Snooky Serna with Lovi Poe in a scene from ‘Sagrada Familia’

Not so well-known among us is the social cost being experienced by a number of families who have close relatives working abroad, popularly known as OFWs or overseas Filipino workers.

In Dubai, for instance, we met a Filipina domestic worker who sought the assistance of our consulate because she was maltreated by her landlady. The marks – still fresh – were big welts crisscrossing her back. We saw these same marks in other Filipina domestic helpers. They were so unlucky they went home later penniless and poorer than when they left their homes in the Philippines.

There were also other cases of maltreatment suffered by a number of other domestic helpers, such as sexual abuses or rape. And the victims, so helpless, came back to the Philippines, their honor gone!

The case of Sarah Balabagan was different. She killed her rapist. We visited her in Al-Ain, UAE, where she was incarcerated. Because her case was publicized and she became a “celebrity inmate,” Sarah got the attention of the world and legal and financial assistance poured on her. A leading and influential French woman greatly contributed to the release of Sarah from jail.

The social cost among OFWs is worst when the crime occurs here in the Philippines, right in the home of an OFW who leaves for the Middle East so that her family is provided with a little more food, a little more clothes, and a better shelter.

In “Sagrada Familia,” a domestic crime occurs as soon as the mother leaves for the Middle East to work, leaving her husband, her teenage daughter and her mother-in-law.

In this movie, Snooky Serna and Emilio Garcia play the parents of Lovi Poe, their teenage daughter and a college student. Gloria Diaz plays the mother-in-law of Snooky. Robert Arevalo has a special appearance as the father of Emilio Garcia.

The movie, directed by Joel C. Lamangan, is so powerful and full of suspense that it simply pins you down to your seat, sometimes gasping for breath.

Snooky leaves for the Middle East to work as an OFW. In her absence, Emilio, forcibly abuses their daughter played by Lovi. The girl, afraid of her father, is so helpless. In spite of her pleadings, her father continues to abuse her at the gunpoint.

In one situation, Lovi asks her boyfriend to make love with her and go away together. The guy refuses to make love with her, reasoning out that they are still students. Emilio discovers the affair and he kills the lover of her daughter.

Gloria discovers the affair of her son and her granddaughter, but Emilio threatens his mother to keep quiet.

To avoid the eyes of the neighborhood, Emilio relocates to a far community sparsely populated. There, he has all the time with Lovi, undisturbed.

Snooky arrives home only to discover that her family has mysteriously disappeared. She learns from a school report of Lovi that a particular place in Quezon has been a favorite of Emilio.

Snooky goes there – and discovers that Lovi is now pregnant – the culprit, her husband Emilio!

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ABS-CBN Star Magic’s Yuletide babies feted

As per tradition, ABS-CBN Star Magic feted recently its Yuletide babies (those born in December) via dinner cum press conference. Among the honorees were Savanah Llamsen (Dec. 2), Jessy Mendiola and Mica Roi Torre (Dec. 3), Yeng Constantino (Dec. 4), Dionne Monsanto (Dec. 6), Mika dela Cruz and Lui Villaruz (Dec. 9), Eda Nolan (Dec. 14), Makisig Morales (Dec. 22), and Bettinna Carlos and Carla Guevara (Dec. 25), Aaron Junatas (Dec. 28) and Jake Cuenca (Dec. 30).

Mica Roi Torre

Mica Roi Torre, who turned 12 years old last Dec. 3, was Makisig Morales’ batchmate in the “Little Big Star” contest where she emerged finalist. 2009 was a busy year for Mica as she participated in the PC Regional Tour, the Youth Asian Congress, the Firefly Tree Lighting, Echoes of Dream and the Kawayan Festival. She also displayed acting skills in her guesting in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and in the MMFF entry “Wapakman” where she plays Manny Pacquiao’s character’s daughter. Next year, she will appear in some musicals like “Cory, the Musicale” and “Nasaan si Hesus.” Mica also plans to pursue her schooling at the Australia Center for Culture and the Arts.

Yeng Constantino

Seen with singing icons every Sunday in “ASAP ’09” is Yeng Constantino, one of the most admired young singers today. She made a mark in the recording scene as a singer and composer after “Pinoy Dream Academy.” Her songs “Hawak Kamay” and “Salamat” had reached gold and platinum status. “Salamat” also won Best Inspiration and Religious Song, Favorite Music Video of the Year, Favorite Song of the Year, Bestselling Album and Album of the Year. And that’s just for 2009. For her 21st birthday, Yeng and a friend went to Thailand and was given a surprise party by her friends, the Yengsters.

Makisig Morales

Makisig Morales is the youngest superhero on television, who is known as Super Inggo. His fans are mostly kids who hope to be like him who can fly and have super powers. This could be the reason why he is one role model of the youth. Makisig was part of MMK’s “Carnaval” with Ella Cruz and played the role of Jepoy in the toprating “May Bukas Pa.” He played his first serious role in Sharon Cuneta’s “Caregiver.” He is also a singer. When he started in “Little Big Star,” his singing prowess made him the Prince of Hearts during the competition. Later on, he became part of Mak and the Dudes and recorded an album for Star Records. The year 2010 promises to be another bright year for Makisig as he will be working with Comedy King Dolphy in another primetime show, “Utoy.” Makisig is now 13 years old.

Carla Guevara

Carla Guevara was once given the Best New Female Artist for TV back in 2002. She was the understudy of Kim/Gigi in the London cast of “Miss Saigon” 1995-1997. She is a versatile theater artist who has done numerous stage plays for several theater companies. Carla was recently seen in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and played young mom of Dawn Zulueta. She did stints in “Your Song: My Only Hope” with Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu. Carla will perform once again onstage in three stage plays namely “Spelling Bee,” “Rent,” and “Wedding Singer” that will run starting this month until February 2010. Carla is happily married and plans to spend time with her kids and husband on her birthday. Carla’s husband will be cooking dinner for her on her birthday. She wishes to make a comeback and to be able to get more projects in television and movies.

Jake Cuenca

Jake Cuenca could be the most controversial actor this year but despite the small talks about him, he has been getting projects both on TV and movies. Jake’s star rose higher this year because of teleserye “Tayong Dalawa” where he co-starred with Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. After “Your Song” with Roxanne Guinoo, he is now seen in “Precious Hearts Romances Presents My Cheating Heart” with Cristine Reyes. This Coverboy who endorses Boardwalk is also part of “Rubi” with Angelica Panganiban. He is set to do a charity work in celebration of his birthday. Jake turns 22 on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 30 go to DENR Sec. Lito Atienza, Deborah Sun, Alegria R. Sibal, Ronald K. Constantino, Toots Tolentino, Jessa Jacomina-Ablaza, Gregoria Baterna, Bobby Tating, Msgr. Nico Bautista, Roseann Cascalluela-Villegas, Lisa Anson-Moya, Charmaine Ligon-Tabora, Joanne S. Matschuck, Rosalinda ‘Baby’ de Guzman, Rizalina Cardenas, Rizaldy Tañedo, Che Singson, actor Jake Cuenca and Mico Villa-Real who turns 17.