It’s a ‘go’ for Alden-Maine movie

Rejoice, AlDub Nation!

The movie of your idols, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, will be pushed through next year.

Funfare got this first-hand information from APT head Antonio “Mr. T” Tuviera himself over lunch yesterday at Mario’s with a few editors.

“We plan to produce five movies next year and one of them is with Alden and Maine,” revealed Mr. T.

APT big boss Antonio ‘Mr. T’ Tuviera (seated, third from left) at yesterday’s lunch at Mario’s with some editors, also seated (from left): Ian Farinas, Isah Red and Josie Tolentino (Mr. T’s secretary); and (back row, from left) Eugene Asis, Gie Trillana, Dina Ventura, Karen Pasolingan, Tina Dumlao, Butch Raquel (APT PR), Nestor Cuartero, Ricky Lo, Salve Asia, Dondon Sermino and Ervin Santiago. Right: Alden Richard and Maine Mendoza.

At first, Mr. T was mum, only smiling when he sensed that the movie writers were all eager to ask him questions about the whereabouts of Maine who has been absent from Eat, Bulaga! for more than two weeks now on the heels of the “open letter” she posted on her Twitter. Mr. T neither confirmed nor denied reports that Maine is “cooling off” in the States or if she was “suspended” or requested to, well, “go on leave.” 

Without giving a direct (specific) answer, Mr. T assured that all the Bulaga hosts will be “all in” on Jan. 1, 2018, when the show resumes live telecast after airing taped episodes. Brand-new mom Pauleen Luna-Sotto said in an interview that she would be good enough to return to Bulaga after giving birth to Talitha, her and husband Vic Sotto’s first child, last Nov. 6. By then, Ryan Agoncillo shall have fully recuperated from a back surgery that he underwent after hurting himself during a trek up the Himalayas and having bad posture while riding his motorbike.

By April next year, APT’s new four-storey studio in Cainta, Rizal will be inaugurated. Sprawling on a 3,000-square-meter lot that Mr. T acquired from Kitchie Benedicto three years ago, the APT Studio will have a sound stage (at the fourth floor) equipped with high-tech sound system, fully-furnished dressing rooms and all the other modern facilities/amenities.

Manila Rep. Yul Servo and mentor (director) Maryo J. delos Reyes

What Maryo J. reminded Yul when he first ran

When Yul Servo first ran for public office, his mentor Maryo J. de los Reyes gave him a piece of advice: Don’t be corrupt.

Yul (real name: John Marvin Nieto) has kept that in mind and proceeded to serve three terms as Manila councilor up to now that he is a congressman (of Manila’s Third District).

Yul is among the talents of Maryo J.’s Production 56 introduced at a recent Christmas Party-cum-thanksgiving for the movie press. Yul is in good company with Ruru Madrid, Neil Ryan Sese, Nash Aguas and Miguel Cuaderno.

The others: Orlando Sol, Leandro Baldemor, Barbara Miguel, Romano Vasquez, Ashley de Leon, Nafa Hilario Cruz, Xyrus Cruz (a Jordanian-Filipino athlete), Mr. Gay World 2017 John Raspado, Trio Tagapayo, Dior Veneracion, Reynold Rito, Zydel Rosario and the Masculados (Orlando Sol, Enrico Mofar, Robin Robel, Nico Cordova, David Karell).

Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza and daughter Angela Lei

Maynila: 19 years and going strong

Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza and his daughter Angela Lei proudly showed the awards won recently by the family’s show Maynila (Saturday mornings at 9:40 on GMA), among them: Longest-Running Daytime Drama Anthology from the 31st. PMPC Star Awards for Television and the special citation from the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

“Our struggles have paid off,” said Rep. Lito who hosts the show produced by Lei and sister Mary Ann Rivera. “We started in 1998 promoting family values, life and love, and we are thankful for the continuing support of the public. We are giving back by constantly improving the show.”

So popular is the show that, according to Lei, they have to (sadly) turn down some commercials.

“We will go on doing de-kalidad shows that will not only entertain the viewers but will also impart lessons,” said Lei.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and wife Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar with daughter

The Villars will be home for Christmas

As family tradition, the Villars are spending Christmas at home.

“But we plan to welcome the New Year in L.A.,” said DPWH Sec. Mark Villar who hosted a Christmas lunch with the movie press with his wife, Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar.

A lupus patient, Emmeline looks healthy and continues to inspire other lupus sufferers with her anti-lupus campaign and a book she authored that should educate people (not just lupus patient) about the disease. Lupus patients usually experience hair loss and skin sores. Avoiding stress is a must.

“Mark makes sure that I’m not stressed,” said Emmeline. “When he knows that I have a busy schedule, he willingly pitches in for me. He is super busy with his work but he always has time to support me.”

That is, with TLC (Tender Loving Care).

“He is malambing,” added Emmeline, “ready with hugs and kisses.”

Emmeline avoids staying under the sun, and Mark readily holds an umbrella for her.

“I also avoid protein from animals, so I get my protein from other sources.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)