'Papa Jesse' hosts grand-slam party

"Papa Jesse" has a very good reason to throw an exclusive party last Monday night. After all, two of his "babies," Elizabeth Oropesa and Glydel Mercado, scored a grand slam (Best Actress for Bulaklak ng Maynila and Best Supporting Actress for Sidhi respectively) in the just-concluded awards season (Star Awards, Urian Awards, FAP Awards and the FAMAS). Elizabeth wasn't able to attend the party because she was taping in Batangas.

"Papa Jesse" (showbiz's Original Papa, according to Douglas Quijano) is starmaker Jesse Ejercito who, in the 70s, groomed to stardom many of today's finest drama actresses, Elizabeth (launched in the 1975 Ishmael Bernal classic comedy Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko) being one of them. Others include Lorna Tolentino (Dulce Amor, Ina), Amy Austria (Tondo Girl), Beth Bautista (Huwag, Bayaw), Chanda Romero (Sa Kagubatan ng Lungsod) and Daria Ramirez (Lord, Give Me a Lover).

After a brief respite, "Papa Jesse's" Crown-Seven Ventures, Inc. made a dramatic comeback two years ago with Sidhi (topbilled by Nora Aunor) among its comeback vehicles.

Present at the party held at the Acacia Restaurant on Wilson Street in Greenhills, San Juan, were Crown-Seven's award-winning directors Mel Chionglo, Gil Portes and Joel Lamangan (Sidhi); MTRCB Chief Armida Siguion-Reyna; scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza; Douglas Quijano; and "Papa Jessie's" choice friends from the media.

Besides "Papa Jesse," on hand to entertain guests and friends were Crown-Seven co-producer Wilson Tieng (also the producer of Solar Films), Eric Cuatico, Tatus Aldana and the stars of Crown Seven's in-the-can and soon-to-be-shot projects, namely (besides honoree Glydel Mercado) Priscilla Almeda (of Sutla fame), newcomer Janna Victoria, Mylene Dizon, Jomari Yllana and newcomer Kengie Motoki (a 21-year-old Japino model, born in Japan of mixed Nippon-Filipino parentage but who grew up in the Philippines).

The affair was a good occasion as any for "Papa Jesse" and company to announce Crown-Seven's forthcoming productions (a grand-slam package in a way), to wit:

* Azucena (from ReynaFilms, finished), directed by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and starring Glydel Mercado, Ricky Davao and Dante Rivero

* Huwag Kang Kikibo, Siya ang Hihipo (finished, a joint venture with Teamwork, directed by Gil Portes), topbilled by Priscilla Almeda

* Syota ng Bayan (finished directed by Romy Suzara), topbilled by Priscilla (again)

* Lagarista (finished, directed by Mel Chionglo), starring Janna Victoria and Piolo Pascual

* Huling Birhen sa Lupa (to be directed by Joel Lamangan), starring Glydel Mercado (shooting starts soon)

* Gatas (directed by Gil Portes), starring Jomari Yllana, Mylene Dizon and Kengie Motoki, which is set in World War II and now filming

* Larawan (to be produced by ReynaFilms for Crown-Seven, directed by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna), starring Maricel Soriano, Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion (tentative cast), to start grinding before the year is over.

As you can see, "Papa Jesse" is back in top form, determined to build up a new batch of actresses whose acting caliber can equal -- or even surpass? -- that of his original Crown-Seven Babies.