Fans of Bong Revilla and the “Panday” franchise need not worry anymore that the movie might not be shown in the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. In the press conference for the movie held last week, the actor-senator happily announced that the probability that “Panday” will be shown is 99.99%!

Based on a new decision by Comelec, that was as good as saying “wala nang dahilan para hindi mapalabas ang ‘Panday.’ Sayang naman kundi maipalabas kasi napakaganda ang pelikulang ito.”

The trailer alone impressed everyone at the presscon. It looked super expensive, especially with the special effects. And to think that it wasn’t still the perfect one. Bong said “watch out for our second trailer, mas maganda pa.”

When asked how expensive the making of the movie was, Bong gave the microphone to the producers: Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar (GMA Films) and Andrea B. Ynares and Rowena B. Mendiola (Imus Productions).

“We initially had a budget of P50 million but umabot na sa P70 million. Matagal ang post-production kasi mabusisi sila.” The sets, the costumes, and the special effects – they’re really expensive, she said. She stressed that they really wanted a very good “Panday” movie this time. Describing the “Panday” series as a national treasure, Atty. Abrogar said that “we want to be a part of this national pride, ayaw naming ma-disappoint ang mga viewers kaya pinaganda namin talaga.”

She also said “we wanted to re-introduce ‘Panday’ to a new generation. Panibagong viewing ng isang old classic…”

Bong added that Riot is doing the post-production, the same outfit that worked on “Resiklo.” “Ang masasabi ko talaga puwedeng ilaban ang ‘Panday’ sa mga foreign films of its genre. Mas maganda pa ito kapag tapos na tapos na. Kakaiba talaga at maipagmamalaki natin ito.”

“Pinaganda namin talaga para di nakakahiya sa mga unang gumawa nito (FPJ of course). Pero kung wala ang GMA Films, di kami makakagawa ng ganito kagandang pelikula.”

As to why they chose Bong Revilla for the newest “Panday” franchise, Atty. Abrogar said: “Bong is one of the most prized actors of GMA, he has a lot of fans and supporters and he is perfect for the role.” As to Iza Calzado, “bagay sa kanya ang role.” She and Bong said each actor in the movie perfectly fits the role assigned them. Among the stars in “Panday” are Rhian Ramos, Geoff Eigenmann, Luz Valdez and Dan Fernandez.

Annette described “Panday” as “mas adventure kaysa action flick. Mas may kuwento, may love story. Bonus na lang yung mga special effects and action sequences.”

“Panday,” popularized by the late Fernando Poe, Jr., is one of the most popular creations of “Komiks King” Carlo J. Caparas, now National Artist for Visual Arts and Films.

The movie, directed by Mac Alejandre, also stars Phillip Salvador who for the first time plays a villain role, a daring career move indeed considering the fact that he is an action icon in his own right. “I didn’t mind shaving my head for the role,” Phillip said. “Maganda talaga ang pelikula.”

It will be a well-known fact that Bong and Phillip are good friends and they are always together especially in the latter’s political sorties and other activities. “But in this movie, Phillip said, “mortal kaming magkaaway. Hindi lang mano-mano ang laban namin. Mas pa doon.”

Their efforts to make “Panday” a really extraordinary film is because “the public deserves nothing less,” Bong said. “And we have surprises in store for the public. We guarantee a great holiday package for movie fans of all ages.”

And from Atty. Abrogar, “we are really hoping for a big blockbuster this Christmas season.”

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Noted British hairdresser in Hair Asia Salon Spectacular

Participating in the 2009 Hair Asia Salon Spectacular which will be held on Tuesday at the World Trade Center is a noted hairdresser from the United Kingdom (UK), Matthew Foster who will showcase his Cutting Techniques.

Matthew has been in town since a few weeks ago, teaching haircutting styles, classic and contemporary, to the artists and future instructors of Ms. Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, organizer of the annual Hair Asia Salon Spectacular.

Matthew, who’s been in the business since he was 16 years old (actually even when he was younger if we have to count the years he started cutting the hair of his classmates), has been living on his profession as hairdresser for the past 26 years. He came over upon the invitation of Ms. Alvaran-Cruz to teach in her projected Hairdressing Academy which will open in a few months.

A highly skilled hairdresser, Matthew inherited his passion from his mother (who’s retired as she is now in her early ’70s). It was his mother who encouraged him to join the Vidal Sassoon team in 1993. But before that, from 1983-1985, Matthew worked as a trainee hairdresser at Glemby International Salon UK, then from 1985 to 1988 he was a stylist at Anton International Hair Salon UK.

From 1988 to 1993, he worked as senior stylist/instructor at Oasis Cuts UK and then from 1993 to 1998, he joined Vidal Sassoon US as senior instructor/senior stylist. He left VS from 1999-2000 to study painting but returned to VS from 2000-2004 as head of Diploma Course, a nine-month course that teaches students all aspects of hairdressing. From 2004-2006, Matthew headed the Diploma Course in VS Shanghai China. After which he quit VS and established his own Matthew Foster Salon & Academy in Shanghai where he was CEO and Artistic Director-Educator.

No doubt Matthew spent some of the best years in his profession with Vidal Sassoon but he vowed “the best years for me are yet to come!”

With all his experience, Matthew however is yet to join a hairdressing competition. Because for him, it’s not all about making money or fame and prestige. What he is passionate about it making people beautiful and happy with their looks. He doesn’t need competition but he wants to keep on honing his craft at the same time teach others the basics of this skill. He has his own technique but keeps to his own creative and systematic style.

He has also gone to Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam to practice his craft but it was in China where he met his fiancée of more than three years now. “It was fate,” he said, “coming across the world to meet her.” He cut her hair and that started things romantic between them. She is a chemical engineer, “she’s smarter than me,” he laughed. She is 29 years old to his 42. There’s 13 years between them but that and the cultural differences don’t matter, he said.

When we asked if he was gay, because most hairdressers here are, Matthew said: “I’m 99.99% straight!”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 17 go to PCSO Director Manoling Morato, Lala Montelibano, Lillian E. Pickard, Ibana Hocson, Lita Ramos, Imelda P. Sarmiento, Marivic Solomon Fulgar, Nina dela Pena, Mildred Valderama, Liezl Veloso, David M. Santos, Lyra de Vera, Sol Jose Vanzi, Anecito Y. Macahindog, Elvira Armas of Baguio City, Jacques Fereira, Josie Manago of Startalk, Richie Primicias, Elizabeth Gerilla Vicky dela Rea-Eurton of La Mirada, California, and Ms. Maloli Espinosa.