Tanya Garcia

Charming movie star Tanya Garcia was never expected to venture into the beauty business as she has been living comfortably and more than adequately – with her semi-retirement from showbiz. For a while, Tanya was one among the more established movie stars after she has appeared in several movies as well as in TV drama series.

The most remarkable movie she had appeared in, as far as she is concerned, was “Batas Militar.”

“It’s in that movie that I met Mark Lapid,” Tanya said. Later, she gave birth to a baby girl sired by former Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid and who is currently the general manager of Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

Tanya, during a press interview, also mentioned about a forthcoming wedding with the former governor which may be held in Pampanga or in Intramuros with its historical sceneries.

To prepare herself for the beauty business she is going into, Tanya is currently enrolled at the Australian College of Hair and Beauty Design (ACHBD), for a certificate course in salon management and beauty care.

“I will also be introducing some beauty care lines,” Tanya revealed. Definitely, the salon’s will be named after her daughter, Mischa Salon. Her beauty lines will also be called “Mischa.”

“Mark is very supportive of my business plan,” Tanya said.

Tanya added that her first salon will be located in one of those heavy traffic malls in Metro Manila. The second will be established in Pampanga.

Tanya also said that the PTA general manager will not be running for any elective post during the May 2010 national and local elections. His term of office is six years, and that will go beyond 2010.

Comparing the salon business and showbiz, Tanya said that she will be more comfortable with her new enterprise.

“I have a complete control of my time aside from the fact that I am the boss. In showbiz, you have the most irregular work schedule, and you will never know when you pack up and rush for an early morning sleep. With my salon business, I can safely say that I will have so much quality time for Mischa and Mark!”

We wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor, Tanya!

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Brillante Mendoza filmfest at SM City Pampanga

In line with its My City, My SM campaign, SM will be showcasing the films of multi-awarded film director Brillante Mendoza from Dec. 14 to 18 at SM City Pampanga.

Mendoza, who was born in San Fernando, has given his hometown and the rest of the Philippines great honor with international awards for his independent films, which are shot in digital video. He is the first Filipino to win the Best Director plum at the Cannes International Film Festival for his full-length film “Kinatay,” besting renowed directors Quentin Tarantino (for “Inglourius Basterds”) and Ang Lee (“Taking Woodstock”).

Three of his films, “Lola,” “Kaleldo,” and “Manoro,” will be showcased during the film festival. “Lola,” which will be shown on Dec. 14 and 15, stars Philippine cinema icon Anita Linda in the leading role. It revolves around the story of two elderly women who try to cope with and survive life’s harsh realities for the elderly as both bear the consequences for a crime involving their respective grandsons – one is the victim, the other a suspect. Both weak and poor, they laboriously solicit money in the midst of the storm – one for the victim’s burial, the other for the suspect’s bail bond.

“Kaleldo,” which will be shown on Dec. 16 and 17, is a story set in Guagua, Pampanga a decade after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which ravaged the province with lahar. It follows the lives or Rodolfo, “Mang Rudy” Manansala, a wood carver and his three daughters and their relationships with people close to them in a span of seven summers.

“Manoro,” which will be shown on Dec. 18, is the story of Jonalyn, a 13-year-old Aeta who fresh from her elementary graduation rites teaches middle aged and elderly Aetas to read and write. This allows them to cast their votes in the upcoming presidential election in 2004. To her dismay, however, her grandfather prefers to hunt for wild boar to feed members of Aeta community, thus missing his chance to exercise his birth right. Months later, the results of the election are placed under suspicion because of alleged rampant cheating. Apologies are said for lapses of judgement yet nothing has come out of this to date.

Don’t miss this opportunity to watch “Lola,” “Kaleldo,” and “Manoro,” three films from award-winning director Brillante Mendoza from Dec. 14 to 18 at Cinema 5 of SM City Pampanga.

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IPS, Shinagawa join forces for a grand business venture

IPS, Inc. and Shinagawa Clinic Group in Japan have tied up to bring to the Philippines the first Japanese medical technology. IPS is an established Japanese-owned firm while Shinagawa happens to be the biggest and leading eye laser and aesthetic center in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The project is considered a milestone since it’s a first of its kind outside of Japan whose major goal is to boost medical tourism not only in the Philippines but in the whole Asia-Pacific region as well.

The companies are eyeing a day in April 2010 to start the ambitious project here in the Philippines.

Foremost of the services to be offered is eye laser while in the aesthetic department, it will boast of the latest breakthroughs in the surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Most importantly, the Filipino doctors who will be tapped to conduct the various medical services will first undergo extensive training in Japan where they will study and familiarize themselves with the state-of-the-art equipment and technology to ensure that they deliver only the best services to their clients.

And to create awareness of and promote such vital medical tie-up, a popular showbiz personality will be tapped as the official endorser.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Dec. 14, go to Leo Valdez, Mark Herras, Phillip Ella Juico, Atty. Dan de Padua, Nick Lizaso, Domingo Pabalate, Nancy Muñoz Chiongbian, Grace Tapia, Ryan Palma of California, Julio Pisk and Joshua Dionisio of ABS-CBN Star Magic...