A SUPER DISAPPOINTMENT



The recent VCD release of Superstar Nora Aunor's acclaimed entry to the 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival Atsay was a huge disappointment. The original theatrical release runs at 2 hours and 31 minutes while the VCD was just a little over two hours. I was surprised to find out that Solar Entertainment edited the film therefore affecting it's narrative. Some very important key scenes are nowhere to be found. It was exciting news for Noranians everywhere when this Eddie Garcia directed film classic is finally released on video. The transfer is less than impressive as well. It doesn't give justice to Romeo Vitug's excellent cinematography. The colors are mostly faded and washed out. This proves the poor state of film preservation in the Philippines. I'm just thankful that I have the complete version of Atsay on VHS so I can savor the Superstar's superlative performance in this film where she was honored with the Best Performer Award.

A SUPER CONVERSATION WITH GIL JOSE QUITO

Last Saturday, I went to the surprise birthday party for one of my closest friends Vincent Nebrida at actress Dindi Gallardo's apartment in Manhattan. At the aforementioned occassion, I had the pleasure of talking with Gil Jose Quito, one of the writers of my most favorite film 'Merika. I asked him how he and co-writer Clodualdo Doy del Mundo, Jr. came up with the screenplay for the movie. He told me that Gil Portes wanted to make a movie to be shot in the United States which will star Nora Aunor. In a couple of weeks time the two writers came up with a sequence treatment which the director approved right away. The trouble was that Ate Guy had to fly here earlier than scheduled. She has prior commitments in Manila at the time. A week before the Superstar arrives, Gil and Doy locked themselves in a motel room in New Jersey for ten days so they could finish the screenplay. Gil said that it was easy for him to write the character of Milagros Cruz because he had Ate Guy in mind, that he could actually hear her singing in his head. Immediately after, they gave the first draft of the script for 'Merika which Gil Portes loved so much. I asked if he visited the set often, only a couple of times he said. Since his co-writer went back home to the Philippines, Gil was the one who added the last scene where Milagros Cruz was on top of the Empire State Building. I told him it's one of my two most favorite scenes in the entire film. The other one is where Mila was reading her friend Cora's letter afterwhich, Ate Guy slowly tilts her head up as tears slowly well from eyes. Gil mentioned that Ate Guy practically directed herself in the movie. So Gil Portes didn't give her any instructions on how she should act in each scene in the film, I asked. He said pinabayaan lang siya ni Gil (Portes). 'Merika was great for the simple reason that director had a briliiant script to work with. Apparently, Gil Portes shot the movie using the first draft of the screenplay. Gil said that he met Ate Guy twice during the shoot and she was extremely warm and accomodating.

HAPPY NEW YEAR SUPERSTAR!

Dearest Ate Guy,

I would just like to thank you for all the great films and music you've shared. All of which still continue to give me immense joy. I've long been relieving what others call your glory days. The important films you've made during the 70's and the 80's. I wallow in the pleasure of watching these classics over and over again, and I do consider myself to be very lucky to have most of those important films on video. I still get excited whenever I watch Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos and marvel at your genius in Himala and Bona. But there's this certain connection between me and your films which has played a huge part in my life when I was growing up. As a young boy, I would ditch school, go to the theaters and spend the whole afternoon watching your movies. The images on the silver screen resonates with me and to my surprise, after all these years it still does.

I consider myself to be among the fortunate few who was given the chance to spend time with you. How can I forget the Power Of Two Concert Series with Kuh Ledesma three years ago? I even flew to San Francisco to witness this event first hand. You weren't feeling well the very first time we've met but you graciously accommodated all of us. You even allowed us to accompany you during the rehearsals for the show. And sitting next to you while having dinner, I was starstruck! Along with other Noranians I followed you to San Diego, then here in the East Coast. The sleepless nights I spent driving back and forth to Atlantic City just to be near you. I never felt exhausted even once! You've always been a constant source of strength. But I guess like any other, I'm just human and when we were in Virginia Beach I got sick and you were there inside our hotel room, nursing me to health. You never left my side until I fell asleep. I was genuinely touched by your thoughtfulness, it made me cry... I cannot believe that the one person I admired my entire life was sitting next to me, taking good care of me. How can I forget all those memories? It's one of those special moments I'll cherish and forever be greatful for.

I know things haven't been easy for you this past year, what with the drug charges and all, but like any other problem that came your way, you were still able to rise above it all. You have proven not just to us your followers, but to your detractors as well that you can pull yourself together and still be triumphant at the end. On this New Year's day, I wish you good health, happiness and inner peace. May the Lord Almighty continue to shower you with all His love and Abundant Blessings! Things may not always come your way like they used to but always remember that no matter what, I'll be here to love you unconditionally and continue to support your future endeavors. As I listen to Superstar, your latest compilation CD I was reminded of how much I loved one particular song which the late great composer George Canseco wrote espcially for you, I was suddenly reminded of all the journeys in life that I took with you, (well, you weren't physically there but you know what I mean). I always listen to this song with much fondness.

LUHA AT HALAKHAK

Sung By: Nora Aunor

Words And Music By: George Canseco

Arranged By: Amado Trivino

Minsan ang ngiti,

Sa wari'y kay tamis

Di mo alam na sa likod pala,

May nakatagong hinagpis.

Dangan ay dapat kang humalakhak,

Sa ngalan ng pakikisama

Huwag kang pahuhuling, umiiyak

Kung di mo nais mag-isa.

Kapag ang tagumpay,

Ay nasa iyong kamay

Marami ang sa iyo'y nagmamahal

Mailap ang pagkalumbay

Subalit ang talunan sa daigdig,

Walang kasing kaawa-awa,

Iniiwasang parang may sakit

Na nakahahawang pagluha.Ang buhay nga naman,

Walang iniwan sa dalawang maskara ng sining

Isang humahalkhak at isang lumuluha,

Ikaw, ano ang maskarang naitakda sa iyo?

Luha o halakhak?Dangan ay dapat kang humalakhak,

Sa ngalan ng pakikisama

Huwag kang pahuhuling umiiyak

Kung di mo nais mag-isa.

Kapag ang tagumpay,

Ay nasa iyong kamay

Marami ang sa iyo'y nagmamahal

Mailap ang pagkalumbay

Subalit ang talunan sa daigdig,

Walang kasing kaawa-awa,

iniiwasang parang may sakit

Na nakahahawang pagluha,

Nag-iisang lumuluha,

Isang kaibigan may wala.

A Very Happy New Year!

With Much Love And Admiration,

Jojo

From KUWAN Jun Lana's Blog

Superstar

May natanggap akong IM galing sa isang close friend. Hiwalay na sila ng partner niya. Halos 15 years din sila. Sobra akong affected pag may mga kakilala akong naghihiwalay. Except yata nung maghiwalay si Ate Guy at Richard Merk. At saka si Ate Guy at John Rendez. Come to think of it, hindi pala ako affected pag nakikipaghiwalay si Nora Aunor. Mommy ko lang. Die-hard Noranian yun. Nung bata ako, kung pag usapan ng mga tita ko si Nora Aunor sa bahay, iisipin mo kamag-anak namin siya. In fact, mas madalas pa kaming manood ng Superstar (yung show ni Ate Guy sa channel 9) tuwing linggo kesa magsimba. Kakaiba ang variety show noon. Walang nangyayari. Hindi kagaya ngayon, pag nanood ka ng SOP o ASAP o SIS, akala mo laging may piyesta, laging may confetting bumabagsak, laging may mga baklang impersonator, at ang favorite spiel ng mga host: "Ang saya saya!" kahit mukhang bored na bored sila.

Dati, nauso sa showbiz ang tangga. Yung bathing suit na kita ang singit at kuyukot ng babae. Si Alma Moreno, Maricel Soriano, Vilma Santos, lahat sila nag-tangga. One Sunday night habang naglalaro ako ng game-and-watch sa kuwarto ko, narinig kong nagkakagulo ang mga tita ko sa sala. So agad akong lumabas para makita kung ano ang nangyayari. Nanonood pala sila ng Superstar. And lo and behold, naka-tangga si Ate Guy. At hindi lang basta tangga, naka-hair extension din siya na 5 feet ata ang haba. Eh hindi naman matangkad si Ate Guy di ba? So yung hair extension umabot na sa sakong niya. And to complete the look, naka-blue contact lense din ang lola, dahil uso din yun noon. Tuwang-tuwa ang mommy ko at ang mga kapatid niya. Ang ganda-ganda daw ni Ate Guy. Ako naman, hindi makaimik. Kakaibang creature ang napapanood ko ng gabing yun. Hind siya si Nora Aunor. Para siyang yung babaeng smurf. Later, nung nauso ang troll dolls, naalala ko uli si Ate Guy.

Ibang klase din noon ang showbiz. Close to 300 pinoy films ang pinapalabas every year. So almost every other week, may pelikula rin si Ate Guy. At ang karibal niya sa takilya na si Ate Vi. Isang beses, biglang nagsabay ang playdate ng "Condemned" ni Ate Guy at "Alyas Baby Tsina" ni Ate Vi. Ang mommy at mga tita ko, nangampaya sa buong Salvatierra Compound ng Sta Mesa para panoorin ang pelikula ni Ate Guy. 7 years old lang ako noon, at for adults only ang "Condemned" pero ang mommy ko, nagdecide na kailangang sumama akong manood para makadagdag sa ticket sales ni Ate Guy. Hindi mahigpit ang mga sinehan noon, tatangungin ka lang ng takilyera, ilang taon ka na? Sasagot ka lang ng 18, at papapasukin ka na. But to play safe, pinagsuot ako ng long sleeves at balat na sapatos ng mommy ko para magmukha raw akong mature. Well, it worked. Walong beses ko yatang napanood ang "Condemned", and each time naka-long sleeves at balat na sapatos ako.

Anyway, balikan ko lang yung tungkol sa friend kong nakipaghiwalay. Ang lungkot. Buti na lang andiyan ang memories ni Ate Guy to comfort me.

THE SUPERSTAR IN ACTION



Once the Superstar takes centerstage, her main goal is to entertain the fans who came to watch her perform. Ate Guy amazingly gives her all in each number. She even throws one liners at the audience. In the numerous occassions I've seen her perform, this was the only time she really took command of the entire show. Unlike in her previous engagements where she would take breaks during the guest comedian's routine, here she only had 5 minute breaks during each set.



Fans flock to the stage each time and it was extremely difficult for us to maintain crowd control. Since there was no security at the venue, we had to take charge of the audience. They will be trying to pull her off the stage. When Ate Guy decided to join the fans they are drawn to her like moths to a flame. This much I can say, she is first and foremost an entertainer, and by watching her perform you're not just entertained, you are taken to her world. The world of Nora Aunor, the One And Only Superstar.