The last say: Red Romero on 'OPM/AMP issue'

Just when you and I thought that the controversy between the OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, headed by Mitch Valdes) and the AMP (Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino, headed by John Lesaca) on one side and Redentor "Red" Romero (head of the National Philharmonic Society of the Philippines) on the other side has finally come to an end (with the OPM/AMP airing its side in a recent Funfare edition), guess who has come up with another, well, refrain -- Red himself, that's who!

Here's Red's rejoinder to the OPM/AMP statements printed by Funfare:

Dear Ricky:

Greetings!

Like you said, the OPM/AMP and National Philharmonic Society controversy does sound like a broken record already. And so, I will not answer anymore all of the points raised by the OPM/AMP in your column of May 22. After all, I have said just about everything in my published letter to the Bureau of Immigration. However, kindly accommodate my reply to the muddled rejoinders they gave, specifically numbers 2, 5 and 7 as you outlined them in your column.

2. They are merely implementing the provisions of the MOA! Really? How come it is only me and the National Philharmonic Society that are required to secure clearance from them? Classical concerts such as ours have already been exempted. But why do they still require us to get a clearance from them before our invited foreign artist can perform? Why haven't they done the same with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the producers of the Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas and several more? Why have they singled me out? What really is their hidden agenda? Why me and the Philharmonic only?

5. The National Anthem. To becloud their bastardization of the National Anthem in 1985, they pointed out that I have jazzed up some Pinoy pop. True. But I was not dumb and stupid to have "rock n'rolled" our anthem like what they did. I know the difference between Dahil Sa 'Yo and our National Anthem. Obviously they don't.

Regarding my performances with the jazz legend Duke Ellington, is it my fault that he wanted to perform with me and then went on to mention in glowing terms about our collaboration on page 382 of his best-selling autobiography Music is My Mistress. Salita ng na-i-inggit yan, ah. Why do they resent me for that?

7. I applied for a clearance. I did not nor will I ever file a clearance from the OPM/AMP. I was emphatic about this in my letter to the Bureau of Immigration. If they will bother to check their records, they will find out to their dismay, that it was in fact Mr. Pablo Tariman of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who applied and signed because he insisted. Pablo personally went to the AMP office. He meant well. He wanted to mediate so he took the liberty of securing the said clearance. But let it be known that I never did and never will I ask permission from these groups just so that they can massage their bloated egos. We have always complied with immigration laws. We do not recognize any private entity that presents itself as the guardians and caretakers of the arts most especially when they have no legal leg to stand on as Mr. Danny Olivares, president of Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), has charged.

Regarding the filing of a suit, they can relax. That is the farthest from my mind. It was some concerned music lovers who discussed that matter.

Thank you for your kind attention, Ricky, and warmest personal regards.

-- Sincerely yours,

REDENTOR L. ROMERO

Music Director and President, National Philharmonic Society of the Philippines

Also, just when you and I thought that Derek Dee has decided to quit showbiz (after surviving a series of controversies involving him and ex-wife Melanie Marquez who is now in the US with her new love, said to be a missionary), guess who's making a grand "comeback" in Victor Neri's new starrer, Ex-Con, for Star Cinema -- Derek Dee, that's who!

Having learned his lesson, Derek has opted to keep mum on anything about Melanie, lest he stir up yet another controversy. He'd rather talk about Ex-Con where he's embarking on a new career as a kontrabida.

"Why a kontrabida?" Derek asked. "That's where the real challenge lies -- playing kontrabida. It's a total change for me, from my attitude to my wardrobe. Another reason why I accepted the Ex-Con role is the fact that it's produced by Star Cinema. Everybody wants to work with Star Cinema, di ba? It's the No. 1 company today, producing one hit after another. You go with the winner, don't you?"

Derek has temporarily stopped producing movies under his own IAM Productions but he promises to revive his company soon -- at the right time and with the right project. He's eyeing a major action star for the lead role, with Derek himself playing the kontrabida. Meanwhile, he's enjoying his "single" role as merely an actor. "Being the actor and the producer of a movie is tough," admitted Derek. "Maraming sakit ng ulo."

During his absence from the movies, Derek occupied himself with his own TV show The Adventure Zone, telecast on RPN 9, which featured sports stories (rock-climbing, parasailing, scuba-diving, etc.) and tourism-oriented segments. How come Derek decided to cut the show short even if it was getting good feedback and having full commercial load? "Direk Toto (Natividad) called me for Ex-Con," said Derek, "and I couldn't say no to him."

And just when you and I thought that Snooky Serna has finally decided to quietly disappear from the public scene and retire into domestic bliss (with husband Ricardo Cepeda and their children), guess who would pop up on IBC Channel 13 as a newscaster for the station's Express Balita (airing Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m) -- Snooky, that's who!

"I want to try something new," Snooky was quoted as saying. She auditioned as a newscaster and she passed (with flying colors) so that's it.

Before this, Snooky resurfaced on an ABS-CBN soap after an absence, looking healthier than she used to, more fleshy and therefore sexier. It seems that, for the time being, she's happier doing TV work than doing movies.

As an IBC 13 newscaster, she's using her married name Snooky Serna-Go and projecting a new "image," more "corporate" - looking this time.

Tryt to watch Snooky on IBC Express Balita and see for yourself how she's faring as a newscaster.

Here are some of the reactions to the recent Funfare item on Vilma Santos having been tapped for the lead role in Lualhati Bautista's Dekada '70, to be produced by Star Cinema (which was behind Vilma's two giant hits, Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? and Anak) with Christopher de Leon as the leading man and maybe Chito Roño as director (of Bata, Bata fame):

* From Ferdinand Lapuz, Funfare's correspondent based in Toronto:

Hello! Although I have not seen Anak yet, I am eagerly waiting for Vilma's next film.

However, I would like to correct your statement that Vilma and Christopher's last movie together was Dolzura Cortez in 1993 produced by OctoArts Films. Vilma and Christopher, along with Aga Muhlach, co-starred in Nagiisang Bituin, directed by Jose Javier Reyes and produced by Regal Films in 1994. Their last film together was Neo Films' Hanggang Ngayon Ika'y Minamahal directed by Ike Jarlego Jr. The film was inspired by a Jaya song. I am a big Vilma fan that is why even though I am in Toronto, I keep track of her career.

Since you mentioned that Vilma and Christopher are reuniting on screen again via Dekada '70, I think it is worth looking back at the movies that Philippine Cinema's most successful "loveteam" has made:

* 1975 - Tag Ulan sa Tag Araw (first film of Alma Moreno)

* 1977 - Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig (with Mat Ranillo III)

* 1978 - Ikaw ay Akin (with Nora Aunor) and Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali

* 1979 - Pinay, American Style (with Bembol Roco and Cocoy Laurel), Disco Fever (first film of Rio Locsin) and Magkaribal (with Alma Moreno)

* 1980 - Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya (with Romeo Vasquez)

* 1981 - Pakawalan Mo Ako (with Anthony Castelo) and Karma (Christopher in a very short role at the end)

* 1982 - Sinasamba Kita (with Phillip Salvador and Lorna Tolentino), Relasyon and Haplos (with Rio Locsin)

* 1983 - Paano Ba ang Mangarap, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan (with Eddie Garcia) and Broken Marriage

* 1989 - Imortal

* 1991 - Ipagpatawad Mo

* 1993 - Dolzura Cortez Story

* 1994 - Nag Iisang Bituin (with Aga Muhlach)

* 1997 - Hanggang Ngayon Ika'y Minamahal

Vilma won awards for Pakawalan Mo Ako (FAMAS, 1981), Karma (MMFF, 1981), Broken Marriage (URIAN, 1983), Ipagpatawad Mo (URIAN, 1991) and Dolzura Cortez Story (URIAN, Star and FAP). Christopher won for Haplos (MMFF, 1992). Both of them won for Relasyon (CMMA, 1992), Imortal (MMFF, 1989) and Dolzura Cortez (MMFF, 1993).