JUST A THOUGHT: Hope never abandons you, you abandon it. − George Weinberg
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LOVI VERSUS NORA: Lovi Poe stands next to Nora Aunor where participation in the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival is concerned.
Both have two films in competition; in fact, the two of them, co-star in a common entry, "Thy Womb," whose local title is "Sa Sinapupunan." Lovi has a second entry, an episode in "Shake, Rattle and Roll-14;" while Nora has "El Presidente."
This early, observers are claiming Nora and Lovi will be pitted against each other in both the best actress and best supporting actress categories. Nora and Lovi could find themselves competing for best actress for their work in "Sa Sinapupunan" and "SRR," respectively.
They are expected to collide anew for best supporting actress honors for their acting in "El Presidente" and "Sa Sinapupunan" as well.
We told Lovi this when we met up with her and leading man Rocco Nacino Nov. 19 at the GMA Executive Lounge in line with their current teleserye, "Yesterday's Bride." The young actress merely smiled and humbly brushed aside our prediction. She said she couldn't hold a candle to Nora.
Lovi's contract with GMA is expiring in March 2013. There's continuous talk of her imminent transfer to ABS-CBN, a rumor confirmed to us by a top-rank source. The multi-awarded Lovi would not dignify such rumor, claiming that she's happy at GMA.
Meanwhile, "Yesterday's Bride" maintains high ratings on its afternoon slot and looks forward to higher ratings in future episodes.
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GYM BUSINESS FOR ROCCO: Rocco Nacino has invested on a business proposal presented to him recently. He has partnered with Elorde Gym's Ortigas branch, where he works out regularly.
The "reality" actor says working out is his passion, and so are contact sports like boxing and Muay Thai. Rocco showed up at the media lunch tanned and with his muscles bulging, approximating a young Incredible Hulk. Problem is, Rocco is short. He grows wide but he is short.
The young actor said he has a new film in the can, "I Love You, Pare," where he carries on with a gay romance with Rodjun Cruz. It's his second gay-themed film after "Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa" with Paulo Avelino.
Asked about his interrupted film, "Biag ni Lam-Ang," Rocco explained he has not heard from his producers again. "Lam-ang" halted production after weeks of filming in Ilocos amid talks of domestic trouble.
By the way, Rocco goes on record for being the first actor to hand out his Christmas gift to the media this year. Enclosed in this column is his personalized Christmas card.
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RACHELLE ANN LEADS: Rachelle Ann Go is said to be the leading contender among six Filipino finalists vying for the role of "Miss Saigon" in its new incarnation. "Miss Saigon" is being restaged in London by the same team of producers led by Cameron Macintosh. The other finalists are Frencheska Farr, Tanya Manalang, Apple Chiu, Emerald Bañares and Mary Jane Solomon.
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CARRON DREAM PARK: Coincidence of coincidences, did you know that the mothers of lovers John Lloyd Cruz and Angelica Panganiban both come from the same town San Isidro in Nueva Ecija?
JLC's mother, Aida Espidol-Cruz, was originally from barangay Malapit. The said barangay is next door neighbor to barangay Sto. Cristo, where Angelica's mom, Anabelle, hails from. All this talk of barangayan-kapit-baryohan surfaced in an e-mail sent by a former student of mine from La Salle, Jed Arboleda, who announced that Angelica Panganiban was the special guest at the opening of Carron Dream Park located at Gapan-Olongapo Road, Brgy. Sto. Cristo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
Carron Dream Park is said to be the biggest amusement park north of Manila. The park features 20 rides and attractions.
(nescuar@yahoo.com)
