The cast of ‘Rosario:’ Yul Servo, Jennylyn Mercado, Isabel Oli, and Dennis Trillo

The movie “Rosario, the Story” which is an entry to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival, has been generating a lot of interest lately and not only because it features an all-star cast led by Jennylyn Mercado, who plays the title role, and Dennis Trillo under the direction of Albert Martinez.

Phillip Salvador, who plays a major role in the movie, was enthusiastically telling us about it at the recent birthday celebration of RPN 9 chair Wilson Tieng. It is a very interesting period movie that will take us back to the late ’30s.

The story revolves around Rosario Perrera, a paragon of beauty and grace, intelligent, sophisticated and a liberal thinker. Viewers will witness her story (from age 18 to 32) unfold on the screen.

The daughter of Don Enrique Perrera (Phillip Salvador) and Doña Adela Perrera (Eula Valdez), Rosario was a passionate woman who lives according to her heart’s desires. She was a woman ahead of her time.

Rosario’s story is narrated by her son Jesus Perrera Gonzales (played by Dolphy) who recalls the events that happened to his mother’s life back in 1920 up to 1939. Jesus was then 11 years old.

At that time, Rosario was 32 years old and she and husband Alberto, settled in a rundown aksesorya (apartment) in Sta. Cruz, Manila. A next-door neighbor Carding (Sid Lucero) was instantly smitten to the mysterious Rosario and he slowly befriended her.

Rosario became the toast of the town after being crowned Isabela’s Carnival Queen. But she fell madly in love with an older man Vicente (Yul Servo) who was the administrator of their tabacalera. Scandalized by her indecent behavior, Rosario’s parents took her to the convent but she managed to escape. She and Vicente went to Manila and got married there.

They had three children but soon Vicente became sick of tuberculosis. Her cousin Carmen helped Rosario get a secretarial job but then she attracted the attention of Carmen’s fiancé Alberto (Dennis Trillo) with whom she developed an illicit romance. Vicente filed an adultery case against them.
Also in the cast of the movie is Ricky Davao as Miguel, an aksesorya owner who tried to rape Rosario.
Watch out for “Rosario,” a story about love betrayal, guilt and redemption, and about what it means to be ahead of one’s time.

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Vehnee Saturno signs up MJ Ringor

Prolific composer and hitmaker Vehnee Saturno has signed up a very promising singer, MJ Ringor (Manuel Jun Diego Ringor in real life) as his new talent. MJ was, along with Erik Santos and Sheryn Regis, one of the “wild cards” finalists in ABS-CBN’s “Star in a Million” contest.

During the recent contract-signing held at Hai Resto and Bar in Justicia Drive, Fort Bonifacio Global City, MJ was also launched as a recording artist and concert performer.

This early, he is now preparing for his Valentine concert billed as “My Jealous Heart,” to be staged at Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills. He will have as guest performers a top female concert artist and a sexy singing sensation (their names will be announced later).

The concert is conceptualized and directed by indie film director Ronald Carballo. This will be Ronald’s second time to direct a concert at Teatrino, the first being “Times of Your Life” with Paolo Santos, Jimmy Bondoc, Top Suzara and Kyla.

Although now engaged in business (he is the chief executive officer of M2 Builders Design Concepts, which is into construction and interior design), MJ said his passion is singing. And it was accidental that he was “rediscovered” by beauty icon Fanny Serrano who a few months ago was scouting for a new singer to sing “Napapagod Din Ang Puso,” the theme song of his indie movie “Tarima.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Sept. 14, go to actor and former OMB Chairman Edu Manzano, former Sen. Santanina T. Rasul, Josefino Cenizal, Gen. Avelino Razon, YES editor-in-chief Joan Maglipon, Patrick Garcia, Pachot Mapa, Dr. Editha Tan, Cecille S. Ferrer, Luis “Tito” Manapat, Ryan Sy, Erwin Ching, Patricia Espiritu, Albert Bautista of LA, Tessie Gabriel, Lynnie Yu, Jean Magat, Grace Pizarro-Espiritu, Mia Defensor Besa, Bridgette Meggie N. Clarino, Gloria P. Mananao, Randy Lim, Analyn Melgaso, Randy Lim, Violy Chua and Tyron Perez of Star Magic…