Lorna Tolentino plays a mother longing for her lost son in “Burgos” +Backroom searching for new singers, comedians

Happening tonight at the CCP Main Theater is the screening of “Burgos” which is the closing film of the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The entire cast of the movie, led by grandslam actress Lorna Tolentino, are gracing the film showing, together with Mrs. Edita Burgos, the mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos.

Jonas had been missing for five years now but Mrs. Burgos is not losing hope that she will still see her son.

“Burgos” is the first indie film of Lorna and we had the chance to watch it in a special preview a few weeks ago. Lorna’s portrayal of Mrs. Burgos is truly moving. The way she moves and talks was like seeing Mrs. Burgos acting onscreen. And you can feel the sadness and longing of a mother for her son. Even Mrs. Burgos was moved to tears by the film and Lorna’s performance.

Also featured in the movie directed by Joel Lamangan are Allen Dizon, Dimples Romana, Rocco Nacino (who plays Jonas Burgos), Bangs Garcia, Ina Feleo, Kerby Zamora, and Tirso Cruz III (who plays publisher Jose Burgos).

“Burgos,” written by Ricky Lee, will have its commercial run on August 28.  But it will have a whole day screening and gala premiere on August 26 as a fund raising for “Free Jonas Burgos Movement” and “Karapatan office.”

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Happening tomorrow night is the awards night of the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival to be held at the Main Theater ng Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Many are expecting that Gov. Vilma Santos will bring home the best actress award in the Director’s Showcase section for her performance in the Jeffrey Jeturian film “Ekstra.”

Competing with her for the award are Lovi Poe (Sana Dati), Alessandra De Rossi (Liars), Angel Aquino (Porno) and Althea Vega (Amor Y Muerte).

We have watched all five entries in the Director’s Showcase and we liked “Ekstra,” “Liars,” and “Sana Dati.” We didn’t quite like  “Amor Y Muerte” and “Porno.”

In the New Breed Category, we have seen “Babagwa,” “David F,” “Debosyon,” “Quick Change,” “Nuwebe,” “The Diplomat Hotel” and “Purok 7.”

We still have to catch “Rekorder,” “Transit,” and “Instant Mommy.”

In the New Breed category, we liked “Babagwa,” “Purok 7,” and “Quick Change” and we believe these films will be strong contenders for the awards. We have yet to watch “Transit” and “Instant Mommy” but we heard good feedback on them.

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Backroom Inc. is currently looking for new singers and comedians who would like to break into the exciting world of showbiz. They must be 18 to 30 years old without any existing contract with any talent agency/management firm. They must be Filipino citizens.

Applicants must submit their video materials/demo CD and resume with photos (one tight shot and one whole body) at backroominc@hotmail.com or they can apply personally with the requirements Wednesdays and Fridays 3pm to 6pm at Unit 207 CRM Building 2, #116 Kamias Street cor. Kasing-Kasing Street, Quezon City.

Backroom has established itself as one of the country’s most successful companies in concert production, public relations, promotions, and artist management.

For more inquiries, please call Dale Magdangal at 9280717.

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GMA Network welcomes back Miss World Philippines as it inked a contract today for the exclusive airing of the beauty competition this year.

Present in the contract signing were Miss World Philippines 2012 Queneerich Rehman, Miss World Philippines National Director   Cory Quirino, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan and Miss World Philippines 2011 Gwendoline Ruais.

During the contract signing, Quirino expressed her excitement with the partnership of Miss World Philippines with the Kapuso Network, “I am happy kasi para sa akin this is really our home. We like to be with GMA always. It’s going to become closer, tighter and more successful.”

Abacan, on the other hand, is proud that GMA is the official media partner of Miss World Philippines 2013, “Parating welcome sa GMA ang Miss World. We are very excited. You will see more beautiful ladies, and a more beautiful production this time.”

Ruais and Rehman say that their experience in Miss World Philippines has been life-changing and their advice for this year’s aspiring beauty queens is to enjoy the whole experience.  “We saw the new batch of candidates and they are really good. I tell the girls the most important  is to be yourself and enjoy the experience. At the end of the day,  you are being judged as who you are, you don’t pretend and just be who you are.”Ruais said.

Quirino added that this year’s competition will be more challenging because they patterned it after the Miss World pageant. “Mas matindi ang competition na gaganapin sa Jakarta, Indonesia. Miss World 2013 will have 120 candidates kaya matindi ang laban, at kailangan ipakita natin ang gilas ng Pilipinas. This year, ihahawig natin ang Miss World Philippines competition sa Miss World. May sports challenge at mayroon na kaming mas matinding challenge sa competition in order to prepare our winner for the Miss World competition. Kaya ang mga kandidata hindi lang magaling rumampa, kundi malakas sa katawan.”

The 2013 Miss World Philippines Pageant will be held at Solaire Resorts and Casino on August 18 and will be aired on GMA Network. Viewers all over the world may catch it through GMA Pinoy TV.