Deadline Of Applications To 2012 Metro Manila Filmfest Is On May 25

THE METRO MANILA FILMFEST 2012 execom reminds producers that the deadline for the submission of notarized application forms and scripts is May 25. Eight scripts will be chosen as official entries for the December festival. MMFF Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino has announced that Viva will handle the production, marketing and promo of this year's parade of stars on December 24 and the awards night on December 27 to be held at the Meralco Theatre.

The last filmfest grossed an all time high of P636,792,509.57 during its run, but some of the entries were extended so they earned more. It might be called Metro-Manila filmfest but the entries are actually shown nationwide.

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Ogie Alcasid Is Chairman Of Opm2Go, The Local Version Of I-Tunes

OGIE ALCASID is president of OPM and chairman of OPM2Go. OPM stands for Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit and OPM2Go is for Original Pilipino Music To Go. "OPM2Go is the local equivalent of I-tunes," he says. "With this, people can now access songs and music by downloading it through their credit cards, phone load or OPM2Go cards. So far, we already have Viva and Vicor with 12,000 songs and about 80 independent companies. The other companies are still on a wait and see attitude. Okay lang kasi when I-tunes started, there was also a lot of reluctance on the part of record labels. This is also our way of giving an outlet to the musicians with no labels. We're charging only P10 to P15 per song, with the artist getting 50% of the net. What we want is for the masang Pinoy na namamahalan sa price ng buong CD to have cheaper access per song. Ang problem kasi dito sa'tin is the transition from CD to MP3 isn't established yet like in other countries. Patay ang negosyo ng recording kasi wala tayong I-tunes. So I called PARI ng recording industry and the telcos and they said we can do a local I-tunes, with a setup where downloads can be made through the phone, but we have to put up a company, so we now have OPM2Go.com as an online store."

OPM2Go will officially be launched on March 28, Wednesday, 7 PM at Eastwood Central Plaza in Libis. Various artists and bands will perform . Ogie will deliver a keynote address introducing the brand to the public and media outlets. It'll be a historic event with the public invited to use their mobile gadgets to order directly from the online store.

Camille Prats Gets To Work With Gma-7'S Top Child Superstars

CAMILLE PRATS had a great time playing mother to child star Mona Louise Ray in "Munting Heredera". She now plays mom to another GMA tot superstar, Jillian Ward, in "Spooky Nights Presents Premonisyon" tomorrow night after "Manny Many Prizes". In the story, she's a nurse whose husband works abroad and when she goes to work, she leaves Jillian (called Princess) to her mom. She often dreams that Princess is drifting away from her. One night, she shows a black shadow coming out of the room of a patient, who died the next day. The incident happens again in the case of a child who also died after she sees the black shadow with it. She realizes that the black shadow must be the Grim Reaper.

On her day off, she takes Princess to the playground and her child gets hurt while playing on the slide. She rushes the girl to the hospital to be treated but she sees the black shadow coming near Princess so she takes her child home. The black shadow follows them. It turns out it's not after Princess but she herself is the one destined to die. What will she do then to prevent the black shadow from getting her?

"I enjoyed doing this horror episode," says Camille. "Matatakot talaga ang viewers. And I also enjoyed working with Jillian. Napakahusay niya and now I can say that I've worked with both the best child stars of GMA-7."

New Singer K-La Rivera Nominated As Best Actress In A Musical For 'In The Heights'

BALIKBAYAN SINGER from Canada, K-la Rivera, who shone in "Star Power", has never had a boyfriend and has never been kissed. But in the musical "In the Heights", she gets to do kissing scenes with theatre actor Felix Rivera (no relation to her) and this shocked her relatives. "My aunt was scandalized and I had to explain that it's just a staged kiss and I'm just playing a role," she says. "I myself was so nervous when I first did it during the play's initial run, but now, I'm used to it. Trabaho lang po ito."

It was her first theatre experience. "I like the discipline of the theatre. You have to take good care of yourself, or else baka walang lumabas na boses mo when you're performing. So hindi ako nagpupuyat, I eat healthy foods and take a lot of vitamins for greater stamina. All in all, it was a great experience. I enjoyed working with Jackielou Blanco as my mom who treated me like her real daughter, with Felix as my leading man, and the other cast members led by Nyoy Volante and Ima Castro. They were all so helpful as they know first timer ako on stage. It's good training for me."

For her performance, K-la was nominated as best actress in a musical at the Aliw Awards. "Even if I didn't win, it's a great honor." The show starts its repeats tonight at the RCBC Theatre in Makati and will run until March 25. Its Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, flew to Manila to personally watch it. For tickets, call 892-7078 or 840-1187.)

Pops Fernandez Says Martin Nievera'S Allegation She'S Now A Card Dealer Is Not True

POPS FERNANDEZ is very proud of eldest son Robin Nievera who launched his debut album with PolyEast Records, "Overwait", at Arnell Pineda's Rockville Bar on Timog Ave. last Wednesday. "He never depended on us ni Martin and he really did everything on his own," she says.

Was she surprised that Robin is into rock and not into pop or ballads like his parents? "I'd be more shocked kung nagdoktor siya. It's only to be expected he'd also be into music kasi yan ang kinalakhan niya. But being into rock is good for him. Kasi if he took the same career path as us, he'll just be compared with us. But there's really no comparison as he composes and produces his own songs. We never did that. He took a course in Las Vegas on music production so he knows all the technology about it. He's really now on his own for the past two years. He has his own place na. I told him, pag hindi na niya kaya, bumalik siya sa'kin. But so far, kinakaya naman niya being independent. Our youngest son, Ram, palipat-lipat sa amin ni Martin."

Martin was absent at Robin's album launch. "I think he's abroad now. Ram is busy naman with his work as an artist in an animation company so he also didn't make it."

She wants to correct what Martin told us earlier, that she's now into selling playing cards to casinos. "I don't know where he got that. Sana totoo kasi that's big. May nagtanong lang sa'kin about it kasi marami kong connections, but it never pushed through. I'm still into designing gowns and I have my own shopping website, cheapipay.com.ph. I've also accepted being chairman of the events committe of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and I'm organizing a golf tournament at the Alabang Country Club on May 14."
Is it true TV5 offered her a show but she turned it down? "No, walang nakarating sa'kin. Someone said they considered me for a soap, but I don't want to act. Mas gusto ko to host and sing. In April, Martin and I will be doing an 8-city concert tour in the U.S. with Ai Ai de las Alas. When we return, we'll do a duets album ni Martin with Robin producing it."

Does Robin ask advice from her about his own career and lovelife? "He consults me more about the business side of his career, tungkol sa contracts. About his lovelife, may girlfriend siya but ayoko namang makialam, unless magkukuwento siya sa'kin."
Robin doesn't look like Martin. "That's true. He looks more like my dad (the late actor Eddie Fernandez). But si Ram, yung mannerisms niya, nakuha kay Martin. Once, I was talking to someone on the phone and he was with me. Nang magsalita siya, sabi ng kausap ko, nagkabalikan na ba kayo ni Martin? Di ba si Martin yun? Magkaboses kasi sila."

Robin Nievera Strikes On His Own And Refuses To Be Under His More Famous Parents' Shadow

ROBIN NIEVERA first joined showbiz as MYX VJ in 2010. "It's a great experience being able to meet the best Filipino music artists in person while I was a VJ," he says. "The job also gave me the chance to show the viewers my funny side when I'm not singing and doing hosting."

Now 25, how was it living under the shadow of his more popular parents? "I wasn't just their son, I was their number one fan. They started my love for music and they inspired me to do what they do. Although we're into different music styles, I learned so much from them. My goal now is to be a Filipino artist with a different sound that's why I came up with all original songs, no covers."

His songs are bluesy type of rock, exploring the moods of Bon Iver and Dave Matthews Band, with his guitar dexterity reminiscent of John Mayer and the late Jimi Hendrix. The title of his album "Overwait" is a play on his being overweight before. How did he lose weight? "Diet, gym work, and I run a lot. The title 'Overwait' also refers to my waiting so long before the album finally got launched. I've been planning it since I was 15. But it's really worth the long wait."

The carrier single is the waltzy "In 3's", now available for downloads at mymusicstore.com. "All the ten songs in my album tell a story," he adds. "And they all sound differently from each other." The other cuts in his album are "Sexy Strut", "Lost", "Smile", "Delight", "Beautiful", "Sing Along", "Sound Tripping", "Blindsided" and "Untitled".

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Cristine Reyes Admits There'S 'Selos Factor' In Bf Rayver Cruz Due To Her Love Scenes With Papa Piolo

CRISTINE REYES is apparently peeved by questions asking her as to when she and Rayver Cruz will tie the knot. "Kayo naman, umamin lang kami, gusto nyo naman kaming ipakasal ngayon," she says with a smile. "We're both too young to get married. I just turned 23. Pareho kaming marami pang gustong ibang gawin sa buhay. So malayo pa yun at wag nyo naman kami madaliin."

Does Rayver get jealous now that she has hot love scenes with Piolo Pascual in "Dahil sa Pag-ibig"? "Siguro may selos factor, but not enough para pag-awayan namin as we trust each other. Also, we're both actors, so alam naming part ito ng job namin.

How's it working with Piolo? "First time namin so, noong una, may hiya factor. Tahimik lang ako sa set, lalo pag katabi ko siya. But as the taping went on, naging comfortable na ko sa kanya. I can say masarap siyang katrabaho. It's easy to see he's a good person and a good actor. About our love scenes, we just followed kung ano yung pinagawa sa'min ng director."

In the story, Cristine is Jasmine, the daughter of Christopher de Leon and Piolo as Alfred is an adopted son. She falls in love with him but he chooses to be a priest. But, later, they'll get to do love scenes, making the show quite controversial.

Ruffa Gutierrez Daughters Lorin And Venice Admits They Also Want To Be 'Artistas'

THE DAUGHTERS of Ruffa Gutierrez, Lorin and Venice, were the special guests in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. They were interviewed by Pia Guanio and their uncle, Raymond Gutierrez. The two perky girls have many stories about their family. They both like to shop with their mom and Lola Annabelle Rama. Lorin says they don't like it when their mom tells them to wear tutu skirts as it's itchy and they feel their too old for that.

Venice says Lorin is more the favorite of their Lola. Pia asks who gives better gifts: Uncle Richard or Uncle Raymond? They reveal it's Richard, who gives them $200. Raymond just gives them the new ice cream brand he's now promoting. What do they do when their mom has problems? "We hug her and ask her what's the problem," they say. Read, Ruffa Gutierrez' Marriage To Yilmaz Bektas Now Officially Annulled.

Ruffa is concerned with their grades in school. "If you get bad grades, you're grounded for a week," Lorin reveals. "Venice's grades are high but her conduct is very low."

Both of them admit they want to be artistas like their Lolo Eddie Gutierrez, their mom and uncles. "I want to be a singer-dancer," adds Venice. "My yaya says I'm lambot katawan." Her favorite singer is Jennifer Lopez while Lorin's is Taylor Swift. They were then asked to sing live, with Lorin doing Jessie J's "Price Tag" and Venice doing Adele's "Someone Like You".

Ruffa says although her daughters are obviously very talented, she'd rather they focus on studies first and get into showbiz later.

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My Kontrabida Girl Movie Review: Appealing performances and Plenty of Laughs

TODAY WILL be a crucial one for Rhian Ramos. "My Kontrabida Girl", where she plays the title role no less, opens in theaters and this will show if people would continue to watch her work after her traumatic debacle with ex-boyfriend from hell, DJ Mo. GMA Films goes on Star Cinema mode in "My Kontrabida Girl", a rom-com co-written and directed by Jade Castro, who has previously helmed "My Big Love" and written "My Amnesia Girl" for Star Cinema.

A feel good love story about the reigning villainess in TV soaps, Rhian plays a girl with a sad and bitter past involving her childhood best friend, Chris Bernal (Aljur Abrenica). Chris failed to show up as her escort in a crucial teen beauty pageant that she joined, resulting in much embarrassment and humiliation on her part. She returns to their hometown maliciously plotting to take revenge on him, but things don't go exactly as she planned it.

All in all, it's a rom-com that really works, thanks to the smart script and the fairly deft direction, with many hilarious scenes that succeed in making us laugh and an endearing love story that is credibly developed. Both Rhian and Aljur look exceedingly good on screen and they have a very charming chemistry together. Rhian attacks her role as a scheming anti-heroine bitch with good cheer and in vibrant high spirits, making her shine in so many scenes, from her first scene with Gwen Zamora, as her co-star in a TV soap who she gets to abuse on cam up, to the tear-filled confrontation scene with Aljur in the rain that is very Star Cinema. Those who make fun of Aljur's acting in "Machete" should watch him here giving a more competent and mature portrayal leading to a better rounded character that is actually tailor made to somehow suit his off cam country boy personality.

Among the supporting performers, Chariz Solomon steals a lot of scenes as Rhian's screwball "alalay" or personal maid. Bea Binene as Aljur's younger sister and Jake Vargas as her secret boyfriend also have their own moments in their forbidden teen romance subplot. All in all, it's very charming light entertainment that offers very appealing performances and plenty of laughs, despite the very cheesy climax set in an awards night. It also works as a tribute to contravidas, particularly to Bella Flores, who's currently celebrating her 60th year as a contravida in local showbiz.

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I'm pretty sure that up until now, no one on AfterEllen.com has had any reason to purchase a copy of Men's Fitness. (Unless you're a dude, in which case, you're probably looking for AfterElton.com or barking up the wrong tree entirely.) But on August 18, it's possible you could at least find yourself picking up the September issue while standing in line at the store, and turning to the photospread of Serena Williams.

serena william in a bikni

The tennis pro (and current Olympic competitor) has been named one of the sexiest female athletes, and I have to agree. (Kudos, Men's Fitness.) But what does Serena think? She told the magazine:

I have large boobs and a sizable a--, so I guess the title comes with the territory. But I just play tennis. I always try to look my best, even though it’s hard to look your best when you’re sweating, grunting, and making faces. I never look my best when playing.

tennis star serena william

I'm sure a lot of women would beg to differ and can appreciate some grunting and sweating (even in the tennis context). And Serena goes on to tell the magazine what she absolutely hates, and I couldn't agree more.

Guys should never grab me. I hate when guys grab girls. I think it’s so rude. I’ve been grabbed numerous times. Don’t touch. I'm not your property. I absolutely hate that.