Her winning the FAMAS Best Actress award (for the indie movie “Ay Ayeng”) came at the right time, Heart Evangelista said during a recent mini press conference that her manager, Ms. Annabelle Rama conducted for her at the Barrio Fiesta Rest. at SM Megamall.

“I’m really very happy I won the award, unfortunately I wasn’t able to receive it personally because I had a tiring day shooting some scenes for ‘Mano Po 6: My Mother’ and I got so sleepy. But as I said, I’m happy I won an award at this time, when I now appreciate things and not when I was younger when I thought I could do everything and is above everything… If I won an award earlier, siguro lumaki na husto ang ulo ko,” she laughed.

It was her father who woke her up in the middle of the night to deliver the news of her winning. “We were so excited,” Heart said. The FAMAS officers brought her trophy to the set of “Mano Po 6” the following day.

She did not expect to win, she stressed, but she knew that the role was very good that’s why she accepted it. “It was a challenging role, that of an Ifugao teacher who went to the city to study. After finishing school, she went back to teach the children in her mountain village. The movie has a tragic ending though.”

There were rumors before that Heart didn’t cooperate with the promotion of the movie and she admitted she didn’t do her share of the promo work. “At that time kasi, magulo ang isip ko. I had differences with my parents, I had emotional problems. Kaya di ako nakapag-promote. But I am really grateful to the producer, Ms. Arlax T. Vaswani for getting me for this role.” The movie also starred Maria Isabel Lopez.

Dennis Trillo plays Heart’s leading man

In “Mano Po 6,” which is directed by the multi-awarded Joel Lamangan, Heart plays a rebel daughter of sort and Dennis Trillo plays her boyfriend. Playing Heart’s mother is the megastar, Ms. Sharon Cuneta, who was the one who chose Heart for the role as one of her three daughters in the movie. On her first shooting day (held at the Spiral Coffeeshop of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel), Sharon was having dinner with Dennis. She was offering him a few million pesos to stay away from her daughter.

Heart was all praise for Dennis. They had a kissing scene on their first shooting day together, “but it went on smoothly. Siyempre, pinag-usapan muna namin.” Heart said. She finds Dennis “very nice, mabait at tahimik lang but always ready with his lines. He actually inspired me to study the script and memorize my lines before going to the set…”

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FAMAS salutes showbiz stars who did relief work

In his speech during the 57th FAMAS Awards, Pres. Angelo Padua thanked those who made the event possible, as well as those who attended: Press Sec. Cerge M. Remonde, Sen. Bong Revilla and wife Lani Mercado, MTRCB Chair Consoliza P. Laguardia, National Artist for Visual Arts and Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas and wife Donna Villa, the finalists and special awardees.

Despite the disaster wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, “the show must go on,” he said. “FAMAS salutes the showbiz stars and other personalities for their real-life heroic exploits, and the spirit of volunteerism they displayed as they took part in relief work and appealed for donations over the boob tube. Saludo ang FAMAS sa iba’t-ibang mukha ng bayanihan at pakikiramay sa mga nasalanta at naulila ng bagsik ni Ondoy…”

Padua also said, “In FAMAS, we are coming back to life amid the intramurals and controversies that gripped our ranks as we face greater challenges ahead especially with the forthcoming 2010 elections when we consider our new leads for this nation.”

He lamented that “there were almost no takes for this awards night, almost a drought of supporters, especially with the prevailing state of calamity where many of us still suffer from so-called floodstruck.” So he thanked those who made the event possible, among them German Moreno, Marissa del Mar, NBN 4, and Sec. Remonde.

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Birthday bash to remember

Our birthday parties this year are as memorable as ever, thanks to friends who are always supportive and thoughtful, like Mother Lily who tendered a birthday dinner for us at Imperial Palace (among those who attended were Sen. Loren Legarda with Antique Gov. Sally Perez, Malou Choa-Fagar, Claire dela Fuente, FDCP Chairman Jacky Atienza and Luigi Verzosa, Ric Camaligan, Ida and Ronnie Henares, former Bulacan Vice Gov. Willie Villarama, Wilma Ridler of Feathered Friends Foundation, Ed Montealegre, Jim and Shonee Greene of Scotland, Boots and Dolor Plata, Mike Villa-Real, Angel Javier, and some friends from the entertainment press like Norma Japitana, Shirley Pizarro, Emy Abuan, Ernie Pecho, Jun Nardo, Salve Asis, Remy Umerez, and brand-new mom Tessa M. Arriola).

Our party at 360 Rest. at A. Venue Mall, courtesy of Bong Velasco, Mike Lim and their partners was truly exciting because of the presence of Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. When Danee Samonte (Steve O’Neal) told us he was giving us a “big” surprise, we didn’t suspect one would be famous impersonator Kenny Wizz who’s been doing MJ gigs for about 20 years now. He’s said to be the best Michael Jackson tribute artist from Las Vegas. He came over to do shows at Metrobar and Pagcor Angeles before going to other countries.

And the party turned musical when singer-guests were called on stage to share their musical talents: Myrus, Malu Barry, Richard Merk, Rachel Alejandro, and Ricky Davao. Even Melanie Marquez sang. Tessie Tomas did her famous stand-up comedy acts (those she spoofed were President Gloria Arroyo, Imelda Marcos and Kris Aquino). But what impressed us was the vocal styling of Lulu Panganiban who’s Bong’s discovery and who performs every Wednesday and Friday starting November at 360 Rest. She is accompanied by Espie Estanislao on the keyboard and guitarists Wesley Herico and Gerry Duran.

Richard was very impressed with Lulu, and he told her she could have a show at his own Merk’s Bar Bistro at Greenbelt 3.

Anyway, we’d like to thank our well-wishers: Rep. Cynthia Villar, Gov. Baby Ortiz, Mayor Amy S. Navarro and husband Dr. Peping Navarro, Marlene Aguilar, Reli German, Joel Cruz, Nonoy Zuñiga, Faith Cuneta, Liberty Ilagan, Minda Morena, Roni Merk, Cristina Decena, Joyce Ramirez and Phil Younghusband and brother, Emeellee Mercado, Jim Acosta, Renen and Celia de Guia, Bobby and Lizza Velasco, Beth Tagle, Charo Yu, Frank Evaristo, Vangie Pascual, Oscar, Sally Maliwanag, Loleng Panlilio, Ethel Timbol, Girlie Rodis, Edd Fuentes, Chris Cahilig, Jacob Fernandez, Donnie Ramirez, Resty Vergara, Joy Fong, Jake Ramirez, Nelia Lim, Lulu, Arel and Dessa Virtusio, Linda So, Fanny Blanco, Chit Gohu, Pilie Barrenachea, Emmie Velarde, Mila Lim, Eva Sharma, Linda So, Aaron Domingo, Dinah Dominguez, and Stanley and Pelita Uy.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 1 go to singer Nina, designer Jun Pena, retired Fiscal Dick Escueta, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Col. Jimmy A. Tiu, Lina Misa, Cora Perez, Atty. Crisanto Saruca, Dr. Ronaldo Asuncion, Atty. Norberto Capistrano, Mrs. Mina N. Reyes, Marifil Nina Girado, and Gladys Maningding-Armas. Happy wedding anniversary to Augusto and Pilarica Abaya.