MANILA, Philippines -- A gumamela hybrid called hibiscus rosa-sinensis “Cynthia A. Villar” was developed by UP Los Baños’ Institute of Plant Breeding for the former lady solon from Las Piñas. She joins women achievers (including two from show business, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos) who’ve been honored with their own gumamela plants by UP Los Baños’ College of Agriculture.

Mrs. Villar, who is managing director of her family’s ever active and productive Villar Foundation, said they presented the plant last year yet but she wanted the flower to be bright orange, one that maintains its color throughout the day. It was finally perfected and they presented it to her on the occasion of her recent birth anniversary which coincided with the 6th Waterlily Festival of Las Piñas, held at the Villar Sipag Center Site in Pulang Lupa 1, Las Piñas.

Presenting the plant were Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco, UP Los Baños Chancellor; Dr. Pablito M. Magdalita (plant breeder) and Dr. Jose E. Hernandez, director of Crop Science Cluster and Institute of Plant Breeding.

For the occasion, two choral groups from UP Los Baños serenaded Mrs. Villar, Sen. Manny Villar and their guests.

Waterlily Festival

The 6th Waterlily Festival highlighted once more the sustainability of the waterlily-based livelihood industry in Las Piñas which Mrs. Villar started.

During this year’s celebration, Mrs. Villar led the presentation of various products made from waterlily such as handicrafts, bags, fashion accessories, home décor.

The Las Piñas-Zapote River Rehabilitation of Villar Foundation’s Sagip-Ilog bested 38 others and bagged the United Nations Award for Best Water Management Practices in March. Mrs. Villar accepted the award in Zaragosa, Spain. It was the fourth award for the program.

Winner of the Miss Waterlily Pageant was Miss Las Piñas Waterlily 2011 Daphne Dela Cruz Cortes, 1st runner-up Hossana Grace Reye, 2nd runner-up Marh Dannice Cardenas, 3rd runner-up Rocel Ramilo, and 4th runner-up Mary Jane Monteadora.

Quark rocks new indie film

Quark Henares’ fifth film “Rakenrol” took five years to make. It’s finally out; in fact it was the closing film during the 7th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition at the CCP.

Henares’ earlier films include the cult film “Keka” and the Metro Manila Filmfest entry “Super Noypi.”

“Rakenrol” is Henares and co-writer Diego Castillo’s (guitarist of Sandwich and music video director) ode to the Philippine rock music scene.

In the film, Irene (Glaiza de Castro) and Odie (Jason Abalos) are outsiders who become best friends because of their common love for rock. Odie eventually falls in love with Irene and helps her fulfill her dream of forming a band. They recruit an ex-punk turned barista named Mo (Ketchup Eusebio) and the school bully Junfour (Alwyn Uytingco) and called their band Hapipaks.

Also in the cast of “Rakenrol” are Ramon Bautista, Ricardo Cepeda, Jun Sabayton, Hiyasmin Neri and Matet de Leon.

“Rakenrol,” which will be shown in local theaters starting on Sept. 7, was screened in Italy, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It has also been invited to international film festivals in Hawaii, Goteborg, San Diego and New York. In LA, it won the Audience Choice Award.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Monday, Aug. 8, go to veteran actress Delia Razon, Gov. Baby Bayani Ortiz, Carmi Martin, former Miss Caltex Amy Reyes Forthomme, Rosie del Rosario, Texas-based Homer A. Pili, Pamela P. Tuazopn, Nora Calderon, Pal Ravina, John David T. Aquino, Maribeth T. Pamera, Nena Ajero, London-based Vesper Valdez, and Asuncion J. Espina… Happy wedding anniversary to Richard Anthony and Ma. Cristina Ng… The Teen Choice Awards 2011 will air live via satellite today at 8 a.m. on Velvet (SkyCable Channel 53). Among the nominees in the various categories are Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattison and Justin Timberlake among others…