Philippine Showbiz Today Vol 12 No 13 | Page 8

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Philippine Showbiz Today
July 8 - 21 , 2017

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Jan . 22-Feb . 7 , 2015

Brillante Mendoza on being invited to join US Film Academy

Awarded Filipino directors Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz have been invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences , the organization that gives out the Oscars .
The Academy announced Wednesday that it ’ s inviting Mendoza , Diaz and 772 others from 57 countries to bring it ’ s “ Class Of 2017 ” to a total of around of 8,500 members , a huge leap from last year ’ s 683 new members .
Apart from Mendoza and Diaz , this year ’ s members include high-profile directors as Barry Jenkins , Jordan Peele , David Ayer , Theodore Melfi and Joe and Anthony Russo .
In the official website of Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences , Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said , “ We ’ re proud to invite our newest class to the Academy . The entire motion picture community is what we make of it . It ’ s up to all of us to ensure that new face and voices are seen , heard , and to take a shot on the next generation the way someone took a shot on each of us .”
In an article published on ABS-CBN News , Mendoza expressed excitement to represent the country in the prestigious organization .
“ I ’ m happy … Siyempre kahit paano , mayroon tayong representation . May representation din ang Pilipinas , hindi lang isa , kung hindi dalawa pa ,” Mendoza was quoted to have said .
He looks forward to being a member with fellow Filipino director Diaz , who directed the Golden Lion prize-winning epic “ AngBabaeng Humayo ( The Woman Who Left ).”
Mendoza shared he is clueless on how The Academy picked him .
“ I just got an e-mail from them , got an e-mail inviting me . So I don ’ t know kung paano ka mapipili ,” he said .
He hopes that one day , Filipino movies and not just directors will get noticed .
“ O f course I am thankful ( na ininvite tayo ), pero sana d a r a t i n g din ’ yung panahon na hindi lang tayo ’ yung m a g r e - r e p r e s e n t k u n g hindi marecognize din ‘ yung pelikula natin … Na magkaroon tayo ng prestige ‘ di lang dahil nae-entertain tayo kung hindi nakikita din ’ yung message behind each film na ginagawa natin ,” he said .
Last year , Mendoza ’ s critically-
From left ): Lav Diaz and Brillante Mendoza
acclaimed film “ Ma ’ Rosa ” was announced as the country ’ s official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards . ( R . M . Parungao , mb . com ) ●

Solenn Heussaff renews ties with GMA Network

Multi-talented and versatile Kapuso actress and TV host Solenn Heussaff marks her loyalty as a Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network on June 30 .
Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty . Felipe L . Gozon , GMA Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling de Jesus Bodegon , GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz , GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara , and Senior Program Manager for ETV Charles Koo .
Also in attendance was Reena Dimaculangan of Leo V .
Dominguez Management .
Solenn , who has been a loyal Kapuso for the last six years , said she feels happy and fulfilled with her renewal of contract with GMA 7 , “ I grew a lot here as a person and I got to learn my mother tongue here . Super happy ako . I really feel it ’ s my family here and I just want to be with GMA . And learn more and grow with the company .”
The actress further shared she is equally proud to have built a good working relationship with GMA which she considers her second family , “ I really feel the sense of family in the network . Dito ko talaga nakita yung balance . Everyone on the set is at the same level . Walang super bida , walang director na maarte , like feeling powerful .
Everyone respects each other . Which is what I really love in GMA 7 , it makes work fun and easier but still everyone is hard working .”
Solenn is currently part of GMA News TV ’ s lifestyle show Taste Buddies . She was also part of the well-loved telefantasya Encantadia as Cassiopeia .
D u r i n g the contract signing , Atty . Gozon said he is pleased that Solenn
continues to affirm her loyalty to the Kapuso Network , “ Tayo rin ay nagagalak dahil meron talagang talent si Solenn . At
si Solenn ay talagang hindi lamang maganda , napaka-sexy pa .” ●
GMA VP for ETV Darling de Jesus Bodegon , GMA SAVP for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara , Solenn Heussaff , GMA Chairman and CEO Atty . Felipe L . Gozon and Reena Di