By Jeff Fernando

The once sleepy municipality of Pola, Oriental Mindoro is now living to its tagline as the “film capital of Mindoro”. This after 10 movies held their shootings where beauty queen, actress and now Mayor of Pola Jennifer Cruz (also known as Ina Alegre), makes it easier for film workers and producers to choose Pola as their location.

“We make the processing of papers easier for film producers, especially now that we are still in the midst of the pandemic, and we have to follow rules set by the government and the IATF,” says Mayor Cruz.

Recently, the film “40 Days” held its advance screening at the town's covered court. Major stars of the film, director Neil Tan and some members of the media were present at the event.

“Thank you friends from entertainment press/editors and guests for traversing two and a half oceans just to be at the first major screening of '40 Days' in Pola, Oriental Mindoro with Ina Alegre, James Blanco, Cataleya Surio and Mygz Molino,” says Tan.

The commercial screening of the film “40 Days” is yet to be announced.

In our recent interview with Kapuso actress and cosplayer Myrtle Sarrosa, we asked her if she was open to collaboration with fashion designers to create a modern-day national costume for our beauty queens competing abroad. Myrtle revealed that this was the first time she was asked this type of question.

“Wow! That idea alone is making me more creative and if I'm to design a national costume, I think it would be based on our Philippine Eagle, big wings and a fighting sword to symbolize the power of the Filipina,” she said.

Myrtle is also very active in her advocacy in helping poor students in their studies, most especially in the remote areas with the help from Megasoft Hygienic Products where she is one of the endorsers.

“We have inspired thousands of students, we have helped multiple schools, and we have been a part of the movement in which we make school fun and award all the students and teachers for all that they do. Nakakatuwa rin having the opportunity na tulungan 'yung iba't ibang school sa kanilang facilities and create events para sa kanila to empower them,” says Myrtle

Securing a partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (or NCCA), the back-to-back Saturdays of Ultimate Pa-Sing-Katan of “Sing Galing” for the celebrity edition will be held at the NCCA-owned Manila Metropolitan Theater. This move marks "Sing Galing" as the first TV show in history to mount a back-to-back finale at the theater, which has just been reopened to the public after 25 years. This also signifies NCCA’s support and acknowledgement, as "Sing Galing" commemorates the Pambansang Araw ng Videoke on March 12. Being the country’s national treasure and mecca of culture and performing arts, "Sing Galing" aptly and proudly celebrates this milestone in the historic venue.

Watch the "Ultimate Pa-Sing-Katan" and "Kantastic" finale on March 5 and 12 respectively, on TV5 and via livestream, at 6 p.m.