Kris Aquino once more stars in a horror flick, “Dalaw,” and with it she’s out to prove she’s still the “Queen of Horror Movies.” Note that Kris’ previous horror films “Feng Shui” and “Sukob” were both blockbusters at the tills, giving the former Presidential Daughter now Presidential Sister the title “Queen of Horror Movies.” Before this title, Kris was also called “Queen of Massacre Movies” when she did movies of this genre under director Carlo J. Caparas.

Kris has high expectations for “Dalaw,” another collaboration with Star Cinema which also produced “Feng Shui” and “Sukob.” “Dalaw” is an offical entry to the forthcoming 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. It is a joint production of Star Cinema with Cinemedia and MJM Productions.

Kris’ goal for “Dalaw” is to be No. 3 topgrosser (she expects “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote” to be No. 1 and “Tanging Ina Mo, Last na ’To” as No. 2). “Masaya na ako kapag naging No. 3 kami sa box-office.” And no, she doesn’t aspire to win as Best Actress.

In “Dalaw,” Kris faces the challenge of giving life to a very complex persona. “I play Stella who was a widow and then remarried. This is where the complication began. Stella has a more ‘malalim’ approach as far as the woman’s characterization is concerned,” Kris said.

She also said that in doing this role, she drew inspiration from her personal experiences in the past six years, since making “Feng Shui,” to play another central female character in a horror movie.

Directed by Dondon Santos, “Dalaw” also stars Diether Ocampo, Empress Schuck, Alessandra de Rossi, Karylle, Ina Feleo, Susan Africa and Ms. Gina Pareño. On the premiere night of the movie, Kris said she has invited his brother Pres. Noynoy and he said yes. “Kung sino ang kasama niya, ‘yon na siguro ang bago niyang love.” As to who will be her date, Kris jokingly said that she invited Ted Failon “pero tinanggihan niya ako,” she laughed when interviewed by Ted himself. She and Ted are not a romantic item (yet) but in that interview, Kris divulged that they are textmates and that they were to have dinner one of these days. You have to give it to Kris when creating controversies about herself.

• • •
SkyCable launches its PVR services

In a recent press conference, SkyCable, the country’s cable TV pioneer, announced the launch of its Personal Video Recorder (PVR) services. So now, moms can create a unique world of entertainment for the whole family that will give them reason to celebrate being at home.

Close on the heels of its pioneering efforts into digital, the Lopez-owned cable firm is set to introduce next year PVR, another first-of-its-kind service in the country. Also known as a digital video recorder (DVR), the PVR is a device that records TV shows onto a hard drive in digital format. Unlike in video and DVD recorders, there is no need for tapes or disks. PVRs give you the ability to pause live TV, instantly replay scenes just watched while continuing to record.

At the heart of any PVR is the electronic program guide (EPG). It’s what makes possible the selection of all the shows and programs you want your PVR to record. The better the EPG, the more intuitive your PVR becomes, recording programs by itself based on your previous choices.

SKY’s foray into the digital world has made it now possible for every member of the family to pick and choose which show or program they want to watch according to their individual viewing preference.

The wide variety of TV content options on SkyCable was made possible by the company’s digital cable network. This technology allows subscribers to choose from various basic subscription packages such as SkyCable 280, the lowest-priced cable TV subscription with 20+essential cable channels.

• • •
Bert ‘Tawa’ Marcelo remembered today

We remember our dear friend Bert “Tawa” Marcelo today, on his 15th death anniversary. It was Bert who first told us about a very promising young singer who he predicted to become a big singing star someday – Regine Velasquez. He also was very much impressed by a young talent he discovered via his and Pilita’s talent show and who christened “Banig.” Regine indeed became a big star in the music field, but Banig migrated to the US where she still occasionally sings during special occasions.

During his time, Bert was perhaps the most awarded performer/comedian. Among others, he was Aliw Awards’ Best Comedian from 1977-1979. In 1980, Bert received the most coveted Entertainer of the Year Award, also from Aliw Awards. In 1981, he was named Most Prolific Emcee, and in 1982-83 BAMCI Awards named him as King of Emcees.

Bert emceed shows local and foreign for then Pres. and Mrs. Ferdinand E. Marcos (being the official emcee of their political campaigns) and other prominent personalities of the land. A graduate of FEU, Bert started his showbiz career as bit player for the then very popular ABS-CBN show “Tang Tarang Tang.”

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 16, go to erstwhile “Movie Queen” Gloria Romero, Amparo Lucas, author Kerima Polotan-Tuvera, Mrs. Mila Limgenco, Gov. Eddie Rodriguez, US-based Tessie Benito and daughter Iris, Catherine Santos, Mrs. Annie P. Vergara, Malou Fagar, Frankie C. Pangilinan, Michelle Murenic, and Dr. Randy Rellosa...Happy wedding anniversary to Rollie and Linda Angeles of Guam...