Welcome back Ate Guy + Kapamilya's "Maria la del Barrio"on August 15

The Noranians are alive with the return of the one and only superstar Nora Aunor in the country after having been away for eight years. The multi-awarded actress is set to do the movie “El Presidente,” a project of Laguna Governor ER Ejercito which is intended as an entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival.

She is also set to do a mini-series for TV 5 to be directed by Mario O’Hara, one of Nora’s favorite directors. It was Mario who directed her in “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” which gave the superstar her very first acting awards from the Famas and Gawad Urian in 1976.

The fans of Ate Guy came in droves at the airport when the actress arrived before dawn last Tuesday. She was warmly received by her fans that trooped to the airport to see her in the flesh. It was a tearful reunion for the actress and her fans, who haven’t seen each other since Nora went to the United States in 2003.

Nora was given a solo presscon by TV5 to welcome her back to the country and to announce the project that she will be doing for the Kapatid network. But she’s set to finish shooting her role in the movie El Presidente before she starts working on the planned TV series for TV5 titled Donya Negra.

Ate Guy promised that she won’t give TV5 (nor the production outfit of ER) problems when it comes to her working habits. She says she has changed a lot and vows to give only her best to finish the projects that had been presented to her. We heard that Regal Entertainment is also interested to offer her the lead role in the filmfest entry “Ho-to-tay” to be directed by Joel Lamangan. Regal hopes that Ate Guy would be able to accommodate it in her schedule, for the three months that she will stay here in the country.

Ate Guy didn’t mind if she is second for the role of Emilio Aguinaldo’s wife in the El flick. “Wala naman po akong dapat patunayan pa,” she said and brushed aside intrigue between her and Governor Vilma Santos to whom the role was first offered.

Since it was TV5 who was instrumental in bringing her home and in signing her up with an exclusive contract, Nora says that all interviews with her should be coursed through TV5 as it is now her home network. If other TV networks would want interviews with her, they should ask permission form TV5.

But TV 5 Executive Perci Intanlan said they would allow Nora to grant interviews with other channels because Nora is a big star and they should allow the other networks access to her.

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Theater Arts student and actress Cai Cortez is very proud that she had the chance to work with Eugene Domingo. First was in the hit comedy “Here Comes the Bride” then in the Cinemalaya award-winning movie “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.”

Cai, the daughter of character actor Rez Cortez, says she and her fellow theater arts in UP look up to Uge as their idol and role model (Uge also finished theater arts in UP) because of what she has achieved as an actress. Whenever she and her classmates talk, they always say that they want to follow Eugene’s footsteps in showbiz.

“It was such an honor for me na nakatrabaho ko siya sa “Here Comes the Bride.” Inggit na inggit nga sa akin ang mga kaklase ko when they learned that I would be working with Ms. Eugene Domingo. Hanga kasi kami sa kanyang work ethics and professionalism. Marami akong natutunan sa kanya, lalo na sa ugali, na hanggang ngayon ay humble pa rin siya at napakatiyaga. Kaberks talaga namin siya. Mahilig siya sa mga bata kaya kabarkada namin siya. I feel very honored,” said Cai.

For his part, Kean Cipriano (a newbie in acting, with Ang Babae sa Septic Tank as his debut film), expressed amazement that he got the chance to work with Eugene.

“Akala ko madali gumawa ng movie. Hindi lang pala ito madali kundi masaya rin kasi katrabaho si Ate Uge. Na-inspire ako sa ginagawa ko dahil sa kanya. I hope na makagawa pa ako ng maraming pelikula dahil nag-enjoy ako sa experience working with Ate Uge,” remarked Kean.

“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” starring Eugene Domingo, got an A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board, entitling it to 100 per cent tax rebates.

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Indie prince Edgar Allan Guzman is the latest Regal baby. The Cinemalaya best actor winner for “Ligo na U, Lapit Na Me” signed a five-year, ten-picture contract with Regal Entertainment last Wednesday night.

Regal Entertainnment will likewise distribute “Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me,” when it goes on a nationwide theatrical run beginning August 17. This is going to be Mother Lily Monteverde’s birthday offering and her show of support for indie movies.

With him signing up with Regal, the 2011 Cinemalaya Best Actor will finally fulfill his dream of starring in a mainstream movie. He wants to be in a drama movie and he wishes to work with his idols namely Coco Martin, John Lloyd Cruz and Christopher de Leon.

He had just fulfilled his wish of being a part of a teleserye as he’s playing a supporting role in TV 5’s “The Sisters” and even if he’s just playing a supporting role, he’s enjoying the experience.

“I am also thankful to TV5 for giving me the break. Aside from The Sisters, I am also a mainstay of the gag show Locomoco U and the musical variety show Hey It’s Saberdey,” said Edgar.

“I owe TV5 a debt of gratitude because the network gave me the break and gambled on me. I want to be with TV5 and grow with them as the Kapatid network makes its way in the industry,” he said.

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Set to premiere on August 15 in the primetime bida block of the Kapamilya network is the new series Maria la del Barrio, featuring Kapamilya stars Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee.

This is a new challenge for the tandem of Erich and Enchong to ignite the primetime slot of the Kapamilya network via the story of Maria la del Barrio, which was a big hit several years ago.

With Erich and Enchong as the leads, the series was given a Pinoy flavor to make it more appealing for the local audience.

Directed by Rory Quintos and Richard Somes, “Maria la del Barrio” also features Assunta de Rossi, Ai Ai de las Alas, Ian Veneracion, Aaron Villaflor, Paw Diaz, Jake Roxas, Kaye Brosas and many more.