Limelight

by Boy Villasanta The death of iconic and socially relevant filmmaker Mike de Leon has shaken not only the local film community but the nation as well. Mike de Leon of the memorable films “Itim,” “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising,” “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” “Batch ’81,” “Kisapmata,” “Bilanggo sa Dilim,” “Sister Stella L,” “Aliwan Paradise,” “Bayaning Third World,” Citizen Jake” etc.) has …

By Boy Villasanta After more than a month of grief and lamentation over the death of her husband Trevor Magallanes, actress and comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto has come home from the US trying to be calm and okay about the whole thing. “Speechless pa din ako sa shock sa naganap sa buhay namin (I’m still wordless over the shock that …

by Boy Villasanta Actress Mara Lopez and American businessman Chandler Booth have the most wonderful news to break to the world. They are now proud parents of a healthy baby girl. Mara gave birth recently in the US and Chandler, who was present nearby in the delivery room, was very excited about his being a first-time dad. Lopez and Booth …

by Boy Villasanta It’s official. Internationally acclaimed director Lav Diaz’s historical film on the expedition of Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines is the country’s entry to the Best International Feature Film section of the 2026 Oscar Awards in Hollywood. This was announced last night by Paolo Villaluna, Director-General of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). Villaluna said that …

By Boy Villasanta Lucena city, quezon—The City Hall stands proudly in the middle of a  sprawling ground at the same time conveys wonders, questions and mysteries, primarily about the personal innuendos of its highest occupant. Until now, the talks persist that Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala are dancing to sweet music together but no one is admitting or denying, …

Revolutionizing Philippine entertainment news wasn’t and still isn’t bucking the system. It wasn’t and still is, enhancing it. “Wasn’t” because it was our common goal when we started “Star News,” a segment of the primetime news show of ABS-CBN in 1987. “Isn’t” because it is, however, a personal pursuit. All of these are ideals to this day, to this moment. …

Meanwhile, Bernardo’s erstwhile lover Daniel Padilla has reportedly found someone to replace her in his heart. The alleged replacement is none other than Maris Racal. Is it true that Daniel is courting Maris and he has already conquered her? This is the wildest and newest tale in town being shared to the public by Cristy Fermin with her cohorts, one …

He has definitely left a void in the canvas of Philippine cinema which is waiting to be painted on in an open-ended impressionistic fashion. The death of iconic film director Mike de Leon has suspended other hues and shades to contribute to the meaningful images the local movie industry has been portraying since time immemorial. Hopefully, there will be filmmakers …

Another showbiz denizen has passed on. Geena Zablan, model, actress, entrepreneur and fashion show impresario, died of lingering illnesses. Geena started her arts career in Tino Lapuz’s “Eskuwelahang Munti” until she was signed up with Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions to do movies. Zablan is survived by children Charlotte and Ryan. (Boy Villasanta)

by Boy Villasanta The Philippine movie industry is once more in mourning with the passing of one of its beloved and respected denizens. Mike de Leon, a legendary filmmaker, died yesterday at 78. This was announced by Carlotta films and his family. De Leon, an award-winning director has given honors to the country by screening his no-nonsense films locally and …