A scene from ‘Si Pilandok at Ang Bayan ng Bulawan’

Christine Bellen’s “Si Pilandok at Ang Bayan ng Bulawan” will open on Sept. 10, the 28th season of Entablado, the socio-political student-theater organization of the Ateneo de Manila University. The play, to be staged at the Meralco Theater, is directed by Dr. Jerry Respeto and Jethro Tenorio.

Christine Bellen, known for the retelling of the Lola Basyang children’s stories and playwright of the children’s plays, “Batang Rizal” and “Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit,” wrote the play. Dr. Respeto, on the other hand, is known for directing and translating plays for PETA and DUP. Co-director Jethro Tenorio is an Ateneo professor. Tuxqs Rotaquio of DUP designs the stage and costume. Dr. Christine Muyco, UP music professor, and Ms. Jema Pamintuan, also an Ateneo professor, composed the music.

Inspired by the historic EDSA 1 People Power Revolution, the play uses a “kuwentong bayan” framework to inspire unity geared towards nation-building.

Mrs. Bellen said “we wanted to show that the story of EDSA 1986 was the story of all Filipinos. It wasn’t only for us who went to the streets to topple a dictatorship then, but it was also for the succeeding generations.’’

The play, which will also be shown tomorrow at 3 and 7 p.m., is brought to you by FKC International Phils., Inc. Proceeds from the play will be for the NCA Youth Leadership and Formation Program of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation.

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A mother’s sadness

In a recent email, our dear friend Edith Naldo-Ricketts, mother of Optical Media Board Chairman Ronnie Ricketts, informed us with sadness that her eldest son Christopher “Topher” Ricketts, is hospitalized in San Diego, California with an advanced rare form and painful cancer known as Pseudomyxoma peritonei. It occurs in only one-in-a-million persons. This was discovered only a month ago. His brother Ronnie and his wife Mariz left last Wednesday to visit him.

His doctors in San Diego consider the disease incurable, so Edith and husband Max and all the members of the Ricketts family are resorting to aggressive holistic alternatives though there is no information on holistic therapies for this particular form of widespread cancer. In addition to the exceptional attention from his Sharp hospital primary physicians, he has been given care by Dr. Edwin M. Yorobe and Dr. Chito Recto.

Topher is a martial arts master – one of the four pillars of Kali Illustrisimo. In the US, his books and videos are sought after by martial arts students. He has given seminars all around the US and Asia, including to various Special Force units of the US military.

Topher’s oldest son, Bruce, is a chef at the elegant Colonial Inn Hotel in La Jolla. Bruce and his younger brother Brandon continue as martial arts instructors of their Kali Illustrisimo group in San Diego.

The Ricketts’ second son, Alex, an alumnus of Mapua, is now deployed with the US Army in Afghanistan as a First Sergeant Airborne Jump Master.

Son Ronnie continues to appreciate the support of so many in his campaign to rid the Philippines of media pirating in his capacity as OMB chairman.

Ronnie’s wife, Mariz, is co-hosting on the Kuya Germs’ “Walang Tulugan” TV show.

Meanwhile, the Ricketts have been very busy with their real estate brokerage business in San Diego.
Their web site is www.RickettsRealty.com.

They request prayers for their son Topher and they are looking forward to having a mass at home with family and friends in honor of the forthcoming Virgin de Peñafrancia festival. The Ricketts may be reached at maxricketts@cox.net.

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Lovi endorses Bench Body

Singer and award-winning actress Lovi Poe is now the new endorser of Bench Body. Her giant billboard in Guadalupe, Makati and print/TV ads will be launched today, Sept. 10. Lovi is very excited with her signing up with Ben Chan. “It’s a dream-come-true for me,” Lovi says.

Meanwhile, Lovi is also busy with other projects. Her month-long “Love Bug” special entitled “Say I Do” with Mark Anthony Fernandez is ongoing and is aired every Sunday at 3 p.m. Her other “Love Bug” special with Rocco Nacino is now in the can.

Her new film, “White House,” directed By Topel Lee and co-starring Iza Calzado, Mo Twister, Joem Bascon, Sarah Lahbati and Gabby Concepcion, will be shown on Oct. 13.

Lovi is slated to do “Temptation Island,” under the direction of Chris Martinez. Her weekly programs are “Party Pilipinas” and “Show Me Da Manny.” And she has started to record her third album under Universal Records.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Sept. 10, go to Mel Meer, Ms. Edna Camcam, Mila Llige, Patricia Hizon, Beverly Santos, Jimmy Valeros, Richard Cadiente, Nathaniel Rosario, Carmen Avellana, Ronauld Tavora, Manny Aquino, Dr. Joy Burgos, Erlinda So of Metrobank Sta. Cruz, Gigie Moral Landicho and Carlos Zapanta of PCSO, Rhode Island, USA-based Allan Jeff M. Parlan, and PR man Chuck Gomez…