Bibeth Orteza

"I Laugh Sabado,” the new comedy-variety show on Q Channel 11 is directed by no less than multi-talented and much-awarded Bibeth Orteza, whose bubbly and energetic personality belies the fact that she is a cancer survivor. Bibeth is truly an inspiration and encouragement to women afflicted with the Big C.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 (after she quit smoking) and soon enough she was up and about. Bibeth has been in remission for five years. She was lucky she had very supportive family and friends who encouraged her to be strong and fathful. “All I prayed for was for the Lord to give me sign that everything will turn out well. When I got it, through friends who made things easy for me, like gi-ving me the best doctors, I was immediately at peace,” Bibeth said.

And now, she has rea-lized that “you have spent your life well if you have done service to people and your community.” What’s also making her happy these days is that her son Rapa, 20, will star in her husband Carlito Siguion Reyna’s forthcoming film.

Finally he has decided to be an actor, she said. By the way, Bibeth also directs “Full Time Moms,” another show on Q Channel 11.

In “I Laugh Sabado,” Bibeth is in tandem with another awarded writer-director, Caesar Cosme who is the head writer. She is quick to say “I don’t have any conflict with Caesar, we share the same sensitivities. Cancer survivor din ang wife niya.”

The challenge in the comedy is that “maraming artista na iba-ibang cha-racters. It is an ensemble of comedians and character actors – Wally Bayola, Paolo Paraiso, Gee Canlas, Jana Dominguez, Jan Manuel, Alfred Marquez and Archie Alemania.” With them, the show brings gags, sketches, and skits that make fun of politics, showbiz, and everyday Pinoy life.

Aside from directing, Bibeth is also a writer, actress, and producer. She wrote the script for such films as “Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin,” which won the FAMAS’ Best Story, and the Best Picture at the Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival both in 1996.

“I Laugh Sabado” airs every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on Q Channel 11.

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Andi makes splash at The Ramp Crossings

One of ABS-CBN’s most promi-sing young stars, Andi Eigenmann, is getting to be more popular as her soap “Agua Bendita” continues to rise in the ratings game. Aptly dubbed as an entertainment pedigree (being the child of awarded actors Mark Gil and Jaclyn Jose), porcelain-skinned and very pretty, Andi has what it takes to be a big star someday. And this is what she really wants to achieve. “Kahit kalahati lang ng achievements ng parents ko ang ma-achieve ko, I will be very happy,” Andi said in a recent interview.

Jaclyn is very proud of her, calling her “smart, pretty and determined to succeed in her chosen career.”

But beyond the klieg lights, Andi’s other passion is fashion. Actually, she once dreams of becoming a fashion journalist. She admitted to being partial to imported brands, until her friends introduced her to The Ramp Crossings. And when she was offered to become the celebrity endorser of the brand, she was excited. “That’s great, because I really shop at The Ramp.”

Andi was recently presented to the media as the new face of The Ramp Crossings in a mini-fashion show held at the Trinoma where The Ramp Crossings has a store.

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OFWs featured in ‘Pinoy Sunday’

The movie “Pinoy Sunday,” directed by Malaysian-Chinese director Wi Ding Ho, will give moviegoers a different perspective on Taipei. It is a movie that depicts the lives of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Taiwan.

“Pinoy Sunday” is Ho’s first feature film and it was shot against the fantastic landscape of Taiwan’s capital through the eyes of two Filipino workers as they share one eventful day.

Based on true stories that Ho obtained through four years of field research, “Pinoy Sunday” tells the story of Manuel (Epy Quizon) and Dado (Bayani Agbayani), two young Filipinos working in a Taipei suburb. They live in an illegally-built dormitory on top of a factory, and often have to endure their supervisor’s bad temper.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on May 22 go to Sampaguita Pictures’ matriarch Mrs. Nene Vera Perez, Dr. Leticia de Guzman, Marijo R. Feraren, LA-based broadcaster Awee Abayari, Mitchi de Castro, Romeo “Butch” Pajarillo, Francis “Kiko” Sanchez, Col. Charlie Batayola, Capt. Reynaldo Velasco, Tillie Moreno, Corazon Ugalde-Armenta, and Loreza Quilop-Yaneza.