Melai Cantiveros

MANILA, Philippines -- "Pinoy Big Brother” winner Melai Cantiveros is now touted as the new “it” girl of ABS-CBN with her new movie project under Star Cinema and Sine Screen, “The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles.”

This is Melai’s first ever movie title role. In the film, the “Prinsesa ng Masa” of “Pinoy Big Brother” fame breathes life to the character Pura Buraot, an orphan who wants only the best for her brother.

In everything she does, her best friend Ruben Padilla (played by her real-life boyfriend Jason Francisco) is always by her side.

“Pureza” is directed by veteran stage actor/director Soxy Topacio who describes the movie as “masayang pelikula ‘tong ‘Pureza.’ Pagkabasa ko pa lang ng kuwento, gustung-gusto ko na siyang gawin.”

On her part, Melai shared in her trademark motor-mouth chatter: “Nung binigay sa amin ang script, at pagkabasa namin, tawa na kami nang tawa.’’

In “Pureza,” which opens today, July 13, in over 100 theaters nationwide, Melai and Jason are ably supported by an exciting cast composed of Gina Pareño, Joem Basco, Martin del Rosario and Bianca Manalo.

Melai is also co-host of Jericho Rosales and Iya Villania in “I Dare You.”

‘Noli’ screened at SM Cinemas

The 1961-film version of Jose P. Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” directed by Gerry de Leon was screened recently at SM Cinemas nationwide as part of the Rizal@150 celebration. It was shown in partnership with the German Embassy, Goethe Institut Manila, the National Historical Commission of the Phils., the CCP, My Rizal Project and Bayanihan Arriva Prods.

The restored copy of the film classic (done in collaboration by Fruitzer Black Archive in Bonn, and the Federal Film Archive in Koblenz, Germany) was premiered at the CCP in 1990 and presented by German Ambassador Peter Scholz to then Pres. Cory Aquino in 1991.

The special screening of “Noli Me Tangere” at the SM Mall of Asia also coincided with the launch of Goethe-Institut Commemorative Stamps as part of its 50th anniversary in the Philippines and Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary.

The first three stamps show the statue of Rizal in Heidelberg. The two others showed landmarks of the places where Rizal lived in Germany.

Compassion, tolerance for special children

Former movie star Dinah Dominguez recently met the press to appeal for compassion and tolerance for people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder) – a developmental disorder in which certain traits such as impulse control lag in development.

The move was prompted by an unfortunate incident that transpired on June 11 at the Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club, involving her son Rodin Bobson, 17.

“I was having lunch with family and friends, when the restaurant ‘manager’ asked us to leave,” said Dinah.

Apparently, her son Rodin who suffers from ADHD had started acting up. “He was decisively childish but my son never destroyed anything and never threatened any customer. In fact, some of the customers even smiled at me and showed understanding. But the ‘manager’ claimed otherwise. She showed disdain and wanted us out, and fast. She even threatened to bodily bring my son out if we don’t comply,” Dinah said.

Rodin, who has difficulty in processing information as quickly and accurately as others, understood right away. “You don’t like me here,” he said, to the manager. Rodin was apparently hurt but failing to fathom why he was disliked.

Unmoved, the “manager” persisted on bringing Rodson out. “Worse, the guards escorted us up to the parking lot, and after asking our names, even demanded to see our identification cards. They even escorted us out of Tagaytay Highlands making sure that we were really out, with a motorcycle behind us, up to the end of the gate,” said Dinah.

Armed with the “Magna Carta for the Disabled,” Dinah is calling for more compassion to special children.

The Magna Carta succinctly rallies the “private sector in promoting the welfare of the disabled” and calls for “the integration of disabled persons into the mainstream society.” Two points, which Dinah believes, were violated by the Tagaytay Higlands Golf Club during the incident.

“There are companies that respect the humanity of the disabled by providing trainings for their staff on how to treat special children. Unfortunately, most of our establishments still refuse to honor the rights of the disabled,” she said.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Wednesday, July 13, go to Dr. Alejandro R. Roces, Dr. Venson B. Pineda, Ben, Benedict and Barbara Ann Yalung, Lalaine Vitug, Mrs. Fely Ramos, Rose de Villa, Maya Savellano, Claire Macaraeg, Jennifer M. Magno, Msrg. Marlo Peralta, Ms. Zeny Iglesias, Gregory Jed Salterio, Jody S. Manuel, Leonila Lipana, Ma. Teresa Casanova-Tan, Laurie Tan, Alex Pierson, Marie Elaine Fernandez, and fashion designer-philantrophist Rikki Jimenez... Condolence to the family of Shirley Gorospe-Zhomack who passed away in California on July 11…