"Carinderia Queen” has a very interesting casting: True-to-life mother and son, and father and daughter. Two separate families. Rey “PJ” Abellana and his daughter Carla Abellana, and Gina Alajar and Geoff Eigenmann.

Juliet (Carla Abellana) and Romeo (Geoff Eigenmann) are childhood sweethearts. Juliet and her mom, Aling Biday (Melanie Marquez) stay in a rented apartment owned by Aling Waray (Gina Alajar) whose son is Romeo (Geoff).

Carla is the ultimate “Carinderia Queen” in their neighborhood. Guys swoon over her good looks and everyone agrees that she will be a runaway winner if she decides to join a beauty pageant.

Asked what is his comment or opinion about his daughter, Carla, if and when she develops an intimate relationship with Geoff, Rey “PJ” said: “I have no objection, but I guess they are more focused now on their respective careers. I believe they are doing well.”

Gina said almost the same thing. “Geoff is a kind of a person that can be trusted.”

On her own, Carla said that she is focused more on her career than anything else, which was also seconded by Geoff. Carla also added: “Our being together – my father and I in ‘Carinderia Queen’ is not a package deal. I thank GMA-7 for having considered my father and I in this project.”

“It is very interesting that Carla and I are both in this project,” Rey “PJ” said. PJ was formerly a matinee idol during his earlier years in the movie. “I hope we can restore those golden years of the movie industry,” he added. He is not only involved in acting but also in singing. “It is a great advantage for an actor to also be well-versed in singing. During the past years when the local movie industry began to decline, I shifted to singing, and I performed in several concerts abroad, among Filipino communities in the US and also in Japan. In fact, I sang the theme song of three movies,” he added.

PJ is also busy appearing in indie or digital local movies.

In “Carinderia Queen,” Romeo has to leave for the US to study and be with his American father. Aling Waray agrees on one condition that once he graduates, he will return to the Philippines to live with her permanently.

Despite terribly missing Romeo, life goes on the same for Juliet. Aling Waray and Aling Biday become closer and agree that their children are perfect match for each other.

Romeo graduates and Juliet is super excited to finally see and spend time with her sweetheart once again. But things did not turn out quite well as both are turned off to see each other because of personal differences.

Juliet acts like a total klutz, and speaks coarsely while Romeo sports a sophisticated look with slang expressions. He thinks she is a geek while she hates his attitude. Their reunion becomes a complete disaster.

Other members of the cast are Krissa Mae as Britney, and Jay Flores as Gaston.

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‘I Love Dreamguyz’ does well in the box-office

Like the two previous films of DMV Entertainment (“Walang Kawala” and “Heavenly Touch”), its third and first anniversary production “I Love Dreamguyz” is also a success. The movie, which has been described as “sexy, provocative and relevant,” opened last week at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Ermita, Remar, Cinerama Isetann Recto, Gotesco Grand Central, Roben and Ultra Vista Cebu.

Award-winning director Joel Lamangan couldn’t have asked for more in his latest film, which is another collaboration with screenwriter Eric Ramos and producer Manny Valera’s DMV Entertainment. Direk Joel didn’t have second thoughts in doing the film, because he believed that he had a compelling material, a fine cast and finished product that he is definitely happy with.

“When Manny Valera showed me the material, na tungkol sa buhay ng mga dancer na magja-Japan, hindi ko na pinakawalan. Naghanap na kami agad ng mga dreamguys na babagay sa mga role sa story. The cast turned out to be a combination of new and experienced actors. Kami mismo ni Manny ang pumili sa kanila,” Direk Manny revealed at the preview of the movie held at Gateway’s exclusive Platinum Cinema.

“Each has a strong screen presence and more than enough skills to bring to life their roles.” There was obvious pride when Direk Joel spoke of his “Dreamguyz.” On newcomer Jay L Dizon who plays the role of Jake who is torn between his girlfriend (played by Niña Jose) and his choreographer Rico (Marco Morales), Direk Manny said, “unang pelikula ito ni Jay L pero dahil sa kanyang bigay-todong pagganap, iisipin mong datihan na siya. Malakas ang star potential niya!”

Direk Joel has worked with Marco Morales in all DMV Entertainment films and the actor still suprises him he said. “Dito sa ‘Dreamguyz,’ nabigyan ko siya ng solo dramatic moment kung saan kailangan niyang umiyak and he rose up to the challenge. Marco also guided Jay L in the love scenes.” Sherwin Ordoñez was chosen partially because of his background as a dancer so Direk Joel was happy to discover that he is as versatile on screen as he is on the dance floor.

“Kailangan lang siyang bigyan ng mas maraming pagkakataon para ipakita ang kakayahan. He is going to be one of the more enduring actors of his generation. His love with Jao Mapa is sizzling!”

On the other hand, Miggy Valdez, had a stint in DMV Entertainment’s first film “Walang Kawala.” Said Direk Joel, “maikli lang ang exposure niya doon, pero sa ‘Dreamguyz’ markado na ang kanyang role. He worked hard, maintained his good physique and always charming.” Rounding up the five-member team of Dreamguyz is Mhyco Aquino. A member of the defunct dance group Anim-e, Mhyco has a sizzling threesome love scene with Althea Vega and Mellow Johnson. “The boy has turned into a man,” Joel said.

By the way, “I Love Dreamguyz” is strictly for adults only, having been given a rating of R-18 by the MTRCB.

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An exciting discovery

Thanks to dear friend Lita Alviar-Luga for the book “Saritaan Ken Sukisok (A Discourse and Research in Ilocano Language, Culture and Politics).” The significant, exciting and special thing about this book is that it features us as one of the 10 gifted Ilocano women writers in the contemporary period.

Our article “Ti Seks Iti Lakay ken Baket” (Sex for Older Man and Woman), published in the Bannawag (called the Bible of the North and sister publication of Manila Bulletin) on Oct. 30, 1978 was cited for being bold and decisive. In this piece, we challenged the readers to understand the physiological facts and factors that affect sexuality, a thing that was never talked about in the past.

In the ’70s, we wrote a regular column for women and the home in the Bannwag, in addition to our short stories and novelettes. The book “Saritaan Ken Sukisok” was published under the Department of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literature, University of Hawaii at Manoa, with the assistance of the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission.

Lita Alviar-Luga was in Hawaii and Guam for a month as an observer on literary symposia held there. It was during that time that she discovered our inclusion in the book “Saritaan Ken Sukisok.” Thanks a lot, my friend!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 12 go to TAPE, Inc. SVP and COO executive producer Malou Choa-Fagar, former Rep. Imee Marcos, NHA Chairman Rico Laxa, Atty. Teresita Cruz Sison, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Rene Tiongco, V-Nel Bernabe, Director Herminio Bautista, Christina Hermoso Zaldarriaga, Cyleen Velasquez, Barbie Bermundo, Bobby Enciso, Reynaldo Campos, Vangie Go, Dr. Wendel Lozano, Estrella Cruz Munoz, Mike Aguirre of PCSO, former Star Magic star Sandara Park and MB’s News Editor Diego C. Cagahastian.