Let’s share with you, Gie, interesting stories on how some of our big stars were discovered for showbiz. These stories were told to us by an old timer in the business.
He told us that veteran actor Dante Rivero was a bystander at the old Odeon Theater on Rizal Avenue. He was selling goods to passersby.
It was not easy to ignore him. Dante — probably aged 16 then — was tall and a very handsome mestizo. He was from Pampanga, and the vegetables he sold were harvested by his mom. “Kaya fresh na fresh po,” he assured his buyers. “Ang kinikita ko po dito ay aming panggastos sa bahay at sa schooling naming magkakapatid.”
He was next employed as a server at Annabel’s, a favorite restaurant on Morato Street. It was famous for being frequented by showbiz personalities.
It was while working there that Dante was convinced by a movie director to become an “extra.”
He next found himself playing the leading man of Elizabeth Oropesa, also a budding star then.
They became a love team.
And well, the rest is history.
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‘[A] talent scout asked him if he wants to appear in a movie that they were shooting nearby.’
JAY MANALO
Jay Manalo was a jeepney barker, also on Rizal Avenue, when a talent scout asked him if he wants to appear in a movie that they were shooting nearby.
Jay’s first question was, “Magkano?”
He immediately asked for permission to leave when he learned that he would earn double the amount he was expected to earn for the day.
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Mickey Ferriols was enrolled at an elite school for girls and was on her way to her class when a caster of a movie that was shooting nearby approached her and asked her if she could appear in her uniform.
She immediately said yes when told of the amount for her walk-on role.
She got more roles as an extra next.
When she was asked by her parents to choose between her studies and showbiz, Mickey chose the latter.
In no time, she became an in-demand actress and was earning enough to impress her parents.
Mickey was later linked to actor Archie Alemania. They have a son, Marcus Brent, who also wants to join showbiz.
Though they are no longer together, they are still active in showbiz. Archie is regularly seen in comedies produced by Michael V. Mickey, meanwhile, is intense in Jun Red’s “Adarna Gang.”
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Nadine Lustre considers it a dream come true to have had the chance to work with director Yam Laranas in Viva’s “Greed.”
She’s a fan of Direk Yam and has seen his movies, including “Aurora,” which had Anne Curtis in the title role.
“Greed” also has given Nadine the chance to work with Diego Loyzaga and Epy Quizon for the first time.
It can be said that the three practically grew up in the business. Nadine started early in showbiz, first as a back-up singer and also part of a girl group.
Diego is the son of actors — Cesar Montano and Teresa Loyzaga. Many of his relatives, including uncles, aunts and siblings, are also in showbiz.
Epy has the late comedy legend, Dolphy, as his dad. Epy appears in “Quizon City (Comedy Theater)” with brothers Eric and Vandolph. “Quizon City” is seen every Sunday, 8 p.m. on Net 25.
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Vandolph Lacsamana Quizon is the youngest male child of Dolphy. Vandolph’s mother is actress Alma Moreno.
He is currently running for re-election as Paranaque City councilor.
He is married to the former Jenny Salimao, with whom he has two children.
“Wish ko for my kids is to finish college,” he said, “Wish din ito ng father ko for us na magkakapatid. Sana, matupad sa kanila.”
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Eric was an Atenean when he was tapped by his dad to appear in a movie.
After having a taste of showbiz, he no longer went back to school. Eric, though, is not just an actor but also a director and producer. He is also very much involved in handling the businesses his dad left behind, including a subdivision that will have a hotel and a museum.
“It’s likely that when all of Dolphy’s heirs are finally given their share, they will all end up as millionaires,” said a kibitzer.
