A busier 2009 for Alfred Vargas

Unfit for public viewing because it’s gratuitous.” This was how the MTRCB review committee described the rape scene of Rosanna Roces in the movie “Aurora” which got a double X-rating from the body headed by Chairman Consoliza Laguardia.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, “gratuitous” means unwarranted or not called for by the circumstance. However, we didn’t find anything objectionable with the said scene. We don’t agree that the scene was gratuitous.

Film director Adolf Alix, Jr. is not happy with the rating given “Aurora” and is sending a letter to Malacañang’s Appeal Committee, and the Supreme Court, if needed to make sure that “Aurora” would finally get the proper rating and be released in the theaters.

We had the chance to watch “Aurora” when it was previewed at the UP Cine Adarna last Monday evening, with lead actors Rossana Roces, Sid Lucero, and Direk Adolf in attendance. Also in the audience was Dante Mendoza, the director of “Serbis,” which was the Philippine entry to the Cannes Film Festival last year.

According to Direk Adolf, MTRCB is reportedly recommending that the said scene be shortened. But the director is not about to give in that easily. “The said scene runs only for 27 seconds onscreen. What would come out of it if I would shorten it? The movie’s story happened only in one day that’s why for me shortening the scene is a no. I am willing to appeal because I want that scene retained.

We could not help but surmise that there could be a political issue behind the disapproval of “Aurora.” Since the film tackles the abduction of civilians by a rebel group (Osang’s character is an NGO member who was abducted by rebels), those who reviewed the film might have seen the film as giving a face to the Abu Sayyaf group although there was no such inference made towards them. But the theme sure brings back to mind the Abu Sayyaf and how the dreaded rebel group took several people into abduction and demanded ransom for their victims.

Last Monday’s screening marked the first time that Osang was able to view the film. She didn’t find anything offensive in the film, not even the controversial rape scene that the MTRCB frowned upon.

With regards to the rape scene, wherein Osang’s breast was exposed, she said that this is no big deal for her, having more daring and explicit scenes in the past.

Osang said that the MTRCB must be picking on “Aurora” because it stars her. We all know how Osang’s films had brushes with the MTRCB. Most of her past movies were disapproved if not almost always encountered rough sailing with the MTRCB.

If we are a member of the MTRCB, we’d give the movie a rating of R-18, without cuts, since we didn’t find anything objectionable with the film. But as a film viewer, we recommend that Direk Adolf re-edit the film. It’s so cumbersome and we believe “Aurora” would be more interesting if it doesn’t run that slow.

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Alfred Vargas made the most of the Christmas holidays by going on a vacation, together with his family and his new non-showbiz girlfriend. He’s now looking forward to a busier 2009 what with the projects lined up for him.

We interviewed him at the presscon of “Status: Single,” topbilling Rufa Mae Quinto last Tuesday and the award-winning actor said he is excited to have been given the chance to work again with Rufa Mae, as well as with Director Jose Javier Reyes (who helmed the comedy flick “I Wanna Be Happy”). Alfred was Rufa Mae’s leading man in “Marinara,” his very first show after he transferred to GMA 7.

“I am very excited to work with Rufa Mae since her film projects whether as a producer or as an actress were all box-office hits,” added Alfred who is very happy with his lovelife.

Aside from doing the promo for “Status: Single,” Alfred is finishing his scenes for “When I Met You” where he plays the boyfriend of KC Concepcion and gets involved in a love triangle with Richard Gutierrez.

Alfred is very thankful to Richard’s mom, Annabelle Rama, who picked him to be part of the movie’s stellar cast. He was not the original choice for the role of KC’s boyfriend but when Direk Joel Lamangan took over the project from Direk Joey Reyes, he made it to the cast.

Filming for “When I Met You” ends on Sunday and Alfred said that the movie has been a big break for him as he got the chance to be with KC and Chard in a film.

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How true is it that a popular star was booed by the Cebu crowd when she joined the parade during the festivities of the Sinulog festival last Sunday? This was the hot topic in Internet forums, wherein there were people who confirmed the veracity of the said incident.

We heard that the popular star was supposed to ride the float of one of her sponsors but it wasn’t confirmed if she was indeed able to mount the float. In any case, according to our source, when she reached the grandstand where the Sinulog festival ended, that was where she reportedly got the loudest jeers from the Cebuanos.

Still, according to our source, the popular actress was hated by the Cebuanos, same with her equally popular co-star who was absent. Obviously, these Cebuanos are not exactly fond of these two personalities.

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Watch “Bubble Gang” tonight on the GMA Telebabad block and find out what fortune awaits you in the Year of the Ox!

Together with Madame Chacha, the sister of Madame Rocha, these two zany fortune tellers will speak about their vibrations and predictions for 2009!

Aside from these, Bubble Gang also has added segments that had made the audience laughed and entertained in the 13 years that the long-running and award-winning gag show had been on the air.

On the new favorite Yaya and Angelina segment, Yaya gets into a fight with a fellow yaya who called her ward maldita. Yaya will get into a verbal tussle with the yaya portrayed by Tuesday Vargas.

Other featured guests this Friday are Paolo Contis and Ehra Madrigal.