Celebrity slots for charity

It was a star-studded event at the Airport Casino Filipino (ACF) in Parañaque City as 19 celebrities competed in the first PAGCOR Celebrity Slots for Charity Challenge. What made the event more meaningful was that celebrities vied for the tournament’s top prize in their desire to help their chosen charity.

Former Willing-Willie dancer Aprilyn “Congratulations” Gustilo emerged as the tournament’s winner. Her prize: A P200,000 cash donation from PAGCOR for her chosen charitable institution — the Center for Life Improvement and Health Development (C.H.I.L.D.) Haus project. The charity institution is a halfway house for poor children stricken with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

“Napaka-exciting ng event na ‘to lalo na sa akin na first time maglaro sa slot machine,” said the young noontime TV variety show dancer who became famous for her punchline “Congratulations!” “PAGCOR, thank you so much for inviting me. Sobrang nag-enjoy ako, happy ako sobra na may natulungan akong tao. Sana tuluy-tuloy pa ang blessing na dumating sa inyo. God bless you all and congratulations!” Aprilyn exclaimed.

Aprilyn said she chose C.H.I.L.D. Haus as her beneficiary-institution because of her longing to help children. “Mahilig po kasi ako sa mga bata kaya gusto kong makatulong sa mga babies. Lahat naman tayo gustong mabuhay at masaya tayo kung may mga tao na makakatulong sa atin. At nataon nga na ako ang makakatulong sa kanila ngayon through PAGCOR’s help. Sana malaking tulong ito sa kanila,” Aprilyn added.

PAGCOR’s AVP for Entertainment Bong Quintana thanked the celebrities who participated in the tournament. “We are very happy with the turnout of our first-ever celebrity slots for charity challenge. It allowed us not only to create an exciting event in one of our casinos, but more importantly we were able to let our celebrities get involved in a worthy charitable endeavor.” 

PAGCOR’s AVP for Entertainment Bong Quintana (rightmost) with (from left) Drew, Ernesto and Bianca.

Airport Casino Filipino GM Ernesto Francisco praised the tournament organizers for the successful conduct of the event. “Our branch is honored to play host to PAGCOR’s first Celebrity Slots for Charity Challenge. I hope this will be an annual event. Many casino patrons were entertained as they watched stars play for their chosen charity.”

Eleven female and nine male celebrities competed in the event. Joining Aprilyn in the Top Five were Vivian Velez, Anthony Suntay and couple Vince and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon. Bianca Gonzales and Drew Arellano hosted the event.

Other celebrities who graced the tournament were Tonton Gutierrez and wife Glydel Mercado; Tirso Cruz III with wife Lynn Ynchausti-Cruz; Richard Yap; Dolly Anne Carvajal; Jay-R; Krista Kleiner; couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles; Marina Benipayo; Iwa Moto; Niña Jose; Carlos Agassi; Keanna Reeves; Pooh; and Paloma. The Manoeuvres and the DnG dancers provided entertainment during the tournament.

Two indies for Arnold

After playing Marlon Villar, the driver of a corrupt congressman, a performance that was praised by Tribeca International Film Festival where it had its world premiere, Arnold Reyes made another acting foray in the indie film world with Intoy Syokoy and Diablo, both films in competition in the just concluded Cinemalaya Film Festival. In Intoy Syokoy, he played Boyet Bagol, a totally hard up guy who hides his miseries by being happy-go-lucky. In Diablo, he is Reuben, a rice farmer, who has issues with himself and his family.

Arnold says he is just lucky to be always at the center of things. “Hindi ako mapili. Basta maganda ang role, at may maiibigay na challenge, gagawin ko,” says Arnold who has become a favorite among indie producers and directors. He recalls there was a time when he had seven films in one festival. “Hindi naman lahat bida yon. At di naman ako naghahanap ng pagiging bida.” Nevertheless he remains a favorite actor to work with. 

And while two of his films slugged it out in Cinemalaya, Graceland had its Canadian premiere  at Montreal’s prestigious Fantasia International Film Festival last July 28 and its Midwest premiere at Michael Moore’s festival Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan last Aug. 2.

“I am really thankful that each year, may festival movie ako,” says Arnold. Does he think of awards when working on a project? “Never. Basta ako, I just have to give it my best performance.” Arnold believes “that there are no small roles, only small actors. Kung maliit, pagbutihin mo. Kung malaki, pag butihin mo pa rin.”

While Intoy Syokoy provides a glimpse into the life of a tahong farmer and the world that he lives in, Diablo is a psychological thriller.

“The character of Ruben in Diablo quickly appealed to me. He has unexpressed pain and unresolved issues with his family. I think there’s a quiet sufferer like Ruben in every family, ” explains Arnold. He also had to learn how to speak Ilokano. “In Intoy Syokoy, I pretend to be happy because there is so much misery in my world. Parang maging masaya na lang kasi walang choice e,” Diablo is directed by Mes de Guzman while Intoy Syokoy is helmed by Lem Lorca.

Among the films Arnold appeared in were Astig (where he won the 2009 Best Supporting Actor award in Cinemalaya), Condo, Huling Araw ng Linggo, Vendo, Pisay, Pera-Perahang Lata, Big Time, Adela and Imoral. Arnold Reyes is a Backroom artist.