From among the presidential aspirants, it’s not only Fernando Poe, Jr. who comes from the entertainment industry. Former senator and Education Secretary Raul Roco was also a part and parcel of the Philippine movie industry.
In the ’70s, he collaborated with the late Lino Brocka in producing pictures that caught the attention of critics and filmgoers. Some of these films were the highly acclaimed "Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang" which earned for Christopher de Leon his very first acting award; "Isa, Dalawa, Tatlo," and "Lunes, Martes, Miyerkoles, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado."
Not everybody also knows that the late great film director Lino Brocka and Raul Roco were delegates both to the 1971 Constitutional Convention.
Roco recalls that the old Constitution only had "freedom of speech" but this was changed to "freedom of speech and expression" upon the suggestion of Brocka.
"How directors put together scenes in a movie is freedom of expression," says Roco.
Brocka and Roco became close friends from this experience. Raul Roco was corporate secretary of Cine Manila and its president was Lino Brocka.
Together they produced several movies including the 1974 film "Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang" which won six FAMAS awards including Best Picture. The film starred Lolita Rodriguez, Christopher de Leon and Hilda Koronel.
The Philippine entertainment industry will surely benefit a lot from a president like Roco who understands the industry’s potentials and needs.
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Willie Nep 4 President
It will definitely be a different Valentine show for master mimic Willie Nepomuceno. For one, he won’t be singing the old, familiar love songs "otherwise, if they (audience) want to listen to love songs, they might as well go to the other Valentine shows," Willie said.
But the impersonator extraordinaire promises a night full of fun as he alone can give. Willie will tickle the funny bones of his audience with his daring impersonation of three presidential candidates: Fernando Poe, Jr., Raul Roco, Ping Lacson. His co-performer, Ate Glow, will do his namesake President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who else? "It will only be President Arroyo in my repertoire," Ate Glow said. The President has seen Ate Glow perform and "she said she liked it," Ate Glow remarked during the presscon for "Willy Nep 4 President: Vote 1, Take All," at the Max’s Intramuros.
Interestingly, Ate Glow (real name: Rene Boy) has a college degree from UP where he first honed his impersonation style. His father is a cop but according to him, his gender was never a problem in his family. If at all, they’ve always been supportive of his endeavors. Ate Glow knew he was gay as early as when he was two years old, he said.
In the past, Willie has impersonated with great success the likes of former Presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada and other prominent personalities.
With PCSO, Pagcor and San Miguel Beer as sponsors, "Willy Nep 4 President" will be staged tonight and tomorrow at Music Museum. Also performing is broadcaster Kaye Dacer, as herself.
Remember, Willie promises no sappy love songs, no depressing moments, just a night of pure, unadulterated fun!
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‘Love is in the Air’
"Love is in the Air"
is another Valentine concert that promises to be exciting and funfilled, what with
Ms. Pilita Corrales performing with former lover now good friend
Eddie Gutierrez, and
Bobby Soul, the only surviving member of the legendary
Platters. Also featuring sexy
Diana Zubiri, the show will be staged on Feb. 13, at the ballroom of
Hotel Intercontinental Manila.
Produced by Ruffa Gutierrez-Bektas, "Love in the Air" is presented by Royale ERA in cooperation with play & display, My Little Island Hotel in Camotis Island, Cebu; Kookabar ‘N’ Bar at Greenhills Theater Mall and art patron Danny Dolor. Musical director is Gerry Matias. Beneficiary is Annabelle Rama’s favorite charity, the Asilo Medalla Milagrosa of Cebu.
Tickets are available at the gate or through tel. 727-2534/36.
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Retrospect marks 6th anniversary
REtroSPECt, the country’s retro pop icon, is celebrating its 6th anniversary this year and followers of this popular band can expect a lot of surprises from them this coming months. The group’s latest music video "The Luv Bug," a cut from their album "The Luv Bug REtroSPECT’ from Harmony Music of Alpha Records, is now out. It was composed by Chuckie Dreyfus and arranged by REtroSPECt.
"REstroSPECT The Luv Bug Campus Tour 2004" hits the schools starting today (at Miriam College) with special guest Jimmy Bondoc. On Feb. 13, they will be at Olivares College, Sucat Parañaque with special guest Divo; Feb. 17, at La Consolacion College Manila with special guest Nyoy Volante; Feb. 20 at STI College Cubao with special guest Luke Mijares; Feb. 24 at AMA Computer University with special guest Arnee and Feb. 27 at Don Bosco Tech College, Mandaluyong with special guest Nina.
Showtime starts at 6:30 p.m.
"REtroSPECT the Luv Bug Campus Tour 2004" is presented by Skechers, in association with Pepsi, Mirinda–Strong Fruit Flavors, Infinite Possibilities, and sponsored by Sky Flakes, Lucky Me Supreme Value Meal, Nestle Non-stop Black Desire, Hot Momas Garage Gourmet, and Alpha Music.
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‘Sketches and Melodies’ tonight at Café Lupe
Café Lupe and Celebrations DOT Com, Inc., one of the fastest rising entertainment companies in the country today, proudly present Jonathan Badon, Prince of Operatic Pop, in a most awaited solo concert entitled "Sketches and Melodies," tonight at Café Lupe at EDSA, Guadalupe.
Also known as the "Josh Groban of the Philippines," Jonathan Badon is touted to be the next star in the classical pop scene. A scholar of the CCP Promotion Foundation and a former soloist of the UP Concert Chorus, he is a holder of Bachelor of Music in Voice degree from UP and has appeared in lead roles in several stage musicals in the country and also for the Singapore Lyric Opera and the Malaysia Arts Council. An award-winning composer and a very good visual artist, his beautiful sketches will be exhibited inside Café Lupe on the day of the concert. He will be accompanied on the piano by no less than Ms. Inday Echeverria who was the pianist of ‘’Ms. Saigon’’ Philippines and during the State Visit of President George Bush. Front act will be provided by the newest and most exciting acoustic group OHNA and the Soulfly, another Celebrations DOT Com. Talent. Script is by Ms. Malou Reyes while technical direction is by Batch Hernandez.
Celebrations DOT Com. Inc. president Atty. Dot Gancayco is thrilled about the show. "I have always believed in Jonathan Badon. He is not only a very good singer but a superb actor as well. Once he starts with his performance, you are simply mesmerized by his beautiful voice and incredible talent." Friends in the classic pop music industry will be at the concert to support Jonathan and Atty. Dot.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 12, go to Mrs. Alice P. Lacson, wife of presidential aspirant Panfilo "Ping" Lacson; former child star Elizabeth Manlongat-Cariño, Joe Recio, Denise Ysmael Lacson, Mitos Escalambre, Honey Hazel Lim, Lourdes Calma Bisaya, David Y. Jr., travel exec Lambert Santos of Cherry Hill, New Jersey USA; realtor Joey Sermonia, Nene Riego, Tessie Sioson Roque of NAIA, Gabrielle Lara Hermosa, and Baby Eric Slotta of New York, USA.
