Rocco Nacino and director Ana Gabin

MANILA, Philippines — When I was young, my Ilocano grandparents (from Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur) would, almost nightly, regale me with tales about Iloco epic heroes, like Angalo and Lam-Ang. I loved listening to their stories, keenly interested as I’ve always been to literature even at a very young age.

So imagine my excitement when I learned that the story of Lam-Ang will be translated into film with fellow Ilocano, Ana Gabin (who also wrote the screenplay of “Lam-Ang”) as director. The movie is the maiden offering of Saridandan Films.

This is Ana’s second film, the first being “24K,” which she entered in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival (it won the Best Cinematography award and nominated for the Golden Orchid Award in the Hawaii International Film Festival). Ana, who is the daughter of Dean Agapito Gabin of the UP College of Law, is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in European Languages in UP.

Playing Lam-Ang is GMA Artist Center talent Rocco Nacino who bested other actors in an audition.

Direk Ana said, “I didn’t choose Rocco for the title role... the film chose him. He looks the part. He has comic timing, appeal, good attitude and the right presence. He was third among those who read for the part, but before the night was over, we knew we already had a Lam-Ang in Rocco.”

Rocco is currently in the teleserye “The Good Daughter” and because of “Lam-Ang,” his taping schedule has to be adjusted so he could train for the fight choreography.

Principal photography for the movie will begin before Holy Week.

“I’m truly excited over this significant project,” Rocco said during the press conference and launch of the film at R Bistro at Victoria Towers along Timog. “It’s a role of a lifetime. I’ll give my best to be worthy of the honor.”

Also in the cast of “Lam-Ang” are Shamaine Buencamino, Art Acuna, Alchis Gallura, Nathaniel Britt and Kokoy de Santos, Channel La Torre and Miguel Vasquez.

Gerald Happy, Sad For ‘Budoy’

ABS-CBN’s “Budoy” reaches closing week and Gerald Anderson expressed both happiness and sadness over this.

He is happy because of the success of the show but he’s also sad that they he will be parting people from the soap soon.

“It was an amazing experience working with my co-actors in the teleserye. Most of the time we were overworked but we didn’t feel it because masaya kami,” Gerald said.

For Janice de Belen, more than anything, she’s proud, honored and happy to be in the cast of “Budoy” because, “Ito ang naging daan para sa pagbabalik ko sa ABS-CBN. It has been a very inspiring experience for me, working with the cast, especially Zsa Zsa Padilla, we became even closer than before, we renewed our friendship, so this is going to be really sad for all of us.”

Another cast member, Zsa Zsa Padilla said, “Sobra talaga saya namin sa set ng ‘Budoy’ every time. Sabi ko, bihira makahanap ng ganitong grupo.”

Kina Grannis In Meralco Show

Coming to Manila real soon is Kina Grannis, the YouTube star from Mission Viejo, California. “The Kina Grannis In Your Arms World Tour 2012” will be held at the Meralco Theater March 12.

Kina’s big break came when her song “Ours To Keep” was featured regularly in the TV series “General Hospital” followed by her video of “Message From Your Heart” winning the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest.

Kina’s hit album is “Stairwells” with the singles “World In Front Of Me,” “Mr. Sun” and “In Your Arms.”

Kina is now in the course of her “In Your Arms World Tour” in Asia where she is set to visit Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila for the first time.

To know more about Kina, visit www.kinagrannis.com or www.soulmannalive.com. 

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 6, Gretchen Barretto, Rudy Tee, Mark R. Ablaza, Vicky Amalingan, Roberto Reyes, Meden Espino, Norma Williams, Felicidad Tabios, Robald Castillon, Anacleta Rubang-Velasco and Archie Alemania… Happy wedding anniversary to Alex and Ana Cayabyab…