Moment of truth

Kung si Joey de Leon ang mentor ni Pekto sa comedy, pagdating sa drama ay si direk Cesar Apolinario naman ang kanyang ‘tormentor?’

You heard it right, for the first time, this comic gem explores the rigors of hardcore drama via direk Cesar’s Puntod, his first indie film. Hindi lang basta acting vehicle ang naturang pelikula, which Cesar (who’s a broadcast journalist, first and foremost) co-wrote with two budding writers and co-produced with Arlyn de la Cruz.

Aside from being a total departure from Pekto’s screen character, Puntod is based on real-life events dug from the accounts somewhere in Mindanao. Kinailangan ni Cesar na magpa-audition to clinch the role of Baby, 10-year-old deaf-mute girl na namamasura upang ang kinikita nito’y maipambayad sa puntod ng kanyang ina, whose entombed bones the girl wants transferred to a more peaceful resting place.

Sa mahigit 50 sumailalim sa auditions which Cesar conducted himself, si Barbara Corteza ang pinalad who, as Cesar describes, “delivered the kind of emotion that was required of the role.”

 More than anything, Puntod is a picture of poverty in the country, a no laughing matter despite Pekto’s comic presence. Also in the cast of Puntod (which has already received an invitation to the Torrin Film Festival in Italy) are Mark Gil, Lovely Rivero, Sheree, Arnold Reyes and Ruth Alferes.

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The moment of truth unfolds tonight as the first ever Pinoy Idol gets proclaimed at the SMX of the SM Mall of Asia. Sino kaya sa natitirang top three contenders na sina Ram Chaves, Gretchen Espina at Jayann Bautista shall take home a management contract with GMA  Artist Center, a recording contract with SonyBMG, a condo unit at Avida Tower in New Manila, one million pesos in cold cash, and a brand new car?

If I may play devil’s advocate though, here’s wishing that there lies a journey farther than Pinoy Idol for the sole winner. Ang precursor kasi nitong Philippine Idol on then ABC 5 three years ago produced a female singing champ whose present career is unheard of. Maging ang naturang Pinoy Pop Superstar na si Jonalyn Viray seems to have sung her way out.

 Ironically, kung sino pa kasi ang mga hindi pinalad in whatever talent search are the ones lording it over. Take the case of Katrina Halili of Starstruck, nasaan na siya ngayon compared to her contemporary Jennylyn Mercado? Talk about being pregnant with projects.