BTS at premiere night of April Boy Regino biopic

After a quick bite of fried chicken, spaghetti, mojos, pizza (the usual suspects in a combo platter) at Shakey’s Tomas Morato with news hen Luchie Aclan Arguelles, I headed to Grand Duchess Hotel, the former Great Eastern Hotel along Quezon Avenue.

Yes, the eternal Aberdeen Court still stands beside the rechristened hotel.

I powdered a little at the john of Grand Duchess and wondered at the giant silver steel cutout of Great Eastern still a bayleaf over the roof.

Never mind as long as I saw the lobby bustling with people from the entrance.

I wasn’t in haste, though, and didn’t notice the huge glass door which I ran against.

Gosh! It hit me right in my forehead, I felt I lost my right eyebrow which I tapped incessantly.

Oh, my! I could feel it was painful but bloodless.

In a dark suit, rugged indigo pencil cut maong pants and black semi-turtle-neck, I was shaken with my brains going upside down.

I was worried I might go blind I held on to my remaining vision looking for hotel staff for assistance until Production Designer Cyrus Khan quickly instructed a waiter to get a first aid pronto.

Cyrus who was busy coordinating with his art group to converge at a drop of a needle was back in his business.

Meanwhile, I had to give away my sweetest smile even to movie writer Gerry Olea who taunted seeing me pedestrian in formal wear below the overpass to the sidewalk. “Walang poise (Kitsch),” Olea jeered teasingly.

He didn’t have the idea I was in excruciating pain as I was still moving around to see actress Kate Yalung entering the hall wearing a maroon terno-inspired gown with a hand-painted train of floral design.

Suddenly, the waiter appeared with cubed ice wrapped in a table cloth napkin.

I had to stay in one corner as I pressed the compressor on my left eyebrow.

But the turn of events was something not to ignore.

My professional obligations were more pressing than the ice compressed as many stars were already inching their way to the red carpet.

Love isn’t a far-fetched idea for John Arcenas and Kate Yalung

John Arcenas, the Water Plus Productions’ discovery who’s playing the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon April Boy Regino, was egging his way to catch up with his leading lady who’s breathing life to April Boy’s wife Madelyn Regino.

Kate and John were a perfect match and they didn’t deny love could bloom between them anytime.

The young guy is boyfriend material and very much available while the young lady is single as well.

John admitted he could easily fall for his lead actress. “Sino naman po ang hindi maa-attract kay (Who wouldn’t be attracted to) Kate?),” he chuckled.

He even volunteered that it was she who created his black gala suit he was wearing that night.

Yes, aside from acting, Kate is also into fashion designing.

It was a sight to behold as I touched my forehead making sure my left eye was intact and I could still see clearly.

Clear vision it was.

Several tables were occupied by all sorts of entertainment writers from Anthony Solis to Nestor Cuartero.

Ahead of premiere night, I talked to actress Jessica Pica.

Yes, Jessica Pica who won Miss Night Owl Dance Party over the old Channel 5.

At the time, Jessica was one of the most charming and mestiza looking newbies when she beat Susan Reid, the soon-to-be Hilda Koronel of dramalandia.

I asked colleagues where Pica was seated and showbiz columnist Fernan de Guzman volunteered she was right in front of the hall before a giant screen with Irene Celebre, one of the main cast of the film.

To facilitate a wider audience and convenient viewing experience inside the ballroom, three LED screens were installed.

Dindo Arroyo came in her dark brown suit and a crimson inner shirt and ready to be called onstage by lady producer Marynette Gamboa who later sounded like she was the emcee of the grand event as she called on the cast to share the centerstage with her eclipsing the real masters of ceremonies, one of them Mr. FU (Follow Up) also known as Jeffrey Espiritu, the other one, a hostess whose name skipped my mind.

Director Efren Reyes, Jr. wouldn’t want to steal the thunder from his producer-partner, he just let her do the hosting err, calling in the cast members.

Before Dindo came up onstage, he informed me: “Inaalis ‘yong mga poster sa (My election posters are being scrapped in) Binan,” Arroyo lamented.

Dindo  filed last October his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) as councilor of the city.

Actress has colon cancer

Meanwhile, Efren in his opening remarks informed the crowd Tanya Gomez who plays Mother Lucy of April Boy couldn’t make it.

“Hindi raw siya makaalis sa shoot niya sa Bulacan. Big scene daw. Baka may blasting (She couldn’t leave the shoot. It might have blastings),” Reyes chuckled.

Before the film was screened, dramatic action star Levy Ignacio had a tete-a-tete with me over a sumptuous dinner table.

“Tinawagan ako ni Efren, Nood daw ako. Alam mo bang isa si Efren sa naging close ko nang nagsisimula pa lang ako sa showbiz? Nang pumunta ‘yan sa States, sa bahay ko tumira ‘yan for a few days pero may mga kapatid naman siya ro’n (Efren called me. She said I should watch his film. Didn’t you know that he was close to me when I was just starting in showbiz? When he went to the States, he stayed in my house but of course, he has siblings there);” said Levy.

The whole gang of character actor Jess Sanchez was all there—Richard Duran, Bob Estrada, Gerry Roman, Jun Bayan, among them with their patron, director Jose “Kaka” Balagtas.

Oh! Melissa Mendez wowed them all when she came in her slimmest figure she got after rigorous diet and body-building.

Deborah Sun was in the mood despite her revelation that she has cancer. “Meron akong (I have) colon cancer, stage 3. Pero ginagamot ko naman (But I am treating it),” announced Deborah matter-of-factly. (Boy Villasanta)