MANILA, Philippines - Actor-director-producer Ronnie Ricketts has always been known as a man of action and someone always “on the go” especially now with his current job as head of the Optical Media Board (OMB). Ronnie has always been very thrifty in words, but overflowing with action in the performance of his duties.

Ronnie has proven his dedication and commitment to his sworn duties, although sometimes he finds his job thankless and even dangerous. But with the support of people from the highest office in the land, and a good number of politicians and government executives, officials of the Philippine National Office and military operatives, colleagues in the movie industry and the general public, Ronnie has been emboldened to do his job well.

Even when the going gets tough, quitting is farthest in his mind. He believes that in order to see the fruits of his hard work, he should never quit.

This was exactly what he did during the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival last December and the result: A fantastic take two of “zero piracy of film festival entries” which started in 2009. OMB even came up with a float which helped in the information campaign on the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Chair Ronnie has also imbued his commitment and consistency through hard work to his staff at the OMB, teaching them to be always on the guard in the performance of the mandate of the OMB to stamp out film piracy. After they succeeded in giving the film festival another “zero piracy” feat, Ronnie said “pwede na kaming makahinga kasi we did better this year! Masayang-masaya ang mga producers sa result ng MMFF.” The Chairman is indeed happy that the producers are recognizing him and his staff for their efforts. Because of the overwhelming box-office results of the MMFF 2010 entries, which reportedly reached more than P530 million, Chair Ronnie is now more inspired to perform his duties.

Aside from his usual duties at the OMB, he also tours public schools, colleges and universities in the promotion of the protection of the intellectual property rights.

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VP Binay special guest at NREA event

Vice President Jejomar Binay will be the special guest of honor and speaker at the inaugural business meeting and induction ceremonies for the 2011 officers of the National Real Estate Association (NREA) to be held today, 6:30 p.m. at the Ayala Hall of Makati Sports Club.

VP Binay is the concurrent chairman of the House and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Reelected NREA National President Marissa del Mar announced that attendees will receive five-hour CPE credit to add up to their required seminars necessary for real estate practitioners to get or renew their licenses with the Professional Regulatory Board for Real Estate Service.

Ms. Del Mar also said that the event, their post-Valentine affair, will also have as special guest Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, newly appointed commissioner and chief executive officer of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

The 2011 NREA set of officers will be inducted by Atty. Manuel R. Sanchez, new president of the Home Guaranty Corp.
Dr. Eduardo G. Ong, chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board for Real Estate Service will be the lead presentor of awards.

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John Lapus to sue Jobert Sucaldito?

At the press conference of Viva Films’ forthcoming movie “Who’s That Girl?” held the other night, comedian-TV host John Lapus said he is set to sue movie reporters who’ve been maligning him by writing derogatory stories about him. He mentioned in particular columnist and DZMM radio host Jobert Sucaldito.

John intends to sue Jobert for writing that he harassed a guy after his Valentine show at The Library comedy club in Malate. This John said, is not true.

John said that should writers write anything about him, especially if the issue is damaging to his person, they should also get his side. “I’m just around, they can get to me anytime to answer their questions. Kaya nasabi ko na idedemanda ko ang mga susulat nang hindi tama tungkol sa akin…”

John is in the cast of “Who’s That Girl?” which is topbilled by Anne Curtis and Luis Manzano and directed by 2010 MMFF Best Director Wenn V. Deramas. Also starring in the movie are Ms. Dina Bonnevie, Dennis Padilla, Candy Pangilinan, DJ Durano, Dino Imperial, Abby Bautista, Nadine Lustre, Bobby Yan, Joy Viado, Ricky Rivero, and Mac-Mac.

“Who’s That Girl?” opens in theaters nationwide on March 2. Co-presented by SM Development Corp., it is sponsored by Greenwich, Magnolia Lifedrink, GSM Blue and Megawide.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Feb. 24 go to former Bulacan Gov. Josie dela Cruz, veteran newscaster Manolo Favis, Nancy Castiglione, Helen Ruth Reyes, Rhoda Campos, Bebeth H. Trinidad, Mar de Guzman Cruz (get well soon, Mar!), Mrs. Leonisa Gamboa, Jenina C. Cruz, Marissa S. Gumatay of Norway, California-based Betty Palma Ventura, Canada-based Norma del Rosario, Ryan Manabat and GMA Network exec Wilma Galvante…