Now that Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez is done with her US concert tour, she could start working on one of the films she is set to finish this year, “Mrs. Recto,” the second offering of Panoramanila Pictures.

“Mrs. Recto” is the much-anticipated follow-up to Judy Ann Santos’ and Dante Nico Garcia’s “Ploning,” the critically-acclaimed maiden offering of Panoramanila Pictures that represented the Philippines in the 81st Academy Awards and which went on to garner numerous awards and nominations from various award-winning bodies such as the 2008 Asian First Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Paris Cinema Film Festival, International Film Festival of India, Singapore Festival of First Films, etc.

Ever since he came back from a four-month stay in the US (to help campaign and promote the indie movie “Ded na si Lolo” which was the country’s entry in the best foreign language category at the 82nd Academy Awards, Dante Nico Garcia (fondly called “Ga” by friends and colleagues) has been preparing for “Mrs. Recto.”

Garcia wrote the story/script and will direct it too, of course. Garcia’s last movie, Regal Films’ “Oh My Girl!” starring Juday and Ogie Alcasid, and which reportedly didn’t make good at the tills, was offered to him for direction only, he said. For him, it makes a big difference if you also write the story/script if you are to direct a movie.

So why did he chose Regine Velasquez and not Juday for “Mrs. Recto?” Garcia said, “Hindi puwede si Juday ngayon with her condition. I wanted Regine instead for this role wherein she will be deglamorized. She is Mrs. Recto, a single parent to a girl na sobra ang talino and who keeps asking intelligent questions. Si Regine ay tindera ng term papers, ng mga fake certificates and enrolment documents sa movie na ito.”

“Mrs. Recto” will be filmed entirely along Claro M. Recto St. and its vicinity, a place that Garcia knows well enough, having lived in the area from his elementary to high school years.

Also starring in “Mrs. Recto” are Coney Reyes and Elmo Magalona in his movie introductory role.

A multi-talented person, Garcia started out as a production designer for TV and movie projects where he honed his creative sensibilities.

He received the Best Production Award at the 2007 Cinemalaya Film Festival for “Pisay.”

“Ploning” won for Dante the Best Director award at the 2008 Asian First Film Festival and also at the 7th Gawad Tanglaw Awards and Pasado Awards.

• • •
So what’s new with Pia Guanio?

TV personality Pia Guanio has proven herself to be a credible and effective TV host with her shows “Eat Bulaga” and “Showbiz Central.” Bubbly and energetic, Pia makes the two shows sizzle with her strong presence. So what’s new with her? Is she going to march down the aisle soon with beau Vic Sotto?

If there’s something new with Pia these days, it’s her glowing complexion, which she attributes to UK Derm Plant Stem Cell Skin Renewal Soap of which she is the celebrity endorser.

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 10 go to former Rep. Ranjet R. Shahani, Judge Tess Nicolas-Cativo, Don Dolina of Tacloban, Belen Lizaso, Norman Marcelo, Nita Burgos of New York, Soledad Santiago-Tiongson, Daisy Tamayo, Judy Bangalan, Valeen Montenegro and Zaira dela Peña of Star Magic. Cinema One is currently showing blockbusters and classic films this June. On June 13 (in Romance Central), it will show “And I Love You So” and “When Love Begins” on June 20, “Oh My Girl” and “A Love Story” and on June 27, “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” and again, “And I Love You So.” Other movies to look forward to in Cinema One are “Iskul Bukol 20 Years After,” “LOL: Love on Line,” and “You Changed My Life” among others.