Kate Winslet

MANILA, Philippines -- Academy Award winner Kate Winslet plays the title role of “Mildred Pierce,” a five-part HBO Original miniseries that premieres in Asia tonight (June 9). Kate appeared in such significant movies as “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road” where she displayed her versatility as an actress.

The mini-series is based on James M. Cain’s classic 1941 novel of the same title. It offers “an intimate portrait of a uniquely independent woman who finds herself divorced during the Depression as she struggles to carve out a new life for her family.

The story explores Mildred’s unreasonable devotion to her insatiable daughter Veda (portrayed by Evan Rachel Wood), and the complex relationships she shares with the indolent men in her life, including her polo-playing lover Monty Beragon (Guy Pearce) and ex-husband Bert Pierce.”

The cast of “Mildred Pierce” includes formidable actors who’ve starred in memorable movie and TV projects: Guy Pearce (“The King’s Speech”), Evan Rachel Wood (HBO’s “True Blood”); James LeGros (“Zodiac”), Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”), and Brian F. O’Byrne (“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”).

“Mildred Pierce” is directed by Todd Haynes (Oscar-nominated for his screenplay “Far From Heaven”) who believes that Mildred’s story, though set during the Depression, is still timely and would resonate with today’s viewers.

“The crises it explores are those of middleclass privilege – issues of pride and status, the struggle first to regain one’s standing. This feels very much like the particular struggles of our current economic crisis,” Haynes said.

SM Kids show draws celebrities

The SM Kids show at the recently held Philippine Fashion Week drew famous international celebrities. Among those sighted at the front row seats were pound-for-pound champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao and Katie Ford of the world famous Ford Modelling Agency.

Fresh from his US triumph over Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao and his family (wife Jinkee and sons Jimuel and Michael) made a stop to view the SM Kids Collection and give support to daughters Princess and Queenie who modeled during the show.

Other celebrity guests included Roxanne Guinoo, Angelika dela Cruz, Baby O-Brien, Rina Reyes (with daughters Sophia and Katherine), editor and fashion stylist Agoo Bengzon, GMA 7’s Suzi Abrera (with kids Jade, Nella and Leona) and Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films.

The SM Kids Country Couture Collection is available at the Children’s Wear Department in all SM stores nationwide and at the Sugarkids Shoes Collection for girls is available at the Children’s Shoes Department in all SM stores nationwide.

Nightly entertainment at The Establishment

Some of today’s hottest musical acts headline The Establishment’s nightly entertainment from Wednesday to Saturday this month.

Taking the spotlight for Acoustic Wednesday Nights are Joey Generoso and Sitti. Joey, of course, is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Side A band.

Sitti, on the other hand, will go beyond her trademark bossa nova tunes as she gives today’s hits and covers her own twist.

On Rockin’ Thursdays, The Establishment offers 60s music with The Bloomfields. For Mash Up Fridays, Fat Session and Verve Project Music perform back-to-back. For Overdrive Saturdays, Version 4.0 and Zoo Band render their brand of new wave and rock music. Version 4.0 is composed of former Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Panky Trinidad and Jem Marquez, Sheryl Kao, Daryl Ong and the Toy Symphony.

The Establishment is located at The Fort Entertainment Complex, Fort Bonifacio.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 9, go to US-based journalist Ruben Nepales, Michellen Espiritu-Suarez, Sixto “Boy” Roa, Vanessa Pastor, Ramon F. Lopez, Grace Pascua Urata, Ronian Poe, Pamela Pacis, Elmer Villanueva, William Piravalasamy and Mary Sunshine “Soeng” Ongpauco… Happy wedding anniversary to Donita Rose and Eric Villarama… Players in today’s “Family Feud” are “Party Pilipinas Celebrity Edition stars Kyla and Kris Lawrence with Max Movement Dancers. Host Edu Manzano appears after their opening dance number…