MANILA, Philippines – Apparently, “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote,” is actually two movies being shown back-to-back, rolled together or skillfully woven into each other! And this is a great factor to be considered by moviegoers considering our flair for bargain, always negotiating for a cheaper price in Divisoria or looking for “buy-one-take-one” or “three-in-one” or now “9-in-one” of some coffee mix!

This makes the movie, I predict, to be the easy top grosser in the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) which officially started yesterday, Christmas Day.

“Enteng Kabisote” has always been a top grosser in previous MMFFs, and the use of “Agimat” or amulet in any movie makes that movie always a top grosser.

With the combination now of Agimat and Enteng Kabisote, expect a double-top grosser movie in this year’s Filipino movies’ film festival.

As a two-movies-in-one, both the bidas, Bong Revilla Jr. and Vic Sotto, both smiling, agreed that indeed their movie is like two-movies-in-one!

Enteng belongs to this world – “taga-lupa” – while Bong comes from a different planet. Circumstances bring the two together, and both agree to fight and conquer a colony of monsters who aim to destroy the “taga-lupa.”

The movie is interspersed with comedy provided mostly by the sequences or scenes of Enteng, while the hard action is provided by Bong.

During the premiere exhibition of the movie, held Tuesday in two cinemas at SM Megamall, the SRO audience kept on roaring with laughter even as the action sequences also glued the moviegoers to their seats!

The “agimat” element of the movie has a very strong, special drawing factor. We all love to hear or watch “agimat” stories. “I treasure my ‘agimat,’” Bong said.

Then movie actor Ramon Revilla started the use of the “agimat” element in his movies which turned out to be all successful in the box-office.

Bong followed suit with “Panday” and other movies.

On the side of Enteng (Vic Sotto), he has been successfully using the elements of magic and fantasy.

The movie, directed by Tony Reyes, is produced by GMA Films, OctoArts Films, APT Entertainment, Imus Productions and M-Zet. The movie also stars Gwen Zamora, as Faye, Enteng’s fairy wife; Bing Loyzaga, as Satana, the evil fairy who becomes Agimat and Enteng’s prime opponent, ER Ejercito as Ragat, the fiery snake monster who wields power through blood.

Gwen as Faye

Gwen Zamora is Vic Sotto’s new leading lady, and now, she wasn’t the cause of his and Pia Guanio’s break-up. This is Gwen’s first acting job and of course, she’s excited about it and the fact that she’s playing leading lady to Bossing who she considers “mabait” and therefore she’s honored to work with him Interestingly, Gwen finished one year in a filmmaking course in Australia before coming over for a vacation which turned out to be the turning point in her life as she wasn’t able to resist the lure of showbiz. She first appeared in “Bubble Gang” and then “Grazilda.” Gwen’s mother is a Vietnamese-Filipina, and her father, a French. They’ve resided in various countries like Singapore (where she did acting stints), Thailand and China.

After “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote,” Gwen intends to go back to school. She wants to try directing in the future. Gwen also loves to cook (her favorite dish is pasta), inheriting the passion from her father who is a chef. They have a bakeshop called Chef Phillip along Pasong Tamo Ext. in Makati.

Gwen has two kissing scenes with Vic in the movie. She said she watched one “Okay Ka Fairy Ko” movie to acquaint herself with her role as Faye who was played first by Alice Dixson, then Tweetie de Leon and Kristine Hermosa.

Gwen’s real name is Gwenelli Agnese. “My name means White Angel,” she told us during a set visit to Tanay.

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Sison launches meditation book

Life-transformation guru George Sison launched recently his third book, “Soul Spa: 24/7 Meditations” now available in all major bookstores. Just like his first two books (“A Miracle Awaits You” and “I Am a Winner: Feng Shui of the Mind”) the third one aims to help people transform their lives and achieve their dreams and heart’s desires. And this time around, George recommends meditation.

He has been conducting guided meditation for three decades now in his center in Makati, the Temple of Prayer, Peace and Prosperity.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 26, go to Hajji Alejandro, former QC Vice Mayor Steve Sarino, director Edd Palmo, Darling Cruz, Romy Magat, Apple Cruz, Magdalena “Nena” Guevara, Cely Gantner, Ma. Victoria Estrella, Ed Gonzalez, Mithusela Ginez of Asingan, Pangasinan, Mati Gonzalez, Wilma Yamzon and actress Jennica Garcia…