Wwendell Ramos and Giselle Toengi in ‘Bayang Magiliw’

More than being a comedy, the upcoming movie “Bayang Magiliw,” the latest work of multi-awarded director Gil M. Portes, is a social satire on reproductive health and that is why it has been described as a film as timely as today’s headlines. Playing the lead roles are Wendell Ramos, Giselle Toengi and Arnold Reyes.

The movie is about a fictional town in Quezon Province called Magiliw where reproductive health is a crime. The mayor, the charismatic Filemon “Fil” Almazan (Wendell Ramos), has outlawed all methods of contraception and family planning. The result: Magiliw is the country’s most densely populated municipality outside Metro Manila.

Ironically however, the mayor is an inveterate womanizer who has secretly fathered about a dozen illegitimate children. Three of whom, all girls, he has legally adopted without his barren wife’s (Sue Prado) knowing they all are his own flesh and blood.

Soon, Mayor Almazan’s life will be rocked by a chain of events, the first of which concerns his latest illegitimate son who is given away by his confused mother (Princess Manzon) and ends up in the hands of an affluent couple (Lloyd Samartino and Jackie Lou Blanco). The couple’s daughter Catherine (Giselle Toengi, a Manila-based corporate lawyer whose biological clock is ticking) decides to adopt the baby. However, the mayor soon finds out that he is the father and moves to claim it himself - but without admitting his indiscretion. However, the head-strong Catherine refuses to give up the boy.

The other incident concerns Dr. Emil Magsino (Arnold Reyes), an idealistic ob-gyn who is sent to jail by the mayor for prescribing contraceptives to Magiliw’s womenfolk. Catherine takes him as a pro bono client, and together they stand up against the mayor’s hypocritical rule.

Written by Enrique V. Ramos, who also wrote “Two Funerals,” “Bayang Magiliw” also stars Raquel Villavicencio, Althea Vega, Rob Sy, Benjie Felipe, Tony Mabesa, Dax Alejandro, Jess Evardone, and Ellen Adarna.

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RWM-Club Mwah Show Back To Boni

The spectacular Club Mwah show, which enjoyed a few months run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) in Resorts World Manila had its grand finale recently, and will premiere at Club Mwah’s home base in Boni, Mandaluyong City on Feb. 21. “This is in answer to the clamor of those who were not able to see the show’s grand finale,” said Pocholo Malillin, Club Mwah’s vice president and executive director.

“Sold out kasi ang tickets, so marami ang ‘di nakapanood. It is for them that we decided to present the show at our home base starting on Thursday.”

The show is so fabulous and spectacular in its entirety that it’s hard to believe that the whole production was created by just one person – Cris Nicolas, the head of Club Mwah who is a total performer himself. Cris conceptualized, choreographed, and directed the show. In addition, he also was set and costume designer, and lights and sound director, too.

When it comes to stage productions, Cris is a genius, we were told, and we believe it since we’ve watched several of the shows at Club Mwah and we’ve been impressed so far. The reputation of the club as an A-1 entertainment hub has reached far and wide and audiences have consisted of artists too not only from here but from other countries as well. It has among its guests famous celebrities, local and foreign.

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Senatorial Candidates In GMA’s Election Specials

Days before the official campaign period began, the voting public learned vital facts about the senatorial candidates,courtesy of GMA-7’s “Hiritan 2013” of “Unang Hirit,” GMA News TV’s “In Depth” of “News To Go,” and DZBB’s “Ikaw Na Ba?”

These segments were primarily conceptualized to help the voting public get to know the people who may soon be the country’s leaders: from their background, affiliations, track record, stand on the most pressing issues, to their personality.

Out of 33 senatorial candidates, 29 were able to participate in “Hiritan 2013.”

With three rounds of intense questioning, the audience was given an idea on how each senatorial candidate views a particular issue. In Round 1, facilitated by veteran broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio, they were asked the ”Question of the Day” on a current divisive issue; Round 2 featured the “Panel and the People” with questions coming from “Unang Hirit’s” resident analyst Prof. Winnie Monsod, a member of the live audience, and social media followers. In the last and most awaited part of the segment, Round 3, the candidates answered questions from each other.

“In Depth” of “News To Go” took on a different treatment with anchors GMA News pillar Howie Severino and Peabody winner Kara David putting the 29 participating candidates on the spot in a five-minute no-holds-barred interview.

Finally, in DZBB’s “Ikaw Na Ba?,” hosted by GMA News pillar Mike Enriquez, all 33 aspirants were put on the hot seat answering questions that presented their credentials as well as their character all for the listeners to learn.

Through the informative and engaging discussions provided by “Hiritan 2013,” “In Depth,” and “Ikaw Na Ba?,” GMA-7 has indeed helped the electorate come up with informed decisions come election time. These specials are part of the network’s election projects in line with GMA News and Public Affairs’ advocacy “Dapat Tama.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 20, go to former Rep. Dolly Bohol, Mrs. Ditas Remulla, Betty Luz Go Chua, Teresita “Tita” Aviva, Chari La’O Bagatsing, Emy Rodriguez, Lito Gruet, Amelia Lopez, Lalaine Legasto, Enrico Castelo, Marina Calma Visaya, Perla Dungo, Tiffany Santos Red, Diego Nicolas Capili, Mary Grace Agoncillo, Prof. Lulu L. Geslani and US-based newsman Antonio Antonio…