The colorful life story of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has been translated into film and will soon hit the local screens, courtesy of 7101 Islands Entertainment Productions, headed by director-producer Cyril Lorenzana. Entitled “Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan,” the movie tells the highlights in the life story of the feisty, tough but principled city executive who is known for his loyalty and sincerity to friends and those people around him. “This is why we titled his filmbio ‘Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan,” Direk Cyril told us at the press conference for the movie held recently at Ascott Makati.

The good mayor liked the title. “Alam naman siguro ng lahat na hindi ko ugali ang nang-iiwan ng kaibigan o kasamahan,” he said. “Kahit anong nangyari, hindi ko iniwanan si Erap. Hindi ako humiwalay sa kanya kaya siguro yon ang ginawang title.”

From the three-minute trailer of the movie, we saw that there is also an element of action in “Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan,” which is expected and understandable considering the fact that Mayor Binay was a street parliamentarian early in his life and he was either a witness or a participant in some of the country’s historical events.

Surprisingly, it was the first time that Mayor Binay saw his “wife” in the film, Aiza Marquez who plays Dr. Elenita Binay at the presscon. He was also pleasantly surprised that the actor who played him in the movie, Fredmoore delos Santos, is also short. “Mas maliit pa nga yata sa akin,” he chuckled goodnaturedly. As to why Fredmoore was chosen and not any big name actor, Direk Cyril said: “It’s because we did not want the character of a big name actor to take over the simplicity of the character of the mayor.”

Mayor Binay has announced his intention to run for a higher office (he stressed that he is prepared for the job) but he said his filmbio came accidentally into the picture. He did not intend it to be a promotional tool for his political goals. But 7101 Islands Entertainment Production offered to film his life story, and after three revisions of the script, production started. However, busy as he was, Mayor Binay never had the chance to visit the set of the movie. He said he put everything into the hands of the producers/director.

“My only concern now is,” he kidded, “if they failed to explain how I came to be named Jejomar.” Jejomar, he said, was taken from Jesus, Joseph, Mary, the Holy Family.

The producers are hoping they could also show the movie all over the Philippines for more people to know about this man who is known as the “Rambotito” in the EDSA Revolution that toppled the Marcos Regime. They want more people to get the chance to experience and enjoy Mayor Binay’s capability and vision as a public servant who is now aspiring for a higher position, after serving Makati for 18 years (three terms).

“Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan” also stars Boots Anson-Roa, Pauleen Luna, Alvin Anson, Lance Raymundo and other good actors from the Philippine TV and movie industry.

Direk Cyril, by the way, was based for sometime in the US where he has made about nine indie movies. While here, he has so far made three indie films, including “Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan.” As to why he chose the life story of Mayor Binay to film, he said it’s because the mayor’s story is inherently movie material and very  interesting  to tell, what with his struggles, determination and ideals in life. It’s a success story worth telling and re-telling.  So watch out for it!

By the way, the press conference was hosted by Ascott Makati under Ascott International which is the largest global serviced residence operator in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf Region. It manages the Ascott, Somerset and Citadines brands worldwide. Ascott International is a member of The Ascott Group.

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Joaquin Garcia, the barefooted champ

After Jed Madela, Joaquin Garcia was the next Pinoy singer who made the country proud by bringing home two gold medals from the prestigious World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in Los Angeles, CA in 2007. Like Madela, Joaquin was also named Over-all Champion. But aside from being the Over-all Champion in the Original Composition Category, he also won the Gold Medal in the Contemporary Category.

But did you know that during the competition, Joaquin went up the stage to sing before a 4000-audience barefooted? “Because somebody hid my shoes,” he recalled. “The contestants all shared the same dressing room and I placed all my things in one section. A Black singer approached me and said ‘you’re a big threat.’ After that I couldn’t find my shoes anymore. Forced by the circumstance, I was forced to go onstage barefooted.”

He won anyway, and in his pre-Valentine show tonight at The Library entitled “Revealed: Joaquin Garcia,” he is expected to sing the songs he sang at the WCOPA competition. The show will be directed by Andrew “Mamu” de Real, the owner of The Library himself who is also Joaquin’s manager.

“I will try to showcase the real Joaquin Garcia in this show,” he promised. “I will dance, and I will sing jazz and other musical genres, not only ballads.”

Not exactly a newbie in showbiz, Joaquin was 15 when he joined “That’s Entertainment,” a contemporary of Ara Mina, Isko Moreno, Francine Prieto, Maricar de Mesa and Patricia Javier. He later became a member of an all-male singing group and was able to wax an album. He sang the theme song of the Claudine Barretto soap “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan” and FLT Films’ “You and Me Against the World” that starred Robin Padilla. He also did the musical play “Rizal” together with Angelika de la Cruz and China Cojuangco.

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Tidbit: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 10, go to Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, Mrs. Tessie Ruiz Daza, Tessie Salas, Nimfa Fallarme, Ma. Lourdes Lano, Jake Azul, Sid Malhabour, Dr. Gemma N. Sahagun, Vanessa Peralta, Charmie Evangelista, Reo Nore Padilla, Edna Floro and Chelsea Nicole Ventura Layos…