up those pickpockets and petty criminals in the area. If such effort fails, the move to bring back the glorious past of Colon street is only an exercise in futility. A waste of everything.
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AND I remember a few years back that a local women’s club was so active in encouraging the public to regularly clean and beautify the street. I emceed one of its programs right in front of Gaisano Metro in the heart of Colon street. But what has happened to the cleanup drive? Why the failure to sustain it? Look at Colon street now.
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THIS local politician is no longer the media’s favorite news source. Reporters notice that the politico has the penchant of delivering long-winded answers to very simple questions. They also joke that the interviewee’s style of answering their questions is always a waste of time, ink, cassette tapes, tape recorder batteries and notebook space. Their common observation: “Tuyok-tuyok man na iyang sulti uy.”