In the continuing series of My close encounters with terrestrial stars I came to a point when I finally realized how significant those relationships I have had through the years. Just merely reminiscing vividly the colorful anecdotes and compelling fragments of the past lightens my sentimental loads. Telling and retelling these amusing accounts and biographical incidents is somewhat relieving although oftentimes nostalgically painful. But that’s how life is, it has to constantly move on!
But, in all honesty, I have no regrets whatsoever. I find a certain kind of joy and self-gratification when momentous events profusely came rushing back to mind…and I could just smile in contention with blinded vision, unknowingly, my eyes are filled with tears.
So, to resume: Maricel Morales and elder brother Drigo, together with another aspiring singer-actress Karen Timbol, all from Angeles City, Pampanga, became my talents during the early nineties when they were recommended by another talent manager cum newspaper columnist Bogs Tugas aka Arlo Custodio. At one time, Bogs also brought along up-coming rapper John Rendez (who would later be associated with Nora Aunor) but I was not keen on managing rappers although I was able to book him in the few projects I did.
Maricel and Karen were already members of the defunct That’s Entertainment where I supplied them outfits for their weekly show. Drigo was an aspiring ramp model and actor after winning the 1993 Ginoong Filipinas title.
On later years, Maricel, despite merely standing 5’4″ in height but loaded with guts and talents, bagged one of the most coveted local beauty titles, the Mutya ng Pilipinas for Asia Pacific. I used to call them “Angeles City Delegation” since they were already regular fixtures either in my shop or at home as early as 9 or 10 in the morning for their training and photo shoot.
Maricel married another That’s Entertainment mainstay and budding action star Ace Espinosa (dubbed as Kisig-Pinoy) but, like most other young showbiz couples, they went their separate ways after having two sons who are both under the former’s maternal care. Currently, Maricel is still active in TV and in movies while simultaneously serving as an Angeles City councilor, now in her second term.
Dramatic actor Juan Rodrigo, or JR for short, is one celebrity who became close to me simply because his manager, Nena Z. Villanueva (RIP), one time Miscellaneous Magazine editor, was a best friend. Together with her fellow editors and columnists Norma Japitana, Oskee Salazar, Linda Celestial and ace lensman Donald C. Tapan, we would regularly have group bonding weekends with drinking sprees.
JR often tagged along with me in my social functions and oftentimes, we were mistaken as siblings since I was still sporting then a mustache and wavy hair. There was no occasion where we won’t be together especially the ones held in either home of any member among the group. But New Year’s Day dinner was always scheduled at Nena Villanueva’s Cubao residence and the weekends in my place.
Gardo Verzosa, the incredible hunk of Philippine movies who is Mennen Torres in real life, applied as as a Bodyshot contestant way back in 1989 when I was the national chairman of the said annual Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines’ (FDAP) talent and beauty search for potential models for print, ramp, and TV. Mennen easily qualified during the initial screening but surprisingly backed out upon learning that he would be required to don a pair of swimming trunks. His reason: “My body isn’t conditioned yet for such thing. I still have love handles to get rid of and my mid-section isn’t flat at all.”
After a year, I met him again but he was already cinematically christened “Gardo Verzosa” and the roles consistently assigned to him? Ironically, sexy ones where he bared his body in more than half of the film. But he succeeded in that department and ably established a name synonymous to masculinity and virility. We’re constantly together since we’re both working under Robbie Tan’s Seiko Films. After a couple of years, Gardo got off from the “boldwagon” and took a more serious route to a durable film career via drama and action.
Gardo, together with Julio Diaz, Cherry Pie Picache, Allan Paule, and Jaclyn Jose, was under the management of my friend Ed Instrella, who, occasionally gave acting workshops to my talents for free while I did publicity photo shoots for them in return. Allan, in one occasion, came to my Espana shop with his co-actors in the original filming of Macho Dancers for skimpy costumes to be worn in the movie. We became closer when he became a ward of Ed. At one time I invited Cherry Pie and Allan to host the Baras town fiesta amateur singing contest in January of 1997 together with Gladys Reyes.
Jaclyn Jose and I became close when we did the Robin Padilla-Ruffa Gutierrez starrer “Lab Kita, Bilib Ka Ba?” where she was paired with my talent Derrick Hibaler, who was introduced in the said movie. For two or three months, I would pick her up from her residence to the set and back. The lengthy duration of the production allowed us to bond and knew each other quite well.
Impressively, all the above celebrities are still active with hands full of film and TV assignments. Their manager, Ed Instrella, is undoubtedly lucky to have these talented and dedicated artists under his management.
I discovered Rachel Lobangco, (yes, the Shhh Boom girl of the popular San Miguel Beer TV commercial) while playing volleyball in the UST playground and I immediately booked her for a fashion photo shoot along the seaside road going to Paranaque with Donald Tapan behind the camera. Having received favorable comments after being published in Woman Today magazine, we followed it up with another on-location shoot in Baras, Rizal.
Our partnership led to a close friendship that tied us down to our every activity despite of the fact that a talent-manager contract did not exist. Every Sunday, Lehc, (her name’s last syllable spelled backward), would come to the house with her romantic partner then, Jestoni Alarcon, where we would either just did crazy things or drove out-of-town to discover new places to eat. Jess, innately quiet and a man of few words, was totally a different person from the action hero he often portrays on screen.
Lech is one of the few talents who knew how to please people. Anywhere I go around the metro and I would see billboards or marquee bearing her name as performer, I really made it a point to watch her. Sometimes, I would intentionally find a table far from the stage so as not to distract her. But, once she knew that I was around, she never failed to recognize me as her discoverer and mentor. She never ever failed, not even once. Thanks to Facebook that we still stay connected.
Dramatic and hunky actor Jay Manalo (Juan Rodelino Ranillo Manalo) was referred to me by Director Armand Reyes in 1992 when he was still the editor of Bongga tabloid. At 18 and already 5″10″, Jay was a bit underweight with less muscles in the right places but he was focused on entering show business. After a few weeks of training and rigid acting workshop under Director Chito Rono, gradually Jay developed his personality and social decorum.
Jay’s history made me even closer to him for the fact that his father (a combo player based in Saigon) happens to be from Baras, Rizal where I came from. Although he was born in Vietnam where his mother was froml, Jay is very Pinoy in many ways. I even brought him to Baras to meet his relatives and cousins, but unfortunately, his father wasn’t there.
Insistent on making a fast entry, he joined every possible male pageant including SM’s Man of the City and a garment talent search. Armed with generous amount of persistence and perseverance, the young aspirant finally landed a role in Viva Films Brad Pact, followed by Paracale Gang where he was entrusted with a lead role. Since then, his career took off in both films and television where he excelled in drama, having had a very poignant childhood background aside, of course, from doing action and sexy roles.
To date, we constantly communicate through Facebook and one time joked: “Tito Bob, baka nalilimutan mo na may pamangkin kang naiwan sa Pinas. Igawa mo naman ako ng racket dyan.”
Under Seiko Films, I became closely associated with the country’s top screen sex sirens Rosanna Roces (formerly Ana Maceda) and Priscilla Almeda (formerly Abby Viduya). These two gorgeous stars being leading ladies of my new discovery, Jeffrie Z. Baldemor (Jeff) popularly known as Leandro Baldemor.
I would say my discovery of Jeff was serendipitous. A good-looking guy (all in white) standing in front of a puericulture center caught my eye while I was driving along Kamuning Road to my E. Rodriguez Ave shop. I suddenly stepped on the brakes and summoned the guy. Timid but impressively a potential talent, I handed him my business card. He introduced himself as a nursing student from De Ocampo College. The following day, a Thursday, he came in an ordinary body hugging white tee and tight jeans. After a brief interview over lunch, I did a photo shoot in a hush to make it to the deadline of a fashion magazine.
A week later, Wednesday to be exact, he came out in a full page fashion publicity which impressed Boss Robbie Tan of Seiko Films. By Thursday, the film honcho called and scheduled a meeting to see my new discovery in person. The following day, Friday, Boss Robbie came with Director Rico Mambo (RIP), Production Manager Jun Almario (RIP), and Abby Viduya who would be launched as Priscilla Almeda in “Sariwa.” After scanning the photos and seeing him in flesh, instantly, Jeff was given two thumbs-up. He was going to be Priscilla’s leading man.
The next day, Saturday, Jeff and I were already in the Seiko Films office to sign the contract. When the question arose as to what name should be given to the new contract star, I instantly suggested Leandro, after glancing at an old newspaper that bannered the death of architect par-excellence Leandro Locsin, the builder of the Philippine Cultural Center. Thus, the birth of Leandro Baldemor.
Leandro was one of the few talents who was not much into local movies and there was a huge vacuum within him to be filled. He easily absorbed instructions, could memorize lines in a short time, and deliver with the necessary nuances, although at times it was quite difficult for him to get rid of his regional intonation having been from Paete, Laguna. But after several film assignments, his improvements were unbelievable.
After his maiden movie, he was paired with Rosanna Roces in “Patikim ng Pinya” and again with Priscilla in “Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako, Part 2.” More projects came and Leandro became the “baptismal godfather” of every new female star in Seiko, having them paired with him in their first film project.
I signed for another exclusive two-year contract as early as after the success of Leandro’s first two films. In between movie shootings, Leandro either performed oversees (yes, he could sing) or was busy with numerous television projects. I was able to tour almost all over the Philippines accompanying him in his out-of-town commitments.
When Leandro became a free lancer, more movie assignments came which his hands couldn’t manage to handle. I would say there was a time when Leandro was at the top of his career with no immediate heir to his throne. He was paired with top and most in-demand stars of his generation and has delineated various roles effectively aside from being just ham actor.
Leandro temporary left show business when I left for the US for good. I just waited for him to finish nursing as I promised his parents. He didn’t want to be handled by another manager so he diverted his concentration to politics. But after losing two attempts at a representative seat in the 4th District of Laguna, he decided to make a comeback on his own. Luckily, he’s not without tele-drama assignment in almost all channels.
Rosanna Roces and I would oftentimes hang around in location drawn together by a common passion: our craving for food. Osang, as she’s fondly called, would bring to the set home-cooked food that everybody shared. Very outspoken, street smart, and down-to-earth, nothing seemed to shock her anymore. Even nudity is nothing but just an uncovered body which she did without qualms. Her language could be music to those who knew her but a bombastic sound for the naives and pious.
Priscilla, by nature was childish but with an intelligent disposition, although sometimes derailed by her wrong preference. She loved the nightlife so much so that when it was time for me to pick her up early morning for location shoot, it would take her long before she could get up from bed. There were occasions when I had to prepare her warm bath to make things faster. Priscilla was like a daughter to me, what with her childish ways.
She is now a Canadian resident and a contented housewife with a daughter. Rosanna, on the other hand, after tumultuous relationships and a topsy-turvy career remains steadfastly focused in life, although offers come as rare as a summer rain.
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