Male power rules Himig Handog

Male power rules. This seems to be the message in this year’s Himig Handog Love Songs Competition.

In this year’s batch of finalists, nine of the songwriters who made it to the finals are males while one song is by a husband and wife team.

In the newly released 2002 Himig Handog Love Songs, top rate male singers banner the album. Parokya Ni Edgar’s Chito Miranda interprets the gay love anthem, This Guy Is In Love With You, Pare. The song is the most powerful of all the entries in the album because it is about gay love. This Guy Is In Love With You, Pare is a collaborative work by Angelo Villegas and Allan Feliciano.

A romantic ballad, Hanggang is interpreted by Wency Cornejo whose music Habang May Buhay still remains fresh in our hearts and ears. The song is a comeback material for Wency who has been missed by local music lovers. Hanggang gets a boost from the acoustic guitar playing of Noel Mendez and the violin of Jerome Mendez which make the song more romantic.

Kailan Pa Man is an alternative rock piece interpreted by Kevin Roy of Razorback. Composer Mike Villegas had only Kevin in mind to interpret his composition. "Kevin is the greatest rock singer of my generation. I wish I had his voice," Mike said.

Piolo Pascual sings Kung Ako Ba Siya, an entry by Arnold Reyes. Composer Arnold Reyes said, "I was surprised at how good Piolo is as a singer. Nasorpresa ako sa galing niya."

Other finalists are: Hindi Na Bale composed by Jimmy Antiporda and interpreted by Jessa Zaragoza; Sabi Na Nga Ba sung by Tootsie Guevarra and written by Arnie Mendaros; Love Has Come My Way by Leo Quinito sang by Heart Evangelista; Only I by Brian Cua and Jason Icasiano interpreted by Di Anne de la Fuente; and Kung Ako Na Lang Sana by Soc Villanueva performed by Bituin Escalante.

The 2002 Himig Handog Love songs compilation album is available on CDs and cassettes under Star Records. Finals night of Himig Handog Love Songs competition is set on Nov. 10 at the ELJ Communications Center of ABS-CBN.

What Ara prays for

Everytime Ara Mina prays, she asks God’s forgiveness for all the bold films she’s done. "Alam ko na maiintindihan Niya na trabaho lang ito. At sana’y patawarin Niya ako at hindi naman ito habambuhay kong gagawin. Isang araw, ipinagdarasal ko na malalagpasan ko rin ito."

Ara currently headlines Regal Films’ Two Timer, directed by Mel Chionglo and written by Jun Lana. Ara plays a young wife who habitually fantasizes about sex. She is a timid woman by day but at night, she transforms into a wild, hot woman who goes to bed with any man she chooses. The movie also stars Wendell Ramos.

Ara and Wendell are rumored to be playing beautiful music together. "That’s not true," says Ara. "Wala akong boyfriend ngayon. At saka, hindi ako magiging fair dahil wala akong oras. Kaya ang ginagawa ko tulog ako ng tulog at siyempre, exercise."

But rumors fly in showbiz like a platoon of vultures hovering over unsuspecting victims like Ara. She is said to be engaging in an illicit affair with a married man. Others insist that she has a rich political patron. She is mildly shocked and amused when she hears these wild talks. "Hindi po totoo ang mga iyon. Bakit naman kaya ako magpapakahirap mag-trabaho kung meron nga nagsusustento sa akin?

I am told that there are times when Ara just quietly cries in a corner when she is over-fatigued. She never complains, though. "She is not complaining because she really wanted this. She knows opportunity only comes once. She is a very good daughter. She is so simple and mild mannered. Ara seldom gets angry and is very patient," a friend intimated.

Who are the most handsome men for Ara? Her yes twinkled like a pretty girl of 13 as she carefully made her choices. "Una si Alec Baldwin. Ang ganda ng mga mata niya. Pangalawa si Martin Nievera. Ang husay niyang kumanta at ang guwapo niya."

Two Timer opens Nov. 6.

Kristine for Head and Shoulders

Kristine Hermosa is the endorser of Head and Shoulders Scalp Moisturizing Shampoo variant which has three times more moisturizer. "Kristine exudes the very character of the product – confidence and being at ease in any situation," says P & G assistant brand manager Romana Chuacaedo. Kristine is featured in the shampoo’s latest TV commercial which was shot in Thailand. "I had fun shooting the commercial," reveals Kristine.

The introduction of the Head and Shoulders Scalp Moisturizing variant is made more significant with the launch of the Save Our Scalp (SOS) campaign, an information and education program on basic skin and hair health.

Through the SOS campaign, a P & G representative will go around metro Manila and various parts of Luzon to enlighten consumers on the features and benefits of the Head and Shoulders Scalp moisturizing variant. The program forms part of P & G’s promotional effort to educate consumers on the real causes of scalp dryness and itchiness and establish the strength of Head and Shoulders against itch-causing elements.