‘A Very Special Love’ between John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo

Box-Office King John Lloyd Cruz and Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo are finally teamed-up in "A Very Special Love," which is part of Star Cinema’s 15th anniversary presentation.

The movie reunites John Lloyd with Cathy Garcia-Molina, his director in the blockbuster movie "One More Chance," that earned for the actor his "Box-Office King" title (the female counterpart award was given to his leading lady in the movie, Bea Alonzo) from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Entertainment Awards. The 2007 Box-Office Director, on the other hand, was given to Direk Cathy.

"A Very Special Love" is Star Cinema’s joint production with Viva Films.

Direk Cathy recounts with excitement the first time the movie project was offered to her. "It’s about a girl who’s a dreamer, who wants to be more than what she is now. She’s a simple, ordinary girl like most of us. And the guy is already at the top, mayaman, guwapo, may sariling business, wala nang hahanapin pa. So how do they fall in love? Paano pag nagkita sila, ano ang dynamics nila?"

The movie has a very light material, but the lady director digs deeper intothe psyche of her characters. "Pero ako personally, ang gusto ko talagang sagutin na tanong ‘pag ikaw ba nagmahal, dapat ka bang humingi ng kapalit ng pagmamahal? Dapat mo bang antayin na mahalin ka pabalik?"

John Lloyd on his part confesses to being both optimistic and nervous about his character, Miggy. "Pag tinignan ko siya sa labas, itatanong ko agad, paano ko ba siya tatanggapin o mamahalin? Mabigat, kasi hindi siya ideal character. Sa simula ng pelikula, maaaring i-hate mo siya pero pag nag-progress ang istorya, lalabas ang mga dahilan kung bakit mo siya mamahalin o maiintindihan."

About rumors saying fans of the John Lloyd-Bea tandem may boycott the movie, the actor says "matatanggap ng mga viewers si Sarah because she’s very lovable, both onscreen and as a person. I’m very blessed dahil lubos na tinangkilik ang tambalan namin ni Bea, pero matatanggap din ng mga tao ang tambalan namin ni Sarah. I’m certain maganda ang pupuntahan ng team-up namin."

Sarah, who plays Laida in the movie, is feeling the heat because this is her first starring movie, but nonetheless, her high spirit is infectious. "Ito na yong matagal ko nang ipinagdarasal. I’m very thankful to Star Cinema at sa Viva, kay Boss Vic, dahil feeling ko another step na naman ito sa career ko. Si John Lloyd is John Lloyd na po yan at sobrang honored po ako na ako ang kanyang ka-tandem para sa pelikula na ito. Napaka-humble po niya at approachable kahit na sobrang sikat na siya."

Direk Cathy says her actors, "Si Sarah kasi we have known her to be I think a dramatic actress. Based sa mga soap operas na dinaanan nya, halos lahat serious ‘di ba. It’s a revelation to me, except for MMK nagpakita sya ng lightness, napatunayan ko sa pelikulang ‘to grabe pala yang batang yan…magaan, kikay, madaling makatrabaho. Di ako nahirapan sa kanya. Mas hirap ako kay John Lloyd kasi ilang pelikula na napatunayan ni John Lloyd na marunong siya, isa syang magaling na artista. Isa ako sa naniniwala na kung di sya ang pinakamagaling, he’s one of the best and so it’s a pressure for me and John Lloyd almost portrays medyo similar characters, leading man e. wala naman syang naging role na psychotic, siraulo wala e. Sinasabi ko lagi kay John Lloyd, Lloyd ang test of a true actor of a good actor is doing similar and ordinary roles differently every time. That’s our task in this movie how to make this ordinary character na napanood mo na rin sa iba different from your other roles. At in fairness to him, John Lloyd delivers, with glowing results."

What the duo looks forward to however, is the appreciation of their respective followers of their collaboration. John is especially curious on what his supporters will think of this. "Sabi ng mga nakakausap ko, natutuwa sila sa teasers na nakikita nila sa TV. Si Sarah din naman wala akong naging kaproble-problema sa trabaho. Mabait na mabait siya. Direk Cathy naman, as always, she did a great job with us, I think. Kaya naman wala akong mahihiling pa for this project. Sana magustuhan ng mga tao." Sarah agrees, "Ang wish ko ay makurot namin ang puso ng ating mga kapamilya, masiyahan sila, ma-in-love, lumabas ng mga sinehan na nakangiti. Special ang "A Very Special Love," sana po, maging special din ito para sa lahat!"

"A Very Special Love" opens in theaters on July 30.

‘Unusual’ Cinderella story in GMA-7

Following its winning streak in the afternoon block, GMA-7 introduces "Hello! My Lady," another engaging Korean drama which airs today, July 7, Monday to Friday right after "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan."

"Hello! My Lady" gives a fresh take on Koreanovelas for its intriguing plot, amusing dialogues, out of the ordinary storyline and award-winning cast. In this series, the well-heeled, attractive guy falls in love with the girl first, veering away from the usual "Cinderella story" everyone plainly adores.

The series heroine is 22-year-old Ella (Lee Da-hee), the sassy grandniece of the Je-an Lee Clan. Due to her father’s elopement with another woman and the unexpected death of her mother because of cancer, Ella becomes the apparent heir of the clan’s historical home, Hwa Ahn Dang.

Left with no choice but to head Hwa Ahn Dang, Ella struggles to save her family’s traditional house at the brink of corporate takeover. She then moves to Seoul to find a job in order to save it from bankruptcy.

In her quest to earn money, Ella tries all sorts of work including her participation in a body contest. She then bumps into 30-year-old Robin (Lee Ji-hoon), the handsome grandson of the owner of the company TOP Group. Soon, Ella and Robin start to develop feelings for each other.

However, in an unexpected twist of events, Robin’s grandfather happens to be involved in the takeover of Hwa Ahn Dang. Robin then forces Ella to sell the historical home to him since his grandfather promised to pass his rights to whoever hands him the Hwa Ahn Dang.

As expected, Ella refuses to sell the house to Robin but the romance between them continues. Adding spice to their love affair is Robin’s cousin, Archie (Ha Seok-jin) who likewise tries his luck to win Ella’s heart and compel her to sell to him Hwa Ahn Dang.

Will Ella finally give up her pride and historical home to Robin? Or to Archie? Can money really buy everything including love?

"Hello! My Lady’s" main star Lee Da-hee won the 2007 KBS Drama Award for Excellence in a Mini Drama. She also appeared in Sweet 18 which was shown in GMA in 2005.

Who will steal Ella’s heart? Catch "Hello! My Lady" on July 7, Monday to Friday replacing "Coffee Prince Rewind" right after "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan" only here in GMA.

Efren Reyes Sr. — the first action king

He was the first Filipino to win an international award as Best Actor.

He was also the film pioneer who introduced cowboys to Philippine cinema. His name was Efren Reyes Sr., Asian Film Festival’s Best Actor in 1955 for his powerful performance in Gerry de Leon’s film opus "Ifugao."

In 1947, ten years after Philippine cinema was born, Efren Reyes Sr. did his first film, "Hagibis." There was no stopping for him since then. He was a contract star of Premiere Productions and appeared mostly in action movies & costume epics. At his prime, he was most in-demand, and made more films than his contemporaries.

"During his time, the major studios were Premiere, Sampaguita and LVN," explained his son Efren Reyes Jr. "While the two competed for having the most number of mestizo matinee idols, Premiere was focused on doing action movies that starred Filipino-looking hunks.Yung talagang mukhang palaban na malalaking tao at maiitim ang kulay. The moviegoers patronized their movies because they could relate to the physical attributes of the actors. My father was different because among the lead actors then, he was mukhang Pilipinong-pilipino."

"He grew up in the former O’Donnel Street in Tayuman, now known as Severino Reyes Street, named after my lelong," he continued. "He was the one who created Lola Basyang. He was a national treasure, na ironically, hindi national artist."

"He was also the founder of Liwayway Magazine", he said. "Before, it was being published in Cebuano, pero ginawa niyang Tagalog to attract a broader market. It was in the pages of Liwayway, where Kulafu made its appearance. The character was the local version of Tarzan, written by Pedrito Reyes, who was my lolo."

"Kulafu was resurrected years later as an ice-drop brand," Efren said. "It was the business of my father’s family, yung Kulafu ice-drop."

"My father was a telonero sa entablado before he became a star," he continued. "Although anak-mayaman, eh hilig n’ya ang sining dahil ang lolo nya at tatay, manunulat.

"His first hit was "Kumander Sundang"(1949). May science- fiction pa s’ya. He was a super-hero in "Raul Roldan" by Mars Ravelo. He was also the first "Pedro Penduko." Ang tatay ko din ang gumagawa ng eskrimahan, with Johnny Monteiro na walang makapantay sa ganda," Efren Jr. said.

Among his swashbuckling hits were: "Carlos Trese"(1953), "Prinsipe Don Juan" (1950), "Prinsipe Villarba" (1956), "Prinsipe Alejandre" (1957), "Eskrimador" (1955) and "Haring Espada" (1956). In other words, he was an all-around action king for he was also the "Kapitan Bagwis" (1951), "Kapitan Berong" (1953} and the "Salabusab" (1954).

More significantly, Efren Sr. was a trailblazer. "My father was the first actor who did a cowboy movie. When he started doing "Bandido" (1950), his colleagues were pessimistic. They saw it as quite irrelevant as there were no cowboys in this country. When it became a box-office hit, nagsunuran na lahat," Efren said.

But Efren Sr. was also adept in other genres like drama or musical, even comedy. In 1952, he did the musical "Sarsuwelista" under People’s Pictures and light comedies like "Tagailog" (1951), "Mag-asawa’y Di’ Biro" (1955) ), "Ander de Saya" (1954) and "Hokus-Pokus" (1956). He also excelled in dramatic movies like "Bakas ng Kahapon" (1952), "Alaala Kita" (1961), "Larawan ng Buhay" (1952),"Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo" (1952) and "Ang Lumang Bahay sa Gulod" (1949).

"My dad was an actor, director, writer and producer", said Efren. "His first directorial assignment was "Tipin"(1957) in his home studio."

For his 16 glorious years in showbiz, from 1947 to 1963, Efren Reyes Sr. had won a FAMAS Best Actor trophy for "Kadenang Putik" (1960), and earned 4 nominations as a director for "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" (1965), "Dugo ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig" (1966), "Sigaw ng Digmaan" in 1963, and "Albano Brothers" in 1962. As lead actor he was cited five times, for "Dugo Ang Kulay …" in 1966, "Alaala Kita" in 1961, "Ang Maton" in 1959, "Kalibre 45" in 1957, and "Desperado" in 1956. And as a writer, he was nominated for "The Singing Idol" in 1958.

"Unfortunately he died when he was only 43," said Efren. "He was into directing then. He ventured into that when independent producers led by Tagalog Ilang-ilang and Lea Productions came into the picture."

According to Efren, his father was the one who encouraged the late Fernando Poe Jr. to become a film producer. "He produced FPJ’s first film, yung "Ito Ang Maynila." It was followed by many other small films that really made money. Kaya, hindi naman siguro ikakagalit ni Manang Susan if I’d say na maraming poste sa FPJ studio ang sa-tatay ko. He was the mentor of FPJ," he said.

Efren Sr. was married to actress Virginia Montes. They had six children. Two of them, Cristina Reyes and Efren Jr., followed their footsteps.

"When he died on Feb. 11, 1968, his coffin was placed atop the roof of Mount Carmel Church just to accommodate the throng of fans who wanted to pay their respects," said Efren. "And when he was being brought to his resting place, his friends carried his coffin from Mount Carmel to Loyola in Marikina City."

"I only have fragments of his memories because he died when I was six. I only remembered the instances when all of us, the children, would enter his room in the morning to ask for baon. Ang gagawin n’ya, dudukutan n’ya mommy namin, para ibigay sa amin. ….Hindi n’ya ako napalo pero nataasan ako ng boses. Dun palang nanginig na ako….. He used to bring us to Arcegas, here in Aurora Boulevard. There was a big toy store there. Pagdating ko doon, ang ligaya ko."

Claudine tastes like bubblegum — Gabby

When Gabby Concepcion left showbiz and the Philippines for the United States of America in 1995, he felt that his showbiz life was just a dream.

Every time he sees one of his old movies, he still couldn’t believe that he was an actor once.

Now that he returned to acting, he also felt that his 13 years in the States was also like a dream. It was just one of those weird feelings he has from stepping foot once again in the entertainment world.

He felt the same when he shot his passionate kissing scene with Claudine Barretto, in "Iisa Pa Lamang," ABS-CBN’s soon to air soap opera and his comeback vehicle on television.

"Siyempre nakakapanibago because the last time I saw Claudine hindi pa siya artista...awkward lang kasi on screen hahalik ka ulit sa isang tao na wala kang kaano-ano and maraming taong nanunuod. Siguro hindi ka talaga masasanay," said Gabby about his leading lady who is 16 years younger than him.

In "Iisa Pa Lamang," Gabby is in a love triangle with Claudine Barretto and Diether Ocampo. A son of an affluent political clan, he would fall for Claudine, a simple girl.

A love scene between the two was necessary. "Sabi nila lasang bubblegum. Siyempre hinahanap ko Speedo ko kasi siyempre tight yun...to keep it down kasi di mo maiiwasan yan natural lang yun," jested Gabby.

He added that while working with Claudine, there were times he just wanted to call her Gretchen.

The actor shared the jitters he felt when the cameras started rolling. "To be honest with you, first day namin naging observer lang ako. I tried to absorb everything. Pinapanuod ko lang ang mga nangyayari and pinakikiramdaman ko lang. Then on our second day sumali na ako and inilabas ko na lahat...para akong nasa isang tour sa workshop kasi first time ko nakita lahat ng yun. It was good kasi nagkaroon kami ng ice breaker."

Gabby was surprised about the long working hours involved in a soap opera. He was even amazed that there were two units used during tapings and that he would commute from one unit to another for his scenes.

"Kahit puyatan okay lang because I’d rather be busy doing something than busy thinking of what I should do...I’m more comfortable now kasi before I didn’t know what to expect. At least nagtratrabaho na ako. Yun lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin na pag nandidito ako, I’m very serious and I shouldn’t be fearful because all I have to do is to keep on working hard," he said.

Airing on July 14, joining Gabby in "Iisa Pa Lamang" are Ms. Susan Roces, Angelica Panganiban, Cherry Pie Picache, Laurice Guillen, Joel Torre, Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks. "Iisa Pa Lamang" is directed by Ruel Bayani and Manny Palo.

The many faces of Dyords Javier

He lapses into a medley and recites just one line, and the audience rolls down the aisle. He changes the lyrics of a song and pandemonium erupts at Teatrino, where he recently joined friends Nolyn Cabahug, Eric Cruz and Lisa Cabahug in a show dubbed Where Da Truth Lies (Musikalokan).

But there’s more to Dyords than meets the eye. A lot more. The real Dyords is world's apart from Tolongges, his bumbling cowboy persona in a blockbuster movie.The real Dyords is dead serious over a lot of things.

Foremost of them is love of country. Years of performing for OFWs all over the world indelibly nurtured an unflagging patriotism in Dyords. It has given birth to an advocacy called Ang Galing ng Pilipino, proactively upholding all things Pinoy – talent, products, characteristics, inherent good values, etc.

"I’d be the first to prevent a Filipino husband from going abroad to work. It’s lonely out there. The temptations are horrendous. And it’s statistically proven to be unhealthy in keeping the family," he explains.

Dyords’ soft spot for the OFW comes out everytime he produces shows for them for his Sterling Studios.

He also wouldn’t mind them – or his other kababayan – calling him Pareng Dyords. It connotes things inherently Pinoy, things Dyords is proud of.

Sharing his talent again is what Dyords is looking forward to when he mounts his series of shows, Dyords Ko Po! Series Two at Teatrino Greenhills on Tuesday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. He will deliver his trademark punchlines, his engaging songs, his tongue-in-cheek adlibs and spiels. (which he himself writes, Dyords being a writer himself)

This show is produced by Rotary Club of Makati West and sponsored by Andok’s Litson Corp., Honda Cars Kalookan and LSA Printing Press. Beneficiaries are the Tuloy Foundation and Don Bosco Training Center. Tickets are available at Teatrino.

The men of Nina

After the break-up of her relationship with acoustic balladeer--who composed her most recent big hit, the ballad "Someday — the press and the public have speculated endlessly about whether or not there is a new romance in Nina’s life.

The question still remains unanswered, but in the meantime, the Soul Siren is happily moving on with her life and her career.

And yes, there are new men in Nina’s life these days. She may have lost one, but she gained several: Brother King, Jay Durias, Richard Poon and The Streetboys, and all of them will be guesting in her biggest concert of the year, "Nina’s Men," on Aug. 2 (Saturday) at the Music Museum.

Produced by Dream Concert Asia Entertainment Production, "Nina’s Men" will feature the singer in a repertoire of songs by male artists like Frank Sinatra, Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, Usher, Ne-Yo and many, many more.

Another feature of the show will be a much-awaited Boy Band medley. "Nina’s Men" is directed by veteran stage and television director Bert de Leon.

Tickets to the show are priced at P600 (Balcony), P1100 (Orchestra side) and P1500 (Orchestra Center) and are available at Ticketworld and the Music Museum.

Loveless, lovely Kristine

Walden Sadiri

Pretty actress Kristine Hermosa, 24, would always treasure her relationship with her erstwhile husband, Diether Ocampo.

"Wala pang dumarating sa buhay ko na merong same yung connection and compatibility ng tulad naming dalawa ni Diet. Para sa akin yung compatibility and connection are very important. And everyday merong spark sa mga mata mo, mag-aalaga sa yo and who will blow you away," said Kristine of Diether.

Already a year estranged from each other, Kristine still cannot find a new love.

"I’m not ready to fall in love," she shared.

"But I’m still hoping na maibalik ko yung dati na isang hopeless romantic which is my nature."

Concerning Oyo Boy, she said he is not yet her boyfriend. "Sa totoo lang hindi lang si Oyo Boy ang kaibigan kong lalaki marami pa. Siya lang yung artista and malapit ako sa kanya kaya nakatutok sa kanya ang lahat. Pero if nakita nyo ang mga kaibigan kong lalaki marami.

I’m open in accepting suitors. Siguro naman mas after sila sa totoo hindi sabi-sabi lang and hearsay."

At the moment, she is enjoying the freedom of being a single person.

"Siyempre walang away and walang nagging you know mga things na pinag-aawayan ng mga lovers. That’s why I enjoy being single. I can be with any of my friends as long as alam ko naman ang totoo. Para sa akin okay lang kung ano isipin ng mga tao kasi mga tsismis lang yan," she said.

Her affair with Diether helped her grow and mature as a woman. If she made mistakes in the past, it was because she did not know any better yet then.

Just recently, Kristine was launched as the first celebrity endorser of Aescultura.

"I think it’s about time that I endorse again kasi ang tagal na rin na hindi ako nag-endorse....I’m glad I was chosen. I trust them too because alam ko naman na sobrang experience ang mga doctors natin dito and they really take care of me and their patients," she shared.

"She is pretty and beautiful. And she epitomizes the Aescultura beauty with have in mind...the challenge for us is to maintain her beauty that people see everyday on television," said the doctors of Aescultura.

Described by Aescultura as one of the national treasures of showbiz and a Goddess of Beauty, Kristine maintains her slim physique by working out, taking Pilates and boxing classes with Oyo Boy.