Fans fail to save Franzen from eviction

Is it true that Starstruck 1 avenger Alvin Aragon has gotten a girl pregnant? According to the grapevine, the 16-year-old Cathy (that's the name of the girl) is reportedly two months on the family way and wants to come out in the open to divulge her relationship with the 17-year-old Alvin. She also wants him to face the consequences of his actions.

The girl was reportedly caught by surprise when she learned that Alvin supposedly has a gay lover. She was also distraught over rumors that Alvin is allegedly hooked into drugs.

In relation to this, is it true that Alvin was thrown out of the house where he was staying with relatives? Even during the time of "Starstruck," Alvin had this image of being hard-headed or "pasaway." Rumor has it that even his relatives grew tired of him and had asked him to leave the house because he is uncontrollable. He doesn't heed advices. Even his manager has reportedly given up on him too because of his stubbornness. According to reliable sources, the relatives of Cathy are anxious to know if Alvin would be capable of supporting the baby.

* * *

Director Joey Reyes is up in arms regarding the inclusion of the movie "Blue Moon" as one of the official entries to the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival since the movie was not in the first list of entries announced when MMFF was launched several months ago.

"This problem should be addressed with certainty and validity," said direk Joey during his solo presscon for the filmfest entry "Kutob" from Canary Films. He said the festival committee should adhere and follow strictly the rules and regulations they had formulated with regards to the fielding of entries. Many producers opposed the fact that Lily Monteverde of Regal Films is able to field a number of entries (last year Mother Lily had four entries), which she produced or co-produced with other companies. A new set of rules and regulations were then formulated, which apparently, had been violated as well, direk Joey pointed out.

"If the rules and regulations are not followed, the festival loses moral authority and credibility. With regards to the inclusion of 'Blue Moon,' the festival committee should answer the questions and erase the doubts on people's minds that they are not taken for a ride. Wala dapat naiisahan dito," said direk Joey.

Direk Joey added that the credibility of the festival is important. "Otherwise, no matter how excellent the entries are, if the people know that there is no credibility in the selection of the entries, what's the point in holding a festival? Ipalabas na lang natin ang mga pelikulang iyan at huwag na natin tawagin na festival."

Does he believe that "Blue Moon" is the same movie as "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita," the then title of the movie submitted by Regal Films to the film festival committee and was approved as an official entry?

"I don't want to comment on that but I'd like to talk to my good friend Raquel Villavicencio who wrote the script of 'Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita' if her script is the one used in 'Blue Moon.' If they are saying that 'Blue Moon' is a Palanca award-winning script, what I know is that Raquel Villavicencio doesn't join the Palanca because she's already Raquel Villavicencio."

He added that the film festival committee should be respected so that the people who had joined the festival would still like to participate in it in the future. "What is important is for us to give respect to the committee that is handling the festival. What we lack in this country are people with credibility and we hope the festival committee would prove to the public that they are worthy of the authority given them to run the festival. Simple lang naman iyan - honesty, credibility and accountability."

If the problem with regards to "Blue Moon" will not be settled, he vowed not to join the Parade of Stars nor attend the awards night.

"What's the point eh sa selection pa lang may duda ka na? What more sa awards? They [the festival committee] have to convince, not only me, but also the public as to the validity of the inclusion of 'Blue Moon' as one of the official entries when it wasn't included in the first place."

* * *

If you are a regular viewer of "Pinoy Big Brother" and was rooting for Franzen Fajardo, you must be truly disheartened when he was evicted last Saturday as Endemol International itself, the Netherlands-based owner of the show's franchise, had requested for his eviction. This was stated in a letter sent by Anukas Ban, executive director for Creative and Production Support, to Linggit Tan, the executive producer of "Pinoy Big Brother."

Endemol International had watched the segments of the episode in which Franzen was violating Big Brother rules. As housemates are required to speak loud and clear so that the viewers and Big Brother can hear and understand what is going on, Franzen, however, was caught on camera mouthing to one of the housemates. He was also seen writing something on the table using his finger, among other prior misdemeanors.

Taking into account the number of violations Franzen had committed, Endemol International called for his eviction.

Director Lauren Dyogi said that although Franzen had a huge fan base and was a strong contender for the ultimate housemate prize, he had to be evicted because of his violations. No matter if Cass has expressed interest to quit the show so that Franzen can remain, to direk Lauren, he had to go.

Direk Lauren says "Pinoy Big Brother" is one of the hardest shows he has handled and has even received death threats from people who have accused him of playing favorites or favoring a particular housemate to win. "Grabe ang passion ng reaction ng viewers sa show. I get threats like mag-ingat ka paglabas mo. I never got this when I was directing films and TV dramas. But I consider it a challenge. Malampasan ko lang ito, I think I can handle any show na."

After Franzen, only one more will be up for eviction, leaving just four housemates to vie for the P5 million worth of prizes on December 10. The three runners-up will get cash prizes as well.