Golden Lions couple Donna & Carlo help fight crime

Since two years ago when they produced the Chavit Singson bioflick, Golden Lions couple Donna Villa and Carlo J. Caparas have been unusually quiet. Except for their involvement as supervisor/adviser of the soon-to-be-shown ABS-CBN fantaserye Panday (directed by Toto Natividad, with Jericho Rosales in the title role immortalized by the late FPJ), Carlo and Donna have been taking it easy, enjoying a rare "time out" from showbiz by spending most of their time in an island in Cebu with their two children CJ and Peach.

The couple, which has helped solved crimes in their own way by producing the so-called "massacre movies" (some of which led to the arrest of suspects), has just ended their bakasyon grande and agreed to produce a weekly TV series entitled Krusada Kontra Krimen (with Donna as producer and Carlo as writer-director) which starts 5 to 6 o’clock this afternoon on Channel 13 (with replays on INC, ABC, Channel 4 and RPN 9). KKK is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s campaign against crime.

Presented by the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), for which Donna and Carlo also did a TV series on how the lotto changed the lives of winners, KKK aims not only to entertain but to educate the public on how crimes are committed, in the process helping the public be aware and, hopefully, encourage/inspire them to put in their share of helping solve crimes.

"The stories will show how crime affects not only the lives of the victims but also those of other people," said Donna. "The movie industry is in bad shape and with this TV series, we hope to provide jobs for actors and actresses."

What Can We Expect From KKK?

These – and more: DILG Sec. Angelo Reyes reenacting how he solved a high-profile kidnapping case, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco (who once appeared as himself in a Golden Lions movie) exchanging witty dialogues with an actress playing a young widow of an NBI asset killed in line of duty, AFP Chief Gen. Efren Abu showcasing his exploits against terrorism and corruption, and PNP Chief Gen. Arturo Lumibao narrating heinous crimes committed and solved during his tenure.

Asked what their next movie project is, Donna and Carlo simply smiled.

"We’re finalizing plans to do a movie about a popular and prominent personality," said Donna. "But everything is confidential just yet."

49 Ninongs, Ninangs For Antonia Babao

It will be a grand event when three-month-old Antonia Babao, first child of Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola, is baptized on Saturday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. at the St. Francis Chapel at the Fernwood Gardens, Quezon City, officiated by Fr. Aris Sison.

There will be 49 ninongs and ninangs, namely: Eugenio Lopez III, Federico Garcia, Luisito Alejandro, Peter Musngi, Vic Endriga, Boy Abunda, Renee Salud, Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan, Monchet Olives, Noel Ferrer, Mario Dumaual, Ogie Diaz, Dr. William Leung, Robin Padilla, Gerick Parayno, Ruel Mendoza, Ricky Sison, Johnny Santos, Andres Estella, Ojie Leona, Felix Bacolor, William Ma, Romeo Babao Jr., Korina Sanchez, Dr. Vicki Belo, Rep. Kim Benedicto Lokin, lawyer Persida Acosta, Bernadette Sembrano, Cheryl Cosim, Niña Corpuz, Marife Mordido, Aida Gonzales, Aster Amoyo, Karen Padilla, Edna Lazaro, Leslie Saulsbury, Lourdes Rosario, Jet Versoza, Apple Peji Tan, Champaigne Flores and this columnist; plus Tintin’s Assumption High School barkada Bootsie Alejandro, Jayanne Cagalingan, Suzanne Garcia, Tisha Chipeco, Mary Ann Monzon, Charis Pineda and Valerie Henares.

A letter enclosed in the invitation reads:

Dear Friends,

These are the godparents of our first born daughter, Antonia Sofia Julia. You see, we have met countless people in our lifetime, and each person has touched our lives in many different and unforgettable ways. Some have been our close friends since grade school, high school and college. Our friendships have stood the test of time. Some of the godparents we’ve met during the course of our careers, and they’ve been witness to the many chapters of our lives as media persons. Not only that, many of these godparents have unselfishly given and continue to give their love, time, concern and support through the many roller-coaster rides of our lives.

These godparents are our friends, mentors, supporters, blood ties... we are brought together by similar experiences, shared environment, shared visions and values, and by fate.

Getting them as ninongs and ninangs is our way of thanking the Lord and thanking them for being there for us...and there is no doubt in our hearts that each of these ninongs and ninangs will also be there for our dearest Antonia.

This baptism deepens the faith that we have in them.

Lord, bless Antonia’s ninongs and ninangs.

– JULIUS & TINTIN

More Pinoy Films To Int’l Filmfests

Here’s a report from Funfare’s Toronto-based "international correspondent:"

Cesar Montano’s Panaghoy sa Suba and Joel Lamangan’s Mano Po 3 are showing at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 11 to 19. It’s the second international screening of Panaghoy after Cannes (World Cinema category, non-competition). Then, it will be shown in Karlovy Vary, New Delhi and Tokyo.

New Delhi’s Asian Festival of Asian Cinema (July 15 to 24) has also invited Panaghoy and Aishite Imasu (also directed by Joel Lamangan). This is the same festival where Katherine Luna won as Best Actress for Mario O’Hara’s Babae sa Breakwater last year.

Meanwhile, here’s good news for digital filmmakers: The DVD/VHS version of Crisaldo Pablo’s digital film Duda (Doubt) will be distributed in North America this July. It’s the first Filipino digital film to be so released.

Two much-awaited digital films are Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s Mga Pusang Gala (Stray Cats) starring Ricky Davao, Irma Adlawan, Reggie Curley, Al Cris Galura and newcomer Lauren Novero; and Brillante Mendoza’s Masahista (The Masseur) with Jaclyn Jose, Allan Paule and newcomer Coco Martin (in the title role).

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)