OUTSTANDING – There are two outstanding Bulakenyos from showbiz. Nick Lizaso, president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and Daniel Fernando, new governor of Bulacan.
Highspeed contributor Mel Caparas, himself a Bulakenyo, reports that he had the pleasure of listening to classical music last July 5 at the grounds of St. Martin of Toures in Bocaue, courtesy of CCP Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert was billed “Gabi ng Musika,” part of the town’s Pagoda festival.
Nick gave a short speech before the concert, attended by Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna and Sen. Joel Villanueva. Nick traces his roots to the great Tagalog poet Jose Corazon de Jesus (aka Huseng Batute). While Nick is more identified with theater, he’s also a fine movie-TV actor and director. His directorial credits include the Rudy Fernandez starrer “Ulo ng Gapo.”
Mel says that the highlight of the Pagoda festival was a Wawa fluvial parade on July 7, which commemorated the discovery of the miraculous cross floating on the Bocaue river 200 years ago.
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ACTOR TO – Highspeed segues to award-winning Daniel Fernando, who started as actor and went on to become vice governor and now governor of Bulacan.
He is best remembered for two films, Peque Gallaga’s “Scorpio Nights” and Lino Brocka’s “Macho Dancer.” Sure, they were adult (sexy) movies, but then highly praised. Daniel merited the coveted Urian Award, best actor for “Macho Dancer.”
Now, how will Daniel fare as Bulacan governor? It’s too early to judge. But let it be said that Daniel won by a landslide.
By the way, heard that Daniel’s leading lady in “Scorpio Nights,” Anna Marie Gutierrez, died a few years back in the US. Her other outstanding film was “Unfaithful Wife,” directed by Peque, with Joel Torre and Michael de Mesa as leading men.
