WHY SUSAN ROCES CAN'T SAY NO TO TV5 OFFER
[PHOTO - Susan Roces leads the all-star-cast Babaeng Hampaslupa, which launches the Kapatid Network's drama primetime]
MANILA, JANUARY 25, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Effective next month, Kapatid Network TV5 will launch its primetime drama series and what can be more fitting than to have enduring Movie Queen Susan Roces lead the way!
The maiden project is Babaeng Hampaslupa which has nothing to do with the Nida Blanca starrer Hampaslupa or the Maricel Soriano Regal topbiller Babaing Hampaslupa. It's an entirely different story altogether.
"The 'babae' in the title of the TV5 drama series is spelled with an 'e' and not an 'i' like that of Maricel's movie," clarified Kapatid PR girl Peachy Guioguio.
Jointly directed by Eric Quizon and Bb. Joyce Bernal, Babaeng Hampaslupa is Susan's first TV project after the GMA Kapuso Christmaserye titled Sana Ngayong Pasko, aired in December 2009 in which she played an aging woman afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. The all-star-cast also includes Freddie Webb, Alice Dixson, Jay Manalo, Alex Gonzaga, Alwyn Uytingco, Bing Loyzaga, Celso Ad. Castillo, Vandolph, Jenny Quizon, Karel Marquez and Mart Escudero.
What's in it that lured Susan out of semi-retirement? What offer did TV5 make that Susan couldn't refuse?
"It's a nice role," Susan told old-time writer-friends over lunch at Annabel's (Tomas Morato) yesterday where a mini-presscon was held. "These days, it's very rare that senior actors like me get this kind of offer. It's not something that you can turn down and say, 'Sa susunod na lang.' So I took it."
Hmmm, is the price right?
"Secret!" said Susan, breaking into her "The Face That Refreshes" smile.
Set to premiere Feb. 7, Babaeng Hampaslupa is about a family feud that spans three generations. Freddie plays George Wong, patriarch of an influential clan and Susan, Helena See, the matriarch of another equally rich clan involved in the real-estate business. George has done Helena wrong and that started the drawn-out war. Jay plays George's son and Alice the girl whom Helena supported through law school and who, like Helena, has an axe to grind against George. Alex plays Alice's daughter and Alwyn, Alex's boyfriend. Enough already lest I give away clues to the cliff-hangers.
Besides Susan's back-to-TV and Alice's comeback vehicle (she came home from Canada for it), Babaeng Hampaslupa marks the birth of Alex Gonzaga as drama actress, a big step from her current image as TV gossip-cum-host.
That brings back for Susan fond memories of her heyday at Sampaguita Pictures which discovered her in 1956 and launched her as the title role in Boksingera (Daw!), which was originally intended for Alicia Vergel.
"I see myself in Alex when I was just starting," recalled Susan. "Unlike now, at that time there were no acting workshops and we Sampaguita newcomers got acting tips from the likes of Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Dolphy and Gloria Romero. Fan ako ni Gloria, then and now. They were not selfish; they were supportive of newcomers. I'm now in a position to do the same to Alex."
With her Kapatid project, Susan now rounds up the whole network circuit, starting with the Kapamilya ABS-CBN where she starred in a sitcom (with Dolphy and Maricel Soriano) and a teleserye, before she moved to the Kapuso Network.
"I'm an indie actor so I can choose what projects to do."
Otherwise, Susan enjoys her semi-retirement by being a doting lola to her grandchildren whom she takes under her care when the kids' mom, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, is busy with her tough job as MTRCB chief and their dad, Neil Llamanzares, is likewise busy with his own job.
That's one role that Lola Susan enjoys playing away from the klieg lights.
Rico Bello Omagap writes '30,' he was 80
Komiks novelist Rico Bello Omagap died last Thursday, Jan. 20, of heart failure resulting from a kidney ailment at the Muntinlupa Hospital. He was 80. His death came barely a month after Pablo S. Gomez, another veteran komiks novelist, also wrote '30.'
Omagap's komiks novels have been made into movies, starting with Lola Sinderela (by Sampaguita Pictures), starring Lolita Rodriguez and Pancho Magalona, in the '50s. His other novels-turned-movies include Ang Mahiwagang Pag-ibig ni Lola Sinderela (LEA Productions, starring Amalia Fuentes and Nestor de Villa), Mga Prince Charming ni Lola Sinderela (AM Productions, with Amalia, Bernard Bonnin, Bernard Belleza and Romano Castelvi), Ang Uliran…Imelda (Pilar Pilapil, Boots Anson-Roa and Amalia Fuentes), Kulay Dugo Ang Gabi, Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo, Kahit ang Mundo'y Magunaw, etc.
Susan Roces starred in some Omagap stories including Sino Ang Maysala? (with Romeo Vasquez) and Florinda which Susan herself produced under her own Rosas Productions and which was later adapted as a TV drama by ABS-CBN.
Omagap's father was a sculptor and her mother was a dressmaker.
The wake is at his home on Block 1 Lot 36, Maryland Homes, Purok 3, Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna.
Miriam to study acting at NYC
[PHOTO - Miriam Quiambao and Funfare's 'beauty expert', Felix Manuel during their meeting in New York.]
If things run right, Miriam Quiambao will study acting at New York Film Academy.
This piece of good news was relayed to Funfare by Felix Manuel, one of Funfare's "beauty experts," who met with Miriam in New York during Miriam's Christmas vacation there. Felix, a nurse, works at a New York hospital.
"I am enjoying my acting career," said Miriam who got good reviews for her performance as Eugene Domingo's harassed secretary in Kimmy-Dora.
"I guess I have found my passion," added Miriam who has made a name as a TV host. She's being managed by Annabelle Rama. "Happy ako kay Tita Annabelle."
The blizzard that hit New York didn't stop Miriam from enjoying the sights, according to Felix.
"She was even able to ice-skate at Rockefeller Plaza," reported Felix. "She also saw Van Gogh's famous 'Starry Night' painting and joined the New Year Countdown at Times Square."
Felix and Miriam are both graduates of UST which is celebrating its quadricentennial on Jan. 28. Miriam is a Physical Therapy graduate and Felix, a Nursing graduate.
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