VICE GOV. Daniel R. Fernando

He may have been an actor for a long time but now it’s public service that’s closest to the heart of Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando of Bulacan. He is actually “married” not to any girl but to his political career.

“Sa public service na lang tayo, dyan tayo maligaya, yung makatulong sa kapwa. I’ve been doing public service for a long time already. Kahit wala akong budget for that, nagagawan ko ng paraan. Kahit papaano nakakatulong ako, nakakapag-medical mission ako, nakakapag-paaral ako.”

Unlike other politicians who won as public servants on strength of their popularity as showbiz personalities, it was the other way around for Daniel. He became an actor after he was SK Chairman several times in his hometown of Guiguinto, Bulacan. After being SK Chairman, Daniel ran for vice mayor in his town but he lost to his own aunt.

Daniel Fernando was a theater actor back in high school. He was trained as stage performer by appearing in numerous plays with Tanghalang Pilipino and other theater companies. Then he started doing movies.

“I did drama, I did action. And even bold flicks. But I especially cherish the memory of working together with the late Action King Fernando Poe, Jr. I remember him predicting the eventual demise of Pilipino movies, the action genre most especially,” he recalled in a recent exclusive interview at Dulcinea restaurant on Tomas Morato.

“Siya ang nagsabi sa akin na very soon mawawala na ang pelikulang Pilipino at kawawa ang mga artista na mawawalan ng trabaho.”

One of the most memorable and significant films Dan starred in was Peque Gallaga’s “Scorpio Nights” for which he won the Best Actor award. It’s been a while since he made a movie because of his commitment as public servant but he said that when the opportunity comes and he is offered a really worthwhile project, he will gladly grab it.

When he resumed his political quest after losing to his aunt, this time as board member of Bulacan, Dan won. And then he ran as vice governor of Bulacan and got the overwhelming support of his fellow Bulakeños. He is now on his second term and is seeking re-election in tandem with the incumbent governor, Willy Alvarado.

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Young Actor On The Rise

After doing a few movies and now playing another title role in the indie film “Gabriel,” young actor Norris John is definitely on the rise. The movie opened yesterday in several SM Cinemas in the metro.

Before “Gabriel,” Norris, 20, topbilled “Batang Ifugao” where he was seen wearing “bahag,” the old traditional costume of the Ifugaos. By the way, Norris who hails from the Mountain Province, has Japanese blood and that is why he proudly calls himself a “Japugao.”

A martial arts enthusiast, Norris has always wanted to be an actor and so passionate is he in this craft that his parents, who are successful businessmen, decided to establish their own film production company, Sun Stars Films, in support of their son's quest to find a place in the performing world. The other films he topbilled included “Binatilyo” and “Ken at Abel.”

Most of his earlier films were of the sexy genre (rated R-18) but it's in drama where he longs to excel in and in “Gabriel,” a wholesome drama with a GP rating, he gets to showcase his acting mettle. The movie is about a family shattered when the mother was wrongly suspected of her husband to have a lover.

In “Gabriel,” written and directed by Ronald Rafer, Norris is joined by theater actors Marife Necisito, Simon Ibarra, Lester Llansang, Jhoana Marie Tan, Lester Lucas, and Joyce Ching. After “Gabriel,” Norris is slated to star in a movie to be produced by a big film company.

A graduating Computer Science student at AMA, Norris undergoes acting workshop under Joey Paras to hone his performing skills. He is truly grateful to his parents for their unwavering support and love. Indeed, not everyone is as lucky as him.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 7, go to broadcast journalist Cheryl Cosim of TV5, Ian Veneracion, Dinah Dominguez, Liz Alindogan, Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, Mrs. Flor Salvador, Elpidio de Vera, Rianna Diego, Ramon Mauricio, Florindo Santos, Nanette R. Luciano, Gina San Buenaventura, Ricardo Javier, Nelia David, Amarice Santos Banares, and Winnie Velasquez… Happy wedding anniversary to Benito Natividad Jr., and Dr. Evelyn Lozano…