Alfred Vargas dedicates Cinemalaya entry to late mom

We missed Congressman Alfred Vargas at the presscon of the Cinemalaya entry “Separados” yesterday afternoon. He had to attend to a prior out-of-town commitment but nevertheless, he was there in spirit at the presscon of  “Separados” of which he is a co-producer. The movie is an entry at the Cinemalaya New Breed category and is directed by GB Sampedro who won a Cinemalaya best director award for “Astig,” his debut entry to the widely-followed and popular indie festival.

Alfred is not new to producing indie movies. He had always been supportive of independent filmmakers since he did the movie “Colorum” which co-starred him with Loui Veloso (who won an Urian best actor award for the said film). He also acted in “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio” which drew praise from critics. After doing the Bonifacio film, Alfred was inspired to produce “Supremo,” for which he won the Outstanding Performance by An Actor (Drama) at the 10th Golden Screen Awards. He tied with ageless actor Eddie Garcia who was brilliant in “Bwakaw.”

Alfred’s victory for “Supremo” at the Golden Screen Awards was memorable him. As an acting newbie, Alfred won the Breakthrough Performance by an Actor award, also at the Golden Screen Awards for his debut movie “Bridal Shower,” directed by another Golden Screen Award winner Jeffrey Jeturian.

Alfred got the offer to do “Separados” after his mother died. Even if he was still in mourning, he accepted the offer to produce and act in the film. He was engrossed with pre-production work after his mom’s burial, and it was a perfect way to divert his attention from the personal loss.

He went back to the gym to get in shape for this role – he was that focused. He had his mom in mind when he did the film and Alfred said he is dedicating “Separados” to his mom, his number fan and critic.

“Separados” will have a gala premiere on August 2, 6 p.m. at the Ayala Fairview Terraces and in August 3 at the CCP Main Theater. Also starring in “Separados” are Victor Neri, Anjo Yllana, Ricky Davao, Jason Abalos and Erik Santos, who is debuting as an actor in this film.

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After a short stint in the series “Rhodora X,” nothing has been heard again about Martin del Rosario, who recently joined the GMA Network stable of talents. There was no announcement from GMA-7 as to what will be his next project.

We got to talk to someone who had been closely following Martin’s career and he felt that the actor acted in haste when he opted to transfer to GMA -7. He is a home-grown talent of ABS-CBN for which he did several TV dramas, one of them co-starring him with Coco Martin. “Nagmadali siya sa paglipat sa GMA-7. May inihahandang project sa kanya ang Dos,” said our source. But we told him that we can’t blame Martin if he opted to get out of ABS-CBN and transfer. He was languishing in the sidelines while other talents were having one project after another.

But after his appearance in “Rhodora X,” maybe Martin is even clueless on GMA-7 plans for him. Does this mean Martin made the wrong move?

It would be a waste and such a pity if Martin will be a frozen delight in the Kapuso channel. He is a good actor. He won the Breakthrough Actor award at the Golden Screen Awards for the movie “Dagim.”

But how can he harness his acting abilities if he won’t be given a new assignment? Maybe Martin ought to be a little bit more patient and wait what project GMA-7 might have in store for him.

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This year’s Philippine Popular Music Festival is introducing new but talented faces in the competition. Among them is the formidable tandem of Aldrich Lloyd Tamonding and his cousin James Walter Bucong. A native of General Santos City, Aldrich is already a YouTube sensation at the age of 14. His rendition of Luther Vandross’ “Dance with my Father” featuring James on the guitar launched a career that has taken them from their B’laan tribal community all the way to the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Their equally amazing covers of  “Someone That I Used to Know,” Bryan White’s “God Gave Me You” and “Let It Go” from the animated film “Frozen” add to their growing popularity in social media.

At the presscon of Philpop the other day, Aldrich said he didn’t imagine that one day they will have the chance to be featured in Ellen DeGeneres’ show and then see themselves being interpreters of a song in a competition as big and as prestigious as Philpop.

For Philpop, Aldrich and James deliver a poignant reading of  “Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa,” one of the two entries of prolific songwriter Toto Sorioso.

The Philpop Grand Finals night is scheduled on July 26, Saturday, at the Meralco Theater with the grand winner going home with P1 million in cash. A beautifully crafted trophy by celebrated sculptor Ramon Orlina will also be awarded to the winning songwriter and interpreter.

Among the guest performers in the grand finals are Kuh Ledesma, Gary Valenciano, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos who interpreted the grand prize winning song in last year’s edition of Philpop.