Local producers make animated ‘Urduja’

Vying on the third and fourth slots are "Shake, Rattle & Roll 9" (which is stronger at the tills than the previous ones as it’s the only horror entry this year and has no competition) and "Resiklo." Occupying the fifth and sixth slots are "Bahay Kubo" and "Katas ng Saudi."

If the acclaimed "Katas" would win major awards, then its box office standing might improve. The trouble is that they’ve scheduled the awards night (January 5) after the 10-day official run. Before, the awards night is scheduled right after the filmfest’s official opening, so it can help quality films to pull in more moviegoers. On January 1, three new films opened ("Des-peradas," "Anak ng Kumander," "Banal") and they will surely affect the box office standing of some of the current entries.

In the contest for the best float in the Parade of Stars recently, "Resiklo" won first prize, followed by "Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo," and "Bahay Kubo" for the second and third best float, respectively. A giant robot made of recycled materials was the chief attraction in the "Resiklo" float.

This early, showbiz observers predict that the best picture award might go to either "Katas ng Saudi" or "Sakal," both written and directed by Joey Reyes. The third best picture might be "Resiklo" because of its world class technical excellence that should really be encouraged.

To compete as best actress are Lorna Tolentino in "Katas," Judy Ann Santos in "Sakal," and Maricel Soriano in "Bahay." We won’t be surprised if Juday would duplicate her feat last year when she won for "Kasal." For best actor, many folks are placing their bets on Jinggoy Estrada for his convincing performance as the balikbayan OFW estranged from his kids in "Katas." His rivals will be Paolo Contis as the good cop who’s got something else up his sleeve in "Banal," Ryan Agoncillo as the addled husband in "Sakal," and Bong Revilla as the resistance leader in "Resiklo."

In the best supporting actor category, Christopher de Leon is the top choice in his role as the alcoholic trainer of SWAT cops in "Banal," closely followed by Paolo Contis as the geek robot inventor in "Resiklo" and Jiro Manio as the runaway adopted son in "Bahay Kubo."

As best supporting actress, Gina Pareno might get the trophy just like last year in "Kasal" as her performance this year in "Sakal" as Juday’s termagant mom is said to be even more exciting. Her rivals will be Eugene Domingo as the scene-stealing friend of Maricel in "Bahay Kubo," Empress Schuck as the blind in "Resiklo," and Shaina Magdayao as the remorseful daughter in "Katas."

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One total entertainer who continues to have his own loyal following here and abroad is Rico J. Puno, whose gigs never fail to send audiences in stitches with his bawdy kind of humor.

"Up to now, hindi ako nawawalan ng shows," he says. "I have upcoming tours in the US with the Viva Hot Babes and a Valentine concert in February at the Manila Hotel with Nyoy Volante and Sam Milby. Kinakabahan na nga raw si Sam as he knows mas matindi ang sex appeal ko sa kanya."

Aside from being a wacky performer, Rico also manages his two businesses, Corics Bar and Bodega Grill, where he personally entertains his guests whenever he has the time. Rico is the main player who will face the mob of 100 in ABS-CBN’s toprated Saturday night quiz show, "1 Vs. 100."

"When I was invited, I got excited as I haven’t joined this kind of game show for sometime," he says. "Also, I know excited din ang host na si Chairman Edu Manzano dahil pareho kaming matindi ang appeal kahit pareho na kaming over 29 years old. Nag-worry lang ako when I was told that Madam Auring will be one of the 100 mob players. Baka maakit sa’kin ‘yan, ayoko namang magselos si Victor Wood. Di ba muntik na silang ikasal noon?"

What will he do if he’d win the P2-million jackpot? "Actually, sa status ko ngayon, hindi ko na kailangan yan, so I’d just gladly give it to charity as I believe in sharing, lalo ngayong holiday season. Seriously, ibibigay ko rin sa mother ko for her medications dahil marami siyang iniinom na gamot."

What will he do to convince the mob to let him win? "I will use my charms. Kahit ipangako ko sa kanila ang katawan ko, gagawin ko, alang-alang sa ikagaganda ng show."

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Dennis Trillo remains evasive when asked if it’s true that he and Cristine Reyes got back together. "My life has not gone back to normal pagkatapos ng gulo noon," he says. "Kaya hayaan na lang ninyo akong manahimik muna. Mas gusto ko ng peace of mind. Basta as of now, I’m happy that our entry ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll 9’ is one of the topgrossers sa filmfest and, in ‘Zaido, Pulis Pang-kalawakan’, nagbalik na ang character ko as Gallian or Zaido Blue."

The memory of Gallian has also returned after his near fatal encounter with Gamma, so his sweetheart, Carmela (Diana Zubiri), is also very happy. The Zaido Squad, along with Carmela, Amy (Kris Bernal), and the Zaido Kids now face the villains, Amazonas, Kuuma, and Monster Bola Boba in a fierce battle. Gallian fights Bola Boba in the Time Spacewarp where another villain appears, the Avilo Transform. Zaido Red (Marky Cielo) and Zaido Green (Aljur Abrenica) fight with the Kuuma forces while Amy and Carmela face the Amazonas.

Meantime, the evil Lear lays a new egg that becomes another monster, Pasko Paksiw, sent by Ida (Paolo Ballesteros) to earth to victimize children. Disguised as a fake Santa Claus, the monster gives black socks to kids that make them disappear and be held captive inside Christmas balls. Amy calls Cervano (Aljur) to help the kids but Cervano won’t answer her call as he’s jealous after seeing him "lovey-dovey" with Alexis (Marky).

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Richard Gutierrez, who just left for a short vacation in the US until the New Year, laughs off the rumor that he’s the reason why the relationship of KC Concepcion and Director Lino Cayetano has become nebulous.

"I really don’t know kung bakit nasasangkot ako diyan," he says. "Kung totoo mang nagkakalabuan ang relasyon nila, I assure you wala akong kinalaman at all doon."

Richard is the main attraction in the teaser trailer of forthcoming GMA attractions now being shown in theaters during the Metro filmfest. He’s shown waiting for someone while having a lavish dinner and this is a plug for "A Very Special Love," his Valentine movie with Marian Rivera. Also in the trailer are scenes from "Joaquin Bordado" starring Robin Padilla and Iza Calzado, "Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita" with Yasmien Kurdi and JC De Vera, and a new version of "Dyesebel" (without a star yet), and an intriguing new telefantasya, "Captain Barbell Meets Darna." We all know Richard is Captain Barbell. The mystery now is who’ll be the new Darna. Well, everyone’s guess is Marian Rivera after her star shone brightly as "Marimar."

As for the rumor that he’s sore at Marian as she’s given more importance by GMA-7, Richard says there’s no truth to this. As someone correctly points out: "Kung number one soap ang ‘Marimar,’ number one telefantasya naman ang ‘Kamandag’ ni Richard as it has conquered the hearts of Pinoy, both kids and adults alike."

"Kamandag" has become more interesting now that Vergel (Richard) has gotten in contact with his missing mother, Alicia (Eula Valdez), and sister, Ditas (Ehra Madrigal), but they still do not know yet that they’re all related. Meantime, the cops will be surprised when they encounter two snake men, Vergel and Lucero (Mark Anthony Fernandez), who will be fighting each other in a spectacular action sequence full of breathtaking stunts and special effects.

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A teaser trailer currently seen with "Enteng Kabisote 4" is that of "Urduja," an animated feature film produced by Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment that’s also co-produced by Mr. Tuviera with Vic Sotto. A lot of viewers who have seen it were astounded by the superior kind of animation used in "Urduja."

"It’s really world class and state-of-the-art kaya puwedeng mag-compete sa animated works made by the likes of Disney or Dreamworks in Hollywood," says one impressed viewer.

This proves that we are no longer behind foreign studios when it comes to CGI animation as we have brilliant Filipino animators who can rival the works of Hollywood productions. We have had local animated films before like "Isko" and "Panday," but the animation work there was definitely inferior compared to the kind of animation employed in "Urduja," in which the producer obviously left no stone unturned to make sure it gets the best local resources without being budget-conscious.

What’s nice about "Urduja" is that it’s about a homegrown character, a local heroine who is one of the originators of women empowerment in our rich historical past. The full length "Urduja" will be full of action-packed battle scenes aimed to please all kinds of viewers. Regine Velasquez lends her voice as Urduja, with Cesar Montano as the male lead, Limhong. Other actors whose voices will be heard in this trendsetting animated film are Eddie Garcia, Jay Manalo, Michael V, Allan K, Ruby Rodriguez, and Johnny Delgado.

We don’t know when "Urduja" will be completed and released, but judging with the way they’re drumming up interest for the project this early, it will be safe to predict that the showing of this movie will be a big event in local cinema, so we should all watch out for it.