Why Ronnie and Mariz aren’t so active on the movie scene - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

It has been months since Ronnie Ricketts starred in a movie. Or haven’t you noticed?

His wife, Mariz, has been inactive, too, but it’s understandable because since they got married seven years ago today – yeah, they’re celebrating their wedding anniversary today! – Mariz has opted, with Ronnie’s consent and blessing, to "retire" from showbiz and devote her time to being wife to Ronnie and mother to their two daughters, Ma-rella and Princess Marie.

But even if his next movie hasn’t been finalized yet, Ronnie continues to work out and keep himself in shape, doing martial-arts routine two hours everyday. He and his all-star basketball team also plays regularly in benefit exhitions all over the country.

Mariz has been spending her spare time (from minding the Ricketts household) at The Barn, a restaurant she and Ronnie, along with some friends, recently opened along Katipunan Road in Quezon City. The Barn is now the favorite eating place of students in nearby schools (Ateneo, Miriam, etc.) and yuppies, too.

Early next year, Ronnie shall have finalized the script for his next movie, Mano-Mano II, which he’s again directing (like Mano-Mano I, which was his directorial debut featuring Ronnie’s older brother Topher Ricketts and son Bruce). Ricketts plans to produce the movie himself under his own outfit, Rockets Productions, with perhaps Mariz as one of his leading ladies.

Asked how he would rate Mariz as wife and mother, Ronnie smiled, "Perfect 10-plus. We’ve been married for seven years now and we feel as if we’re still having our honeymoon."

Reader’s reaction

The STAR is among the papers playing up the new game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (inspired by the same hit show in the US and Britain). Readers have been asking Funfare to comment on the show but since I barely have time to watch TV these days, I’ve been missing Millionaire and other shows besides.

But reader "Marcelo of Makati" has some brutally frank (but constructive just the same) observations about Millionaire. Here’s his letter:

I wonder why you have failed to assess Viva TV’s newest game show, the well-hyped Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? despite its having been on air for almost a month now. Nevertheless, let me offer my two cents’ worth on "the most popular game show in the world" focusing on the hosting faculty of Christopher de Leon.

Prior to my having been glued on the show since its pilot episode, I tried to monitor its British, American, and Indian versions. And to be perfectly honest and cruel, I believe that Mr. De Leon failed to be at par with his foreign counterparts. He has yet to learn a lot from them. The guy lacks spontaneity and his dry humor fails miserably in rousing viewer interest on the show. No thrill, less frill. WW2BAM has started to become a dud. Additional sound effects like suspense music and canned laughter could also complement Mr. De Leon’s jejune style of hosting.

Another thing: some of the questions make a mockery of the contestants’ intelligence. I would like to believe that those who passed the show’s rigid screening are persons of above average intelligence. Thus asking them questions like, "Saan lungsod sa Batangas mayor si Vilma Santos? or "I-alphabetize ang pangalan ng mga dwende ni Snow White is rather silly and insulting. Worse, the host – in amazement and adrenaline-filled way – has become used to yelling, "(Answer)... is corrrrrrect!" (Para bang... hello?!? Lahat ng tao, alam ang answer. Bakit kailangang ipagsigawang tama?)

These, notwithstanding, I compel myself to like the show. At least, WW2BAM appears to be a better alternative to the inane and exploitative portions in Eat Bulaga and MTB.

As for the show’s host, I think Christopher de Leon has a lot to improve. And it would be unfair to replace him this early. However, expectations on him are very high and failing to meet them might result to ridicule and bad reviews. If this happens, it would be better for him to take a respite from doing a boob-tube chore and concentrate on a craft where he excels most – acting. After all, Boyet remains to be Philippine cinema’s finest actor. And one of the best artists this country has ever had.