Vilma Santos ‘nervous’ about first indie film

Plus: - ‘My Lady Boss’ gets positive feedback on premier night - Sebastian Castro’s artwork showcased in exhibit

The people of Batangas really love their gov-ernor, Vilma Santos Recto. Proof was the overwhelming support they gave the actress-turned-public servant when Gov. Vi took her oath last Friday, June 28. Gov. Vi’s oath was administered by her husband, outgoing Senator Ralph Recto.

After taking her oath, Gov. Vi proceeded to preside over the oath taking of the other Batangas officials from the board members, mayors, and vice mayors down to councilors.

In her speech, Gov. Vi thanked the Batangueños for the overwhelming support they gave her and said she will repay them by giving quality service. She also asked the support of fellow officials so they would be able to continue her legislative agenda to ensure the continued progress of Batangas. She said she is looking at further improving the delivery of basic needs of the Batangueños, in the same way that providing the basic needs of the people is what the entire country needs. She also cited the need to improve health services since she feels this is one area that needs to be addressed.

After the ceremony, Gov. Vi faced both the national and local press. She told members of the movie press: “Sa umpisa pa lang ay kasama ko na kayo and kung anuman ang narating ko ngayon, I owe it to my career in showbiz,” she said. Gov. Vi who had been in public service for 15 years started her foray into politics as mayor of Lipa City for nine years and eventually as governor of Batangas for six years. Now that she is on her last term as governor, Gov. Vi said she needs to be focused, which is why she is not yet entertaining the thought of running for higher office in 2016.

“Like I said, hindi ako nagpaplano. I never planned to be mayor or governor. It’s the people who decided for me. I’ll just do whatever it is right for the majority of the people. Si Ralph nga, paulit-ulit na sinasabi sa akin. Vilma for president. Vilma for president! Sabi ko, magtigil siya. For president naman daw ng senior citizens, implying na magiging senior citizen na ako,” she said with a laugh.

She is excited about her return to the big screen via the indie route. She has just finished the movie ‘Ekstra/The Bit Player’ under the direction of Jeffrey Jeturian.

“Matagal ko na gustong gumawa ng indie film. I want to experience it kaya when this offer came from Atty. Joji Alonso, I decided to accept it kasi madali lang naman ang shoot. Twelve days lang tapos we did sa weekend pa tapos kasagsagan pa ng kampanya. But I enjoyed (myself) doing the movie,” she said.

Gov. Vi is also aware that the trailer of ‘Ekstra/The Bit Player’ garnered more than 100,000 hits on You Tube in just 18 days and many people have already expressed desire to watch the film. Albeit positive, this initial response is reportedly making her nervous because this is said to be the first time that a trailer for a local film is getting such kind of feedback. She has asked her producer, Atty. Joji Alonso, to let her see the movie before it premiers on Cinemalaya on July 28. The movie is her tribute to the ‘extras’ in films since she never experienced being one. When she joined showbiz, she played the lead role in her debut film ‘Trudis Liit’.

Gov. Vi confirmed she will attend the premier night of ‘Ekstra’ on July 28 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines together with her husband. After the Cinemalaya showing, ‘Ekstra’ will be released by Star Cinema and will be shown in 100 theaters nationwide as part of the film outfit’s 20th anniversary.

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According to those who were able to watch ‘My Lady Boss’ at the premiere night last Sunday, the movie was the best of the Richard Gutierrez-Marian Rivera tandem. They had such an enjoyable time watching the movie directed by Jade Castro.

They also said that Chard and Marian had unmistakable chemistry that radiates well onscreen. Direk Jade was able to capitalize on that chemistry to make the movie even more entertaining.

We wish that ‘My Lady Boss’ would do well at the box-office so that the detractors of Marian and Richard won’t say that the reason why the movie’s play date was postponed (it was originally set for release last April 10) was because the producers were afraid it would bomb at the box-office. ‘My Lady Boss’ opens today in theaters nationwide.

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The music video “BUBBLE” of singer-actor-model Sebastian Castro debuted in YouTube on Valentine’s eve and it immediately became viral in all social media platforms. It features sexy Sebastian (or people call him SEB now for short) gyrating with his dancers in a dance craze and making funny faces throughout the video.

The BUBBLE is still soaring and gaining more hits in YouTube with over a million views to date. It has reached worldwide viewership, even outside the Philippines and the song has been translated and remixed in different countries.

This time around, Sebastian Castro will showcase another side of himself – his passion for the arts. He will be unveiling his art pieces to the public in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant-cum-bar called Big Bad Wolf.  Spawned by folks from the partying set (two of the owners are club DJs), the venue adopts the look of an up-market Brooklyn loft and the sensibility of an art gallery: high, "unfinished" ceilings marked by exposed beams, tall glass walls lining one side, a collection of quirky, hipster-ish paintings on another.

“This exhibit is an artistic representation of BUBBLES - both literal and figurative bubbles,” said Seb. His art pieces are in pastel on board. It ranges from dimension 15” x 20” and three large scale 30” x 40.” All his pieces will be for sale while on exhibit.

Sebastian added: “I paint people, only people. You can expect every color in the palette.  I touch to be as free as me.”

Sebastian will grace the opening night at 7:30pm on the 4th of July and he will be back the following Thursday, July 11. His exhibit will run from July 4 to 17, 2013.

Aside from the paintings, limited edition men’s shoes in partnership with NJ Sneakers that Seb painted personally will also be sold at the exhibit venue. NJ Sneakers is owned by young entrepreneur Neil John Paras who has been supporting Filipino artist in all his business ventures. He is also a co-owner of Big Bad Wolf.

The clandestine location of the art exhibit is in a low-profile space at the back of a residential high-rise in Fort Bonifacio, unseen and completely undiscoverable unless purposely sought out.

Big Bad Wolf is located at G/F Fairway Tower, 5th Avenue corner McKinley Road, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig with telephone number 502-0515. It is open Monday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. For inquiries on Sebastian