Jacky Woo: Yes, we Cannes!

Curtain-raisers:

• An invitation from Cesar Montano: Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in our country today. Please join me in creating awareness about cancer and in promoting a healthy lifestyle through Run Against Cancer 2013 Manila which will be held along Roxas Blvd. (starting point is at Rajah Sulayman) on Saturday, June 8. Proceeds will be donated to the Philippine Cancer Society and Ospital ng Maynila. The categories: 3k, 5k and 10k. Register online to the leading branches of Toby’s, Olympic Village, Sports House and CDO food stores. For more inquiries, check out the Run Against Cancer Facebook page.
• Music-lovers who follow the works of new artists must be familiar with Manuel Nascimento who has been uploading his compositions on social media (iTunes), with videos directed by Jako de Leon (Joey’s son). The good news is that Manuel was recently chosen as an artist-endorser in the Philippines for an international brand of ukelele known as Anuenue (Hawaiian for rainbow). Also, the music video of Sea Of Stars (the first single from his upcoming second album) was released online recently.
•  MCA Music is holding a special screening of History of the Eagles Part 1 (The Story of An American Band) on Saturday, June 8, at SM Megamall Cinema 8. The film follows the history and legacy of America’s definitive band with multi-platinum selling hits like Hotel California, I Can’t Tell You Why, Desperado, Life in the Fast Lane and more. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; screening starts at 8 p.m.

Two weeks after the Cannes Film Festival ended, actor-producer Jacky Woo still can’t believe that he was there.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Jacky quoted a cliché in Japanese, translated for Funfare by his Manila-based PRO Joe Barrameda.

As you must know by now, Death March, the film Jacky produced and stars in, competed at the filmfest’s Un Certain Regard category and even if it didn’t win, according to Jacky, “having competed is a big honor enough,” adding, “yes, we Cannes!”

Directed by Adolf Alix Jr., Death March is a dramatization of that memorable chapter in Philippine history during the Japanese Occupation. For a Japanese, Jacky was brave enough to have produced that kind of movie (one of the few that he has done in the Philippines and starred in with mostly Filipino actors).

During his two-week stay in Cannes, Jacky (and his entourage that included Sam Milby, a member of the Death March cast) rubbed elbows with world-famous celebrities, did interviews with the international media and walked the red carpet intended for mainstream films before the movie’s screening.

“Death March had its own red carpet,” said Joe. “Jacky also met with buyers and agents of film distribution. Forward, Inc., his company, was able to close a 10-year contract with an agency to market Death March.”

Joe recalled that Patricia Zobel de Ayala, the Philippine Consul to Monaco, hosted a dinner for Jacky and the Philippine delegation.

“I have met the gracious Consul during my previous visit to Monaco with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada,” said Joe. “She told us that she was teary-eyed when she watched Death March. She said that it reminded her of her grandfather who had told her stories about the Death March.”

Jacky is back in Tokyo (where he owns and manages several businesses including a spa), with Cannes playing like a movie in his mind.

The Chippendales at Resorts World on June 13 and 14

Close on the heels of The Full Monty staging, said to be the “coming out” of Mark Bautista in theater, Resorts World Manila is presenting The Chippendales in The Ultimate Girls Night Out on June 13 and 14, at 8 p.m. The all-male group had its first show in the Philippines in 2011.

Established in 1978, the Las Vegas-based Chippendales made their way to becoming the world’s most recognized brand in ladies’ entertainment. From high-energy, hip-hop grooves to country-western dancing, charming schoolboys, industry cowboys, men in uniform, live entertainment and audience interaction, the Resorts World show is touted to be “the ultimate bachelorette party of the season.”

(For inquiries, call [02]908-8833.)

 (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.)