Young and promising film director Paul Soriano is coming up with his second movie project, an indie sports film entitled “Thelma,” topbilled by Maja Salvador. Paul is also writing, producing and directing the movie.

Paul’s directorial debut happened last year when he made “A Journey Home,” an inspirational indie drama starred in by no less than his multi-talented girlfriend Toni Gonzaga, dubbed the “Multi-Media Star.” He said, “I really enjoyed doing ‘A Journey Home,’ that’s why I’m inspired to do more movies. Directing is my childhood dream. I fell in love with it since I was in grade school.”

“Thelma” is about a young, competitive runner and her relationships with the people around her. However, Paul points out that running is merely a subplot in the movie, as “Thelma” is a story of dreams, determination and making the right decisions.

Maja is the first choice to play the lead, being an artist who can really act and having an athletic physique perfect for a runner’s role. Asia’s fastest woman and track and field champion Elma Muros acts as consultant for the movie and Maja’s trainor. Elma plays a special role in the movie as Thelma’s coach.

Paul collaborated on the script of “Thelma” with Froi Medina and Rino Que. It took the writing triumvirate nearly a year to finish the story.

“I’m so grateful to Maja,” Paul added. “This is her first indie film. She loved the story and accepted the offer even though the fee is nowhere near what she normally gets. I’m also thankful that Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) allowed Maja to work outside Star Magic.”

To be shot partly in Ilocos Norte, “Thelma,” according to Paul, is inspired by Hollywood movies like “Million Dollar Baby,” “Remember the Titans,” “Prefontaine,” “Rudy,” “Chariots of Fire” and the Oscar-nominated Iranian film, “Children of Heaven.”

Incidentally, “Million Dollar Baby’s” Oscar-winning screenwriter, Paul Haggis, was one of Paul’s mentors when he took up a filmmaking course in the US.

“Thelma” also stars Tetchie Agbayani and John Arcilla as the parents, with teen actress Eliza Pineda (“Flor de Luna”) as the younger sister. Cinematographer is Odyssey Flores, while musical score is by Berklee-educated Archie Castillo.

Shot on the highly sophisticated Arri Alexa digital camera, “Thelma” is the maiden venture of Time Horizon Pictures in cooperation with Abracadabra Productions. Paul’s co-producers are Rino Que and Samantha Chavez-Que.

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Manila Sound diva back for concerts

Here’s an interesting news: Ms. Ella Del Rosario, Manila Sound Diva and original female vocalist of the groundbreaking Pinoy band Hotdog, is coming over to Manila after over 20 years of being away to do a series of comeback concerts.

Ella is recognized for her landmark role in bringing Original Pilipino Music (OPM) to the middle and upper class Filipinos in the ’70s. She was an Assumption high school student who sang original songs with Tagalog lyrics, which was unheard of then. Ella later graduated summa cum laude at Maryknoll College (now Miriam) in spite of her showbiz commitments.

Ella’s popular Hotdogs hits include “Pers Lab,” “O Lumapit Ka,” “You Make Me Blush,” “Bitin Sa ‘Yo” among others. As a solo singer, she also scored big hits like “Mr. Disco,” “Shake It,” “Meron Na Bang Iba,” among others.

Aptly tagged as “Ella in Manila,” the comeback concerts will be staged on Dec. 14, 2010 at Strumms in Makati and Dec. 16 and 17, 2010 at Music Museum in Greenhills.

The legendary Dimsum Band of Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia, concert producer, will also perform at “Ella in Manila” for their first ever reunion show.

The beneficiary of “Ella in Manila” is the Bahay Maria Orphanage in Makati City.

For ticket inquiries, log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

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Star Movies’ movie marathon

There were 16 (out of 100) movie buffs who survived 14 hours, five epic movies and zero bathroom breaks and emerged winners of the first ever Star Movies Movie Marathon held at the Newport Cinema Resorts World.

The winners who will share the P100,000 cash prize are Abigail Bravo, Diana Melanie Roxas, Aldrin Jay Mariano, Jonathan Estomaguio, Emma Joanna Austria, Christy Florentes, Sharon Neyra, Aldrin Arquero, Alexander Alvarez, Ariel Carranza, Mark Allen Bonifacio, Adolfo Badiola, Don Lasky, Dada Lozano, Marisol Prieto and Robertino Cruz.

The movies shown were the “Godfather” trilogy, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Nov. 23, go to Maxene A. Magalona, Mrs. Siony Prioreschi, Maridel Villavicencio, Loleng Africa, New York-based Queenie F. Perez, Bert and Aida Rejano, Clemencita “Menchie” Romero, John Foster Francois Rutherford Corpuz Doles IV, and Dominique Llamas of Star Magic... Happy wedding anniversary to Romy and Nita Magat...