Director Raya Martin with Piolo Pascual and Alessandra de Rossi.

Hunk Piolo Pascual, one of ABS-CBN Star Magic’s pride, has turned producer and his initial venture, “Manila,” will open the 5th Cinemalaya Film Festival today, July 17, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The indie movie was first exhibited at the recent Cannes International Film Festival and then at the 31st Moscow International Film Festival and to this day has received eight other invitations from international film festivals either for competition or exhibition.

At the press conference for the movie held at Max’s Restaurant along Sct. Tuazon, Piolo expressed pride that he and his group (directors Raya Martin and Adolf Alix, Jr. among others) through their movie “Manila” represented the Philippines in the prestigious Cannes filmfest. “It was truly an overwhelming feeling, because our film was screened by a foreign audience; this certainly gave us great pride,” he said. He was also thankful of the big support that the Filipino community in France gave them.

The film’s inclusion in the 62nd Cannes filmfest came as a surprise to them, according to Raya.

“We just submitted the film, there was no lobbying done, we didn’t have any distributor in France, and so we were surprised to be notified that ‘Manila’ has been accepted for exhibition.” Raya said there were over a thousand entries.

Of the 50 films exhibited, there were three from the Philippines. “Actually, it was a double whammy for Raya because another film of his, ‘Independencia,’ was also shown,” Piolo said. The other Filipino film shown was Dante Mendoza’s “Kinatay.” Dante of course is the winner of the Best Director Award.

In “Manila,” which is co-produced by MJM Productions and Bicycle Pictures, Piolo plays two different roles. In the “Day” episode which also stars Rosanna Roces, Angelica Panganiban and William Martinez, he plays William, a drug addict and the son of a popular and controversial sexy actress. In the “Night” episode, Piolo plays Philip who works as a bodyguard for a mayor’s son who later suffers a lot of misfortune and desperation in life.

Also in the “Night” episode are Iza Calzado, Alessandra de Rossi, Jay Manalo, Baron Geisler, Jon Avila, Jiro Manio and Anita Linda. Also in the cast of “Manila” are John Lapus, Katherine Luna, Menggie Cobarrubias, Aleck Bovick, and Marissa Delgado.

Piolo’s drained bankbook

Piolo said he has almost drained his life’s savings but he isn’t complaining, because he has always wanted to grow more as an artist and to explore more avenues in the field he has entered. Raya and Adolf came to him at the most opportune time, he said. He will continue to produce and the next project will be his own album. In forthcoming projects, he said he would also want to work with the likes of Vhong Navarro, John Prats, John Lloyd Cruz ,and Luis Manzano among others. “I envision us doing something like ‘Ocean 11,’ but I know this would be too ambitious, but who knows, we would be able to do it someday.”

He is grateful to his ABS-CBN and Star Cinema family for their support as his film’s distributor. He said he owes the success of “Manila” to the production staff especially to his co-stars. He related that Angelica did not want to accept her talent fee. “Tulong na lang daw niya sa production,” Piolo revealed.

“Manila” pays tribute to two great Filipino filmmakers, Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.

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‘Isang Araw Lang’ premieres July 19

The first film venture – in digital format – of Kuya Daniel Razon, also dubbed as “Mr. Public Service,” will premiere on July 19, at 4 p.m. at the Meralco Theater. The second special screening will be held on July 26, also at 4 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The movie, “Isang Araw Lang,” stars also Daniel Razon. It is also his first directorial job.

Kuya Daniel said that the proceeds of the special screenings will be used to defray expenses for his various charitable projects, like the Transient Home, free MRT fares for senior citizens, and medical missions, among others.

Asked if those various charitable projects are indications that he would throw his hat into politics, Kuya Daniel said: “I have been asked that question several times, and my answer has always been a flat no!”

“I do not need to enter politics to do the civic projects I am undertaking now. In politics, almost anything you do is suspect.” He added that any private individual “can undertake projects such as what I am doing.”

“And that’s why the title of my movie is ‘Isang Araw Lang.’ If any well-to-do person contributes just one day of his life to do something for the less fortunate, that would translate into a great, collective public service,” he stressed.

Warned that a digital movie usually do not make money in the box-office, Kuya Daniel said: “We have our own marketing strategy. We are not even booking ‘Isang Araw Lang’ to the regular theater circuits. We are marketing the movie through special screenings, and our two forthcoming special screenings are already a sell-out.”

Kuya Daniel, during his earlier years, was a stage director and he also teaches film appreciation and the craft of filmmaking. “Isang Araw Lang” is a social comment story. “Let us not lose hope,” he stressed. “Every person has an innate goodness in him.”

He added that his civic projects are being undertaken with the full support of Bro. Eli Soriano.

He also stressed that he will never abandon his advocacies in favor of politics.

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Will Zorro’s secret finally be revealed?

More revelations are in store as “Zorro” continues to heat up this week. Will Zorro’s real identity be revealed as Lolita (Rhian Ramos) will start to think that Zorro and Antonio are the same person?

The past episodes lead to more breath-taking scenes. Gaspar left Lena almost dead, but Bernardo and Pepe (Buboy Villar) saw Lena and brought her to the hospital. She died but before leaving, she was able to ask forgiveness that she wasn’t able to give Antonio warning and wished for Antonio and Lolita’s happiness.

On the other hand, Don Carlos managed to escape the guardia civils and asked Don Rosso’s help. Don Rosso told Don Carlos the truth that he is Don Roberto which the latter been thankful for. Don Carlos was happy knowing that his friend is still alive and that this revelation will save Antonio.

Before even killing Antonio, Bernardo came just in time before Ramon (TJ Trinidad). He tried to stop Ramon in killing Antonio but was hit with the pistol. Don Carlos and Don Roberto came together, the latter shouting to stop hurting his son Antonio. Everybody was shocked seeing him alive as well. Antonio was then proven innocent seeing Don Roberto still alive.

Now that Antonio is free, he tried to make up with Lolita who now has thoughts on Zorro and Antonio being the same person. The same goes with Ramon who compares Antonio’s style in swords with that of Zorro. Ramon will go to Gov. Aragon (Eddie Gutierrez) to say his hint on Antonio and Zorro.

The very bothered Lolita will confront Antonio if he is really Zorro. Antonio couldn’t do anything but to tell her the truth. But Ramon heard the confession and the guardia civils tried to shoot and kill them. Antonio will witness Lolita’s death in his arms.

Did Lolita really die or was it just Antonio’s imagination?

Watch out for more developments this week and the next in this toprated Richard Gutierrez/Rhian Ramos starrer!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 17, go to former Candon Mayor Grace Singson, former Tacloban City Mayor Bejo Romualdez, rock singer Sampaguita, Celine S. Bautista, former Congen in New York Linglingay F. Lacanlale, New York-based Teddy Jose, Edwin Dollente, Marissa Kalaw Sorra, Alice Bonoan, Nina E. Orbito, Gene Dacanay Orejana, Marjorie Anne Sayas, Chito Alcid and Angel Javier of GMA-7 Corporate Communication.