Surviving A Decade In Showbiz Is No Mean Feat

Dilim, the most ambitious digital film to date is also a major film and an obvious award-contender in the 7th Cinemanila International Film Festival which recently kicked off last October 12 and runs until October 25, 2005.

Screenplayed and directed by Topel Lee, Dilim stars Rica Peralejo, Emilio Garcia, Archie Adamos, Hermie Concepcion and theater actor Mario Magallona as Dilim. A novelty in its treatment and unpredictable in its story's flow, Dilim is a horror-action-drama that blurs the line between art and independent films.

Dilim is a sad and enigmatic drifter who roams the streets during nighttime and does vigilante work. Conflict ensues when Dilim kills the brother of a well-known crime lord. Extremely affected by his brother's murder, the crime lord hunts for the illusive vigilante.

Entirely distinct in its look and mood, Dilim is set to become the most controversial entry into the Cinemanila Film Fest. The prosthetics by Cecille Baun, dusky yet striking cinematography of Wowie Hao and Odyssey Flores coupled with the very realistic fight scenes orchestrated dramatically by Sasi Casas doubtlessly make Dilim a bright figure anyone can consider a hero of the underworld.

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We got this from the Internet. We already knew that Precious Lara Quigaman won the 2005 Miss International title. We'd like, however, to share with you Lara's winning moment during the question and answer portion.

The question was: "What do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted filipinos as nannies?"

Lara's winning answer: "I take no offense on being typecasted as a nanny. But I do take offense that the educated people of the world have somehow degenerated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is. Let me tell you what she is. She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself.

"She is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people. So to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you. It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture."

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In Philippine show business, surviving a decade is no mean feat. More so for a talkshow where intrigues and exposés can either be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the show's ability to handle issues with utmost sensitivity and responsibility.

That is why Startalk's Showbiz Ten says it all for a show that has lasted a full decade and established itself as a "Showbiz Authority," with the guts and the gall. With its unbridled reputation of providing the most daring reportage and tackling the juiciest issues in showbiz with untainted credibility, it is no wonder that Startalk enjoys the trust and respect of the stars as well as the unwavering patronage of Filipino viewers who rely on this showbiz institution for their weekly showbiz news that are delivered hot, fast and right.

Startalk is presenting a special anniversary episode tomorrow which will not only chronicle the show's laudable track record of exclusive reports and exposés but also feature today's hottest issues and controversies in the most informative and intellectually satisfying fashion the program is known for.

To make the anniversary an even grander event, Startalk succeeded in gathering together its past and present hosts - Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino, Dawn Zulueta, Joey de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Butch Francisco, Lolit Solis, Fayatollah, Pepita Smith and Steve Kvetko - in their fabulous best for a never-again-to-be-repeated pictorial with ace photographer Jun de Leon for a special edition Startalk Magazine that will feature the unforgettable images of Startalk.

The memorable pictorial says it all: No matter where they have gone, no matter their current affiliations, Startalk made the career of these hosts. They are what they are because of the show and, conversely, the show is what it is because they gave their best to it.

When Startalk had a presscon last Saturday, they unveiled the image of the photo of the past and present hosts of Startalk, with an empty chair occupying a permanent space in the pictorial. Need we say what the empty chair meant? All the Startalk hosts were enumerated in the list except for one person - Rosanna Roces who left the show unceremoniously last year. The empty chair says it all.