Singer actor Lance Raymundo has done some better use for those muscles by appearing in indie films which showcases his other muscle. And put to good use it is! Lance Raymundo is working on 5 films like: Motorcycle produced by Cinema One Originals by John Red, with Jason Abalos and Jao Mapa; Desisyon produced by Star Cinema; Saya, a period film intended for Cinemanila and the Toronto and Vancouver Film Festival; Xenoa 2; and Fidel where Lance Raymundo topbills the film. Fidel is intended to be shown at next year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fidel, is an indie film based on the true story of a male OFW sensually abused by his Arab employer played by hot and hunky model John Hall! And the highlight of the film is a daring abuse scene with John Hall. Also starring in Fidel are Andrea del Rosario, Snooky Serna, Maria Isabel Lopez, John Hall, among others.

Lance Raymundo on his role in Fidel:

“There’s one scene na kailangang gawin para mas maipakita yung story. Sa movie kasi, he got * by this Arab, e, pero it’s done in a way na wala namang naagrabyado sa artista. Iyong Arabo was played by John Hall and pareho kami, both have modeling contracts na may mga clauses. Kasi I represent MET Tathione and he represent another brand, so may limitations din. Pero we’re able to compromise para maipakita pa rin ng realistic yung kuwento.

“May partial sa akin, wala lang contact ko. Bale implied yung eksena, pero after that, nang iwan ako ng rapist na halos mamamatay na ang katawan ko, siyempre ipinakita kung ano yung aftermath nun. Kaya siyempre, hindi naman puwedeng nakabihis doon, kaya pumayag ako sa eksenang ‘yon dahil kailangan talaga, e.

“So, yeah, masisilip yung ano ko rito, nakadapa ako after the scene, e. Part of the job ito and wala naman akong qualms sa mga ganitong eksena dahil napakaimportante nun, e. Kasi if you put yourself in a role ‘tapos yun yung nangyari sa ginagampanan mo, lalo’t base ito sa true-to-life story, you won’t feel shy.

“‘Tsaka yun yung mindset na nakuha ko sa pamilya ko, dahil mga artista rin ang pamilya ko, na talagang you forget who you are. Na hindi ako si Lance, ako si Fidel and ito ang nangyari sa kanya kaya kailangan naming ipakita iyon.”

Does he expect an award for Fidel?

“I’m hoping, kasi talagang piniga ako ni Direk, e. It’s by Direk Sandy Bacolod, siya yung assistant director ng 100 na nanalo si Mylene Dizon, Konsiyerto, at Boses. And ngayon ay full-fledged direktor na siya. Pinanood ko ang mga movie na ‘yan at nakita ko kung paano nila idinirek dito si Mylene and ‘yon din yung ginawa nila sa akin.

“Although I don’t wanna assume, pero I wanna hope dahil siyempre, gusto ko na ‘yong pinaghirapan ko, kasi talagang in-immerse ko ang sarili ko na noong nasa set ako, feeling ko nga ay hindi na ako si Lance. Pati ‘yong mga pulis na gumanap doon, mga Arabo talaga, e. So kapag nakakaramdam ako ng pagod at hirap, nandoon naman yung satisfaction na worth it ito, dahil ginastusan at pinaghirapan talaga e.”

I am surprised that Marian Rivera is just turning 24 on August 12, after all the things said and done that she is “old” as in Lola Marian daw by some detractors. 24 is young, very young actually. Marian Rivera in an interview said despite the declaration that she is the biggest star of Philippine television now, nothing has changed with her despite the success of her career, she is still the Marian that her fans knew when she was still starting out in showbiz. Marian Rivera is set to do a movie with Dyesebel leading man Dingdong Dantes entitled One True Love. Marian said this is different from the projects she has done with Dingdong Dantes. One True Love is a heavy drama love triangle involving her, Dingdong and Iza Calzado. She is soon flying to Australia to shoot the promotional materials for clothing brand, Jag.

As a gift to her fans, Marian and Dingdong Dantes will have a free “grand” concert on August 27 at the Araneta Coliseum, in line also with Dingdong Dantes birthday on August 2. On her birthday Marian Rivera wishes herself personal happiness for her 24th birthday. “Gusto ko na palagi akong masaya kasi importante sa akin ang pagiging masaya. At saka sana mas mahalin ako ng mga tao sa pagiging ako. Kasi gusto ko ‘yong sarili ko sa pagiging ako, e.

And her message to her detractors?

“Kahit pa sabihin nila na, ‘’Yan si Marian, naku, palaban iyan, bungangera ‘yan…’ I don’t care, basta ako, totoo ako sa sarili ko, na ito ako. Naipapakita ko sa inyo kung sino ako kesa naman sa wala ngang nasasabi sa ‘yo, pero hindi naman totoo ‘yon.

“Gusto ko na ‘yong, sige, pintasan n’yo na ako, pulaan n’yo na ako, okay na ‘yon. Basta ang importante sa akin, ako, hindi ako naninira ng kapwa ko, masaya na ako doon,” Marian Rivera definitely talking to her critics there.

Photo Credits for the 3 pics above: Vince Lopez Photography

Emile Hirsch is a hot young stud. Check out Emile Hirsch in some of his films where he was very daring. Emile Hirsch is known for his roles in Lords of Dogtown, The Emperor’s Club, The Girl Next Door (with Elisha Cuthbert), Alpha Dog, Into the Wild and recently Emile Hirsch starred in Speed Racer. He will next be seen playing gay rights activist Cleve Jones in Gus Van Sant’s upcoming Harvey Milk bio-pic Milk. Sean Penn is to play Harvey Milk. Expect Emile Hirsch (and Sean Penn of course) to wear tight fitting jeans, lol..the movie was set in the 70’s. Harvey Milk is the first openly gay city supervisor of San Francisco, California who was assassinated. Apparently sensing this, Milk issued this infamous quote, “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.” Interesting film indeed. Something to look forward too..

Emile Hirsch has this sexiness to his face alone..and he has no qualms baring it all on screen. In the movie, Into The Wild, he was filmed bathing in a river naked. (See pics)..In Alphadog, he also bared some skin with Olivia Wilde. Recently, Jesse McCartney was asked in his interview for the UK gay Magazine, AXM: “if you had to have a Brokeback Mountain style co-star, who would it be? Somebody your age?! Jesse McCartney: Mmmm… if I had to have a co-star my age (pauses for a while)… maybe Emile Hirsch? He’s a really good actor.

The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) announced the nominees of the 24th Star Awards For
Movies 2008, to be held on June 27, in the Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Ateneo De Manila University, Quezon City. The late Rudy Fernandez will be awarded a posthumous Ulirang Artista Lifetime
Achievement Award.

Here’s the list of nominees:

Movie/Director of the Year Mainstream Category:
A Love Story(Maryo J. Delos Reyes),"Daddy's Angel" episode, Angels (Jose "Dingdong" Dantes III), Ataul For Rent (Neal Tan), Katas ng Saudi at Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo(Jose Javier Reyes), One More Chance (Cathy Garcia-Molina), and Ouija(Topel Lee).

Movie/Director of the Year Digital Category:
Confessional (Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Antipuesto),Pisay (Aureaus Solito), Selda (Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos), Tambolista(Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr.), and Tribu (Jim Libiran).

Movie Actor of the Year:
Paolo Contis (Banal), John Lloyd Cruz (One More Chance), Ryan Eigenmann (Baliw), Sid Lucero (Selda), Aga Muhlach (A Love Story), and Piolo Pascual (Paano Kita Iibigin?).

Movie Actress of the Year:
Ai-Ai delas Alas (Ang Cute ng Ina Mo), Bea Alonzo (One More Chance), Cherry Pie Picache (Foster Child), Judy Ann Santos (Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo), Maricel Soriano (A Love Story), and Lorna Tolentino (Katas ng Saudi).

Darling of the Press:
Dingdong Dantes, Allan K, Luis Manzano, Diether Ocampo, and Regine Velasquez.

The 24th Star Awards for Movies will be shown via delayed telecast on ABS-CBN 2’s “Sunday’s Best” on Sunday, June 29 at 10 PM.

Lea Salonga aside from Sharon Cuneta is also celebrating her 30th year in Philippine Showbiz with a concert entitled Lea Salonga… My Life Onstage, it will be held at the PICC Plenary Hall on May 23 and 24. Lea Salonga will have as special guest no less than Aga Muhlach, who will do a duet with her. Lea Salonga and Aga Muhlach did two very successful movies together in “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and “Sana Maulit Muli.”

Suppose to be, Aga Muhlach will be the special guest but will not be mentioned in the promos. Aga Muhlach said, “She asked me to guest. I said yes but we agreed that my name will not be mentioned in the promotions so that I can still back out anytime,” he said smiling and went on to joke, “but I’d love to sing duet with her. So that people will know that I am a good singer, too. Imagine doing a duet withLea Salonga? For sure, her voice will carry mine and people will presume Aga Muhlach can actually sing.”

When Lea Salonga was asked that it has been a long time since she appeared in a full-length movie. Will she mind doing another flick? Lea said, “I don’t mind and if I could squeeze it, why not? But only with Aga (Muhlach),” she remarked with a big smile.

Aga was just smiling and shyly expressed how honored he was with that statement. “Yeah, it will be a project I would love to do. Sana nga magkaroon ng chance to do that. Although I know she is very busy and that her commitments extend to until August of 2009? But really, why not? It’s something that will be good to do,” he said.

Lea Salonga… My Life Onstage will delve into the different chapters of Lea’s life, with images straight from the past to supplement a magnificent live performance accompanied by a full orchestra featuring songs from her various performances and records.

Watch Lea Salonga below perform “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” on Boy And Kris to be shown this coming Monday, May 19, 2008.

Photo and Video credits: Ms. Girlie Rodis