Angelo “Eloy” Padua

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., star of the action-fantasy movie “Panday 2,” said he is confident that the movie will top the box office at the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which kicks off with a “Parade of Stars” on Dec. 24.

“We outdid ‘Panday 1’ in all aspects – special effects, animation, casting, location, action,” he said.

Carlo J. Caparas echoed Bong’s claim: “I was with them from the day we planned ‘Panday 2.’ We incorporated with it a sequel, ‘Panday 3,’” Carlo J said.

Caparas wrote “Panday” as a comics novel. It was later adapted by Fernando Poe, Jr. for the big screen.

While Senator Bong refuses to confirm production budget, estimates point to no less than P50 million.

The movie also stars Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado, Alice Dixon, Lorna Tolentino, Rep. Lucy Torres, Kris Bernal, and Phillip Salvador.

Phillip said, “I’m the worst enemy of Panday. See how I punished him!”

59th FAMAS Awards set Dec. 10

FAMAS President Angelo “Eloy” Padua announced the 59th Annual FAMAS Awards Night will be held on Dec. 10 at the NCCA Auditorium in Intramuros.

Aside from the finalists in the various categories, he also bared the awardees in the different special awards: Danny L. Dolor, Dr. Jose Perez, Jr. Memorial Awardee; Crispina M. Belen, Arturo M. Padua Memorial Awardee; Persida Acosta, Public Service Awardee; Sarah Lahbati, Alden Richards, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes and Sam Concepcion, German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardees; Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Presidential Awardee; and Nora Aunor, Lifetime Achievement Awardee.

To be cited are the Filipino Inventors’ radio program, “Kita Mo Na? Galing Ng Pinoy;” “H.I.V.,” Advocacy Film for 2010 (Exogain Productions); “Project: Noel,” Loren Legarda Environment Award for Film (Carousel Productions, Inc.); and “Emir,” Rodolfo Biazon Patriotism Award for Film (Viva Entertainment, Inc.).

Make way for Salsa

In town is “Salsa: We are the Colombian Pacific” to teach this rhythmic movement to dance-crazy Filipinos. The group is composed of Jaime Gonzalez, Jennifer Olave and Olga Acosta. They will be in town until Dec. 9.

More than a dance, Salsa tells a story. Writers have described salsa as the chronicle of the urban Caribbean, the lyrics of its songs mirroring the life of the Latin peoples.

Colombia gave birth to the cumbia, the porro and other dance rhythms.

The workshop will be conducted at Sapphire Ballroom Gateway Suites, 2-5 p.m.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 8, go to Andrea Bautista-Ynares, Mrs. Susana Ople, Connie Guanzon-Garcia, Concepcion Basilio, Ellen Concepcion Novales, Bremel R. Guiao, Pura R. Mondejar, Dr. Eddie Santos, Ma. Joyce Tobias, Archie Cayaba, Lina Mabanag, QC Fiscal Ma. Victoria Alba Estoesta, Cynthia Dereza-Delos Reyes, Barry Marcelo, Jon-Jon Padua, Denmark-based Jinky Velasco-Petersen, Connie Mabangan, Gracelyn Ramos, Mike dela Cruz, Hero Angeles and Dr. Ching Ilao-Oreta...