Ms. Lilia Dizon, (center, standing) flanked by daughters Melissa and Toni. Seated are Mila del Sol, Marita Zobel and Myrna Obligacion.

MANILA, Philippines — Box-office star Eugene Domingo just realized another big dream of hers: To be cast in the longest horror franchise in Philippine cinema, “Shake, Rattle & Roll, now on it’s 13th edition. “Shake, Rattle & Roll 13” is one of Regal Entertainment’s two entries to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

“For this chance to be in ‘SRR 13,’ I am most grateful to Mother Lily,” Eugene said at a presscon at Imperial Palace Suites.

Eugene is the lead actor in the episode “Rain, Rain Go Away,” directed by Chris Martinez. She acts with Jay Manalo, Edgar Allan Guzman and Boots Anson-Roa.

Happy though Eugene was for being cast in the movie, she said she was terrified by the scenes involved. Her episode deals with nature’s wrath.

Direk Chris wanted live special effects, not computer-generated, thus the many water scenes. Regal Entertainment had a giant pool constructed, where the highlights of the episode were shot.

Moviegoers will experience for the first time horror brought about by the demons in the pool – spirits of those who perished in a storm.

“Nakakaloka ang mga eksena namin! Feeling namin, katapusan na ng buhay namin,” Eugene related.

The other two episodes of “SRR 13” are “Tamawo,” directed by Richard Sommes, and “Parola,” with Jerrold Tarog as director. “Tamawo” stars Zanjoe Marudo, Maricar Reyes, Bugoy Cariño, and Ms. Celia Rodriguez. “Parola,” on the other hand, has Kathryn Bernardo, Sam Concepcion, Louise de Los Reyes, Hiroshima Magalona, Dimples Romana, Ina Raymundo, Julia Clarete and Ara Mina.

Richard Marx at Araneta tonight

Richard Marx, one of the biggest stars in pop/rock music with eight Top 10 singles to his name, makes his debut performance in the Philippines tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Billed as “Richard Marx Live In Manila!,” the one-night event produced by Ovation Productions guests Aiza Seguerra.

Marx released a digital Christmas EP titled “The Christmas EP,” an annual holiday gift Marx and his three sons recorded at home in Illinois for his wife, actress Cynthia Rhodes.

The EP features four Christmas classics, including a duet with Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, “Silent Night,” plus a new song, “Christmas Spirit,” co-written with frontman Fee Waybill of Tubes.

During the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, Marx won a Grammy for “Song of the Year” for “Dance With My Father,” which he wrote with Luther Vandross.

“Richard Marx Live In Manila” is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa in Panglao, Bohol and in association with Imarflex, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Universal Channel, The Rockwell Club, Edsa Shangri-La Manila and Chrysler. It is also supported by the Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, 97.9 Home Radio, MYX, 94.7 Mellow, RX 93.1 Monster Radio, 105.7 Crossover, Radio High 105.9 FM, RJ 100.3 FM, OptimaSignsolutions and ABS-CBN.

Veteran actress marks milestone

Veteran actress Lilia Dizon (mother of Pinky, Chistopher and Melissa de Leon, and Toni and Coney Abad) celebrated her birth anniversary recently at Café Juanita (owned by Dr. Boy Vasquez) in Baryo Kapitolyo in Pasig City.

In attendance were Lilia’s fellow LVN stars, among them Mila del Sol, Anita Linda, Delia Razon, Perla Bautista, and Marita Zobel. Also there were Myrna Obligacion, widow of the late Oscar Obligacion, Terry Tambunting, Letty Hahn and Paolo Abad, Lilia’s children (except Pinky who is in the US, and Boyet who had shooting in Dubai that day) and grandchildren Tony Boy Lejano, Ronie, Renzo, Rego and Rebecca Joseph, and Joshua and Bella Abad.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 9, go to Dr. James Dy, Octavio Victor “OV” Espiritu, Judith Banal, Mary Rosalind Revillame (a.k.a. Meryl Soriano), Beverly Salviejo, Mrs. Lily Juico, Butch Francisco, Dandy Santos Gomez, Ernesto Pilapil, Millet Zamora, Lily de Los Reyes, Jesus Que, Leticia Belen, Leonila Reyes, Nonette Buenaventura, Sonia Lim, and Eva Sharma of L Charmant... Happy wedding anniversary to David and Jessica Buenavacz...