Mother Lily with Sen. Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado.

During an informal dinner with Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. with the entertainment press, Mother Lily revealed several value-factors about the senator.

Mother Lily said: “Once there was this little boy who was so lovable and charming with his chinito features. He often visited the Regal studios in Valencia.

“The first time I saw him, I thought he was a movie fan. ‘Ang guwapo mo. Gusto mo bang mag-artista?’ (You’re so handsome. Do you want to become a movie star?). He couldn’t answer. He simply smiled and said, ‘Anak po ako ni Ramon Revilla.’ (I am the son of Ramon Revilla.) To my surprise, I said: ‘Ha, anak ka pala ni Ramon Revilla.’ (Ha, you’re the son of Ramon Revilla.)

“I later learned why Bong was visiting Regal. He wanted to see Maricel Soriano, who was his ‘crush’ at that time. But destiny led him to another beautiful girl named ‘Candy.’ To all of us, she is Lani Mercado, the woman whom Bong married three times – first in Glendale, California, then in civil wedding in Manila, and in a grand church wedding at the Imus Cathedral in Cavite. They now are a happy family with their six children and two ‘apos.’

“Bong, as expected, invaded the movies and followed the footsteps of his father, Ramon Revilla Sr. He did his first movie when he was only 18 in ‘Dugong Buhay,’ where he starred with his dad.

“Several other film projects followed which catapulted Bong to being an action superstar. For Regal, his first was ‘Dugo ng Panday,’ directed by Peque Gallaga.

“I always consider Bong as a self-made man leading in his career paths.

“Napatunayan kong napakabait na anak si Bong. (Bong is a very good son.) From his earnings as an actor, he gifted his mother with a car.

“His mother was a great inspiration in Bong’s life. I saw how he really loved his mom. In her deathbed, Bong gathered enough courage to promise his mom he would do his best for his family and country. He vowed to take care of his father and the siblings – Marlon, Strike, Rowena, Princess, Andeng and Diane.

“Bong’s sisters confirm he is very generous, considerate, thoughtful, responsible, loving, and funny.”

Mother Lily also revealed that Bong gifted her with a piano as his birthday gift for her. “Bong knew that I love to play the piano. Every day when I wake up, I still play the piano and I always remember Bong for his thoughtfulness.”

Mother Lily added: “As a showbiz star, Bong devoted himself to the welfare of the local film industry. He looked after his fellow actors, stuntmen and production people. When he became a chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) in 2001, he launched a massive anti-piracy campaign to help artists, singers, film and record producers.”

During that informal dinner, Sen. Revilla also revealed that he spent about P30 million for the acquisition of an office for the Movie & TV Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

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Last call for "The Amazing Race Asia 4!"

For those who want to join “The Amazing Race Asia (TARA)” but were pressured about the previous deadline, here’s good news! The deadline for submission of applications has been extended from March 22 to March 31, 2010. The extension was decided upon in view of the numerous requests from the public for more time to prepare their videos. After a long wait for the arrival of Season 4, viewers are responding overwhelmingly, with over 20,000 application forms downloaded as of now.

Interested participants are to submit their applications in teams of two, and must be living and/or working in Asia (excluding Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East). All contestants are required to be aged 21 and above, must speak English, as well as possess both a valid international passport and an international driving license.

How to register? Entry forms can be downloaded from www.axn-asia.com/tara and need to be sent in together with a three-minute video to the address stated on the website. For more details, log on to www.axn-asia.com/tara
All applications must be submitted by March 31.

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Kapamilya Network wins 17 UPLB Gandingan Awards

ABS-CBN dominated the recent Gandingan 2010: UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Broadcast Choice Awards, winning 17 out of 24 awards including, for four consecutive years, the most coveted Best TV Station, Best AM Station for DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and Best FM Station for Tambayan 101.9 awards. ABS-CBN was also honored with the Most Development-Oriented TV Station: The UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Choice for Station of the Year.

Accepting the Best TV Station award was News and Public Affairs Head Maria Ressa who shared, “Thank you so much for this. We in ABS-CBN continue to work hard and like you, we also dream for a better Philippines.”

Also for the fourth time, ABS-CBN bagged the Best News Anchor and this year, Ted Failon personally accepted the award along with being the Best AM Announcer for the second time around.

“Umagang Kay Ganda” is now a two-time Best Morning Show awardee.

UP alumnus Kapamilya talent and well-loved host Kim Atienza or more popularly known as Kuya Kim also garnered three awards namely, Gandingan ng Kabataan, Gandingan ng Kalikasan and Gandingan ng Edukasyon. His weekly magazine show “Matanglawin” also took home two awards, Best Educational Program and Best Environment-Oriented Program.

Completing the Kapamilya Networks’ awards are Best News Program for “TV Patrol World,” Best Women Empowerment Show for “Wonder Mom,” Best Youth-Oriented Program for “Y-Speak,” Best Livelihood-Oriented Program for “Kabuhayang Swak na Swak” and Gandingan ng Kababaihan for Karen Davila.

ABS-CBN also recently won 19 awards from USTv Student’s Choice Awards, 33 awards from the 2010 Gawad Tanglaw and seven awards from 1st Students’ Choice Awards for Radio and Television from the College of Management and Information of the Northwest Samar State University.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 21 go to former Central Bank Gov. Gabby Singson, Carmita Francisco, Ben Pangilinan, Christopher Ricketts, Francis Sacay, Estela F. Nabong, Apple Alindogan, Venus Duran Robinson, Len Aligayo, Mon Crespo, Marlili Villegas, Junne Quintana, Lilia Henson Cruz and Lotlot de Leon.