Regine a Kapamilya by Oct. 17?

Is she or isn’t she?

That is, leaving her long-time home GMA and moving to ABS-CBN (from Kapuso to Kapamilya)?
Regine Velasquez remains mum thus far, neither confirming nor denying the persistent rumor even after her (last) Kapuso show, The Clash,  ended last Sunday, Sept. 30, and she has already bidden goodbye on her other show, Sarap Diva which will be retitled Sarap, di ba? with Carmina Villarroel as replacement host.

Although she didn’t walk the red carpet at the ABS-CBN Ball last Saturday (but her husband Ogie Alcasid and daughter Leila did), Regine happily blended with members of her soon-to-be(?) family. Funfare’s Bohol Avenue DPA said that Regine already has a copy of the contract but hasn’t signed it yet. “It’s Ogie who is convincing her to move to ABS-CBN,” added the DPA. “Can Regine say ‘no’ to Ogie, even if ‘reluctantly’? ABS-CBN is already crowded, so where and how will Regine fit in?”

Funfare asked Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Broadcast if Regine has signed a contract and Cory said, “No.” GMA Senior VP and Entertainment Group head Lilybeth Rasonable didn’t return an inquiry if GMA was giving Regine a counter offer.

Regine and Ogie are on their way to the US for concerts and that should give her time to weigh things. When they come back on Oct. 17, will Regine finally present a “signed” contract?

Stay tuned.

Brillante receives Special Jury Prize in Spain fest

Director Brillante Mendoza (center) at the San Sebastian Film Festival (SSFF) awards night with (from left) producer Carlo Valenzona, and writer Troy Espiritu, and stars Allen Dizon and Vince Rillon.

Brillante Mendoza received the second highest award, the Special Jury Prize for Alpha: The Right to Kill in the 66th San Sebastian Film Festival (SSFF) during the awards on Saturday, Sept. 29.  

Written by Troy Espiritu and produced by Carlo Valenzona, Alpha: The Right to Kill is set against the backdrop of the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs. It stars Allen Dizon, Baron Geisler, Bela Padilla, Rosanna Roces, Elijah Filamor, Felix Roco and Vince Rillon. 

The Golden Shell for Best Film went to Entre Dos Aguas by Isaki Lacuesta of Spain. Other awardees: Silver Shell for Best Director, Benjamin Naishtat of Spain for Rojo; Silver Shell for Best Actress, Pia Tjelta of Norway for Blind Spot; and Silver Shell for Best Actor, Dario Grandinetti of Argentina for Rojo.

Meanwhile, Raymund Ribay Gutierrez won the Silver Star for Short Film Award for Judgement in the Second El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt. He received $7,500 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate. 

Produced by Brillante for Center Stage Productions, Judgement competed in the Palme d’Or 2018 of the 71st Festival de Cannes last May. It is the story of Joy (Max Eigenmann) who finally gathers strength to file a case against his abusive drug peddler husband, Dante (Kristoffer King). But during the hearing,  she realizes that her cry for justice will be tedious and convoluted.

Over 53 films from different countries worldwide competed in three categories: 15 in the Feature Narrative,15 in the Feature Documentary and 23 in the Short Film.— With a report by Celso de Guzman Caparas

Miss World Philippines queens score triple victories

Miss World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria with the 2017 titlists, from left: Cynthia Thomalla, Laura Lehmann, Teresita Ssen Marquez and Sophia Senoron.

On the first year (2017) of his stint as national chairman of the Miss World Philippines (MWP), Arnold Vegafria produced three world titlists out of the four local winners, all of whom have signed up as Regal Babies, Bench endorsers and GMA talents.

• Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez bagged the country’s very first Reina Hispanoamericana crown, a popular favorite as soon as she arrived in Bolivia for the Latina-dominated pageant.

Aside from her commitment in promoting Hispanic culture, Winwyn remains passionate about her ongoing advocacy for children’s education.

• Cynthia Thomalla won the country’s very first Miss Eco International crown in Egypt. The Anne Hathaway look-alike kicked off her mangrove conservation initiative in her hometown in Macrohon, Leyte. She was also officially named as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in behalf of the IIMSAM (Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition).

• Sophia Senoron was, at 17, the youngest in the group when she joined the Miss World Philippines pageant. The San Beda Red Lion taking up Financial Management was named Miss Multinational in India. She made her debut as an actress in Regal Films’ Walwal.

Sophia wishes to use her influence to promote her advocacy, which includes women and children’s rights.

The Miss World Philippines organization aims to make pageant history anew as it hosts the very first Mr. World pageant in January 2019.

“With all these major developments in our local pageant scene, we are not just aiming to be a breeding ground of winners,” Vegafria said.