‘All that I am now is because of my mom. – Sue Ramirez’
SUE Ramirez is happy to star in Regal’s special comedy-drama presentation for Mother’s Day, “Mommy Issues,” where she plays the daughter of Pokwang. Aside from this film, she has also completed an action film, “Kid Alpha One,” with her beau, Javi Benitez, and an international movie, “Finding Agnes,” shown streaming on Netflix. On TV, she’s still being seen in the TV5 weekend sitcom, “Oh My Dad.”
Isn’t she so lucky to be busy with work when other stars are jobless in this pandemic?
“Yes, I feel so blessed na tuloy-tuloy lang ang trabaho ko at magaganda ang projects na napupunta sa’kin, like this movie ‘Mommy Issues’ which is about mother-and-daughter relationships. I’m dedicating this to my own mom who’s been an inspiration to me all these years.”
Sue is the youngest of four kids of Chit and James Dodd. Her mom is from Negros and her dad is an American. In the Zoom press con for “Mommy Issues,” Sue was surprised when her Mommy Chit showed up to say some words about her.
“We raised all our kids as independent and responsible,” said her mom. “Basta we remind them to always be honorable and on their right track. Si Sue, we tell her to preserve her dignity as a woman and be firm in her values. To be good in the craft of her chosen profession for her to be successful. Siya na ang bahala sa buhay niya. She manages her own finances and we don’t even know how much she is earning.”
Sue was teary eyed after her mom spoke about her. She said: “All that I am now is because of my mom. I would like to say that I was raised well and thank you very much to her. All the positive things people say about me, it’s because of her and how she raised me.
For that, I am truly very grateful.”
“Mommy Issues” will be available for streaming on Upstream, KTX, iWant at TFC starting May 7, 2021.
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Lovi Poe was in Los Angeles when she had a Zoom press con as endorser of Imono Jewelry.
Someone asked her if it’s true she had a secret marriage with her British boyfriend who is based there, Montgomery Blencowe. The rumor is that they have already exchanged wedding vows in a secret ceremony with only a few friends and family members invited.
“Actually, ni hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ang wedding,” she replied, laughing. “He has not even proposed and honestly, it has never crossed my mind. Kaya doon sa tanong na will we choose an Imono wedding ring sa kasal namin, bago wedding ring, siguro dapat, engagement ring muna kasi we’re not even engaged yet.”
She said she’s still too engrossed with work to think of settling down. “I have an ongoing series on GMA-7, ‘Owe My Love’, and I’m also supposed to shoot a new movie. Here in the US, I am now recording a new song. My last song was ‘Under,’ released last February, so I’m really busy.”
And of course, there’s the rumor that she’s leaving GMA to move to ABS-CBN. So what’s the truth about it?
“I guess it’s only fair to keep things private at this stage as negotiations are still going on and it’s all confidential at this very moment,” she said. “I will inform naman everyone what will happen as soon as things have been confirmed. As of now, nothing is sure yet.”
Lovi is very proud of the Imono Jewelry SS21 collection she herself curated consisting of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings and bangles that aim to bring out any woman’s inner strength needed to have a positive and pro-active attitude.
She added: “I chose the designs in this collection based on what I look for in everyday jewelry. Jewelry is very personal and for me, I wear Imono to remind myself of my own values so I can always exude inner-strength and confidence, even on the most challenging days.”
As for “Owe My Love,” Lovi’s romance with Rocco Nacino as Doc Kenneth has been aborted after she discovered some of the secrets he has been keeping from her. So does that mean that she will now revive her romance with Benjamin Alves as Doc Migs?
“That you will have to find out for yourself sa pagpapatuloy ng ‘Owe My Love’. My character as Sensen faces a lot more problems kasi si Jackielou Blanco as Divina is planning our more evil schemes against me and my family.”
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Julie Anne San Jose is all smiles these days. And why not? Her new primetime series, “Heartful Cafe,” is rating quite well and getting positive feedback from viewers who post their encouraging comments on various social media accounts. Her song and dance production numbers in “All Out Sundays” every week also generate glowing reviews as she always gives her best in every song she does.
Now, she has also released her latest single, “Free,” an inspiring song that aims to make listeners feel good specially now that we are facing challenging times. Julie Anne herself co-wrote the song with Eduardo Gonzalez and Denise Pimping. It is out now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and all digital stores worldwide under Universal Records. Following the release of “Free,” Julie will next surprise her listeners with the song’s official music video that will be released soon.
Meantime, Julie wants to thank all the regular viewers of “Heartful Cafe” for supporting her primetime show every night. Many of her fans now want to know how she reacted when she did her scenes with her leading man, David Licauco, naked from the waist up.
“It’s not my first time to see a shirtless guy pero dito, dahil magkaeksena kami, siempre, nahihiya ako noong una,” she said. “Kasi makikita ko ang katawan niya up close.
Nakakailang, to be very honest about it. But David is very professional about it so I felt comfortable with him after a while.”
They shot the show at a resort and they stayed in adjacent villas. “In the mornings, I’d see him exercising, working out. So I know he really works to have that kind of physique he can be proud of. We became friends while taping our show and we’re both glad na naging maganda ang reception ng viewers dito. I love my role as Heart na isang hopeless romantic and I know maraming viewers ang makaka-relate sa kanyang journey in the course of the story.”
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A Pinoy movie wins big in the 54th Worldfest Houston International Filmfest. This is “Belle Douleur,” a Cinemalaya entry produced by Quantum Films and directed by Josabeth Villanueva Alonso. It won the Special Remi Jury Award for best feature film in the category for foreign films.
Its lead actor, Kim Thompson, won the best actor award. The filmfest jurors wrote: “Kit Thompson’s charming performance in ‘Belle Douleur’ was easy to fall in love with and earned him the Remi award for BEST ACTOR (Panorama Asia) at WorldFest 54!”
In his social media account, Kit extended his gratitude to the WorldFest-Houston organizers for recognizing his talent, saying: “Everyone has their own turn. I honestly didn’t think I’d win best actor. I was already happy when I found out I was nominated for best actor.”
He also thanked the people he worked with in ‘Belle Douleur”: “I’d like to thank my director Atty. Joji Alonso for trusting me with her first feature film. Thank you for the patience and the time. Also, to my partner @missmylenedizon for guiding me, I wouldn’t have done it without you. How can I forget to thank the crew and the people who were a part of making this film. Again, to @worldfesthouston thank you for this award.”
Congratulations to Direk Joji Alonso and to Kit Thompson. Kit’s leading lady, Mylene Dizon, was also nominated for the Best Actress award but the trophy went to a Japanese actress.