Chairman Bayani Fernando

Concurrently Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Metro Manila Film Festival chairman Bayani F. Fernando has appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt from election ban the official film entries of actor/candidates to the 2009 MMFF which is scheduled Dec. 25, 2009 to Jan. 5, 2010.

Particularly affected by the ban are two MMFF official entries, “Panday,” starring Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and “Wapakman,” topbilled by boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

As in past editions of “Panday,” the movie is expected to become a box-office blockbuster.

MMFF chairman Fernando said that the 2009 MMFF is projected to earn no less than half a billion gross income.

The Comelec Commissioner was earlier quoted as having said that showbiz personalities with political ambitions in the 2010 national and local elections need not abandon their shows after they have filed their respective certificate of candidacy as long as they do not use their appearances to campaign for themselves.

“They can’t openly campaign for themselves, but that should not prevent them from earning a livelihood before the campaign period,” the Comelec commissioner was quoted as saying.

Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits “any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”

Prospective candidates have until the end of this month to file their COCs, and the question now is whether actor/politicians who appear in movies or TV shows are already covered by the ban after they have already filed their own COCs.

If such is the case, then “Panday” and “Wapakman” may already be banned by the Comelec as official entries to the 2009 MMFF.

“If the Comelec does not consider our appeal, then it’s a great ‘sayang’ for ‘Panday’ and ‘Wapakman,” Fernando said. “I knew Sen. Bong Revilla spent a lot for the production of ‘Panday,’” he stressed.

Bayani as MMFF chairman may also be in a dilemma as he will also be so exposed during the film festival. “If the Comelec asks me to resign, then I must follow them, and the one who replaces me will continue overseeing the film festival,” he said.

Bayani is a presidential candidate. “I announced my presidential objective two years ago. I am decided and I go straight for it,” he stressed. How about accepting a vice presidential post? “No!” he stressed. “I reiterate that I have long decided for the presidency, and nothing can change it!”

Aside from “Panday” and “Wapakman,” the other official entries to the 2009 MMFF are “Juan,” starring Dolphy and Willie Revillame; “Mano Po 6: My Mother,” starring Sharon Cuneta; “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” starring Vic Sotto; “Shake, Rattle & Roll 11,” starring Ruffa Gutierrez; and “I Love You, Goodbye,” starring Gabby Concepcion, Angelica Panganiban, Derek Ramsay and Kim Chiu.

Another entry, “Nieves,” starring Marian Rivera, was withdrawn by the producers.

MMFF beneficiaries are the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Film Academy of the Philippines, Anti-Piracy Council, Optical Media Board, and Film Development Council of the Philippines.

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Young JV looks forward to December hiphop concert

Rap artist Young JV (Eduardo JV Kapunan III in real life) has a lot to look forward in his career, and one of these is a hiphop concert to be staged on Dec. 11, “hopefully at the Araneta Coliseum,” he told us during an intimate lunch/interview at Baang Cafe Morato.The concert will feature among others Billy Crawford, Jay-R, the Philippine All-Star Dance Group and guests from the US.

Young is very passionate about his singing and rapping and is happy for his family’s support. His father, he said, didn’t pressure him into following in his footsteps in the military, respecting his inclination towards the performing arts.

Young’s album “Ready or Not,” released last July, is now No. 13 in sales at Odyssey. All the songs in the album were written by him. Soon, he will be releasing his 2nd single “Don’t Know You” featuring Heide Reigo. The music video of the single which will premiere on MYX was directed by Treb Monteras II. Young said his inspiration or influences are Chris Brown and Bowwow Big among other great rappers.

Just recently, Young was a guest performer at the Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines’ 2009 Mr. PRISAAP held recently in Iloilo City. Young won the title of Mr. PRISAAP in 2006. He also performed at the AFP Educational Benefit Systems recognition night entitled “Salute to Success” which had AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor S. Ibrado as guest of honor.

Young JV founded Lahing Bayani Foundation and is a partner of the AFPEBSO wherein initially 15 orphans will be assisted in their education from the proceeds of Young JV’s album.

The Lahing Bayani Foundation also donated relief goods to Sagip Kapamilya campaign in which Young himself delivered the goods to the Sagip Kapamilya headquarters in Quezon City.

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Lingayen WWII Memorial unveiled

The Pangasinan Provincial Government, in partnership with Philippine Veterans Bank and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, recently unveiled the newly refurbished Lingayen World War II memorial, located at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The memorial is a standing tribute to the Filipino Freedom fighters and remembers the historic Lingayen Gulf Landing of the Allied forces close to 65 years ago under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The landing paved the way for the complete retaking of Luzon and surrender of the Japanese forces led by Gen. Yamashita nine months later.

The unveiling was led by Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., Vice-Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, PVB President and CEO Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr., and National Historical Institute (NHI) Deputy Executive Director Emelita Almosara.

The project entailed the updating of the history panels and photo display, with a timeline of events and paintings that documented the Landing and Pangasinan during the war. The pillars in the center of the Memorial now contain new WWII memorabilia and artifacts. One pillar contains the diorama is based on the “Spirit of 1945” painting of American Painter James Turnbull who was commissioned to document World War battles through his art paintings. It portrays the lone Filipino guerrilla fighter who, upon the risk of his own life, tried to signal the landing forces by waving an American flag that the Japanese had retreated and to stop the destructive bombing of the coastline areas. To this day, no one knows the identity of this brave Pangasinense.

The new centerpiece marker symbolizes the main tribute and recognizes the invaluable contribution of Filipino and American soldiers who gave their lives in the Lingayen Gulf Landing.

The memorial is situated a stone’s throw from the beach, one of the sites of the actual landing at Lingayen Gulf in January 1945.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 8 go to Basil Valdez, Deo Endrinal of ABS-CBN, Rogie Rama Cabreza, Vic Vic Villavicencio, Teresita Guiao, Gabriela C. Nika Belardo, Jocelyn Poon, Gabriel Ripoll, US-based Venida Viernes, Lou de Guzman, Zcharina Martinez, Babsie Morabe, Karla Katherine Pizarro, Boysie Agustin, Hazel Cabrera of Viva Hot Babes, Oliver Volante, Mrs. Aida A. Martinez and Lauren Young of Star Magic.