Cristine Reyes: Philanthropist in-the-making

By Isah V. Red

Many people in showbiz throw glittering birthday parties with television cameras trained on every move they make, ascertaining they get the kind of media mileage that will ensure their market value is maintained or enhanced.

For emerging dramatic star Cristine Reyes, that kind of gimmick is no more than a publicity stunt and devoid of any real meaning.

So, when she turned 20 on Feb. 5, she went to the Golden Acres nursing home for the aged and spent the day with the interns.

No, she didn?t just show up and waved (as most artistas would do for the cameras, moving or still), and then hand over paper bags of goodies to anyone in charge and leave pronto. Cristine, yes, brought with her food for everyone to share, and gifts, but more significantly she spent time with the residents.

There were members of the press, but Cristine talked to them only at the entrance of Golden Acres. When she entered the facility, she left them behind.

Most of the residents recognized her immediately and they rushed to meet her. Some of them even sang for her, while others sold her bracelets, necklaces and other goods that they themselves made.

Cristine gave a nearly hysterical applause after a female resident sang the Jessa Zaragosa hit ?Bakit Pa.? She also bought a number of necklaces from another. (She also goaded members of her entourage to do like what she did.)

Cristine also took the time to listen as the residents poured their hearts out on her. She was visibly touched by some of their life stories.

When asked why she decided to celebrate her birthday in such a manner, she replied, ?Mas marami kasing tao ang mapapaligaya ko kesa kung magpapa-party lang ako tapos konting kaibigan ko lang ang masaya.?

Actually, that act was triggered when she saw two welders in a blighted district in Pasig. The two gaunt men made quite an impression that Cristine started asking herself how in the world people will break their back for a few hundreds of pesos, while she sits comfortably in a car, driven in and out of her house to the studio and earns a lot. That what drove her to spend time with the less fortunate on her birthday.

Cristine has wrapped up work on Eva Fonda, but she is still seen regularly in Banana Split, both on ABS-CBN.

Contrary to common belief, she is not a true blue Kapamilya. ?I have a contract with the network but I am with the Viva Artists Agency [VAA].

?Sa kanila ako nakahanap ng second family,? she says, referring to Veronique del Rosario?s talent management outfit.

Status: Single opens with a bang

Rufa Mae Quinto?s latest movie Status: Single was a winner from the start. With a story and screenplay by Jose Javier Reyes and a noteworthy performance from Rufa Mae (who also co-produced the movie), Status: Single is on its way to becoming the first comedic box-office hit of 2009.

The film was given the thumbs-up by critics and was graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), which prompted its producers?Rufa Mae?s On-Q 28 Productions and Viva Films?to throw a victory party attended by Rufa Mae, Direk Joey and some of the cast members.

Status: Single is now on its second week of showing in theaters, and is still drawing huge crowds because of the good reviews and word of mouth it is getting from people who?ve watched it.

Direk Joey says the movie owes a lot of its success to Rufa Mae as a co-producer, but most especially, as a star. ?Kitang-kita na she really matured as an actress in this movie,? says the veteran writer-director. ?Even before we started working on this project, I already knew that she was going to be good, because she?s so at home with these kinds of films. But I was surprised to see how much she?s matured. I can?t wait to start working with her again.?

Status: Single is the story of a 30-year-old virgin who feels the pressure of trying to find Mr. Right when her friends get married one after the other, leaving her the only single girl in their barkada. To solve her dilemma, she enlists the help of her gay best friend and launches the search for the perfect man.

It could be that another reason for the movie?s success is that its subject is something that a lot of modern women can relate to. ?We can?t deny that there?s pressure [on women] to find the perfect man when they reach that age,? says Direk Joey. ?I think those who haven?t watched it can learn a lot from this movie.?

Status: Single opened last Jan. 28 and is still showing in theaters nationwide.

The Jojo Binay movie

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay is a prominent figure in local politics. In fact, these days, he is known ?Rambotito? during the first Edsa revolt that sent President Ferdinand Marcos and his family in exile to Hawaii.

As mayor of the nation?s center of commerce, Mayor Binay?s life story is now in a movie produced by 7101 Entertainment. Called Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan, it is directed by Cyril Lorenzana.

At the Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan press conference at Ascott in Makati , many wondered why the little known Fredmoore de los Santos was chosen to play Jejomar Binay.

According to one of the producers, Fredmoore was just the right actor to play the role. He wasn?t too big a star to overshadow Mayor Binay?s real character.

Is the movie a prelude to the Makati mayor?s grand political agenda to be the presidential candidate of the opposition in the coming elections in 2010?

Binay, who dropped by the press conference, said he had nothing to do with the movie (which means he is denying any connection with the producers, and neither he nor his office provided financial assistance), therefore it can?t be construed as a political propaganda for him or for whatever plans he has for 2010.

?It?s a movie, and we treat it only as one,? he said with finality.

Walang Iwanan, Walang Atrasan The Jojo Binay Movie also stars Boots Anson-Roa, Pauleen Luna, Aiza Marquez, Alvin Anson, Lance Raymundo and other good actors and actresses in the Philippine television and movie industry.

GMA Network executive heads PRSP

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) has announced the election of GMA Network vice president for corporate communications Butch Raquel APR as its president for 2009-2010.

Raquel, serving as president of the society for the second time, is joined in the board by first vice president (internal) Eduardo Alcaraz APR from ESA Consultants, and second vice president (external) Barbie Atienza from the Manila Bulletin. Ed Timbungco APR of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide will be the society?s secretary while Bayan Telecommunications Inc.?s John Rojo will manage the organization?s funds as treasurer. Cathy Ileto of Business Processing Association/Philippines was elected internal auditor.

The other members of the board are Gizelle Camua of Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., Chito Maniago of Pilipinas Shell Petoleum Corp., and Ritzi Ronquillo APR of Manila Electric Co.

Appointed as advisers were Maximo Edralin APR of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Elpi Cuna APR of Meralco, and Sonny Valencia APR of Unilever.

Raquel appointed the heads of various committees that will serve the society. Alcaraz was tasked to chair the Anvil Awards Committee, Atienza will head the PR Congress and Publicity Committees, Maniago will lead the Student Affairs Committee, Timbungco will spearhead the Accreditation and Ethics Committee, Ileto will take care of the Finance and Social Outreach Committees, Rojo will focus on Membership, Camua will concentrate on the General Membership Meetings Committee, and Ronquillo will head Professional Development and Publications. Atty. Melvyn Martin heads the Legal Committee.

The society?s 2009-2010 officers will be inducted during the Anvil Awards Night on Feb. 20 at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La hotel.