Director Jerry Lopez Sineneng

MANILA, Philippines -- Director Jerry Lopez Sineneng referred to Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes, who starred in the “Mara Clara” remake, as future superstars. He likened Kathryn to Judy Ann Santos (who played the original Mara in “Mara Clara), and Julia to Claudine Barretto. He also predicted a long and fruitful career for both actresses.

The future superstars find their “Way Back Home” in the Star Cinema heartwarming offering about family and forgiveness that also signals a broader showbiz horizon for the two. Also in the cast are Agot Isidro, Tonton Gutierrez, Lotlot de Leon, Enrique Gil, and Sam Concepcion.

“Way Back Home” tells the story of the Santiago sisters Jessica (Julia) and Joanna (Kathryn). Jessica was only four years old when her younger sister Joanna got lost during a vacation. Since then, Jessica felt unloved by their mother Amelia (Agot). The Santiago family spent 12 years trying to find Joanna because Amelia refused to believe she was dead.

It turned out that Joanna has been living as the daughter of a fisherman and his wife who raised the girl as their own and named her Ana Bartolome, who grew up in a simple but loving environment.

Ana is reunited with her biological family when she and Jessica are already teenagers. Making up for lost time, Amelia showers Ana much attention, for which Jessica feels more left out and envious. But the sisters and the whole family struggle to build a harmonious relationship in spite of their hurts and brokenness.

Kathryn and Julia feel blessed to be given a very important film like “Way Back Home,” which opens on Aug. 17.

Erik Santos in ‘PowER IKons’

Slated to do his first solo concert for the year is Erik Santos in “PowER IKons” at the Music Museum on Aug. 12-13. The show will benefit the Bosom Buddies Cancer Foundation.

This is his way of giving back, Erik said of the charity show he conceptualized; to share his blessings and his way of promoting his support for breast cancer research, prevention and care.

Erik will share the stage with “Star Power” grand champion Angeline Quinto, “Miss Saigon”-Germany lead theatre actress Stephanie Reese, the G-Force Dancers and Concert Queen Pops Fernandez.

The two-night concert is produced by Core Events, Record Breaker Events and presented by La Carmela de Boracay. The show’s script is by Senedy Que, choreography by Georcelle Dapat, direction by GB Sampedro with Home Flores as musical director. Tickets are available at Ticketworld.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, Aug. 9, go to Pagcor’s AVP for Entertainment Bong Quintana, Pocholo Romualdez, Tweetums Gonzalez, Philip Mangawang, Atty. Arturo del Rosario, Chit Montenegro, Firmo Liwanag, Dona Nena Oreta, Tess Rigonan-Teo, Mrs. Puring N. Aquino, Allex Cobarrubias, Dr. Larry Mallari, and Ricardo A. Balbido Jr., president/CEO of Philippine Veterans Bank… “Solomon Kane,” shown worldwide from Sept. 2009 to Feb. 2011, is now out on home video. Distributed by C-Interactive Digital Entertainment, “Solomon Kane DVD” is packed with features including audio commentaries, interviews, deleted scenes and gallery. “Solomon Kane” in DVD and VCD is available at Astro Plus, Astro Vision, Odyssey Music & Video, O Music, Video City, and National Book Store and Fully Booked…