Governor ER Ejercito will never turn his back against showbiz, although he is now an accomplished politician, who served as a three-termer mayor of Pagsanjan before he threw his hat to the gubernatorial race in Laguna and won.

He owes it all to showbiz, he said. He wouldn’t have been successful in his political endeavors if he did not earn a name as an actor first. Like his uncle Joseph E. Estrada and his late father George Estregan, ER became popular because of his 26-year-old showbiz career.

He will always be an actor, he said. And so he accepted a role in “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote.” “Bong Revilla is a good friend and in fact, a distant relative, so how can I say no?” ER’s first movie was “Magdalena sa Magdamag,” directed by entertainment columnist Mercy Lejarde.

ER’s wife, Maita Sanchez, also a former actress, is now mayor of Pagsanjan. She vowed to continue her husband’s projects for the town. “Dadagdagan at hihigitan ko pa ang serbis-yong ibibigay ko,” Maita said during the Christmas party they tendered for the press.

Although she is a first-time town executive, Maita has been chosen as president of the League of Municipal Mayors Laguna Chapter. They have four children: Eric, who is studying digital filmmaking at La Salle-St. Benilde; Jeff, who’s enrolled in an Industrial Design course; Jericho, a freshman Psychology student, also at La Salle Taft, and Julia, the youngest who is a Grade 2 pupil. ER refers to her as their “victory baby,” naming her after Our Lady of Guadalupe.

His dream, Gov. ER said, is to be remembered as the chief executive or first governor with the political will to clean up Laguna Lake which he said has become “the biggest septic tank – pinakamalaking basurahan – in the country.” And to think that Laguna has earned the titles “Silicon Valley of the Philippines,” “Detroit of the Philippines,” and the “Resort Capital of the Philippines,” with its more than 500 resorts.

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Concert producers thank Rep. Irwin Tieng

Local concert producers have a lot to thank Buhay Party List Congressman Irwin Tieng who recently brought good news that the concert halls, where local artists perform, were included in the venues which will pay reduced amusement tax.

This was part of House Bill 4367 or the “Lowering of the Amusement Tax,” which was principally authored by Cong. Irwin. Last year, the House Bill was passed into a law as Republic Act 9640. The provision about the inclusion of the concert halls was included in Section 1.

The bill was meant to reduce the rate of amusement tax from 30 percent to 10 percent on gross receipts of the admission fees on theaters and cinemas, amending Section 140 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The recent addition of concert halls became welcome news to concert producers who were heavily taxed previously.

“The showbiz industry deserves this help from the country’s legislators,” says Cong. Irwin. “It is one of the best Christmas gifts we could give to our brothers and sisters in the industry.”

According to Cong. Irwin, the law encourages industry shakers and movers to invest more in local entertainment, so more artists and production people can have jobs.

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Jason teams up anew with Maja

Actor Jason Abalos teams up anew with fellow Kapamilya star Maja Salvador in the indie film project, “Thelma,” directed by Paul Soriano and slated to be shown early next year.

Jason is said to be the first choice of Direk Paul to play a significant and important cameo in the movie. He portrays Sammy, a track and field star athlete who takes care of Thelma (Maja) once she gets to Manila. They develop a close bond with each other while they train together in running, living away from their respective families.

Maja and Jason were previously paired in movies like “First Day High” and “My Kuya’s Wedding.”

“Thelma” is the maiden production venture ng Time Horizon Pictures, with first-time producers Rino Que and Samantha Chavez-Que, in cooperation with Abracadabra Productions and Underground Logic.

Starring with Maja and Jason in “Thelma” are Tetchie Agbayani and John Arcilla as the parents, with teen actress Eliza Pineda (“Flor de Luna”) as the younger sister and Elma Muros as the running coach.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 28, go to Jukebox Queen Claire dela Fuente, former Rep. Hortecia L. Starke, Marietta Tamondong, Olga Apostol, Marni Ocampo of Sari-Sari, twins Jo and Reb A. Disini, Mrs. Edna Azurin, Cynthia Garcia, Mary Ann Salcedo, Chris Eleazar, Jocelyn Morales, Amy Espino, Shari Bravo, Emgy Gamboa, Carlos B. Cruz, Jill Yulo, talent coordinator Christopher B. Beato, New York-based Nino M. Sampilo, and Aaron Junatas of Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Danny and Rose Clarino, Christopher and Ma. Cindy Louise Jimenez, Rey and Beth Burgos, and Chichos and Nanett Luciano…