Paranaque City councilor-actor Jomari Yllana and Abby Viduya

Was that really you talking out there?

I couldn’t help but ask Jomari Yllana, Paranaque City councilor and now-sometime-actor as soon as he stepped down from the head table at the Aug. 1 media launch of Okada Motorsport Carnivale 2023 held at the Glass Ballroom of the cavernous hotel and entertainment complex in Paranaque City.

In answer to a few personal questions, the actor-politican bared himself as he declared his wedding plans with reconnected partner Abby Viduya in November this year in the United States, followed by a church wedding in his hometown, Naga City, the following year. The couple is to be wed at the Our Lady of Penafrancia Shrine in that city, the very same church where Jomari’s parents were married.

Asked about the state of his heart at the moment, Jomari said it’s in a very stable condition.

“I am doing something that I love (motoring and rendering public service) with the one I love,” he said.

The declaration fetched loud yelling from the media who have followed Jomari’s career and have known him for being low-key and very private. Abby was caught by the cameras mock combing her hair, pretending it was long, and then exclaiming, “This is me, Rapunzel!”

Said scene was just one of the lighter moments at the media launch of Okada Motorsport Carnivale, which hopes to revive people’s interest in motorsports. Jomari said this first installment hopes to wake up a sleeping giant by rallying all racing enthusiasts into one community.

The five-day event features a car meet in memory of Eduardo del Rosario, founding father of Cavite Auto Racing Team and is estimated to gather collectors of rare racing cars and motorsport gadgets plus an Autocross Race showcasing at least 150 cars.

A special awarding ceremony honoring motorsports heroes in the country will be held Aug. 6 also at the Glass Ballroom. Among the honorees are Rep. Richard Gomez, Matteo Guidicelli, Michele Bumgarner, Boy Ochoa, Paeng Nodalo, Jun Espino, Danny Santiago, Rolando Abadilla.

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PASSERBY:

Here’s a curious study in contrast. While Lea Salonga is fiercely guarding her privacy before a bunch of autograph and picture seekers in New York, young actress Andrea Brillantes is reckless flaunting her intimate life before the public. Andrea’s running feud with former boyfriend UP basketeer Ricci Rivero is marked by the washing of dirty linen on social media. Before long, I can imagine Andrea graduating to mature roles in her projects, all because of her own sexy pronouncements.

Bringing acclaimed films from different parts of the world for Filipino movie lovers to appreciate is one of the new thrusts of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

From Aug. 23 to 29, in partnership with Ayala Cinemas, FDCP is screening films like Cannes-winning titles “Aftersun,” directed by Charlotte Wells, “Close” (by Lukas Dhont), “Corsage” (Marie Kreutzer), and “Return to Seoul” (Davy Chou).

These films have won recognition in reputable film festivals and award-giving bodies worldwide.

FDCP licensed the rights to these four new titles from Belgium, Austria, Cambodia, and the United Kingdom early this year. The films will be shown in select Ayala Cinemas in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Cinema ‘76, and in FDCP Cinematheque Centres around the country.