‘Kimmy Dora’ star Eugene Domingo with guests. (Photos by RYAN RAMOS)

Boracay – Last March 19 on this exotic island paradise, Cinema One gave the indie movie “Kimmy Dora” a special outdoor screening with an exciting beach party attended by some ABS-CBN stars. Topbilled by Eugene Domingo, the movie was produced by Piolo Pascual, Joyce Bernal, and Ericson Raymundo under their film outfit Spring Films. Too bad Piolo couldn’t make it to the screening.

Eugene Domingo herself hosted the program prior to the screening. With her to enliven the evening was TV host John “Sweet” Lapus, a former Kapamilya talent now with the rival network, who entertained the big crowd of natives with his comic and witty antics. Spotted in the audience were Cinema One head Ronald Arguelles, Joyce Bernal who directed “Kimmy Dora,” and who was seen drinking the night away, apparently enjoying the special occasion with her companions; “Kimmy-Dora” leading man Zanjoe Marudo, Luis Manzano, rumored sweethearts Sam Pinto and Paul Jake Castillo, Maegan Young and TV host Gretchen Fullido. Brazilian model Fabio Ide (Eugene must have been so smitten with him that she kissed him on the lips!), who we heard will soon be (if he is not yet) a Kapamilya talent, was also there.

To make the night more memorable, a Calypso-Reggae Fire Dance number was presented, followed by some games and contests (sponsored by Enervon, Myra Vita Quench Lotion, PH Care) were conducted, among these an acting contest wherein contestants were asked to enact that scene in “Kimmy Dora” where Eugene Domingo was expressing her love for Dingdong Dantes, her leading man.

Guests were requested to wear Caribbean-white attires but of course not everyone obeyed but came in their favorite beach outfits. Dinner was at the Obama Bar & Grill in Station 1 where the screening was held.

On their free time upon arrival, the invited members of the entertainment press (Marinel Cruz, Carmela “Bot” Glorioso, Janice Navida and this writer who were billeted at The Tides Boracay and on the second day at the Boracay Garden Resort) and some ABS-CBN stars including Sam Pinto and Paul Jake Castillo and TV host Gretchen Fullido went to try the exciting Hydro and Harness Zorb Ride in Brgy. Ilig-Iligan, Malay. We could have tried it, adventurous as we are, except that it wasn’t recommended for those with neck and back problems. Our companions though enjoyed so much the rides (inside a big balloon where there was water to splash wet the riders) that they even tried them twice.

ABS-CBN UpFront

On March 20, a trade show billed as “ABS-CBN UpFront” was held at the beach fronting Boracay Regency to promote the network’s daytime shows. Hosted by former love birds Luiz Manzano and Anne Curtis (whose tube top slid down to reveal her breasts during a dance number the following day during the “ASAP XV” show), the dinner show had the concept “Showtime’s Got Talent.”

Attended by Kapamilya executives, among them Ms. Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN president and COO; Cory Vidanes, head of Channel 2; Linggit Tan, head of Entertainment Production; Bong Osorio, head of Corporate Communications; August Benitez, head of Sales; March Ventosa, head of Cable Channels and Print Media Group; Charles Gamo, head of Investor Relations; Robert Labayen, head of Creative Communications Management; Charles Dungo, head of Audit; Cookie Bartolome, head of Corporate Marketing; Miguel Mercado, head of Business Program Marketing; Paolo Pineda, head of Business Development; Oz Trinidad, head of Strategic Sales; Deo Endrinal, Business Unit Head of Entertainment Production, the show was also attended by some Kapamilya stars like John Prats, Zanjoe Marudo, Empress Schuck, Pooh and PBB housemates.

The “Kimmy Dora” outdoor screening and beach party in Boracay will be shown on Cinema One VIP Pass on Thursday night at 9. It will be shown on Cinema One on March 28 at 8 p.m. Watch out for it.

By the way, Cinema One’s Bora summer events in the past were for Regal Films’ “Temptation Island” and “Waikiki” and “Kimmy Dora” is this year’s special offering of the channel.

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Arnell Ignacio pays it forward with a birthday concert

As TV host, comedian and businessman Arnell Ignacio turns a year older this 2010, he plans to shy away from regular parties or merry-makings. Rather, for a change he is paying it forward via a birthday concert at Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City.

“I’ve always been blessed and this is my way of saying thank you to God and also to the people of Barangay Toro for always supporting me,” said Arnell who has done charity works before in said area.

He hopes that his simple concert would make a lot of people happy. And the happiness of the audience will be fulfillment enough for him, he said.

Not expecting anything in return, he is proud to say that he always gets “love,” respect and support from the communities he has helped in the past and up to the present. In fact there’s even a senior citizen group called “Butterflies” who is very grateful to Arnell for all his support to them.

After helping redefine the roles of elderly in their communities, The Butterflies has served as inspiration to people from all walks of life and ages. This according to Arnell has even generated support from multi-national companies that sponsored their activities.

“We’re like a big family. We do aerobics; we have fun runs and have parties together as well. And we are connected because we get in touch with each other by our first names…with our activities they now have a renewed sense of being part of the community,” Arnell said.

Butterflies and other groups will be benefited by his birthday concert. As Arnel is known in showbiz to be all about fun, he always wants people around him to be happy and always smiling. For him, times are hard already that “laughter” is the cheapest medicine because it’s free. And in his show on Thursday night, he will make sure that he will generate smiles with his comic antics and performance!

“Though I can have a birthday concert in big venues like Araneta Coliseum, I’d rather have a simple one. I want something more intimate and I’m very close to the people of Barangay Bahay Toro. I’m not here to make money but rather to make people happy,” stressed Arnell about his concert on Thursday night which is being sponsored by his friends Vice Presidential bet Edu Manzano with Beth Delarmente, Doray Delarmente, Captain Dennis Caboboy, Andy Cheung, Bambi Vergel de Dios and Abe Abesamis.

With regards to his special guests, he has invited Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Jaya and Lucy Torres among others.

“I want this birthday concert to be memorable not only for me but to my audience,” quipped Arnell, who by the way is running for councilor in District 1 of QC.

In the forefront of his persona may be a talented comedian, but there’s a serious side to Arnell Igancio – his seriousness in helping out people!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 25, go to former Pangasinan Governor Nancy Sison, Loleng Panlilio, Esther Vibal, Leo Katigbak, mall owner Rosemarie Sy Gaisano, Dolly Nazareno, Henrick Chiu, Danny Yu, Josefina “Nena” Gutierrez, Iris R. Sanchez, Marizza Sayas, entertainment columnist Dinno Erece, and Quinin Alianza of ABS-CBN Star Magic.