Is Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. playing “deadma” if Philippine bet Maxine Medina would have an interpreter in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant if she lands in the top five finalists?
That has been the subject in the social media especially after Maxine was heavily criticized with the way she answered questions in English, which many netizens said she needs a crash course in the English language.
There’s a rule that says the beauty organization will decide whether a delegate needs an interpreter or not.
Sounds confusing and intriguing, but how come we didn’t know of this in previous years?
Some sources informed us that Binibining Pilipinas Inc, the local franchisee of several international pageants has long declared Philippines as an English-speaking country, ergo, interpreters are not necessary.
But shouldn’t we listen to previous winners of Miss Universe who said an interpreter could ensure a delegate’s victory and, at the least, save the delegate from embarrassment if she couldn’t answer the question in grammatically correct English?
★★★★★
If a trailer tells of how good a film is, then Across the Crescent Moon is good.
Several issues are tackled in the action-packed film, like the Muslim-Christians conflict, human trafficking syndicate, and military mission that runs into conflict with his family and tests his fidelity to Islam and even endangering his life.
We can’t believe its producers (and even the actors) saying it’s an indie production because it looks like a “mainstream movie,” in look, appeal and yes, with those expensive car and sea chasing scenes, and explosions and all.
Across the Crescent Moon is Baby R. Nebrida’s first action film after making a name as a screenwriter. She is the lady who wrote Langis at Tubig, Init o Lamig, My Only Love, Epimaco Velasco:NBI, Chop-Chop Lady: The Elsa Castillo Story, Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon and other memorable and now classic films.
The movie is top billed by Matteo Guidicelli, playing Abbas, a Muslim Special Action Force (SAF) Exemplary Officer married to a Christian woman.
Also in the cast are Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, Gabby Concepcion, Sandy Andolong, Jason Abalos, Alexandra Godinez, Joem Bascon, Ivan Carapiet, Jerico Estregan, Leo Martinez, Rez Cortez, Jackie Aquino, and many more.
Baby also has Topel Lee (director of photography), Erwin Sanchez (production manager), Von de Guzman (musical scorer), Mike Idioma (sound) and John Wong (editor) to help her out in crafting his film.
She even flew to Hollywood and hired stunt directors Shawn Bernal and Tim Waid to devise the fight scenes.
Across the Crescent Moon was shot on location in Tanay, Subic, Zambales, Clark and Tawi-Tawi, including Sheikh Makdum Mosque in Simunul Island, which is the first and the oldest mosque in the Philippines.
It will hit the theaters on Jan. 25. It is one of those snubbed by the MMFF last year, but is now believed would make a killing at the tills.
★★★★★
We were shocked and deeply saddened upon hearing the news last Jan. 17 of Tita Donna Villa’s demise.
At first, we wished that somebody was just playing dirty tricks on us but it was confirmed when we called up Ate Nene Mercado, direk Carlo J. Caparas’ and Tita Donna’s lady Friday.
Tita Donna was in and out of the hospital since last December upon discovering of a cancer in her uterus, which was in a grave stage.
“She just doesn’t want people and friends in the industry to worry. Hindi nga ba nung Christmas ay aligaga pa ito at hindi kinalimutan ang mga kaibigan niya,” said Ate Nene.
The Golden Lion Films producer, who is Donna Marian Hazel Patalinghug in real life, is married to writer-director Carlo J. Caparas and mother to CJ and Peach Caparas. She was 57 when she died.
She was an actress in the 80’s and established Golden Lion Films, the producer of real-life stories and komiks-based novels, since her marriage to Caparas. The so-called “massacre movies” made the couple very famous and well-loved.
Hay! Indeed, we felt like losing a dear sister and friend, who is truly among the very, very few dearly loved and respected in this industry.
Thank you for the good friendship and love Tita. May you rest in Peace and Bon Voyage to Eternal Happiness.
