Philippine showbusiness’ most dramatic, romantic, funny and action-filled scenes did not just happen in front the cameras; but behind them, too, as celebrities played their roles to the hilt and made 2013 another memorable year.
Film star successes
This year’s biggest newsmakers include child stars Ryza Mae Dizon and Bimby Aquino, who just scored the biggest opening day gross for a Filipino movie when My Little Bossings scooped a whopping 50 million pesos at the start of the Metro Manila Film Festival last week. Vic Sotto was of course the lead actor, but there’s no doubt the two child wonders were the film’s major attractions.
Filipino artists shone brightly in several film festivals in 2013, led by legendary actress Nora Aunor who won Best Actress honours at the third Sakhalin International Film Festival (Russia) and the Asian Film Awards (Hong Kong) for her sterling performance in the film Thy Womb. Meanwhile, child prodigy Barbara Miguel won best actress at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York City for her impressive portrayal of a nine year-old mother in the film Nuwebe (Nine).
Miss World and other winners
In a pageant-crazy country like the Philippines, a victory at an international beauty pageant is guaranteed to make headlines. In 2013, three Filipinas did their country proud by winning three of the most coveted crowns in the beauty pageant circuit. Mutya Datul started the winning streak when she won the Miss Supranational title in Belarus in September. Towards the end of the same month, Megan Young sent her Pinoy fans into a state of euphoria when she won the Philippines’ first Miss World title in Indonesia. Just recently, Bea Rose Santiago capped a winning year for Pinoy beauties when she won the country’s fifth Miss International crown in Japan. And although Ariella Arida did not win in the Miss Universe pageant in Russia, she placed a respectable third runner-up finish and continued the Philippines’ streak of Top five finishes which started in 2010, when Venus Raj placed fourth runner-up.
Give me a break (up)
Not a few celebrities made headlines for the wrong reasons, and the most outrageous and shocking stories had to do with video scandals. Intimate moments of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda and actress Neri Naig spread like wildfire through social media in August. A second video link was uploaded in September and scandalised the local entertainment industry yet again. Another video scandal, this time featuring Eat Bulaga host Wally Bayola and dancer Yosh Rivera, had an enraged public demanding stricter penalties for social media and online crimes.
Celebrity break-ups always make headlines and this year seemed to be one for stars in relationships going awry. The most notable, and controversial, splits involved Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz who separated last May, after thirteen years of marriage — allegedly due to Montano’s philandering ways. In April, Raymart Santiago finally admitted the truth about his separation with Claudine Baretto, his wife of seven years with whom he has two children. The split was acrimonious and the ex-couple are now battling in court for custody of their children, Santino and Sabina. Since the break up was made public, the two have washed their dirty linen in public with Baretto accusing her ex-husband of physical and verbal abuse, and Santiago saying his ex-wife is an alleged drug user.
Other notable break-ups that left their fans sad involved actress Angel Locsin calling it quits with football star Phil Younghusband, and singer Billy Crawford breaking up with actress Nikki Gil.
Stars on the sand
Filipinos based in the UAE also had a memorable 2013, when top-notch artists visited the emirates to perform for their countrymen. Among the biggest stars include Martin Nieverra, who staged a successful concert in Dubai last November. In April, the Eraserheads staged a reunion concert during the du World Music Festival in Dubai Media City, their last performance together as a group.
Rock legends Bamboo and Rivermaya performed to a full house crowd at their October concert at the World Trade Centre. A month prior, Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go serenaded their fans at the Kapusong Pinoy event that also featured performances by actress Marian Rivera and singer Julie Ann San Jose.
Though most of her fans may not have known it, megastar Sharon Cuneta had a gig at the Dubai Wonderland in Oud Metha with her daughter KC Concepcion. Cuneta was disappointed that the show didn’t do so well in terms of attendance, complaining on her Twitter account that the producers failed to promote the show extensively. Nonetheless, Cuneta was in her element and gave a performance that entertained the audience.
Welcome and goodbye
Philippine show business bade goodbye to four of its more celebrated members, among them villainess par excellence Bella Flores who passed away in May at the age of 84. Another icon, TV host Pepe Pimentel, succumbed to a heart attack and was found dead in his house in January this year.
Filipino directors lost two of their most celebrated colleagues when Eddie Romero and Behn Cervante. A National Artist, Romero died of prostate cancer in May, leaving a legacy of memorable films such as the classic Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon. An acclaimed director and stage actor, Cervantes died of pneumonia in August, his legacy kept intact by award-wining films, the most of notable of which was Sakada.
As old stars faded, new ones were born, thanks to celebrity mums who gave birth this year. In May, R&B icon Kyla gave birth to Toby Elisah, her first child with basketball superstar Rich Alvarez. Other first time mummies who welcome their babies into this world this year include Iwa Motto, who named her first born by Pampi Lacson Eve; as well as Stef Prescott who gave birth to Ethan Zachary in California in September.
Quotable Quotes
“I can buy you, your friends and this club”
An allegedly drunk Anne Curtis was said to have uttered these words to model/TV personality Phoemala Baranda at a ritzy club in Manila. According to eyewitness accounts, Curtis came out of the toilet fuming mad at some people (who were later identified as John Lloyd Cruz and another party) who were banging the door of the cubicle she was in at that time. Soon as she finished, Curtis came out firing at the people who were in the rest room at that time — Baranda being one of them. The line has been a buzz word in social media, with memes lampooning Curtis’ now-famous words.
“Tomboy po ako”
So said Charice Pempengco in June this year, finally confirming rumours of her homosexuality. The confession made local and international headlines, and became the subject of a furious debate among her fans and critics alike. Some praised Pempengco for having the courage to come out, while others criticised her for doing so, saying it will be the death sentence to her career. So far, the international singing star still has projects in the Philippines and in the US where she is set to star in a local production very soon. She’s also one of the performers on the line-up of the Big Event on January 24 in Dubai.
“I do”
Comic couple Melai Contiveros and Jason exchanged “I Dos” three weeks ago at the Holy Cross Parish in their hometown in General Santos City, south of Manila. Principal sponsors included actors Ryan Bang and Paul Jake Castillo, as well as Kris Aquino and Manny Pacquiao. Comedians that they are, the couple used lines from their favourite love songs for their wedding vows, prompting occasional laughter from guests as they exchanged lyrics to officially seal their lifetime partnership.
