NORA AUNOR as Shaleha in ‘Thy Womb’

The movie “Thy Womb” is spectacular not just because of its expensive special effects, the hundred million-peso production budget, the star-studded main cast with hundreds of players, but for its beautiful story, the kind you just have to watch.

The location is as spectacular – the water villages in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, a rich seaweed community.

What makes “Thy Womb” even grander? It stars Ms. Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco, two Filipino actors whose excellence and consummate passion for their craft remain unparalleled in the local movie industry. More, “Thy Womb” is by Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza.

Of course, Lovi Poe turned out a splendid performance too as with the Badjao actors who played themselves as members of the water village.

The cinematography in “Thy Womb” offers sceneries so quiet and lovely even as they evoke wonderment on how life is for people who live on those native houses built on stilts, with seawater flowing freely underneath.

Now the story: Nora is Shaleha Sarail, a woman who had already undergone three miscarriages and can no longer give her husband, Bang-An (Bembol) a child. Shaleha will sacrifice and do everything to make her husband happy so she convinces a village girl named Mersila (Lovi) to become the second wife of Bang-An. During a traditional conference among the village elders, Mersila accepts the proposal, but in a secret talk with Bang-An, she makes him promise that after giving birth, he will separate from Shaleha.

Bang-An and Shaleha make love. A prophetic love-making. The eyes of Shaleha are wide open and wondering even as Bang-An does the ritual of a fruitless passion.

The close-up scene where Mersila gives birth that shows the head of the baby coming out is so endearing – with Shaleha as the midwife, herself, deftly assisting in the delivery. It’s a scene so tender, bordering on the miracle of life and death, that will linger in the minds of moviegoers for a long time.

Nora told us how that particular scene was filmed, but we will not reveal it to you now, as you have to see the movie yourself.

During the Metro Manila Film Festival, I strongly suggest that you go and see “Thy Womb” first, because it could be the best way to enjoy the film festival!

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Skin Care From Generation To Generation

The year 2013 promises to be an exciting one for Ellen Lising, the indefatigable business woman behind one of the most trusted names in skin care today, Ellen’s Aesthetic Center, who, after 30 years, is ready to share the reins of the business with her daughters Jessel and Janice Lising. Jessel, 30, studied at Redondo Beach College in Los Angeles, California while Janice, 31, took up courses at the Marinello School of Beauty in Burbank, California. So they will be bringing in a wealth of experience and expertise to enhance the services at Ellen’s.

But of course, Ellen still has no plans of retiring. “Hindi naman ako bibitaw eh, wala akong plano na mag-retire. Aalalay lang ako, nasa likod lang nila ako,” she said.

Visibly proud of her daughters, Ellen added, “My daughters do the research for me. They find out what’s new in skincare: the new technology, the new machines, the new products. So when I go to other countries, I already know where to find these things, because my daughters have already done their homework.”

With the emergence of newer, bigger players in recent years, the beauty business in the Philippines has become very competitive. Despite this, Ellen is confident that her business will continue to grow. “Hindi lang puede na kilala ka. Kailangan magaling ka, may quality and service mo and products. But for me the most important factor is that you have to be honest. I’ve always believed that if you’re honest and you don’t trick people, nothing can go wrong.”

Ellen’s Aesthetic Center is known in handling the skin care of Melanie Marquez, Carlo Aquino, Patrick Garcia, Sheena Halili, Glaiza de Castro, Dexter Doria, Cindy Miranda, Allen Dizon, Nina, Sugar Mercado, Jack Roberto, Jane Oineza and Cheska Garcia.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 17, go to boxing champ/Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former QC Councilor Aiko Melendez, Henrietta Mendez, Dr. Vivian Sarabia-Ong, Mel Valic, Ernani Cuenco Jr., Christy Praise, Cherry Yalung, Lucresia Belarmino, US-based Angelo Banaria, Pep Pep Red Vasquez, Bienvenida Crisanto, Susie P. Belen, Victoria Binondo-Collado, Angelia Joaquin Domingo, Conchita A. Gallaga, Leon Miguel, Joy V. Acuin, Reynaldo C. Federegan and Michael V… Happy wedding anniversary to Paco and Becky de Liano...