When asked (for the nth time) if she would ever consider entering politics, veteran and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco gave an emphatic NO! If public service is the issue, she’s been doing it for a long time in a private capacity, she reminded us. "I can serve the people without getting into politics" Mel, aside from being main anchor/host for "24 Oras" with Mike Enriquez, "Magpakailanman" and "Mel & Joey" with Joey de Leon," Mel also is head of the GMA Kapuso Foundation which has provided aid and assistance to thousands of needy Filipinos.
On the other hand, Arnold Clavio, another awarded and very popular broadcast journalist, said yes, but only "pag politically matured na ang mga Pilipino and if the people’s trust in the government and its officials, and those in the Senate and Congress, is restored. Maraming tuwid na politicians pero kinakain sila ng bulok na sistema in the long run..." A UST graduate, Arnold started out as a news reporter assigned to the Senate in 1987.
Arnold hosts "Saksi" together with Vicky Morales, "Emergency" and "Unang Hirit" with Rhea Santos, Lyn Ching, Suzi Entrata, Jolina Magdangal et al. Arnold also has a radio show with Ali Sotto to which he hies to immediately after "Unang Hirit."
We got Mel and Arnold’s reaction to politics during a tete-a-tete over dinner last weekend at Krua Thai restaurant in SM Davao during the Kapuso Dabawenyo Weekend celebration. Mel and Arnold were with other GMA-7 public service pillars including Mike Enriquez, Jessica Soho, and Vicky Morales who flew to Davao for the "Serbisyong Totoo Fair."
GMA News and Public Affairs treated Dabawenyos to a wide array of public service and fun games in the booth area - among which include "Pinoy Abroad’s" job fair for overseas job openings, "At Your Service," "Emergency’s" dental care mission "Imbestigador’s" "sumbungan ng bayan," "Extra Challenge’s" wall-climbing and rapelling, and "Art Angel’s" storry-telling and puppet show among others.
Going back to Mel, she said episodes to watch out for in "Magpakailanman" are the life stories of Gwen Garci, who was a battered and unwanted child by her Chinese father; Bobbi Mercado, who got married four times, was into drugs and who lived a miserable life; Stella Ruiz and Sharmaine Arnaiz among others.
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Mayor Atienza formally opens Cinemanila filmfest
The 7th Cinemanila International Film Festival is now ongoing. It was formally opened last Tuesday night at the historic Manila Hotel’s Maynila by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and festival director Tikoy Aguiluz.
The opening rites were attended by some of the pillars of the local movie/showbiz industry, among them Eddie Romero, Eddie Garcia, producer and presidential adviser on entertainment Vic del Rosario, Wilson Tieng, Laurice Guillen, German Moreno, Robert Arevalo, guests from the diplomatic corps, and other prominent personalities including Ric Camaligan of SM Cinemas.
After the Manila Hotel rites, "Hidden Blade" by awardwinning Japanese filmmaker Yoji Yamada was screened in nearby SM City Manila.
A highlight of the opening ceremonies was the awarding of the Cinemanila Special Awards to three Filipino filmmakers who won in international filmfests and brought honor to the country. They are Auraeus Solito whose film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" won the Golden Zenith Award First Films World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival; Brilliante "Dante" Mendoza for his film "Masahista," which won the Golden Leopard Award at the Locarno International Film Festival, and Ms. Ditsi Carolino for winning Best Director for her documentary "Bunso" at the One World 2005 International Documentary Festival.
Mayor Atienza who presented Cinemanila Special Award to Brilliante Mendoza, expressed pride in announcing the three’s achievements in international filmfests, even as he promises that this year’s Cinemanila will be bigger as 12 international films are competing for the coveted Lino Brocka Award (equivalent to Best Picture), while eight local films will also be competing in the new Local Digital Film category.
"We are proud of this year’s line-up of films, whether international or local digital entry," Mayor Atienza said. "They all reflect the different aspects of life as seen by the different talented film directors, actors and actresses."
This year’s Cinemanila theme is "Buhayin ang Pelikulang Pilipino," and it aims to promote Filipino films to world cinema audiences and also to help develop new and independent filmmakers.
The international films in competition are: "Clean" (France), "The President’s Last Bang" (Korea), "The Kiss" and "The Child" (Belgium), "My Nikifor" (Poland), "Frozen Land" (Finland), "Palermo Hollywood" (Argentina); "Beautiful Country" (Norway), "Moolaade" (Senegal), "In Casablanca Angels Don’t Fly" (Morocco), "Rainmaker" (Indonesia) and our very own "Panaghoy sa Suba" by Cesar Montano.
The eight local digital films in competition are: "Alaverde Ala Pobre," "Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong," "Cut," "Dilim," "Ilusyon," "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John," "Trabaho" and "Tuli."
The film festival, by the way, will run up to Oct. 25 and the films will be screened at SM City Manila and SM City San Lazaro Cinemas, Robinson’s Place Manila, Isetann Cineworld Cinemas and selected Metro Manila theaters.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 16, go to former Senator Sonny Alvarez, former actress now civic leader Rosa Rosal, Cynthia Calinawan (a.k.a. Zapphire), Dr. Pacita Gonzales, jeweler Eden Arias, Dr. Concordia Pascual, Cathy Babao, Fe Aurora Castro, Jojo Temporal, Pearlie Cabanizas, Victor Mark M. Santos, Ace Earibal, entertainment columnist Emy Abuan-Bautista, Princess Violago, New York residents Dr. Nora Realuyo and Ernesto V. Martinez, Sr., and singer/actor Richard Reynoso...Those interested to become a call center professional are requested to apply at Premiere E-Call Training Center located at Unit 903 Cityland MegaPlaza, Ortigas Center.
