Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" G. Plaza

Agusan del Sur Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” G. Plaza has urged for the increase of penalty of film pirates to at least P1,500,000-fine and an imprisonment of at least three years and not more than six years!

During a recent press conference with entertainment writers, columnists and editors, Rep. Plaza said that the penalty provided for in the current Optical Media Board (OMB, now headed by actor-producer-director Ronnie Ricketts) is too low, and this is the reason violations of the law is rampant, he said.

“Film piracy,” Rep. Plaza stressed, “is practically sucking out the last breath of the film industry and we are about to witness its funeral procession.”

He added that the law which created the OMB is very weak. “It needs to be amended so that it is given more teeth against film piracy!

Expressing so much concern and sympathy to film workers who have been long deprived of their works, Rep. Plaza is filing an amendment to the law which created OMB.

The penalty provisions of the proposed amendments cover the following: A minimum of 10 copies pirated found in the possession of an individual or a store owner is already punishable. In cases where the person is the owner or sole proprietor of the store, that person shall be charged in court and his or her store – a stall in a shopping mall or along a street – shall immediately be closed or padlocked.

If and when a store is owned by a corporation, the officers and directors of the corporation shall all be held responsible and charged in court! Their business permit to operate shall also be revoked.

“With these penalty provisions, we can have a shot-in-the-arm for our local movie industry,” Rep. Plaza stressed.

Rep. Plaza also observed that there has been no significant improvement yet in the enforcement of the anti-piracy law as shown by the fact that some stores flagrantly display their pirated movies, aside from witnessing those ambulant vendors even selling those pirated videos to police officers or in front of the law enforcers.

Rep. Plaza added that the movie is the best tool for promoting Philippine cultures, values, and national identity. With our movies, he said, we could best be understood by other races in the world!

Rep. Plaza is a senatorial candidate in the 2010 national and local elections. With his pro-film industry advocacy, he is expected to contribute more for the industry!

Indeed, it is very difficult to imagine the Philippines without its own movie industry!

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Lovi does her most challenging role to date

Singer and actress Lovi Poe has just completed her most challenging role to date, that of Kat Asero, the abused and battered daughter in Joel Lamangan’s forthcoming drama “Sagrada Familia.” Written by award-winning scriptwriter Raquel Villavicencio, from a story conceived by Lamangan himself, “Sagrada Familia” is a story of a family that falls apart when the mother of the home leaves for abroad to be an OFW. Director Lamangan is all praise for Lovi whom he says is a revelation in the film.

“Lovi is an intelligent actress, and I’m glad that I gambled on her,” says Lamangan. “After the film, she’ll be on a different level.” Lovi, on the other hand, admits that this had been the most difficult project that she had ever been involved in. She says, “It was very challenging, and at first, I did not want to do the role because I was afraid it would alter my image but I realized that as an actress and performer, I have to grow and mature.” Prior to “Sagrada Familia,” Lovi had completed “Walang Hanggang Paalam” under acclaimed directors Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (now showing at Robinsons’ Indie sine).

Urian awardee Emilio Garcia also gives a tour-de-force performance as Johnny Asero, the abusive father who feels abandoned by his wife. Snooky Serna makes a comeback to a lead performance as she plays Merle, the helpless mother who only wants to defend her daughter, and Miss Gloria Diaz gives a remarkable potrayal of a consenting grandmother in this highly-charged drama. Felix Roco plays Lovi’s love interest. Completing the cast are Rico Barrera, Jim Pebanco and Mr. Robert Arevalo, as Johnny’s father.

“Sagrada Familia” will hold special screenings this December. The film is the initial venture of Legadas Entertainment Production.

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Q11 launches ‘Tweetbiz’ – The Bisniz of Chizmiz

An interesting show dissecting the hottest and the latest in showbiz, with three showbiz insiders on top of each episode to make sure everyone is well guided in the “bizniz of chizmiz...”

Enter “Tweetbiz” – Q Channel 11’s newest showbiz talk show to invade Philippine television that started last Monday, Dec. 7. At the forefront are showbiz insiders Tim Yap, Mr. Fu, and Sam Y. G. as Shivaker, the Love Guru.

Unlike other showbiz talk shows, “Tweetbiz” will allow viewers to have a different look at entertainment news by showing them how a story pitch is done. On each episode, “Tweetbiz’s” paparazzi will present to the three “editors,” Tim, Mr. Fu and Sam Y. G. with showbiz scoops backed up by video clips, on-cam interviews, and photos. The paparazzi, composed of “Survivor Palau’s” Justine Ferrer and Suzuki Sadatsugo, Gorgy Rula, Ron Carrasco, Dansen Santos, and Sebastian will be divided into three teams – Team Yap, Fu Crew, and Shivaker Squad.

The three will then evaluate each showbiz tidbit if they pass the grade on being the most interesting, intriguing, amusing, shocking or just plain gossipy. They will help develop or rip apart each story with the help of the other cast members. A successful pitch will mean that the story will have a prominent place in the show’s daily online “Tweetbiz” section on Q Channel 11’s WMN.ph.

“Hosting ‘Tweetbiz’ feels more like my work in the newspaper as editor and creative director,” shared Tim Yap, who recently won as Best Lifestyle Show Host at the PMPC Star Awards for Television, when asked how his hosting stint in “Tweetbiz” differs from his other showbiz and media activities. “It’s like being in the newsroom, only this time with five TV cameras! I’m in charge of brainstorming thoughts, ideas, and concepts with a group of dynamic, passionate, story and empowerment-driven writers, all of whom know their responsibility to inform, educate, and entertain.

On working with Tim and Sam Y. G., radio talk program host Mr. Fu said that “it’s like a nose-bleed exercise! Inglesan nang Inglesan! We have different personalities but we blend. Having the three of us and a group of tweetmosas in one show can be full of surprises. O ha! May ganon?!”

Radio DJ Sam Y. G., who also plays the role of Shivaker in some GMA-7 shows, answered “Straight showbiz news without the frills,” when asked what the viewers can expect from “Tweetbiz.” “‘Tweetbiz’ brings issues down to more personal level by looking at them from different points of view. The fresh, raw, and unadulterated feel of the show will definitely be something to look out for as we take the viewers ‘behind the scenes’ of an editor’s boardroom.”

Watch out as Tim Yap, Mr. Fu, and Sam Y. G. rolls out exciting showbiz stories on “Tweetbiz” – the bizniz of chizmiz – Monday to Friday, 7 p.m., only on Q Channel 11!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 11 go to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel and granddaughter H. Gana; Mrs. Lovely Romulo, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ian de Leon, Brenda del Rio, Francisco R. Sibal, Alice Cabahug, Mark Manalang, Ellen V. Gerapusco of J23 Salon & Spa, Vicky Salvador, Emil Anton Coronel, Nelson Navarro, Baby Nebrida, Dick Trofeo, Col. Reynaldo Cabauatan, Halina Perez, Hazel Tuazon-Soriano, Lina P. Ramos of Vancouver, Canada; Lily Salazar, Alberto Ting, Atty. Estellita C. Aguirre of BIR, Cecille Marcaida, Puna de Borja, Yong An Chiu, and Karen Martinez of “Wowowee.”