Vic Sotto

Vic Sotto’s box-office power will be tested anew with his entry to the forthcoming 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival, “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” a fantasy-horror-comedy directed once again by Tony Y. Reyes. Produced by Orly Ilacad’s OctoArts Films, Vic’s own M-Zet TV Productions and Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment, it has Cristine Reyes as Vic’s newest love team mate.

Vic Sotto’s box-office record in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival remains unparalleled up to now. All his entries have been topgrossers. From “Lastikman” (2002) to “Fantastik Man” (2003) to the “Enteng Kabisote” series (2004-2007) and to last year’s “Iskul Bukol (20 Years After),” this brilliant comedian-host lorded it over the tills, thus earning him the title “Undisputed Box-Office King” of the MMFF.

His entry to the 2009 MMFF will definitely prove once more that Vic is indeed the longest-reigning box-office king of the festival. The three major outfits which collaborated for the project are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the commercial success of “Ang Darling Kong Aswang.” To start with, the plot is enticing, considering the Filipinos’ penchant for dark creatures from Philippine folklore where the “aswang” is the most prominent. The horror element, combined with comedy and state-of-the-art special effects will surely make the movie another big hit.

Vic’s role in the movie is that of a widower who falls in love with a “creature of the night,” played by Cristine who is actually a reluctant aswang. Since Cristine is a hot actress at the moment, theirs is a combination that is guaranteed to appeal to the audience.

Also in the cast of “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” are Jean Garcia, Agot Isidro, Richie D’Horsie, Dante Rivero, Jackie Rice, Denise Laurel, Rafael Rosell, Empress Schuck, Allan K., Joonee Gamboa, Luz Fernandez, Jenny Miller, Gian Sotto, Wally Bayola, Tita Swarding, Mosang, Shalala, Mika dela Cruz, and Barbie Forteza. Joey de Leon, Pia Guanio, Oyo Sotto and Jacky Woo will also make special guest appearances in the movie.

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Eva Eugenio, ‘Jukebox Diva’

There used to be three “Jukebox Queens” – Imelda Papin, Claire de la Fuente and Eva Eugenio, three durable and well-loved singers of their generation.

And now, we have a “Jukebox Diva” – Eva Eugenio!

Actually, “Jukebox Diva” is the title of Eva’s latest CD, produced by Sunny Ilacad and distributed by Viva Records. It comes in a de luxe edition with a free music minus one disc. Eva will start promoting the CD on Sunday, Dec. 6, at SM Lipa, and on Dec. 19, she will be at SM Lucena.

Asked what she felt recording “Jukebox Diva,” Eva said “walang-wala sa isip ko na makakagawa pa ako ng album at this point in my career. Para kasing semi-retired na ako. Anyway, di ko lang pwedeng-pwede ipagmalaki ang aking first CD, binigyan pa ako nito ng bagong title, ‘Jukebox Diva.’ Dapat lang bago na dahil I have been in the business for 30 years!”

At a recent media launch of “Jukebox Diva,” Eva expressed gratitude to the people who’ve helped her in the past.

“Unang-una, salamat kay Orly Ilacad na nagbigay sa akin ng break at ng kantang ‘Tukso.’ Si Sunny Ilacad ang producer noon ng ‘Tukso,’ ngayon ay nagtagpo kami ulit ni Sunny at siya din ang producer ng ‘Jukebox Diva.’ Salamat kay Vic del Rosario at binigyan niya ako ng chance na maglabas ulit ng album. Si Boss Vic ang nagbigay sa akin ng idea na pwede akong recording artist many years ago. Natutuwa ako at Viva ang naglabas ng ‘Jukebox Diva.’”

Eva also thanked all the composers, the DJ’s and all those who helped her reached her stature now. “Syempre sa lahat ng kaibigan ko through all these years, and my family for all the love and support they’ve given me through thick and thin…”

The songs in the CD are “Iisa Pa Lamang” by Danny Tan and Jose Javier Reyes, “Bakit Pa” (Vehnee Saturno), “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” (Rey Valera), “Babaeng Makasalanan, Lalaking Salawahan” (George Canseco), “Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw” (Sunny Ilacad and Ernie de la Pena), “Bulong Ng Damdamin” (Mon del Rosario), “Init Sa Magdamag” (Willy Cruz and Baby A. Gil), “Balatkayo” (Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon), “Saan Ako Nagkamali?” (George Canseco), “Di Ako Iiyak” (Danny Subido and Louie Berrie), “Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin” (April Boy Regino), “Ako Ang Nagwagi” (George Canseco), “Isang Babalikan, Isang Iiwanan” (Alex Catedrilla); and Eva’s very own, “Tukso” by Rolly Asis.

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‘New Moon’ breaks new box-office records in RP

We’re happy for our good friend Wilson Que for the great success of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” which is being shown in the country by his distribution outfit Pioneer Films. Because we missed the premiere showing of the movie, we tried to watch it the week after, lining up for 45 minutes only to be told there were no more seats available when we came up front finally.

It was like that in all the theaters exhibiting the movie for the first two weeks. Actually, it is still drawing in big crowds all over the country. Based on the bestselling books by Stephenie Meyer, “New Moon” is currently breaking box-office records all over the world. In the Philippines, it earned the biggest three-day opening in history.

The movie, a sequel to “Twilight” which was another box-office hit, features once more the love team of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

In “New Moon,” they play Edward Cullen and Bella Swan respectively, who are torn apart by each other’s secrets, revealed only “when hell breaks loose…”

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Zaijian is Best New Male TV Personality of the Year

Miracle Boy Zaijian Jaranilla, now more popularly known as Santino, was named Best New Male TV Personality during the recent PMPC 23rd Star Awards. The show “May Bukas Pa,” where Zaijian stars in as Santino, bagged the Best Primetime TV Series.

The top-rating series was first recognized by the Catholic Mass Media Awards and followed by KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas) Golden Dove Awards.

Zaijian accepted his award with humility as he said “nakakakaba pong umakyat sa stage at tumanggap ng award. Pero masaya po ako kasi siyempre pinarangalan po nila ako.” The young actor also revealed that he’s very happy because at an early age, his potential as an actor was already recognized. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng taong naniniwala sa akin, lalung-lalo na po kay Bro,” he innocently said.

In the next episodes of “May Bukas Pa,” the priests will learn that Cocoy (Rayver Cruz) was able to escape from prison and was seen with Santino. The policemen who are on Robert’s (Ron Morales) side continue their search for the two. Meanwhile, Enrique (Albert Martinez) gets furious upon learning that Santino is missing. Will Santino and Cocoy manage to stay together as they run for their lives?

Don’t miss these exciting scenes in the multi-awarded TV series weekdays, aired after “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 6 go to Mila Alura, Madonna “Happy” Ongpauco, Elizabeth Ramsay, noted stage actress Madeline Nicolas, Alice E. Salariosa, Estela de Silva, Jovy Gonzaga, newshen Ching Alano, Bobby Duran, Conie Pastores, Expedito Vergara, Jr., Felix Naguit, Recelyn M. Hormigas, Nelmy Mabutas of PNB, Teodoro M. Luansing, Remedios Celi, Dionne Monsanto, and Francis Laborra of Flawless.