MANILA, Philippines — After making viewers notice her in “Munting Heredera” and “Luna Blanca,” Mona Louise Rey is back in another GMA primetime show, “Aso ni San Roque” which premieres tonight (Sept. 10) right after “24 Oras.”

In the new series, Mona plays a girl named Fatima who is gifted with a power to fulfill a prophecy and to transform the lives of the people she meets. Fatima is a blind girl with a good heart but she is actually the daughter of a mortal man with a mythical creature called “manananggal”

In the story, Fatima was separated from her parents at a very young age. An old gay called Mother Ben, who happens to be under the control of a gang, took Fatima under his care and he becomes the sole protector of the girl.

As Fatima reaches 7, the search for her intensifies as witches, centaurs, mermaids and other creatures join forces to prevent Fatima from fulfilling the prophecy.

Also in the cast of “Aso ni San Roque” are Nova Villa, Pen Medina (as Mother Ben), TJ Trinidad, LJ Reyes, Buboy Garovillo, Rich Asuncion, Gardo Verzosa as Kanlaon, Paolo Contis, Angelika dela Cruz, Gwen Zamora, and Eddie Garcia as Supremo.

“Aso ni San Roque” is from an original concept of Jun Rodolfo Lana and is directed by Don Michael Perez. It airs weeknights on GMA Telebabad.

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‘Luna Blanca,’ 3rd Book Starts Today

Also starting today is the third book of the toprating Kapuso soap “Luna Blanca,” featuring the third generation stars – Heart Evangelista, Bianca King, and Mark Herras together with seasoned actors Christopher de Leon, Lani Mercado, Carmi Martin and Carlos Morales.

Bianca and Heart breathe life to the adult characters played by Jillian Ward and Mona Louise Rey and Barbie Forteza and Bea Binene in the story’s first two generations. As the series continues, Bianca as the dark-skinned Luna, and Heart as the fair-skinned Blanca will seek to discover their ancestry and at the same time fulfill their personal destinies. In this generation, Luna and Blanca’s relationship will be tested after being trapped in a love triangle with Joaquin (portrayed by Mark Herras). The twin sisters are in love with the same man, but Joaquin is smitten with Blanca from the moment he laid eyes on her.

Christopher de Leon plays Luis, Lani Mercado is Rowena, Carmi Martin is Divine and Carlos Morales plays Devolas.

Directed by Dominic Zapata, “Luna Blanca” airs weeknights right after “Aso ni San Roque” on GMA Telebabad.

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Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Captive’ Holds Premiere

Multi-awarded filmmaker Brillante Mendoza held the Philippine premiere of his film “Captive” last Sept. 2 at SM City Pampanga, its first premiere in the Philippines after the film’s debut at the 62nd Berlin Film Festival last February. “Captive” is a French-Philippine co-production adapted from the Dos Palmas kidnapping of two US missionaries by the Abu Sayyaf Group in 2001. The movie stars Isabelle Huppert.

The event was a milestone for the province of Pampanga, the hometown of Direk Brillante. It was the first time for a province to host a premiere of an international film. The director and the members of the cast – Angel Aquino, Maria Isabel Lopez, Sid Lucero and Ronnie Lazaro – graced the event. Also in the cast of the film are Mon Confiado, Joel Torre, Mercedes Cabral and Raymond Bagatsing.

Direk Brillante is from San Fernando where he finished his elementary and high school education. His first film, “Masahista,” was shot in San Fernando and starred Kapampangan stars Jaclyn Jose and Coco Martin. His film “Kaleldo” was shot in Guagua. The Center of Kapampangan Studies co-produced his other film, “Manoro,” which was shown in five international film festivals.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 10, go to Ms. Edna Camcam, Mila Llige, Mel Meer, Mel Villena, Richard Cadiente, Carmen Avellana, Ronauld Tavora, Jimmy Valeros, Beverly Santos, Manny Aquino, Nathaniel “Nash” Rosario, Kath Kaneko, Patricia Hizon, Dr. Joy Burgos, Erlinda So of Metrobank Sta. Cruz, Gigie Moral Lanchicho and Carlos Zapanta of PCSO, and Francis Albert “Chuck” Gomez…