DENR Sec. Lito Atienza and his Buhayin ang Maynila ticket during the filing of his CoC to run anew for mayor of Manila.

In a recent get-together with the entertainment press, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza promises to focus on, among other vital projects, the revival of arts and culture in Manila once he is elected anew as mayor of the city.

To help achieve this goal, he said he will work on the rehabilitation of the Metropolitan Theater which was a landmark of arts and culture of the city. This is where the young talents of Manila (especially the members of the foundation helping young homegrown artists he formed when he was still mayor of the city) will be trained, he said. The Foundation’s singing/dancing group has showcased their innate talents in many performances where they were recognized through awards and citations.

In filing his COC, he said he was heeding the cry of Manileños to restore his urban renewal and sustainable development program. With his ticket’s battlecry “Buhayin ang Maynila,” he also said that if elected, his other projects will include the return of Baywalk as a source of employment and affordable entertainment for the people of Manila through weekend shows and concerts. He will also return Rizal Ave. to his original concept of making it a park/plaza where Manileños can relax and enjoy the city’s sights.

Most of all, Sec. Atienza said he will help uplift the local movie industry. He reminded everyone that it was Manila which was the first to lower the amusement tax from 30% to 10%. “My support to the industry was very clear and I’m going to continue supporting it. We have excellent actors, directors and technical people, sayang naman. Kaya buhayin natin ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.”

In citing his past administration’s accomplishments, Sec. Atienza said “we had a vision and it was pursued and delivered. During my nine-year term residents enjoyed, among others, health centers and hospitals with adequate equipment, facilities, free medicines and services as nutrition programs were also in place. Young underprivileged Manileños were given ‘no tuition fee’ quality education with competitive standards… The city enjoyed a very healthy economy when taxes are effectively collected and efficiently delivered back to Manileños.” He also said Manila had a P2.6-billion fund after his term as mayor officially expired in 2007.

Sec. Atienza’s TV project, “Maynila” shown on GMA-7 is going on its 10th year now and he also intends to make it into a movie, to showcase the beauty and tourism potential of the city.

He concluded by saying “My mission is to make Manila a colorful and smiling city once again.”

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Pacquiao: Symbol of hope, courage, and humility

We all know that Sec. Atienza is one of the closest people to our Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and so when we asked if he wants him to go on with his projected fight with another champion Floyd Mayweather, despite Mommy Dionisia’s expressed disapproval, he said “why shouldn’t he? He can beat Mayweather and it will make his achievements as a boxer unequaled.”

He stressed that no one can approximate or equal Pacman’s record, “not for another two or three centuries. “Matatagalan bago ma-break ang record ni Manny. At ako naniniwala na Filipino lang ang makaka-break ng record ni Manny. If Muhammad Ali is one in a million, Manny Pacquiao is one of the 7.2 billion people of the world.” Sec. Atienza regards the boxing icon as “the country’s No. 1 natural resource,” and explained that Pacquiao’s colorful “from zero-to-hero” journey epitomizes a fitting symbol to the Filipino people of hope, courage, and humility that are “inherent traits that characterized us a people.”

He added: “We are indeed a fortunate people to have Manny Pacquiao to stand as our symbol of hope, courage, and humility,” and he cited what the Pambansang Kamao said in an interview with writers of Time magazine where he was featured on the cover of its November issue: “A fighter’s dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring.”

Manny as super hero

In his latest movie “Wapakman,” Solar Entertainment’s entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival, Manny plays a super hero. On the last shooting day for the movie held last Wednesday at Star City, he expressed excitement that’s he’s doing such a role. “Maganda ang pelikulang ito, pampamilya talaga, magugustuhan ng mga bata. May drama, action, at comedy.”

He added: “Pero kawawa ako dito. Ako ang nag-aalaga sa mga anak ko, kasi ang asawa ko OFW, at nag-asawa siya ng iba, iniwan niya ako.” He is all praise for the director (Tofel Lee). “Magaling siya, natutuwa talaga ako na gumawa ng ganitong role for the first time. At magaling lahat ang mga artistang kasama ko dito.”

Did the Krista issue help promote the movie? “Oo, nakatulong naman,” he smiled. As to whether he and Krista have talked about the issue, Pacman said “wala tinatawanan na lang namin. Sabi nga ni Krista, panoorin na lang ng mga tao ang pelikula natin para makita nila ang pinagpaguran natin…”

About the Bianca-Krista issue (that they had a misunderstanding on the set), Manny said “I don’t meddle with other people’s problems. Ayokong makialam… bahala sila.”

Aside from Krista and Bianca King also in the cast of “Wapakman” are Rufa Mae Quinto, John Hall, Polo Ravales, Jojo Alejar, Leo Martinez, Onyok Velasco,and others.

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Voice of Asia Dessa, Jimmy Bondoc at Metrobar Saturday night

Dessa, dubbed the “Voice of Asia,” will team up with “musikero” Jimmy Bondoc in a special back-to-back concert on Saturday night at the Metrobar, West Ave., Quezon City. Entitled “Double-Up Plus,” the show marks the comeback performance of Dessa, also known as the “Front Act Queen,” after a long absence from the local music scene.

“We have to admit that we missed Dessa’s kind of music. Matagal kasi siyang nawala – she’s now based in Las Vegas. When she came home a few months ago, hindi na siya pinakawalan ng ilang show producers. Nang mapanood ko siya in a show, sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako papayag na umuwi siya sa Vegas na hindi ko maipag-produce ng concert,” producer/director Jobert Sucaldito said.

Dessa of course is excited to be performing on Saturday night for her fans and friends. Definitely, this won’t be her last show here because she’s staying till Feb. 2010.

Dessa and Jimmy will do a repertoire composed of the most requested songs that have hit the charts. Also performing with them are the Sabado Boys (Luke Mejares, Top Suzara, Mike Chan, DJ Myke and Paolo Santos), Viva Hotbabe Annaleah Javier, Tyrone Perez, Bradley and the Foxy Ladies.

Produced by Front Desk Entertainment Production, “Double-Up Plus” is presented by Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Neal Gonzales and People’s General Insurance Corp. Major sponsors include Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon, Vicky Cu of Vigan, MET Tathione, Belo Essentials, Pervil Cosmetic Phils., GRAIA Construction Corp., Quadro Frames and Myrna’s Bulalo Haus.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 12 go to Pops Fernandez, Honorary Consul Bobby Joseph, Carlos Agassi, Fe Ng, Emil Venus, Jr., Joan Roncan, Roger Begre, Rogel Velasco, Isabel T. Baluyut, Lillie Anne Pajaro, Winnie Noriega, Lilian B. Cruz, Lulu Vasquez Velasco, Gil G. Ortiz of RPN 9 Tuguegarao, Ben Martillo, Maria Paz C. Penaflorida, Paula J. White, Lita Vichanco, and Tempo’s graphic artist Dante Lagana.