War and movie stars

Translating war onscreen, being an action adventure, is a film genre as well with all the mise-en-scene frame after frame.

Meanwhile, war, on the ground in real time is a geo-political event of conflicts between or among nations or groups of people in a particular place, country or society.

Illusion or reality, war movies or war in the real world have effects on all peoples, spectators or participants in the conflict or to institutions and other objects in the field.    

The recent bombings in Tel Aviv, Israel initiated by the Hamas rebels have affected the entertainment industry not only in the whole of the Holy Land but the Philippines as well.

It is because the cancellation of the shows of Filipino talents Julie Anne San Jose, Rayver Cruz and Boobay at Smolarz Auditorium inside Tel Aviv University have affected not only the economic benefits of the concert for both the Philippines and Israel.

The talent fees accorded Julie Anne, Rayver and Boobay and all production staff and crew in both Israel and the Philippines’ live entertainment gigs are supposed to be the fruits of their labor that could sustain the lives of the stars, technical staff and creatives of the production.

Meanwhile, incomes of the show could add up to the coffers of the Israelite government and in the same vein, talent fees to the artists could provide lifeblood to Philippine economy through taxes generated by the entertainment shows and talents vis-à-vis duties paid for the government by their respective individual or group management.

The war in Israel has a direct impact on the personal joy and happiness of the participants in the show.

Lovers Julie Anne and Rayver had the most romantic and wonderful time with each other only to be interrupted by the violence.

Before the war broke out, San Jose and Cruz were like free birds in their sort of pilgrimage or promenade in the religious places in the country like Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea and other pious sites associated with the birth and death of Jesus Christ.

One day before the show kicked off at Smolarz Auditorium, Rayver was thankful they had the privilege to showcase their talents abroad. “…thanks for all the blessings and asking for guidance before our show tomorrow. So amazed and grateful for this trip,” he said but they weren’t able to pursue the show because of the attacks.

According to Rayver, one day wasn’t enough to visit all the most memorable places in Israel but when they planned to continue the tour after the show, the bombings occurred. “One day was not enough to visit every place, but it was truly a sacred and memorable experience for us in Bethlehem with a variety of things to do and see. Still feels surreal. We are truly blessed,” noted the actor-dancer in his Instagram posts.

Yes, they were also blessed from being dragged to the impending violence.

Didn’t you know that the couple had to hide in bomb shelter so that they would be safe and come out wholly?

Once the Philippine delegation had found safe grounds, they were ordered by GMA Network and Sparkle, the talent agency of the network, to return to the Philippines which they did pronto.

What can war really do to the stability of the relationship between Julie Anne and Rayver?

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Meanwhile, all was safe and sound during the wedding day of Filipino actress LJ Reyes and Fil-Am engineer and businessman Philip Evangelista in New York.

It was a serene matrimony between the two love struck people.

At Bevin House in New York City, the placid and colorful garden was witness to the romance and union of hearts of LJ and Philip which sealed their engagement period last May.

LJ, Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes in real life, came to the US two years ago after a stormy relationship with actor Paolo Contis. She migrated in no time at all with her daughter Summer by Paolo and Aki, her son by Paulo Avelino.

It was in the most unexpected time and place that LJ met Philip among her fellow Filipinos in diaspora.

Evangelista, who also has a past relationship in the US, readily fell for the award-winning actress.

The Evangelista-Reyes nuptials were an exclusive and intimate gathering of people very close to the couple.

Congratulations, LJ and Philip!