Can Katrina surpass Vilma?

An Herculean challenge, any way you look at it.

In one of the two films she has just signed up with for OctoArts Films, Katrina Halili will play the title role of Miss X, not quite a remake of the 1980 sex-drama starring Vilma Santos as a showcase dancer in Amsterdam’s Red Light district, a follow-up to her radically image-changing turn in Celso Ad. Castillo’s Burlesk Queen. Vilma won a Best Actress award for it in that year’s Metro Filmfest but the awards were taken back, remember (prompting nitpickers to dismiss the Gabi ng Parangal as a Bawian Awards)?

“It’s scary,” admitted Katrina, No. 3 in this year’s Philippines’ 100 Sexiest Women of the FHM, after placing No. 1 (this year, Marian Rivera is “it”) for two consecutive years. “I wasn’t born yet when that movie was shown,” added Katrina, 22, “but I’d like to watch it if I get hold of a DVD copy.”

Unfortunately, said direk Gil Portes (who’s again at the helm of Miss X, subtitled Ang Filipino Porno Queen ng Amsterdam), “I myself don’t have a copy. Trigon Films owns the rights to the film. The new Miss X will be somewhat different from the original and it will be even bolder and sexier,” adding in jest, “that’s why I got (former FHM editor) Eric Ramos, a porno writer, to write the script.”

Asked if he has asked Vilma to do a cameo, direk Gil said, “yes, but she’s still reading the script.”

Funfare texted Vilma to verify and she texted back, “Nope, I’m not doing a cameo. Wala akong nakakausap tungkol dyan.”

Miss X circa 2008 will be in keeping with the times (“Warning:” Watch out for even more shocking scenes!), also to be shot in Amsterdam and slated to be released in February next year. It’s not definite yet who will play Katrina’s leading man (it was Mark Gil in the Vilma version) and some people are suggesting, “Why not Mark’s son Sid Lucero who is a good actor like his dad?”

But before that, Katrina will shoot One Night Only, the other film she’s doing for OctoArts, written and directed by Joey Javier Reyes as an official entry to this December’s Metro Filmfest.

“One Night Only is hard to describe,” said direk Joey. “The whole story happens in 12 hours where several characters cross paths. Among the other stars are Roxanne Guinoo and Angelica Panganiban, together with Diether Ocampo, Joross Gamboa and Ricky Davao as Katrina’s congressman-lover.”

According to OctoArts producer Orly Ilacad, the two projects have been on the launching pad for quite a while, waiting only for the right star.

“Katrina is perfect for both films,” said Orly.

After all, besides Marian Rivera, Katrina is one of the very few truly most in-demand young stars today, not only for TV roles but also for commercials, magazine covers and, that’s it, movies. And to think that she placed only No. 8 in the StarStruck search a few years back! “My lucky number is 8,” smiled Katrina who, before playing bida in the ongoing GMA soap Magdusa Ka, handily established herself as a bewitching kontrabida (in the same league as Cherie Gil, Dina Bonnevie, Eula Valdez, Jean Garcia and Princess Punzalan) in previous soaps (Majika and Marimar, among them.

“Enough already,” said Katrina who, two weeks ago, graced the Fil-Am Friendship Day celebration in Virginia Beach, USA, where Pinoy TV had a booth, together with Francis Magalona and Marvin Agustin. “Mas masarap siempre maging bida.”

The question now is: Can Katrina surpass, or just even equal, Vilma’s memorable performance in Miss X?

That remains to be seen.

Ginoong Pilipinas USA 2008 named

From contributor Alvin Paris, US correspondent of Mabuhay Beauties.com, this report:

Kapono Kobylanski, 24, was chosen 2008 Ginoong Pilipinas USA Sunday night at ceremonies held at Radissin Hotel in L.A. Representing Hawaii, Kapono bested 19 other candidates representing key cities in the US. Pono for short, Kapono won the judges’ nod with his manly charm and heart-felt support for the campaign against violence against women, which is promoted by California Sen. Leland Yee (Democrat), the affair’s keynote speaker.

A financial analyst by profession, Pono has a surfer’s body which got high marks in the swimwear competition sponsored by top L.A. fashion designer Andrew Christian.

Star guests of the affair included Stephanie Reese (of Dreamgirls) and David Hernandez (of American Idol Season 7).

Pono’s court includes Brian Grisworld (Hollywood, first runner-up), Ryan Allarde (Bay Area, second runner-up), John Lester Yutuc (Irvine, third runner-up) and Dominic Lauchengco (Virginia, fourth runner-up).

Briefly noted

• John and Karen Rambongga are raising funds for the surgery of their daughter Katrina who needs a cochlear implant so that she can hear and speak. Funfare readers can help them if they buy Teddy Bears (below) the Rambonggas are selling (P300 per for big ones and P150 per for small ones). Funds raised will cover not only Katrina’s surgery but also doctor’s fee and hospital expenses. For details, call Karen at 0929-5416625 or e-mail at [email protected].

• The Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) Manila will have its 2008 grand alumni homecoming on Oct. 11 at the Manila Hotel. As early as September, the PSBA (Manila) Alumni Association will kick off the homecoming with a golf tournament at the Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club in Calamba, Laguna and a bowling contest at the Makati Cinema Square. For particulars, alumni may call Ed Abalos at 0917-5344164, Linda Thia at 0918-2799701, Evelyn Guerrero at 0920-9085818, Rene Kiang at 0917-8914266, Manny Ongkiko at 0917-5286332 or Bay Cabrera at 0917-5335728.

• The third-anniversary show of Pilipinas Ngayon Na on Channel 4, hosted by Usec Robert Rivera (right), will be replayed on July 26 (first part) and Aug. 2 (second part) due to popular demand from Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Canada. Rivera is now on study leave taking up Public Financial Management Program in Kennedy School on Good Government. He passed the admission exam to Harvard University in Boston.

•  Edu Manzano was missing from his ABS-CBN shows Umagang Kay Ganda and Pilipinas Game KNB? (with Toni Gonzaga and Brod Pitt as pinch hitters). His rumored girlfriend, Pinky Webb, was also missing from her own shows (UKG and the newscast) at the same time. Edu said he had to seek treatment for his bad back while Pinky was said to be on vacation. They were both in the US. It’s up to you to, well, “connect the dots.” Hehehehe!

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