Backstreet Boys coming for show

They’ve been here a few years ago when they were not yet popular. And soon (on Jan. 20 next year), the Backstreet Boys (BSB) are coming back not for an album promo like before but for a major show at the Araneta Coliseum, to be produced by Viva Concerts and Events.

Since the group’s introduction in 1997, the Boys – Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean and Brian Littrell – have become most sought-after. The group has made its immense impact on pop culture with unforgettable hits like its debut platinum single Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), All I Have To Give and I Want It That Way. They have scored a total of 12 top 40 hits, eight of which reached the Top 10.

The BSB has sold more than 13 million copies each of its first two US albums, Backstreet Boys (1997) and Millennium (1999). Black and Blue sold more than eight million copies and its 2001 record Hits: Chapter One reached the platinum mark. The Boys’ latest offering, Never Gone, was released a few months ago.

The title of the album eloquently speaks of the BSB. No, they’re never gone and never will be.

Incidentally, two other foreign acts are coming for concerts next year, The Lettermen in January and The Association in May. Association is the group behind such hits as Cherish, Along Comes Mary, No Fair At All, Never My Love, Windy and Goodbye Columbus. The two shows will be produced by Renen de Guia’s Ovation Productions which also produced the recent Beach Boys concert at the Big Dome.

Banned movie showing soon

Remember Celso Ad. Castillo’s controversial sex flick Snake Sisters which was banned 15 years ago?

The movie will finally be shown starting on Nov. 20 at Robinsons Movie World Galleria Cinema outlets, released by The Associates and Celso Ad. Castillo Film Co. in association with Eugjher Modeling Agency and Arte Cordillera.

Said to have been based on a Biblical story, Snake Sisters was distributed in the US and Canada in VCD form starting last year by BOUM Productions Ltd., a British company based in London.

The movie is interesting for its nostalgia element; its lead stars are no longer active. Pepsi Paloma committed suicide while Coca Nicolas must be leading a quiet life somewhere. They were discoveries of the murdered star-maker Dr. Rey dela Cruz, including the third Snake Sisters star, Sarsi Emmanuel, who made a comeback two years ago.

The film was shot for 27 days in Tulay Buhangin, Quezon Province.

"Snake Sisters was first shown in the early ’80s as opening film of the Manila Film Center of the Philippines," clarified direk Celso. "But after its 10-day run, it was banned from public exhibition."

Alice enjoys life in ‘Wonderland’

Now you see her, now you don’t.

Alice Dixson, I mean.

Last seen – yes, fleetingly – last June when she came home from Vancouver to attend a family affair, Alice will be seen again, this time on the big screen in OctoArts Films/M-Zet Productions’ 2005 Metro Filmfest entry Enteng Kabisote...The Legend Continues, topbilling Vic Sotto.

Alice plays Magenta, the role originated by the late Charito Solis both on TV (in the fantaserye Okey Ka, Fairy Ko) and in the film.

"She could have done the role in last year’s Enteng Kabisote," said OctoArts boss Orly Ilacad, "but she was nowhere to be found. This time, when we learned that she was here for a family event, we lost no time in contacting her."

As Funfare readers know, Alice and husband Ronnie Miranda enjoy a simple life in Vancouver where they migrated after their wedding a few years ago. There, Alice is comfortable being a private citizen, first working at a department store and then taking up a writing course at a local college. One time, she even worked as production assistant at Canada’s CTV 9. It was a dream come true for Alice who initially wanted to work only in television and not in movies. Of course, Alice has amply proven herself to be a capable actress (memorable as Christopher de Leon’s mistress in The Other Woman).

"Vancouver is like a wonderland to me," said Alice, 36, who suffered a miscarriage a few years ago.

She’s leaving for Vancouver on Nov. 20 but will be back to help in the promo for Enteng Kabisote.

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