Rica’s career going great guns - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

As the young nymphet Becky in the blockbuster hit Balahibong Pusa, Rica Peralejo caused dark bushy eyebrows to rocket sky high in envy as she raised her status to being the next big thing in Philippine show business. She never imagined that her small role in the movie would make a big mark in moviegoers’ minds. The impact generated by her standout performance also caught the attention of the local movie industry. And the funny thing is, she never dreamt that her career would turn out this way.

"I turned the role down when it was first offered to me," says Rica about Balahibong Pusa. "But it was offered to me again after it was turned down by other actresses. It was a tough decision to make but I’m glad I did the movie."

The first quarter of 2001 promises to be very hectic for Rica. She’s currently working on two new movies under Viva Films, an action flick with Robin Padilla called Buhay Kamao and Huling Paghihintay, Rica’s launching movie.

"I am just happy with the trust and attention I’m getting from Viva Films," she muses. "When (director) Erik Matti told me that we were going to do my launching movie, I didn’t believe him. When we started discussing the story, the script and even the cost of doing it, I was excited. I am very happy right now with my career."

At the first shooting day of Huling Paghihintay, Rica got a glimpse of how difficult making the movie would be because the first scene she and co-star Bernard Palanca had to do was an underwater love scene. "It was freezing cold when we shot the scene," Rica recalls. "The scene took around 14 hours to shoot underwater and it was really physically taxing. We started around four in the afternoon and I got home the next day!"

Rica had to undergo a swimming workshop to prepare for this scene. "It was for my underwater movements. Since it was a love scene, there was a lot of action underwater with me and Bernard. And I had to look fresh all the time. I also practiced breathing underwater and how to control my bubbles! And when I saw the rushes, it was so artistic! The whole thing is very symbolic of the love story happening in the movie."

Some people are destined to be stars. The year of the Golden Snake seems like it’s going to be Rica’s year. Luck is the residue of hardwork and prayers. This, I hope Rica knows.

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Another lady with who dreams of stardom is Yamani. This talented singer is ready to conquer the music world via her debut album entitled Yamani: Bakit Pa, under Prime Music Corporation. The carrier single of the album, Hindi Ako Laruan, was released and is currently making waves in the airlanes.

Yamani started young. When she was five years old, Yamani already showed an intense passion for singing. She then enrolled at the Rhythm and Blues Training Center in Vancouver, Canada where she attended formal classes in singing.

She then went on to bag the National Singing Championship in Canada’s prestigious FAME Singing Competition in 1992. A year after, she won the Best Solo Artist Award from the Tribune Newspaper. But Yamani didn’t only win various awards in Canada. She was an active supporter of the Philippine Community Center Society in Vancouver which comprises of Pinoy-Canadians involved in worthy causes.

Here in the Philippines, Yamani has already front-acted for singers like Rey Valera and Kuh Ledesma. She also made the country proud when she represented the Philippines in the celebrated Asia Life, an NHK-produced TV show that gathered talents from different Asian countries.

And now, after singing professionally for seven years, Yamani is now a full-pledged recording artist and there’s no stopping this soulful singer from soaring to greater heights!

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Life in the 21st century need not be complicated despite the complexities our civilization has managed to whip up the past 2000 years. That’s what Lito and Lydia Ilustre think. So, together with their children, they launched Perks Café and the Sari-Sari Stall, along with a franchise of Dimsum N’ Dumplings in Xanplaza Mall along Katipunan Avenue.

The stores are located near each other so mallers could conveniently shop for clothes and other accessories from Sari-Sari while sampling the delicious food from Dimsum N’Dumplings or drinking a delicious cup of coffee or a fabulous chilled shake from Perks.

Since the stores are located within the heart of the Katipunan area, students are their regular customers. Says co-owner and music video director Rich Ilustre, "The three stores that we have really cater to students. The place is unique and it’s also cozy. It’s a one-stop shop where people can enjoy good, affordable Chinese food, have drinks and do their shopping."

The triple launch of the Ilustre business ventures was held recently with no less than MTV VJ Shannen Torres, Celebrity model host Joey Mead, Studio 23 VJ JM Rodriguez and Mrs. Linda Estrella gracing the event. Da Pulis’ Bob Guerrero and Anya provided the evening’s entertainment.