Metro Manila agog over Bourne Legacy filming

Happy Sinulog to all my readers in Cebu!

The filming of The Bourne Legacy in Metro Manila has become a major media event.

And who wouldn’t be excited? It’s not every day that a major Hollywood project is being shot here. A friend of mine recalls that in 1976, the war epic Apocalypse Now was filmed in Laguna. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starred Hollywood big guns Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper, Robert Duvall, and a young Harrison Ford.

The filming took five months and was punctuated by several delays. Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack, a typhoon destroyed the film’s set and Coppola rewrote and re-shot the ending several times.

Apocalypse Now won the Palme d'Or award for best picture at Cannes, and got an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 1979.

Back to The Bourne Legacy. A lot of Filipinos are benefitting from the movie either as extras or stuntpersons. Residents in Paco, Manila, received between P500 and P1,500 a day as extras. A group of local stuntmen were hired and a Pinay doubled for Rachel Weisz in a motorcycle chase scene.

There were also reports that Rachel’s husband, Daniel Craig, the latest reincarnation of James Bond, had flown in and stayed for just a day to be with her. Nobody got to interview him. Now that would have been a real scoop!

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Nine hundred guests have been invited to the wedding of Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad at the St. Benedict Church in Ayala Westgrove, Silang, Cavite next Sunday.

According to Philippine Star Entertainment Editor Ricky Lo, they will feast at the reception on such yummy offerings of smoked salmon and Romaine lettuce salad served with herb croutons, chicken binakol soup with Baguio spinach and roast US Angus Rib Eye.

The menu was prepared by chef Florabel Co-Yatco.

Shalani’s gown is by Inno Sotto.

Just curious: Is President Aquino invited to the wedding? And if he is, will he show up?

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Regine Velasquez is dead serious about getting her body back in shape after she gave birth. She’s into yoga and exercise. No diet, because she’s still nursing baby Nate.

Regine wants to get her curves back in time for her concert with hubby Ogie Alcasid at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on February 14. Ogie has advised her not to pressure herself too much.

Ogie, just like a proud father, says that Nate has a bright disposition—he’s always smiling and is not a crier. And when he does cry, his voice is high-pitched, just like Mom’s.

From the proceeds of the concert, P250,000 will go to five children undergoing chemotherapy. Ogie admits the amount is not enough to maintain the kids’ treatment, so he hopes to attract sponsors for the concert. “I hope to raise at least P2 million,” he says.

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The Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City is the venue of Martin Nievera and Sharon Cuneta’s concert, Once in a Lifetime, on February 14.

“The concert is something to look forward to because it is the first time Martin and I are performing together,” says the Megastar.

Directing the show is Rowell Santiago and Louie Ocampo is the musical director.

Sharon meanwhile was surprised to hear rumors that ex-husband Gabby Concepcion and Martin’s ex Pops Fernandez will be guesting at the concert. She said she’s not ready for that yet.

She did confirm that she will do a movie with Gabby in March, a co-production of Viva Films, Studio 5, and her own outfit.

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True-blue Cebuana Annabelle Rama has signed on Vic del Rosario of Viva Entertainment as the agent for commercials and events of her kids Ruffa, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez. Here’s to a fruitful partnership!