Alex is delighted to have been given the title, but she said she’d feel more happy and fulfilled if the movie makes it a box-office hit here too.

"Siyempre, mas happy ako kung dito mismo sa country ko maging box-office hit ang movie ko," Alex said at the recent press conference of "The Maid" which Solar Entertainment is releasing locally starting today, Jan. 25.

In "The Maid," Alessandra plays a Pinay domestic helper named Rosa Dimaano who arrives in Singapore on the first day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar and who accidentally breaks some of the rules of the Hungry Ghost Festival. In Singapore, the Chinese seventh month is a time when it is believed that the gates of hell open and for 30 days, the dead walk among the living. This is a very dangerous time and there are many rules that must be followed in order not to get taken by the ghosts. Among these rules are: Not to go swimming, not to turn your back at night if someone calls your name; not to sweep up burning ashes; not to talk to strangers on deserted stretches of road; and not to eat certain foods.

For Filipino maid Rosa Dimaano however, these are just a bunch of old wives ’ tales, not to be taken seriously. And because she broke some of them, her life becomes a nightmare. She starts to see and hear things that nearly frighten her to death. Whether at home or in the streets, she would see strange apparitions, and soon she finds herself tumbling into the world of the dead.

"The Maid" is directed by Kelvin Tong, best known for his awardwinning l999 feature kung-ku movie "Eating Air." his directorial debut (he also wrote the screenplay). The movie won the Young Cinema Award at the 2000 Singapore IFF, the FIPRESCI prize at the 2000 Stockholm IFF and represented the Singapore extensively in the international film festival circuit. Kelvin is a brand name in cutting edge Singapore cinema.

Between 1995 and l999, Kelvin Tong was the film critic for the Singapore national English daily, The Strait Times. His extensive writing on both Western and Asian cinema won him the reputation as one of the top movie critics in Asia.

During his stint with The Strait Times, he was honored with a seat on NETPAC/FIPRESCI, an international body of film critics who serve as jury members at film festivals around the world such as the Cannes Film Festival.

Alessandra is the only Filipino in the cast of "The Maid." She co-stars with Shu Cheng Chen, Hui Fang Hong and Benny Soh.

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Is it true?...that the recent fiesta celebration in Lipa City highlighted by the traditional Rigodon de Honor led by no less than Mayor Vilma Santos and husband Senator Ralph Recto and many other well-dressed and bejewelled Lipenos turned into a pandemonium when the Pinoy Big Brother housemates arrived? The PBB housemates - Nene Tamayo, Sam Milby, Franzen Fajardo, Racquel Reyes, JB Magsaysay, Jason Gainza, Say Alonzo, Uma Khouny, Jenny Suico, Rico Barrera, Bob dela Cruz, and Cass Ponti - were accompanied by director Lauren Dyogi and producer Linggit Tan. The crowd, especially the young, just turned wild and uncontrolled upon seeing the PBB housemates. And reportedly, the police wasn’t able to control the untoward incident. This just proved the immense popularity of the PBB housemates; it’s just too bad that their presence marred the elegance and peace of the event. To make matters worst, the bad elements took advantage of the situation and many lost their cellphones and wallets...Is it true? that Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado will have a soap opera to be taped in New York? This has been the plan of GMA 7 long before but because of their break-up the project was shelved. But with the critical success of their movie "Blue Moon," the network reportedly is now planning to push through with the soap opera...Is it true? that Onemig Bondoc got so pissed off during a taping for "Chowtime" that he unleased his anger kicking props. What angered him was his co-host, Angelica Jones’ tardiness. According to Onemig, Angelica came three hours late but the actress/TV host said she was late for only 30 minutes and that it happened for the first time. Onemig however said Angelica has done it before.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 25, go to former Pres. Cory Aquino, Lolita Rodriguez, Lito Bermundo, Bim-bo Cerrudo, Eddie David, Jr., novelist Pablo Gomez, Mrs. Anita Cuevas, Julie Locsin, Merla V. Grupp, Dr. Antonio Jalcon, twins Ben and Alfred Ramos of National Bookstore, Ricardo Liwanag, Efren Chua Yap, Erly Dungo and Rose Sal-vania of PCSO, Arjay Macabuhay of FESC Club, Nyoy Volante and GMA 7 talent Yasmien Kurdi... Happy wedding anniversary to former Cong. and Mrs. Dante Liban...