AWARDEES. We should commend the Ten Outstanding Cebuanos Award (Toca) organizers for recognizing at least three individuals and one entity whose big contribution to the entertainment industry is beyond question. The group’s decision to award the four is laudable because the awardees have been and are giving Cebu a lot of pride and honor in their respective fields of endeavor. Who could question the qualification of veteran actress Gloria Sevilla, Asia’s Diva Dulce (Maritess Llamedo in real life), film director and komiks king Carlo Caparas (married to Lapu-Lapu City’s Marian Patalinghug, a.k.a. Donna Villa) and the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) as among the 10 Toca awardees?
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ACTRESS. Of course, Sevilla is already an institution in the arena of the Cebuano/Visayan movie industry that, unfortunately, is still dormant. At the time when the local filmmaking industry was booming (in the ‘50s), Sevilla played an important role both as movie producer and actress. She got numerous Best Actress awards that caught the attention of showbiz leaders and personalities in Manila.
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SINGER. Dulce who hails from Villa Bulsita in Bulacao, Cebu City, has earned the official title Asia’s Diva because of her very powerful voice. Her winning in several singing competitions here and abroad has brought us her fellow Cebuanos a lot of pride and honor, stressing the point that Cebu is indeed the haven of world-class singers.
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DIRECTOR. By affinity, Caparas, the country’s komiks king and one of the well-respected film directors, also deserves this year’s Toca award. Only a few know that Caparas has been making Cebuano/Tagalog teleseryes aired over the government-run Nation Broadcasting Corp. with several Cebuano talents as actors. I should know because everytime Caparas and Villa come to Cebu for their teleserye shooting, they automatically look for me and ask that I contact our local talents to appear in their projects.
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NETWORK. The CCTN is the only Cebu-based broadcast outfit that continues to give our local artists a chance to hone their writing, directing and acting skills. CCTN president Nonito Limchua, a.k.a. Tatay Dodong, should be commended for this gesture.
The network is the only outfit that continues to produce the most number of Cebuano/Visayan teleseryes.
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AWARDING. So come Aug. 21, at the Sacred Heart Center on D. Jakosalem St., Toca founder and radioman Greg Senining will award these four and six others in simple rites to be hosted by veteran broadcaster Max “Daloydoy” Andrino and yours truly. CCTN has promised to broadcast the program live and direct from the venue.
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DECLINE. This local mediaman politely declined an offer by a politician to work as his public relations consultant. The mediaman says the politico is a lousy boss.