MANILA, Philippines -- The inspiring story of Thelma, a tomboyish Ilocano lass from Ilocos Norte who became a successful athlete, unfolds Wednesday in theaters nationwide. Thelma is played by Maja Salvador who is also co-producer of the movie directed by Paul Soriano.

Maja, we’re sure, was supposed to promote the movie when she guested on “The Buzz” last Sunday but a controversy caught up with her that she was not able to discuss the movie anymore when Boy Abunda asked her if she was the reason Coco Martin and Matteo Guidicelli exchanged blows during the Star Magic Ball held at Shangri-La Makati Hotel Saturday night. Reports say Matteo, who’s supposed to be Maja’s current boyfriend, got jealous when Coco kissed Maja on the lips. A crying Maja denied this.

Maja measured up to the physical demands of her role that required her to run like a true athlete. Her feet were oftentimes blistered and even bled on some days. But Maja was unfazed and continued to train as she knew that the indie production couldn’t afford shooting delays.

“Ayoko namang maging cause ng delay. Kinaya ko talaga hangga’t maaari. May mga eksena kasi na kailangan kong tumakbo ng either naka-tsinelas or nakapaa lang kasi nga mahirap na pamilya lang sila Thelma. Kaya sa shooting, yung paltos at sugat-sugat, betadine lang, alcohol lang puwede na.”

At one point, Maja collapsed on the set due to exhaustion. After a couple of hours, Maja requested that they go back to work.

“Thelma” also stars Tetchie Agbayani, John Arcilla, Eliza Pineda, Jason Abalos, and Sue Pardo. The movie is presented by Time Horizon Pictures in cooperation with Abracadabra Productions and Underground Logic. “Thelma” is distributed by Star Cinema.

All-4-One in Manila

Filipino fans of R&B will have the treat of their lifetime when All-4-One makes a back-to-back concert with Color Me Badd today, Sept. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, James Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez and Tony Borowiak , collectively known as All-4-One, took the world by storm with their songs “I Can Love You Like That,” “Someday,” “Beautiful As U,” “So Much In Love” and, of course, “I Swear.”

All-4-One sold some 22 million records worldwide. They also have the rare distinction of having “I Swear” enter the Guinness Book of World Records in 1994 for Biggest-Selling Single.

All-4-One and Color Me Badd will also be at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Sept. 9; at Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro on Sept. 10 and in Bacolod’s La Salle Coliseum on Sept. 12. Apart from their hits, the highlight of the All-4-One/Color Me Badd shows will be their tribute to Michael Jackson.

The back-to-back concert of Color Me Badd and All-4-One in the Philippines is made possible by Ovation Productions. Tickets are available at Smart Araneta box-office and all Ticketnet outlets.

Vice Ganda renews Globe contract

He is definitely one of the busiest celebrities today. Vice Ganda is in ABS-CBN’s “Showtime” six times a week. Every Sunday night, he has his own show “Gandang Gabi, Vice.”

Vice is also promoting his first album under Viva Records entitled “Lakas Tama” and is also shooting his second solo-movie under Viva Films and Star Cinema entitled “Private Benjamin” where he plays a soldier in training to hide his homosexuality. The movie also stars Eddie Garcia, Jimmy Santos, Malou de Guzman, Kean Cipriano, Andrew Wolff, DJ Durano, Nikki Valdez and Derek Ramsay who is Vice’s most requested leading man. “Private Benjamin” is directed by Wenn Deramas.

Last Aug. 31, Vice flew to the US for his US Tour with K Brosas and Jon Avila that will take them to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Vice is set to renew his contract with Globe Telecom after his successful endorsement of SuperTXTALL20. Globe Prepaid offers unrestricted experience with Superunlitxt 25.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Wednesday, Sept. 7, go to Iriga City Mayor Madeline Alfelor-Gazmen, Regina Meer-Castillo, Julia Lopez, Samuel Velasco, Jackie Ejercito Lopez, Regine Tolentino Vera Perez, Rolando Josef, Nenita Evans, Sol Lavadia, Paquita Maglaya, Albert Morris, Mary Elizabeth S. Timbol, Jane J. Garcia, Linda Amon, Reggie Espinosa, Lilia Uy Hao, and Taliba entertainment editor Butch Roldan… Happy wedding anniversary to Titong C. Villacorta and Ma. Georgia Ejercito; and Tito and Mary Ann Salcedo…