ENTERTAINMENTNEWS
Year 39, No.28 June 19 - 25

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N.Y. screening of R.P.'s best

At IndioBravo opening night at MoMA. From left, Joseph Francia, OIC of GMA International; Francis Pasion, director of "Jay"; Mark Reyes, director of "God Only Knows"; Janice Perez, IBFF founder; Mark Meily, director of "Baler"; Mylene Dizon, star of "100"; Chris Martinez, director of "100"; WCBS anchor Hazel Sanchez; and model-actor Paolo Paraiso. (Photo by Horst Dieter Baum)

On June 11-14, New York's film afficionados feasted on 15 award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Filipino film features and 11 shorts in a festival that aims to promote Philippine cinema globally.

The first annual IndioBravo Film Festival (IBFF), in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, had a successful opening night on June 11 at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Manhattan, with "100" and "Baler" as opening night selections.

It was graced by multi-awarded dramatic actress Mylene Dizon, star of "100" and its director Chris Martinez, with fellow filmmakers Mark Meily ("Baler"), Chris Martinez ("100"), Francis Pasion ("Jay"), Mark Reyes ("God Only Knows").

Joining them were IBFF executive director Vincent Sandoval, finance director Jonner Nazareno, administrative director Janice Perez and program director Darlene Malimas, Joseph Francia of GMA Networks, WCBS news anchor Hazel Sanchez, writer-producer Christine Dayrit and actor-model Paolo Paraiso.

Also showcased in the film line up that encompasses a diverse array of genres, themes, directorial voices and even regional flavor were "Endo," "Tirador," "Yanggaw," "Dayo," "Donsol," "Confessional," "Carnivore," "Himala," "Melancholia," "My Only You," "When Timawa Meets Delgado," "Ang Huling Balyan ng Buhi," plus the short films "Kultado," "To Siomai Love,""Angan-Angan," "Kamera," "Performing Naturalness," "Musa," "Kagat ng Dilim," "Putot," "Lata at Tsinelas" and "Salat."

Aside from MoMA, the selections were also screened at Visual Arts Theater on West 23rd Street and 8th Avenue, and at Millennium Theatre Workshop on East 4th Street and Bowery Avenue.

Visit www.indiobravo.org

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Annabelle dares John Lloyd

RUFFA GUTIERREZ

Annabelle Rama dared John Lloyd Cruz, who is reportedly courting her daughter Ruffa Gutierrez to go public about his intentions.

The feisty mother and talent manager said there is no reason for John Lloyd to conceal from the public his intentions toward Ruffa.

"Magpakalalaki ka. Kung talagang in-love ka sa anak ko, umamin ka in public. I don't think nakakahiya si Ruffa," the visibly irked Annabelle told John Lloyd, whom she confirmed as the actor rumored to be courting her daughter.

Recently, Ruffa left her parents' home in Dasmarinas Village, Makati, after a heated argument over Ruffa's rumored romantic relationship with John Lloyd.

"Kung hindi siya (John Lloyd) umamin, para siyang (Ruffa) kept woman di ba? Kung talagang mahal mo ang isang babae, you should be proud. Kung hindi ka proud sa anak ko 'wag ka nang manligaw,'yun lang naman 'yon," Annabelle added.

The 34-year-old Ruffa now resides in an undisclosed place with her daughters Lorin and Venice.

She stressed that her involvement with the actor - who is turning 26 on June 24 - is nothing at all romantic.

"Ang masasabi ko lang JL (John Lloyd) is a friend and I respect him not only as an actor but as a person as well," Ruffa said. "And hopefully with everything that is going on right now, hindi masira 'yung friendship namin. Right now we're friends, hanggang dun lang muna. I don't know what's going to happen in the future."

John Lloyd also said he and Ruffa are just friends, nothing more, nothing less.

"Yun ang sinasabi ko dati na nangyari kay Carmen [Soo]," John Lloyd pointed out. "Parang we just wanted to be friends. Di ba, ang sarap na meron kang friends na taga-Malaysia na pagpunta mo dun? At saka masarap yung marami kang friends. E, dati, parang medyo napigilan yun dahil inunahan ng balita.

"Parang ganito ang nangyayari ngayon. Although this time, magkaibigan kami ni Ruffa. And nahihirapan lang kami to act like normal real friends dahil inunahan na naman ng intriga, although extreme yung mga naglalabasan. Kung paano naaapektuhan yung pagkakaibigan namin. Parang ang hirap i-sacrifice, e. I mean, para saan? Kasi may mga naglalabasan na hindi magagandang balita.

"Ang lawak naman ng narating ng isyung ito. And for me, sobra na, tama na. Hindi na dapat ito pahabain nang pahabain. Kami ni Ruffa ay magkaibigan lang, tapos. Yung mga nagki-create ng kung anu-anong intriga out of it, kasi masarap nga namang pag-usapan.

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'Dolls' draw 50,000 Pinoy fans

L.-R.: Kimberly Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Melody Thornton in their live concert at the Msall of Asia on June 11.

By JOJO P. PANALIGAN

Pussycat Dolls Melody Thornton and Ashley Roberts couldn't resist doing some last-minute shopping at SM Mall of Asia less than two hours before their "The Pussycat Dolls: A Clear Doll Domination Live in Manila" concert held June 11 at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

The two were spotted entering a Filipino souvenir specialty shop at about 6:45 pm. The concert was slated to begin at 8 pm.

Although they were said to have been presented with various Filipino items from Igorot wooden statues to coconut wine, Melody and Ashley went directly to the jewelry section where they tried out various pearl earrings and necklaces for half an hour, unmindful of the gathering crowd inside and outside the shop.

According to the salesladies who attended to them, Melody and Ashley bought 20 pairs of fresh water pearls and a south sea pearl necklace amounting to about 40,000 pesos. They paid for it using Melody's credit card because Ashley was heard to have said that she forgot hers.

Neither employees of the shop or other shoppers were allowed to take pictures with the Dolls or ask for autographs. Those who tried were held back by the shop's security personnel and the girls' entourage numbering eight.

The two must have thought they would be incognito if they wore grey robes while shopping.

However, the bodyguards were a dead giveaway.
Although Pussycat Dolls is still one of the most famous and talented groups in the world today, they did not sell out the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

The Dolls may have been victims of hard times. The more expensive VIP and gold sections were filled to the rafters, while the cheaper silver and bronze sections were only about half full.

Then again, even the famed girl group (or was it the producer?) apparently had to do some cost cutting. Whereas in other countries, Pussycat Dolls performed with a band and had, oh, just Lady Gaga for a front act, in Manila it was four girls with microphones and a minus-one.

But what a show the Dolls gave. Despite the absence of Pussycat Dolls Jessica Sutta, who is recuperating from a fractured rib she sustained from a previous performance, Ashley Roberts, Melody Thornton, Kimberly Wyatt and Nicole Scherzinger were able to "loosen up the buttons" of their Filipino fans.

Nicole said she looks forward to coming back to the Philippines "because I feel I belong (here). With all of my heart, 'Mahal ko kayo!'"

"I am so proud to be Filipina...To all my dreamers out there, I want you to keep dreaming...Because right here, I am living proof that it can happen if you believe in God. I see so many future Pussycat Dolls out there...," she said.

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Belo Group denies KC sex video

KC CONCEPCION

Belo Medical Group is denying that KC Concepcion ever set foot in any Belo Clinic, in response to rumors that Sharon Cuneta's megadaughter has a video allegedly taken by Dr. Hayden Kho in one of the rooms of Belo Clinic. 
 
"In the light of recent rumors surrounding actress KC Concepcion and the Belo Medical Group, we would like to categorically state that Ms. Concepcion has never visited any of our branches at any time. Likewise, we wish to reiterate that the Belo Medical Group has never used any device - whether video or audio - to secretly record the activities of its patients.

We challenge anyone to present proof of this absurd allegation, confident that no such evidence exists. There is no logical reason why a business of our size, track record and reputation would ever invest in such a worthless endeavor. More importantly, we value and uphold the privacy of our clients.

We strongly condemn all those responsible for spreading this harmful and malicious rumor."

Lolit Solis also clarified rumors that she said she saw KC in one of the Hayden Kho videos. Lolit categorically denied ever saying that or even alluding to KC. Her camp is reportedly silent about the matter because it does not feel KC needs to even dignify the crazy rumor.

Incidentally, Maricar Reyes - one of the alleged victims of Dr. Hayden Kho - plays KC's friend in her soon to be shown ABS-CBN prime time series "Lovers in Paris," opposite Piolo Pascual.

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'Chokwang' to rock NYC

Chokoleit at Battery Park in Manhattan.

Two of the Philippines' most famous stand-up comedians - Pokwang and Chokoleit - will bring their brand of humor to New York City on July 25 (Saturday, 7 p.m.), with Pinoy Dream Academy champ Yeng Constantino as special guest.

"Chokwang," a live comedy show filled with laughter and songs, will be staged at the Christ The King Performing Arts Center at Christ the King Regional High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379.
The show is presented by MPG Global Productions.

Both Pokwang and Chokoleit are also well-known TV and movie personalities.

Pokwang, a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic group of entertainers, co-hosts the Philippines' top-rated noontime show "Wowowee" and is part of the popular gag show "Banana Split."

Since winning the grand prize in the ABS-CBN's "Clown in a Million," she has appeared in numerous TV shows like "My Girl," "Ysabella" and "That's My Doc." She was named Star Awards Best Comedy Actress by the Philippine Movie Press Club and Best Female Comedian from People's Choice Award for the sitcom "Aalog-Alog."

She also has released an album with Star Records, "Pokwang...Ang Album Na May Puso," featuring the carrier single "Sana Kunin Ka Na Ni Lord."

Chokoleit first found fame as a stand-up comedian and sing-along master at famous comedy bars like Punchline, Laffline, Purple Edge and Musicbox.

His big break on TV came when he took on the role of Pearly Shell in the top-rated series "Marina," starring Claudine Barretto and directed by Wenn Deramas. It was followed by more TV shows ("Kampanerang Kuba," "Komiks") and movies ("Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh," "Pasukob," "Volta," "One Night Only" and "Best Friends Forever").

For tickets and other information, call Bing 732.668.8892/533.8880, Salve 732.651.8556, Amy 201.253.9405, Terry 201.886.1705, Nel 917.691.2335/718.779.2991, Baby 917.916.6770/718.876.0181, Ching 917.294.6783 or Topnotch 201.332.4973.
Visit www.mpg.globalproductions.com or www.ticketanonline.com

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