Richard Gutierrez

MANILA, Philippines – There are a number of reasons why “My Valentine Girls” should be another box-office Valentine movie hit. First, it stars Richard Gutierrez, dubbed the “Valentine Box-office King” because all his previous Valentine films were blockbusters.

Another is because it is directed by three talented and witty directors: Dominic Zapata, Andoy Ranay, and Chris Martinez. And of course, because of the four lovely and exciting leading ladies: Rhian Ramos, Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff, and Eugene Domingo.

Dominic Zapata directs the episode “Soulmates,” starring Richard with Rhian Ramos. And because he has directed the two of them in “Captain Barbell” and “Zorro,” it was a breeze doing the episode with them. His expertise in directing the most innovative teleseryes and telefantasya will expectedly make the episode more exciting.

The controversial Andoy Ranay directs the episode “BBFF,” an episode much awaited if only because Richard and Solenn Heussaff’s long kissing scenes. It was Direk Andoy’s first time to direct Richard and Solenn but he was able to guide them towards perfect chemistry, and ably managed the former model and “Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Edition” finalist in her very first movie role. In “BBFF,” the third person in the love triangle is played by Lovi Poe.

The episode “Gunaw,” with awarded comedienne Eugene Domingo as Richard’s leading lady, is directed by Chris Martinez who also wrote the story and screenplay. It is a post-apocalyptic story for which Direk Chris was able to draw out the best in both the actors.

There is of course another plus to the movie’s potential at the tills: The cute and adorable child wonder Jillian Ward who plays cupid and sister-sidekick to Richard’s character. Jillian, who was launched in GMA-7’s Christmaserye “Jillian Namamasko Po,” will surely provide a fresh and youthful glow in the whole movie.

Opening Wednesday in theaters nationwide, “My Valentine Girls” is another joint production venture between GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, Inc.

• • •

Kuh Ledesma and Hitmakers at PICC

Come Feb. 12 at the Plenary Hall of the PICC, the Pop Diva, Kuh Ledesma, and “The Hitmakers” will perform the greatest love songs of our time – and enthrall music lovers.

“I have several production numbers with The Hitmakers,” Kuh revealed during a recent luncheon meeting at Henry’s Place at Burgos Circle at The Fort.

We asked her how she will compete with the other big pre-Valentine shows. “We rely on the fact that the songs we sing are the greatest songs of our time, and these songs have great following and well-loved by song-lovers in all age ranges, be they teenagers, adults or even the senior citizens,” Kuh said.

Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Dr. Nonoy Zuñiga compose The Hitmakers. They have been in several and successful concert tours in the United States! And whenever they perform in the Philippines, it was always an SRO, hence, the adoption of “The Hitmakers” as the name of their group.

Kuh has also been chosen by the Advanced Aesthetics as its endorser. Actually, Kuh has been using the line of beauty aids and services of Advanced Aesthetics before she agreed to be its endorser.

“I have to be sure,” Kuh said, “that what I am endorsing I have already used it before and proven its quality and effectiveness.” The founder of Advanced Aesthetics is Dr. Vinia Javellana.

Dr. Javellana owns a state-of-the-art and latest models of beauty-enhancement apparatus that were imported from Germany. She does not remain enjoying her successes but she keeps of upgrading herself on aesthetic beauty care by attending various seminars and workshops abroad.

• • •

Cinema Rehiyon 3 set Wednesday in Davao

In line with the ongoing Philippine International Arts Festival, organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in celebration of National Arts Month this February, Cinema Rehiyon 3’s “Ani ng Sine,” a festival of films produced from 2008 to 2010, will be held in Davao City’s Gaisano Mall from Feb.9-12. On Feb. 13, Cinema Rehiyon 3’s international component is given the focus and brings the festival in Davao a close with the Taiwanese Film Festival.

Participated by established and budding regional filmmakers, Cinema Rehiyon 3 provides everyone the opportunity to watch films for free, and regional filmmakers also get the chance to showcase their works, making the event a win-win situation. Screenings of short and feature films, panel discussions, and a writer-filmmaker interface will comprise the events from Feb. 9-12.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Wednesday, Feb. 9, go to international singer/composer David Pomeranz, former AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., US-based former actress Eda Diaz, Lulu Lerma, Dr. Ernesto “Dodo” Acosta, Abel Aljama, Dr. Cielito Murvhy Cojuanco, Jaycon Yanesa, Ma. Christine “Tintin” N. Tan, and my grandson in New York, Dylan Gabriel Silan Belen...