Bakekang

IF SURFING the net and downloading song favorites were crimes, I would willingly serve my time. When I checked on some blogs, I could not help but think of all the possibilities, considering that of late Pinoys get bombarded by a number of local and foreign teleseryes on the boob tube. So, what about some less ugly talk on "ugly" probabilities?

Talks once had it that Jolina Magdangal would essay the role of Bakekang, which Nora Aunor did in 1978. Fans are really going to be excited at this development, which happened at the height of ABS-CBN's plan to revive Kampanerang Kuba into a teleserye.

The role was supposedly offered to Claudine Barretto who I think could have also fared well doing it but she never accepted.

Can you just imagine the future Mrs. Raymart Santiago transform into Andang or Simang. (Andang was Vilma's name in the original KK and Simang, well, everybody knows). And picture Jolina as Bakekang. I think, it's cool!

Some reports say Madam Violet Sevilla of Violett Films is venturing on making the movie if Star Cinema will let go of the idea.

Ai-ai is their choice for the role. It can be remembered that just before the expiration of her contract with Star Cinema, Ai-ai was mouthing she'd love to do Bakekang.

This one is taken from the latest Kapamilya blog, which really caught my interest. Ai Ai to play Bakekang? Yes, if plans push through, Ai Ai de las Alas will play the role of Bakekang in the TV series that ABS-CBN is reportedly intending to produce.

"Bakekang," made into a movie 29 years ago with superstar Nora Aunor in the title role is, like "Panday," another Carlo J. Caparas Jr. creation.

First, it was reported that GMA Entertainment was thinking of doing the "Bakekang" TV series and among those they had in mind to play the title role were Sunshine Dizon and Jolina Magdangal.

But it seems ABS-CBN has beaten GMA to the draw because the former reportedly is the one who has bought the rights to do "Bakekang."

Truth of the matter is the Kapuso camp said they never intended to produce "Bakekang" either as a movie or a TV series. It's almost certain ABS-CBN is doing "Bakekang," there's no doubt the network will again tap Carlo J. Caparas Jr. to be consultant for the project. Carlo is senior consultant for "Panday." Kris Aquino was being considered to reprise Ms. Aunor's role.

What really preposterous is this report about ABS-CBN borrowing Sunshine Dizon or Jolina Magdangal in the event Kris Aquino or Ai Ai de las Alas won't be available.

*****

SunStar reader Mark Guillermo had this to say in one email I received a few days ago. "Hi. I just wanted to you to know that I enjoyed reading your article today. I have fond memories of the eighty's--college days, barkada, vacations, etc. Most of these memories are always associated with songs. That's why your trivia 1 & 2 have brought back a lot of fond memories of the 80's again. Remembering the 80's--boy was life much, much better back then. Thanks for your article. It was a good break from the monotony of office work and the seemingly endless (sic) redundancy of what others refer to as "NEWS" on TV and print. Hope to see more of these types of contributions in the future. More power to you and may God Bless you always." Melts my heart! (picture courtesy of wikipedia)

Afternoon Delights

WE CAN'T avoid feeling gushy once in a while and find ourselves thinking about the times when as kids we had no qualms about environmental concerns like the ozone layer, the air, and other posers. TV programs like Savage Earth and the like were years away from that time.

Due to its unavailability or its remote access, cable was then a reason you had to head downtown to catch live basketball playoffs, boxing bouts, and figure skating competitions.

In the early 90's, Plaza (along Bolton Street in Davao City) was one of the best places to have fun with long before the "berks" and "jologs" were coined.

There's so much to enjoy during those years even if we had our eyes turn red (what with Eye-mo ready inside the medicine cabinet) feasting on programs, thanks to free TV.

Our Hitachi set -- an heirloom with wooden casings and speakers now collecting dust -- served it purpose for quite awhile, it deserves a place in our hearts and our home.

TV watching while chomping on a 1-peso worth Chippy with one family size Pepsi at P2.40 was a cool diversion which only glitch was when a line crawls below the screen and went: IT'S NOT YOUR SET FOLKS! and you'd go nuts!

We never liked sleeping in the afternoon because before MMK and Magpakailanman, there was "Lovingly Yours, Helen" and its very familiar theme and hard to find background tunes. The late Helen Vela (I know that you know, she's Princess Punzalan's mother) was a refreshing sight and a soothing sound on those hot afternoons.

But Helen's angelic voice, which can be likened to that of the late Karen Carpenter's, gave our Sundays a different feel.

Coney Reyes Mumar Drama Studio was a staple for Saturday viewings, which brings to mind Eddie Ilarde's "Kahapon Lamang" lording the evening with his letter reading on Mondays. Not to mention "Damdamin" (with Tina Loy) and "Gulong ng Palad" (which starred Caridad Sanchez and the young Romnick Sarmenta) which were dominant TV soaps that made the seventies unforgettable.

In between, I remember my cousins having a date with komiks following the adventures of Zuma and Galema. If you remember keping copies of Tagalog Klasiks, Aliwan, Pinoy Komiks, Happy, Espesyal, Hiwaga, Darna, Lovelife, Horoscope and TSS komiks. (I chuckled when on Game KNB, Kris grimaced when one contestant mentioned "Tapusan" instead of "Wakasan" in answer to her komiks trivia quiz.)

My mother used to rent out those komiks for 25 cents. At the Panacan Public Market komiks stall, I'd remember the "No Free Reading" sign either telling or testing whether you can read or not.

But I'm sure it's to tell you to read for a fee while enjoying the serialized stories of Darna, Captain Barbel and Panday, enjoying the novels and short stories altogether of Mars Ravelo, Jim Fernandez, Carlo Caparas, Gilda Olvidado and then neophyte KC Cordero.

Of the illustrators, we have loved the "dibuho" of Mar T. Santana, Louie Celerio, Nestor Malgapo, Clem Rivera and Vincent Kua.

I also recall the time when "Kambal Sa Uma" (which movie version starred Ms. Rio Locsin) and "Cara" (that story about sisters whose three heads shared one body. Literally!) were serialized, if I remember it right, in Kislap or in another big-sized mag.

****

Let's not skip the mail: We have a mom online and this is what she wrote: Hi Skipojack, thanks for your informative column at Sun.Star.

I like your trivia, its very helpful. You featured Dj Monica last week and I am glad to know a little about her, she's just a year older than my eldest son and I like her shows.

Even before I accidentally entered this radio talent thing, I loved listening to all radio stations here in Davao until now. I also listen to dzRH, (laughs). Nabasa ko rin from you that you used to work here at dxSS and you'll gonna have a sort of reunion, please write what transpired in your party. I've seen you once at Lucy's Kainan (where was that? -- jack), matagal na yon..Thanks...P.S. I also like your story on Dj Sweet. She's really sweet. Regards! -- MomSue

Trivia: Screen Names versus real names -- Francisco Dumagoso (Iskho Moreno), Dorothy Jones (Nida Blanca). Aurora Villamayor (Nora Aunor), Gina Alitiit (Gina Alajar), Pablieto Sarmiento (Babalu), Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (Kris Aquino)