Coming Soon coming soon!

Curtain-raisers:

It’s a good thing that an inactive sexy actress changed her mind about getting married to a basketball import who recently hit the headlines when he reportedly roughed up a cop who tried to arrest him at a hotel where he (the player) was creating trouble after he accused three “pick-up” girls of stealing his money. The actress, an unwed mother, backed out of the marriage when she confirmed that the guy is a certified womanizer.

Since Willie Revillame’s TV5 contract is expiring in October, there are rumors that he might quit being Kapatid and (oh no!) return to being Kapamilya? But after sinking so many millions into the renovation of the Delta Theater as the new home of his WowoWillie show, do you think Willie will leave TV5 that easily? Yes, Willie admitted, he was recently seen with Gina Lopez at the San Telmo Cove at the Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas, and they did discuss “something” but it has nothing to do with his show. “Ma’am Gina has a new project and I might work with her on it,” clarified Willie.

Bataan Day (April 9) trivia (from Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas): 1973 Miss Phillippines Vangie Pascual and 2012 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Janine Tugonon have many things in common — both are from Bataan (Vangie from Orani and Janine from Balanga), first runners-up in international pageants (Vangie in Miss World and Janine in the Miss Universe) and are UST graduates (Vangie Fine Arts and Janine Pharmacy).

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Clever is whoever thought of Coming Soon as the title of the movie produced by Ronald Singson’s Fearless Productions & Neal Arce’s Brownsugar Entertainment.

“That way,” joked Neal, “our movie gets free plugging by every company. Check out the movie ads. They’re saying, ‘Coming soon,’ aren’t they?”

Directed by Martin Rey Aviles, Coming Soon is the maiden movie venture of Ronald whose Fearless company used to produce concerts starring mostly international artists, with Jomari Yllana as co-producer. Distributed by Viva Films, the movie brings together Kapuso and Kapamilya stars (main and guests) including Boy2 Quizon, Andi Eigenmann, Glaiza de Castro, Dominic Roco, Carla Humphries and Cholo Barretto.

It’s the story about six friends and their struggle to realize their dreams as the end of the world draws near — you know, coming soon! The cast members are said to be also part-investors in the movie.

Asked at the presscon why his “ex,” Lovi Poe, isn’t among the guest stars, Ronald said that the movie’s shoot was scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays which happened to be Lovi’s taping days.

Same with Maxene Magalona, ex-girlfriend of Neal and Bela Padilla, current girlfriend of Neal’s (who announced that Bela will be his one and only showbiz girlfriend, bow!). Conflict of schedules.

Wondering why Jomari has been left out of the movie (which marks Ronald’s comeback after that “Hong Kong episode”)?

Jomari is busy with a car-racing event, that’s why. He and Ronald were reported to have had a “misunderstanding” while Ronald was out of the country.

Baron Geisler with his FAMAS Best Supporting Actor trophy for Asiong Salonga, also produced and starred in by Laguna Reelectionist Gov. E.R. Ejercito like El Presidente —VER PAULINO

“But we’re still friends,” assured Ronald. “We have a project together.”

Coming Soon is coming soon to theaters near you on Wednesday, April 17.

Baron off to SoHo Filmfest

Because he’s busy campaigning, reelectionist Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito has begged off from attending the Second SoHo International Film Festival in New York City in which the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo epic El Presidente, which E.R. produced and stars in, is the Philippine entry.

Instead, Baron Geisler, member of the movie’s cast, is there.

In an interview prior to his flight last April 4, Baron disclosed that he felt honored to represent the country on his very first trip to New York.

“I’m very proud to have been chosen as the country’s official flag-bearer for such a prestigious film festival. I’m excited, overwhelmed, but scared at the same time. We’re very lucky that out of the many Pinoy entries, El Presidente was chosen to open the Soho filmfest, and we’re just praying that the jurors will take notice.”

The festival opened last Friday, April 5, at the Sunshine Cinema in 143 East Houston, New York City, with the awards night scheduled on April 12. Together with Baron are his manager Arnold Vegafria, El Presidente executive producer Maylyn Enriquez, and other members of the film’s cast and crew.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)