They are off & running!

Although, rather, even if she has been topping the surveys for senatoriables, at presstime (Wednesday, Oct. 10) Sen. Grace Poe has remained ”undecided” whether to run for reelection in 2019. But my sure guess is that, yes, tuloy ang takbo!

The filing of COCs (Certificate Of Candidacy) began yesterday. Some stars and those showbiz-related have confirmed their intention, namely...

• Former Pres./Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada for reelection;

• Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, again for the Senate;

• Former Sen. Bong Revilla, again for the Senate;

• Bong’s wife Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado for reelection;

• Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte for mayor;

• Q.C. Councilor Gian Sotto for Q.C. vice mayor, as Joy’s running-mate;

• Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos for reelection;

• Election lawyer Romy Macalintal for senator;

• Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez for reelection;

• Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Mayor Dan Fernandez, back to Congress;

• Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario for reelection;

• Ex-PCOO Asec. Mocha Uson for Congress (under the banner of a Partylist); and

• Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas for reelection.

Vilma has personally endorsed Macalintal in an ambush interview after guesting last Saturday (Oct. 6) in his weekly radio show over DZRH. Both are Batangueño. Vilma recalled that when she started her political career in Batangas, her husband, Sen. Ralph Recto, engaged Macalintal’s services as her election lawyer and her constant companion every time she files her COC, calling him her “lucky charm” in politics.

Macalintal has been a very strong advocate for senior citizens rights and he was a special guest at the House of Representatives during the celebration of Elderly Week.

CEB no action on Balangiga director’s complaint?

Two months after director Khavn dela Cruz posted on his Facebook page his complaint against the CEB (Cinema Evaluation Board) not giving his film Balangiga: Howling Wilderness any rating, all that he has gotten so far is, sob and sigh, silence. Has Khavn’s (very valid) complaint fallen on deaf ears?

Nine members (identities not revealed) reviewed the film; five gave a “nay” and four, “aye.”

Giving Balangiga no rating is quite ironic considering that it was critically-acclaimed, winning the Best Picture award in both  2018 FAMAS and Gawad Urian. Former Manunuri head Grace Javier Alfonso described the film as “visual poetry…if you look at it as poetry, you will see the rhythm and the aesthetics of the film…”

Instead of keeping her hands off the case, a CEB member (whose credentials are said to be “questionable”) rubbed salt on injury by criticizing Khavn even if that person admitted not having seen the film. Khavn hinted that the member is “a publicist” (and therefore, according to the CEB by-laws quoted by Khavn, should not be a member at all).

Asked if the FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines) has anything to do with the CEB, head Liza Diño texted Funfare, “Nope. The members are presidential appointees and most of them are on-hold-over position…meaning since the time of Pres. GMA hindi pa napapalitan. We have four new members from this administration. Lahat naman compliant although not heavily affiliated sa film industry.”

In a text message to Funfare, Khavn said, “One of my main points is that all CEB members who are overstaying and have conflict of interest should volunteer to resign. Sana rin may basic understanding man lang ang lahat ng miyembro tungkol sa art and craft ng pelikula at kung ano nga ba talaga ang uri ng pelikula ang dapat nilang sinusuportahan ayon sa batas.”

Will the suspected “publicist” be honorable enough to follow Khavn’s well-meaning suggestion…and resign?

Meanwhile, where does Khavn’s complaint stand?

A Funfare DPA said that the case is “in abeyance…ayaw magpatalo ng mga manangs,” not specifying who he was referring to.

Philippine films shine in international filmfests

Cheers to three Filipino films that have just won honors abroad.

• Last Order, directed by lawyer Joji Alonso, Best Short Film at the 16th Pyongyang International Film Festival in North Korea. The film tells “the story of Nitoy (played by Nico Antonio), a waiter in a small restaurant, and his seemingly dull but interesting encounters with people, problems, truths, as he goes about another regular day at work.”

• Nervous Translation, written and directed by Shireen Seno, Jury Special Mention at the 16th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival in Vladiovostok, Russia and Best Screenwriter ­— Asian New Talent at the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival in China. The film is “a beautifully woven drama about an eight-year-old Yael (played by Jana Agoncillo) who lives in her private world when one day she finds out about a pen that can translate the thoughts and feelings of other people.

• Ngiti ng Nazareno (The Smile of Nazareno), written and directed by Louie Ignacio, Best Short Film at the 41st Lucas International Festival for Young Film Lovers in Frankfurt, Germany. The film is about drug addiction and its serious effects as seen through the eyes of an  innocent child, Nazareno (essayed by Kenken Nuyad). A highlight of the film is the actual traslacion, the grand procession of Nazareno every January. — Celso de Guzman Caparas

What’s up?

• Token in concert — Token Lizares (photo), noted for being a “charity Diva,” stars in the concert Unforgettable with Richard Yap and Jed Madela tomorrow night, Oct. 13, at the SMX SM in Bacolod City. Special guest performers are Manila-based comedians Lchazz and AJ Tamisa, Voice Chords Talents and Chikaz Band.

Produced by Dreammaker Events Production Services in cooperation with JMM Media Productions, the concert is directed by JM Maningo for the benefit of St. Mary’s Home For The Aged run by Msgr. Victorino Rivas in Barangay Alangilan, Negros Occidental. Ticket prices are: P1,800 for Gold; P1,000 for silver; and P500 for Bronze.

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