Seems like favorite star for all seasons Piolo Pascual is on a ‘religious’ streak.

After playing a priest, Fr. Severino Mallari, in high-grossing film, Mallari, and another priest, Padre Pedro Pelaez, in Gomburza, now comes a non-priest role in a TV series whose English translation sounds sacred.    

Piolo leads the cast of Pamilya Sagrado, a new drama series set to premiere on ABS-CBN’s many platforms very soon. A project of Dreamscape Entertainment, the new series stars Kyle Echarri, Grae Fernandez, Tirso Cruz III, John Arcilla, Aiko Melendez, Mylene Dizon, Rosanna Roces, and Shaina Magdayao.

It also features a huge cast of young actors, among them Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, Alyanna Angeles, River Joseph, Iana Bernandez, Mark Manicad, Valentino Jaafar, Micaela Santos, Austin Cabatana, Dustine Mayores, JC Galano, Rocky Labayen, John Joven Uy, Ron Angeles, Miggs Cuaderno and Emilio Daez.

The huge cast of predominantly young stars surrounding Piolo makes me chuckle. It reminds me of former movie queen Carmen Rosales, who was known to rib her producer, Dr. Jose R. Perez of Sampaguita Pictures, whenever she was cast opposite the studio’s up-and-coming stars in her movie projects towards the sunset of her career in the 1950s and early 60s.

Being a movie queen with an established track record, Carmen was almost always used in mother roles to launch new stars like Lolita Rodriguez, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces. But, before accepting any such project, she would whimsically raise an eyebrow, chiding Dr. Perez: “Oh, sino na namang tampipi ang bubuhatin ko?”

xxx

PASSERBY: We mourn the passing of CNN Philippines, which officially closed down on January 31 due to financial losses. CNN espoused decency in covering the news, a staunch supporter of good old journalism.

We shall miss Rico Hizon on his late night CNN newscast, The Final Word. We hope Rico, one of our best news presenters and interviewers, will find a new home within our shores very soon.

LA-based Liza Soberano graced the premiere of Mallari in Los Angeles, California, in line with the ongoing first Manila International Film Festival. A number of Filipino actors, including Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee, Christian Bables, Dingdong Dantes, John Arcilla, Tirso Cruz III attended the MIFF.

Coming soon is art journalist Pablo Tariman’s second book, Encounters in the Arts, sums up his coverage of the performing arts for the past 48 years. Featured in the music chapter of the book are Cecile Licad, Luciano Pavarotti, Vladimir Spivakov, Otoniel Gonzaga, Arthur Espiritu, Evelyn Mandac, Nena del Rosario Villanueva, among others.