From Christine Dayrit, chairman of the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), we learned that a lot of Filipino writers abroad have shown great interest in the “kaSAYSAYan: A Historical Scriptwriting Contest” which the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) launched in February. FDCP has received favorable response from Filipino writers all over the world. The FDCP still accepts entries of full-length scripts until May 20. Winners will be announced on June 12.

FDCP chairman Rolando Atienza said when his office launched the contest; it extended the invitation to join the historical scriptwriting contest to Philippine service posts around the world because the competition is also open to Filipino writers based overseas. He also added the contest is open to writers of Filipino descent.

“Since its launch, the Philippine Foreign Service posts in Prague and the Czech Republic, France, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Toronto, the United States, Sweden, Greece, Italy, and Myanmar, among others, have endorsed the contest to the Filipino communities abroad, and the response from contestants has been encouraging,” said Christine who is the “kaSAYSAYan” project leader.

She added that if the participants choose to depict the lives of known heroes like Rizal and Bonifacio, they must present something new about these heroes that have not yet been discussed in textbooks. She emphasized that each entry should have historical accuracy.

A panel of distinguished judges will declare three winners. The first prize winner will receive P350,000; the second prize winner, P250,000; and the third prize winner, P150,000.

For more information and contest mechanics log on to http://www.filmdevcouncilphil.org.

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‘Rambo at Merk’s’

“Rambo at Merk’s” will mark the comeback of Ramiro Arce Romero, better known as “Rambo” by close friends. It will also be his debut at Merk’s Bar & Bistro, owned by Prince of Jazz Richard Merk and his wife Roni Tapia-Merk. “Rambo at Merk’s” happens on Tuesday night, May 4.

Rambo is a graduate of the UP Conservatory of Music, major in Voice. After graduation in the late 80’s, one of the highlights of his fledgling career in music was a mainstay role in Armida Sigiuon Reyna’s popular “Aawitan Kita.” From Filipino opera, he shifted to a new style as a singer. With the “Sinatra” timber in his voice, Rambo chooses to sing old time favorites that appeal to the young and old alike. Rambo’s repertoire of love songs include “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” and “The Wonder Of You” among others will surely touch every body’s heart. By the way, Rambo has a regular gig every Wednesday evening at the family owned KKK Restaurant/Bar at Midtown Robinsons Manila.

Guests artist is Chef Philippe Agnese, a French pastry chef whose passion is music. He graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia with masters in Jazz Improvisation. He had a short stint in the band, Midlife Crisis, playing at Chef and Brewer in Ortigas. Today, Philippe has a coffee shop at the ground floor Erechem Bldg., Rufino cor Salcedo St., Legaspi Village.

Another guest artist, Mia Ong, is a marketing executive of Beverly Hills 6750. Mia was a singer with the bands Soul Cage and Bureau.

Sponsored by the PCSO, Beveryly Hills 6750, Arce Dairy, and Cakes by Chef Phillipe, the concert’s beneficiary is Air France/KLM Village at Gawad Kalinga.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on May 4 go to musical director Ryan Cayabyab, noted international theater actress Monique Wilson, former beauty queen Stella Marquez Araneta, comedienne Giselle Sanchez, Robbie Joseph, Johanna Jeen Castillo Angeles, Pacita Madrigal Gonzales, May Vega-Soliven, Jopee R. Rejano, Lily Nicolas, Dr. Florante Martinez Muñoz, former DoT Sec. Peter Garrucho, Laurie Tan, Jun Sy of Tao Corp., Star Magic’s Andrea Torres and Commissioner Nona S. Ricafort. Happy wedding anniversary to Mat and Lita Luga; and Alfredo and Lily Mendoza.