Friday, May 09, 2008 Serna: Exciting KC, Richard tandem By Roger Serna Sounds and images
IN my opinion, the upcoming team-up of ABS-CBN contract star KC Concepcion and GMA 7’s prized possession Richard Gutierrez is a very welcome development. The two are scheduled to star first in a movie to be made under Star Cinema (ABS-CBN’s movie company) then in another under GMA Films.
I would like to view it as a sign that despite the ongoing and raging war between the two networks, they still can put their stiff competition aside just to give the movie-going public something to be excited about, something to enjoy.
Will this signal the beginning of the end of the network war? Maybe, maybe not. If ever that happens, would Philippine show business be as intrigue-laden and thus exciting as it is now?
However, there are some who think that revenue is still the primary reason why the two warring camps have decided to “join hands.” Whatever. For as long as it will give the much needed shot in the arm of Philippine cinema and bring back its glory days, I don’t think the public would mind. I hope.
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One Monday evening last month some members of the media savored the mouthwatering Asian cuisine of the newly opened Chic & Fab Fashion Café located in Crossroads. It’s actually the old Hai Phong that was given a new concept and is now focuses not only on Vietnamese food but also on Thai, Singaporean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian cuisine and the rest of the Asian region.
Added attraction was the upper section of the café, which features items for the fashionista diners. Mommy Carol and Sir Pongpot Hiranpruck were on hand to assist new couple Jim and Jan in supervising the preparation of the food by chef Charet, attending to the guests and in running the fashion café.
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Allow me to congratulate the Tourism Committee of the municipality of San Jacinto, Masbate (one of the four towns on Ticao Island), headed by SB Member Jay Esparrago for the successful staging of the first ever “Mr. & Miss Ticao Island Tourism 2008.”
Supported by Psalmstre Enterprises and Trans Asia Shipping Lines, among others, the pageant boasted of having attracted 33 hunks and babes from different places in Luzon and the Visayas.
In the end, four of Cebu’s eight bets grabbed four top slots, namely: McBilly Wilford Sy (Mr. Ticao), Jean Therese Jumamoy (Ms. Ticao), and Edgar Rey Jugadora and Kayle Faye Companion (first runners-up). Las Piñas City’s Emmanuel Adigue and Bulacan’s Jiddith Marie Escota were the second runners-up.
Two other Cebuanos won special awards. Seigfred Schmidt was personally chosen by Psalmstre’s Jim Acosta and Patty Santos of Buhay Pinoy as Mr. Photogenic and Mr. Placenta Face. Jody Michelle Yu won the best in ethnic wear award.
My wish is that next year, the pageant will be more fast paced and more short. Also, that the road network around the island will be improved so tourists can really be attracted to visit the place and for media colleagues, like Ryan Mark of Banat News and Yuri Deldig of GMA 7 Cebu (they sat side by side with 10 Masbateños as judges) to enjoy the trip more.
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The group of Cebuano fashion designers, called Clothes for Life and headed by Harley Ruedas, will be staging the Santacruzan 2008 tomorrow at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. It will feature carefully chosen Cebuana lookers as sagalas.
Businesswoman-philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung is Reina Emperatriz. The Cebuano crowd is given a chance to catch a preview of the event’s main characters with the photo exhibit at the Ayala Food & Entertainment Center.
Tomorrow’s activities will be opened by a Holy Mass at 4 p.m. followed by the procession, cultural presentation and the coronation rites. Reina Elena is Fiona Evangelista King. Ms. Cebu 2008 Sian Elizabeth Maynard is Reina de las Estrellas.
If you find less glittering heavenly bodies in the skies (partly due to the inclement weather), it’s perhaps because they have descended for the Santacruzan. Sought-after director-choreographer Junjet Primor is at the helm.
