Eugene Domingo

After years of providing good support to the biggest and brightest stars in their movie and television projects, first-rate comedienne Eugene Domingo gets her chance to be by herself in a lead role. Titled “Kimmy Dora,” the film opened Wednesday and many were hopeful that it will do well in the box-office, the real gauge for us to say, with conviction, that Eugene has finally arrived and that she can now carry her own film.

In “Kimmy Dora,” Eugene plays not just one, but two characters. Kimmy and Dora are identical twins, both heiresses to the Go Dong Hae business empire. Kimmy is a certified “bitch” and Dora acts almost like a “special child.” How Eugene can dish out distinct and credible personalities to both characters is something we look forward to finding out.

We have received favorable comments from those who have watched the special screening of “Kimmy Dora” last week at the Shang Cineplex and being one of them, we certainly believe the good reviews are well deserved.

We certainly do not doubt her talent as an actor. In fact, when we sat as a member of the jury for the annual December filmfest two years ago, we fought for her and she ended up winning the supporting actress plum, even if the movie wasn’t really brilliantly made. We also caught her in some dramatic indie movies like “Foster Child” and one titled “100” and we must say that she can shift from comedy to drama with such effortless flair.

Going through the list of people involved in the production (we heard the film cost the producers almost 20 million pesos!), we must say that this is more than just a labor of love and friendship. After getting not so favorable reviews for his indie movie “Manila,” where he was both actor and producer, Piolo Pascual is taking a big gamble again this time, partnering with his financiers for “Kimmy Dora.” We hope he makes money this time.

We think that it was a good move for producer Piolo Pascual and company to have decided to let Wilson Tieng’s Solar Films release and distribute the film, specially since the rift between the SM Cinema group and Star Cinema, which was the original distributing arm for “Kimmy Dora,” has not yet been ironed out as of this time.

We all know how much SM has become part of the Filipinos’ entertainment culture, and an important project like a launching movie without being screened at SM cinemas can be scary for any producer and disastrous for any actor to be launched.

We were told that Piolo was originally cast as one of the two lead actors in the film but certain hands advised (or pressured) him to just remain a producer, the reason why they took in Piolo’s good buddy Zanjoe Marudo instead. It is also quite vague why Dingdong Dantes changed his mind to be an actor-producer for this film. Dingdong decided to just play the love interest of the twins, and his name comes after the “with the special participation of” tag.

Going back to Eugene, we learned from the few press conferences we’ve attended through the years that she is a theater-trained actor and she even studied Theater Arts at the Diliman State University, if we are not mistaken – perhaps a reason why she is serious about her brand of comedy.

We also learned from many of our producer-friends that she is not comfortable doing stand-up comedy acts, unlike most comedians we know, and the few impersonations she does (like the one where she mimics Vilma), she only does for commercials and product endorsements.

We think Eugene is at her best when she is spontaneous, like what she does in her late Saturday night live show “Cool Center” with Anjo Yllana. We hope GMA will give her something like a “Late Night with Chelsea” type of a show.

Some members of the media have opined that Eugene’s personality is too strong, and the way she talks to people or answer questions can sometimes come off as too sharp and abrasive. You know how sensitive some people in the industry can get, so we advise Eugene to give this observation a good thought, too, so as not to turn off some people unintentionally.

If “Kimmy Dora” makes money, which we expect it does, we just hope that whatever success the movie gets, whether huge or minimal, will not get into Eugene’s head. We think that Eugene should look at how comedy queen Ai Ai de las Alas has wonderfully handled her popularity, success and stature all these years. Ai Ai is still very approachable, can laugh at her own mistakes and booboos, and she still remains as warm and grounded as the day we first met her.

Will Eugene be next in line to the throne currently occupied by Ai Ai? We will know once the results of Wednesday’s opening day sales are officially announced. Regardless of how much money “Kimmy Dora” rakes in at the box-office for this coming weekend and the days to come, one thing is for sure: Eugene Domingo has taken her biggest leap and we expect to see bigger projects for her in the future.

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15th Anniversary and Beatlemania exhibits at The Heritage Hotel

In celebration of the Heritage Hotel’s 15th year milestone and as a prelude to the Sept 9, 2009 release of all the original 13 remastered Beatles albums and upcoming launch of a Beatles rockband software for Playstation, Nintendo Wii and Xbox, the Heritage Hotel staged a back-to-back photo, collector’s items and memorabila exhibit from Aug. 18 to 21.

At the Lobby area, Steve O’Neal who is Philippines’ foremost Beatles collector displayed one of the crowning jewels of his treasured memorabilia particularly the most sought after “Beatles Butcher Album” whose estimated value in mint exceeds R5 M. The limited and controversial Butcher cover album shows the Fab Four in avante-garde stylized poses with decapitated dolls and raw meats.

The exhibit also included John Lennon Artwork, Record Awards, Song Lyrics and other valuable Beatles items. The Beatles Exhibit culminated in a dinner show by the LA Cast of the movie and broadway musical “Beatlemania” at the Heritage Ballroom last Aug. 21, 2009. Joe Stefanelli, one of the best John Lennon impersonators was also in town. Stefanelli portrayed John Lennon in the “Forrest Gump” movie and he is leading the Beatles tribute band.

A the 2nd floor gallery, the Heritage Hotel presented the photo montage of the legacy of its previous General Managers and current top honcho through the span of 15 years. During the early beginnings of the hotel’s pre-opening under the management of Byron Int’l, the hotel’s first GM Yannick Poupon opened the hotel’s doors for both international and local travelers to experience 5-star deluxe services and amenities. In 1995, GM Kai Michaelsen, also director of the CDL Group and subsequently GM Heinrich Maulbecker unfurled the transition of the hotel’s management from Byron Int’l to the Millennium Hotels and Resorts Group. From 1996 to 2000, Richard Teo led an exciting new season in the hotel’s colorful events, promotions and festivities. In the ensuing years from May 2003 until January 2005, GM Peter Kan unlocked new opportunities for the hotel to face the challenges of the global landscape.

From 2005 to the present the photo collage showcases GM Eddie Yeo as he steered the course of the hotel to new heights of achievement. Mr. Yeo led the US$4.5 million refurbishment program to give way to the fresh, contemporary new look and feel of the 450 rooms and suites accentuated with the modern abstract artworks of internationally acclaimed Filipino visual artist, Nestor Olarte Vinluan. Photos on display also highlighted The Heritage Hotel’s modern chic motif inspired by Manila Bay’s resurging lifestyle ripe for a luxurious mix of business and leisure as reflected in light earthen hues and bright ambiance that seamlessly merges comfort and sophistication to create spaces in which guests may relax, indulge and bond with associates, family and friends.

The Heritage Hotel Photo Exhibit casts the spotlight on the various luminaries, dignitaries and celebrities at the Hotel as well as the F&B promotions at the Riviera Café.

For inquiries and dining reservations e-mail reservationsmanager@heritagehotelmanila.com. The Heritage Hotel Manila is managed by the Millennium Hotels and Resorts with more than 100 owned and managed Hotels worldwide.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Sept. 3 go to singers Nonoy Zuñiga, Aris Demavivas and Malu Barry; Lito Galang, Cion Reyes, Danny Manalac of Canada, Romy Navarro, Cecille N. Bello, Ma. Christina S. Timbol, Bong Panlilio, Mona Aquino Ventura, Nene Rogacion, Dr. Gary Sy, Francisca D. Montefalco, Joenna M. Isiddro, Jan King Taguiam, Aran Inzon, Jam Morales, Jeanette Joaquin (Maria Teresa Medalla), Daphne Cortes of Star Magic, Mary Grace P. Llamanzares, New York-based Babbot T. Armas, and MB’s Aris Ilagan and Ronniel de Guzman. Happy wedding anniversary to Jorge and Baby Banal.