Bieber as 'Baddie' in acting debut

Curtain-raisers:

• A few years after she separated from her husband (whom she accused of maltreating her), a moon-faced actress has given birth recently, courtesy of her lawyer-boyfriend who is unmarried but has love children. She has her own kids by her ex-husband (their marriage has been annulled). The actress and the lawyer are open with their relationship. No problem. After all, she’s legally eligible and so is he.

• A estranged couple have agreed out of court to divide whatever it is that they have legally shared — equally? Suffice it to say that they are happy with the outcome. The only issue that they have to settle — yes, in court — is their marital status. With the nitty-gritty sorted out, it should be smooth sailing from hereon. They have become friends again, and so is their kid whose custody the parents happily share in a laissez-faire set-up.

• Jewel Mische was once described as “ang babae sa dilim” because she kept her identity “secret” while she was going steady with Richard Gutierrez. The two categorically admitted that they had gone steady only after they split. There’s a new “babae sa dilim” and she’s none other than the real girlfriend of a hunk who has been linked to other girls (all for publicity purposes). The new “babae sa dilim” is a modern-day martyr who has remained mum about the guy (as per order by the network). You guessed it: they will surely confess once they break up (but it might take long because they are truly in love with each other).

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It will be two more months before Filipino fans will have a chance to enjoy Justin Bieber singing “live” at his concert on May 10 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds, presented by Smart in cooperation with Music Management International & AEDI. (For ticket inquiries, call 4944787.)

But Bieberians (is that how Justin’s fans should be called?) can see how Justin fares as an actor on primetime TV in an episode of CSI: Las Vegas Season 11 airing tonight at 10 on AXN in which he plays a “baddie.”

“Every 20 years, a phenomenon like Justin Bieber graces our world,” said CSI executive producers Anthony Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn and Don McGill.

The first episode of CSI: Las Vegas Season 11 has been highly anticipated by Bieberians and detractors alike. Premiering at nearly 15 million viewers in the US, the show ranked No. 1 in its timeslot, proving Justin to be a huge ratings draw.

The episode amply proves that Justin is not just a pretty face in his TV debut. He plays troubled teen Jason McCann, who is faced with a terrible decision regarding his only brother, which leads him into an inevitably explosive confrontation with the CSIs. According to reports, to hone his acting chops, Justin worked with an acting coach to prepare for his role. George Eads, who plays CSI Nick Stoves, shared a number of scenes with Justin and gave the budding actor the thumbs-up. “If he can stand up in front of God knows how many people, and dance and sing, he can say a couple of lines acting… he’s a really cool kid,” Eads was quoted as saying.

In the absence of Dr. Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne), last seen fighting for his life after being stabbed by psychopath Nate Haskell in the previous season’s finale, Stoves rises to the occasion. He emerges as Grissom’s greatest student when he displays an innate skill for reading bugs, much like how Grissom “the Bugman” had cracked cases before.

Fil-Am Matthew Libatique at the Independent Spirit Awards where he won Best Cinematography for Black Swan, for which he was also nominated at the recent Oscars

It’s not all crime and bugs this season, for love is also in the air. Fans of CSI supervisor Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) will be pleased to note that she will have a love interest in the form of Detective Vartann (Alex Carter, Burn Notice).

Look out for an interesting entourage of guest stars, from Playboy Bunny Holly Madison, Elliot Gould (Ocean’s Eleven, Friends) to Dita Von Teese, who will portray a classic Hollywood femme fatale. Old and new faces also grace this season, with fan favorite Jorja Fox returning to the series, along with two new cast members, Katee Sackoff (Battlestar Galatica, 24) and Sienna Guillory (Eragon). Sackoff will play a tough, feisty investigator with a quick fuse. Guillory comes on board as the show’s first full-time bomb tech, promising viewers an action-packed season.

Oliver Tolentino dresses up Pinoy Oscar nominees

US-based Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino dressed an Oscar nominee and the producer of a Best Short Film nominee at the 2011 Academy Awards in Hollywood, California on Feb. 27.

Matthew Libatique, nominated for Best Cinematography for Black Swan, wore a black wool tuxedo with grey abaca fiber tie. Libatique has served as cinematographer on many of Darren Aronofsky’s films and has worked on director Jon Favreau’s Iron Man films. Libatique won Best Cinematography prize at the Independent Spirit Awards the night before the Oscars (he also won in 2001 for his work on Aronofsky’s Requiem For A Dream). His upcoming film is Wolverine, also with Aronofsky.

“Matty is a big deal in Hollywood and has earned a position of respect in his field over the past decade,” according to Oliver. “When I explained what abaca was and that, as a Filipino-American, it would be great for him to wear one of our native fabrics to the Oscars, I think he liked that. But at first I think he was a little hesitant when I told him I would make a tie out of a plant. But when he saw the finished product, he liked it.”

Christian Bautista, Garlic Garcia and Audie Gemora were among the well-wishers of birthday boy, STAR correspondent Carlo Orosa

Gigi Dement, producer of Best Live Action Short Film God of Love, wore a one-shoulder, fully-beaded teal green and purple mermaid gown. Purple silk cascaded from the shoulder to ruffles along the neckline and matched with a narrow purple belt. Dement, also a Fil-Am, was an attendee at the Oscars and witnessed the win for her 18-minute short film (directed by Luke Matheny) dressed also in an Oliver Tolentino.

Carlo marks B-day with friends and family

STAGES Talent head and STAR correspondent Carlo Orosa celebrated his 46th birthday on Feb. 15 at the Restaurant 5 of the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, with close friends and family members headed by his mom who said in her speech, “Your dad and we are all proud of you.”

STAGES talents came in full force, led by Christian Bautista, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos. Karylle, who was doing the cover pictorial for her album, was represented by her dad, Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari.

In his speech, Christian recounted their early days as talent (Christian) and manager (Carlo). The Asiansation, the first talent of STAGES and of Carlo, also said that it is his manager that taught him not to be too kuripot, so he bought the celebrator an expensive belt.

with Virgie Ramos

Universal Records’ Kathleen Dy Go and Swatch’s Virgie Ramos also joined the celebration.

Known to be one of the most promising singers of the 90’s, Carlo obliged to do a special duet of Tonight, I Celebrate My Love For You with Nanette Inventor. The song was interpreted in an unknown language. The said spot delighted everyone in the party. Nanette also dished out two stand-up sets (talking about beauty and age) saying that it is the only gift she could give to Carlo.

Carlo’s friends from the theater were also present: Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, Gigi Posadas, Sheila Francisco who gave Carlo a smack in the lips (they played husband and wife in Noah a few years back), Sweet Plantado-Tiongson of The CompanY, Mio Infante, Jun Ofrasio, among others. Some of them shared the funniest anecdotes about Carlo.

In his speech, Audie Gemora described his best friend as “childlike, because of his immense loyalty to his friends.” 

Lorli in the advisory board of SoHo Int’l filmfest in NYC

New York-based Lorli Villanueva has formally joined the NYC-based SoHo International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) as chairman of its board advisory, while her daughter Sibyl Reymundo Santiago (a.k.a. Princess Reymundo) was named managing director and head of marketing.

“The festival, now on its second year, is attracting more entries from independent filmmakers worldwide following the huge success of last year’s inaugural event,” said Lorli.

Lorli Villanueva with actor Frank Vincent

It’s the same filmfest where Rosario, Albert Martinez’s directorial debut, would have joined, except that he has already originally intended to enter the film at the Cannes Filmfest.

This year’s screenings will be held from April 15 to 21 at Quad Cinema at 34 West 13th Street, with a star-studded red carpet opening night on April 15 to be led by SIFFNYC founder and chief executive Jorge Ballos, managing partner Noli Parumog, executive director Michelle Vzemin von Chudenitz, and president and programme coordinator Luis Pedron.

Lorli said the awards gala night is slated on April 22 with the presentation of the very first SIFFNYC Icon Award to honor NY film artists who have achieved a high degree of creative excellence over the years. 

The very first awardee will be Frank Vincent, noted for his unforgettable performances in classic films like Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino, and the smash HBO mob series Sopranos.  

“Everyone was so thrilled when Frank Vincent accepted the award and invitation from SIFFNYC,” said Lorli, a member of Hollywood’s Screen Actor’s Guild and American Theater’s Actor’s Equity and currently deputy chairman of the Graduate Education and Special Education at Touro College in Manhattan. “His name alone has already added more prestige and credence to this festival and we are all very honored to have him. The presenter of the Icon Award wilI be revealed later. I think it’s a surprise that everyone should watch out for.”

The festival will also feature An Evening with Frank Vincent, to be hosted by the legendary film director John Gallagher (The Deli, Blue Moon), who, incidentally, will be directing Frank Vincent in his upcoming feature comedy Fickle. Vincent’s 60-plus film credits include Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Night Falls on Manhattan and The Pope of Greenwich Village, all filmed in NYC. He also voiced Great White in A Shark Tale.

SIFFNYC is still open to entries and interested parties may contact Sibyl Santiago at 212.945.8878 or e-mail [email protected]

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