MANILA, Philippines – He’s one lucky guy this John “Sweet” Lapus. He can shuttle from one TV station to another, and now he is in two Metro Manila Film Festival entries: “Super Inday and the Golden Bibe” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll XII,” both Regal Entertainment, Inc. productions.

Needless to say, Sweet appears to be a big favorite of mother-daughter tandem Lily Monteverde and Roselle Teo who showed no second thoughts casting him in two important roles in their MMFF offerings this year.

In fact, the Regal matriarch is very vocal about the idea that Sweet is her lucky charm, especially since his last project for the company, “Mamarazzi,” where he also supported Eugene Domingo, succeeded at the tills.

Says Mother Lily, “John is my lucky charm sa Regal movies na nagawa namin. Basta merong role na puwede sa kanya, we don’t hesitate to cast him dahil bukod sa pagiging professional, may suwerte siyang hatid sa mga project ng Regal.”

John could have been a second choice for the Golden Bibe role, but the comedian has no qualms about it.

“Naku, I don’t care kung pang-ilang choice ako sa movie. Alam kong importante ang role ko at sapat na sa akin ‘yon. Bukod diyan, friends kami ni Marian na kasama ko sa ‘Show Me Da Manny,’ so, bakit ko naman tatanggihan ang project na alam kong maganda at magaan ang mga kasama, ‘di ba?” the comedian explains.

Sweet expresses the same kind of gratitude for being given a vital part in the highly successful horror franchise “SR&R XII.”

In “Super Inday,” Marian, John and Pokwang are ably supported by Jake Cuenca, Mylene Dizon, Buboy Villar, Jairus Aquino. Mike Tuviera directs.

In “SR&R XII,” he shares stellar billing with local filmdom’s new horror princesses Shaina Magdayao, Andi Eigenmann and Carla Abellana under the direction of Zoren Legaspi, Jerold Tarrog and Topel Lee.

So while John is Marian’s sidekick in “Super Inday,” Jake Cuenca is Marian’s leading man.

Both have had the chance to work together in a GMA horror series but they never had the chance to know each other well to develop close friendship.

Jake said he’s proud to be a part of Marian’s life even if it’s only in a movie. “I will always cherish the moments na magkasama kami ni Marian sa ‘Super Inday.’ Fresh na fresh siya lagi kahit ngarag sa shooting at sa mga fight scenes.”

“Super Inday” opens on Dec. 25 in nationwide theaters.

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FAMAS winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 58th FAMAS Awards held Dec. 13 at the GSIS Theater. “Dukot” won top awards: Best Picture, Best Actor for Allen Dizon (his fifth), Best Director for Joel Lamangan, Best Cinematography for Monino Duque, Best Editing for Bebs Gohetia, Best Production Design for Egay Littaua and Jens Peter Gaw.

“Dukot” also won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Story (for Boni Ilagan) in the 8th Gawad Tanglaw Awards last March.

Other major awards were won by “Sagrada Pamilya:” Best Actress for Lovi Poe, Best Supporting Actress for Ms. Gloria Diaz, and Best Supporting Actor for Emilio Garcia.

Maro Panganiban, 7, won as Best Child Actress for “Last Viewing” where she played a special child, the daughter of Janice de Belen. Directed by Roni Bertubin, “Last Viewing” is Maro’s first movie.

Previous FAMAS Best Child Actress winners include Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, and Snooky Serna.

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Nonoy, JR et al in Bohol concert

Nonoy Zuñiga, one of the Hitmakers who are now the main hosts of ABS-CBN’s noontime variety-game show “Pilipinas Win na Win” (is it true it will be axed at the end of the month?) has been dubbed as “The Quintessential Singer,” “The Voice,” and “The Hitmaker.”

Countless music trends hence, his voice and presence have remained timeless.

Nonoy, together with Juan Rodrigo and Marri Nallos, perform at Bohol Cultural Center on Dec. 19. Nonoy’s only OPM cut, “Swerte-swerte Lang” from his latest album, “Beginnings” is now a hit in Bohol.

The show titled “Perfect Combination” is a presentation of Zillionlife-NO1. Max Surban, a native of Bohol, is one of the guests.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Saturday, Dec. 18, go to Gen. Narciso M. Cabrera, Frank Evarista of Alay Lakad, Cesar Buenaventura, Sheila Dizon, Roberto A. Tabor, Anita Carpo, Atty. Cirilo T. Tolosa, Vivian Cajucom, Esperanza Latonio, Jojo dela Cruz and Luna Viernesto of PCSO... Happy wedding anniversary to Robert and Gliceria “Tey” Tabor... TV actor/businessman RJ Ledesma said Mercato Centrale’s operating hours are now extended from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The newest weekend lifestyle organic market features more than 150 food stalls under airconditioned tents and live bands. Mercato Centrale is located at the corner of 30th and 9th Sts. in Bonifacio Global City. After Saturday, they resume operation on Jan. 8 and 9. For more details, visit www.mercatocentrale.ph