Praises heaped on 'Kubrador'

After almost 10 years, KC will be seeing her father Gabby Concepcion again. Megastar Sharon Cuneta's daughter has flown to California to spend ten days with her dad.

Sharon says KC, who studies in Paris, is on her school break anyway, so she has allowed her to visit Gabby. When I interviewed her during the birthday dinner of Tita Nora Calderon, she told me that when KC asked her permission to visit her dad, she didn't hesitate to give her approval. Even Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the megastar's husband, gave KC his blessing. The only condition is that KC must be back in Manila by her birthday on August 24.

I myself don't think Sharon has anything to worry about KC. Here is what she wrote in her website: Sure, I'm seeing my father again for the first time, after 10 long years. Sure, it's a big deal but this is the time to say: it was my mother who raised me and put herself through hell to keep our lives running, while he wasn't around. It is my mother who always put effort into avoiding speaking ill about him, to give me a great impression of my father, growing up.

KC is graduating from the American University in Paris next year. Mega forgot what course she is taking and she had to text Kiko to find out: Corporate Communications minor in Theater Arts.

Her schoolmates include Prince Andrea of Monaco and the children of the Ferragamo and Fendi clans. KC did her practicum at a TV station in Paris. She also worked part time at the Monique Hotel.

Even if KC earns from commercial endorsements here, Sharon still shoulders her daughter's tuition fee.

KC has many suitors, Mega confided, but she has a favorite. He's a model and KC's friend for three years and works abroad. "He's so nice," Mega said.

Sharon herself is busy with her studies. She's first year in Associate Arts at UP's Open University. "When KC was just seven years old, I already wanted to return to school. Kiko told me that had I began studying then I would have three degrees by now."

Sharon takes her studies seriously. "Kiko tells me I'm a closet nerd. I tell him, 'I'm sorry I'm just a nerd.'"

"I'm naturally studious. Even when I was shooting a movie with Miguel (Rodriguez), I was hitting my books. I didn't achieve scholastic honors when I was younger, so I told myself I'll try hard to get one now."

She doesn't meet her classmates at the Open University. "You interact with your professors online. But you still need to study hard because there are deadlines when reporting on a subject or topic."

Looks like Sharon is shaping up as an A-one student. She finished No. 2 in the entrance exam for the Open University. "Give me essays to write and I'm fine. But give me one page of Math and I could cry."

Sharon is about to make a movie with Aga Muhlach under Star Cinema. Joyce Bernal will direct the as-yet untitled project.

After that, she'll be doing a movie to be shot in London. Then there's another movie she will co-produce with Unitel and Star Cinema. After that, is a movie with GMA 7 where she could be teamed up with Richard Gutierrez.

It's been a long time since Sharon made a movie. Her last one was the award-winning "Crying Ladies."

Mega is slimming down in preparation for her movie with Aga. Her target is to lose 10 pounds. She denies that she's undergoing liposuction to shed off pounds. Is it pills? Aerobics? She's not telling.

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The Cinema Evaluation Board members have heaped accolades on Kubrador.

The film was given a well-deserved 'A' rating. One reviewer described it as "beautifully and skillfully directed - perfect mixture of all elements."

"Filmmakers should be encouraged to make more movies like this," was another comment.

Jeffrey Jeturian's direction was praised as "excellent" and "his best to date." "Jeturian veers away from the histrionics and melodrama that we find in other films that mine the poor's plight for self-serving reasons," was another comment.

The screenplay was called "very good" or even "excellent" and "great."

A reviewer suggested a little pruning of a few scenes. "As a whole, however, the use of almost real time adds to the real-ness of the film."

Gina Pareño was described as "outstanding! She seemed to have studied her role so well that she performed with no effort."