No interpreter for Czarina

Curtain-raiser:

• Congratulations to director Jay Altarejos whose indie film Ang Lihim ni Antonio won Best Feature Film at the Festival dela Luna in Valencia, Spain, held Sept. 20 to 26. The sexually-molested character is played by newcomer Kenjie Garcia, co-starring with Shamaine Buencamino, Jiro Manio and Josh Ivan Morales. If you’re watching the movie for the first time, brace yourself for the shocking ending.

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When 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-World Czarina Catherine Gatbonton competes in the 2010 Miss World contest in Sanya, China, on Oct. 30, she won’t be needing any interpreter.

“I’m okay,” Czarina told Funfare Update a week before the send-off the other day. “I can manage.”

As in previous years, I was invited by Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta, head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), to help train the binibinis in the Q&A, this time with Czarina and 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-International Krista Kleiner on the spot. As with the others, I simply told Czarina and Krista, 1) to look at the interviewer straight in the eye, 2) be honest and sincere in her answers, 3) not to elaborate if a simple “yes” or “no” is enough, 4) not to make so many distracting hand gestures, and 5) not to pretend to be all-knowing.

Present on that day was 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz who gave Czarina and Krista valuable pointers not only how to conduct themselves onstage but also during supposedly private moments when, without the contestants being aware, judges (whose identities are known only on coronation night), are around observing girls closely.

“Don’t be too preoccupied with winning,” Gloria told Czarina and Krista. “Just relax and enjoy the whole experience. Be yourself. Think like a winner.”

Earlier, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss U fourth runner-up, and now STAR columnist, Venus Raj also gave more tips to the two Binibinis who kept on taking down notes. Former Bb. Pilipinas-International Patricia Fernandez is also a trainer.

Czarina is leaving for China tomorrow via Hong Kong. She’s one of the 120 delegates competing in the 60th (Diamond) Miss World pageant, with Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar as reigning queen.

What’s up?

Regine Velasquez, Coney Reyes and Christian Bautista in a scene from Mrs. Recto

• Seen along Recto Avenue: Coney Reyes, Regine Velasquez and Christian Bautista observing Pen Medina while pondering on his inability to pursue his passion for teaching because of a sexual harassment issue raised against him. The scene is from Mrs. Recto, a dramedy directed by Dante Nico Garcia (who also directed the Judy Ann Santos starrer Ploning), produced by Panoramanila. The movie will be shown in North America ahead of the Philippines. With Regine in the title role, Mrs. Recto is the story of a mother’s struggle to raise her daughter while living in an obscure area somewhere in Recto Avenue in Manila. — Reported by Carlo Orosa

• Readers and friends have been asking which travel agency prepares my documents when I go abroad to interview Hollywood stars. I tell them to try Rowena Coloma’s Travel Specialist Ventures which specializes in Indo-China tours and those for Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, aside from trips to other places. Its office is at Suite 201-B, Fil Garcia Bldg., 140 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, with phones 928-6196, 928-6132, 928-7487 and 0917-8341832 (or check www.travelspecialistventures.com).

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