My grown-up showbiz Christmas wish list

LIFE

May this year’s MMFF achieve its box office targets – because God knows the local film industry needs a big shot in the arm at this time

This grown-up Christmas wish list is for the kings and queens, princes and princesses, ladies-in-waiting and next-in-line gents of Philippine showbiz — the denizens that make our Tinseltown the craziest planet this side of Hollywood.

For Nora Aunor, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and superstar, a movie that becomes supreme at the box office and an intimate concert with a symphony orchestra at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (once it reopens).

For Vilma Santos, Star For All Seasons, the opportunity to direct a film, a baby brother for her granddaughter Isabel Rose Manzano and a Ma Rosa kind of role that will take off her glamour and polish to once again showcase her dramatic chops.

For Maricel Soriano, the Diamond Star, a reunion movie with Snooky Serna under the direction of Carlitos Siguion Reyna, and a weekly sit-com.

For Sharon Cuneta, the Megastar, no more social media arias, and a movie with contemporary Maricel Soriano a la The Kids Are All Right or a mini-series a la Feud.

For Christopher de Leon, no more Al Pacino and Robert de Niro copycat acting please, and another film to direct.

For Coco Martin, success in all his FPJ-inspired television shows, and more movies that will show why he is still in the running as a drama royal.

For Dennis Trillo, fewer bread-tripping teleseryes, so he can beef up his cinematic body of work.

For John Lloyd Cruz, perhaps a pause in his long-term collaboration with Lav Diaz to give way to work with new-generation directors such as Jerrold Tarog, Mikhail Red, Carlo Obispo, Jade Castro, Topel Lee.

For Dingdong Dantes, make it Sixto Dantes Jr. please — the flippant Dingdong no longer works if you want to carve a niche and be respected as a serious dramatic actor.

For Paulo Avelino, enough of falling in love with your film and TV leading ladies and then breaking their hearts once the projects are concluded. Man up in admitting who you truly love, and, yes, continue to challenge yourself by doing gray, shady characters in your projects.

For Joshua Garcia, sustain your trajectory as Pinoy showbiz's next important actor by giving life to out- of-the-box characters.

For Kathryn Bernardo, heal and love yourself more, and put that angst to good use in films that will show depth, damage and range.

For Nadine Lustre, please walk down the aisle with Christophe Bariou and have beautiful babies with him, do the millennial incarnation of Ikaw ay Akin with Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, and no more illusions of being a singer.

For Bea Alonzo, ditch the teleseryes for now, just like Dennis Trillo, and focus on your cinematic body of work.

For Jennylyn Mercado, TV work with Xian Lim that brings in good ratings, ad load, viewers, positive word of mouth and, yes, a movie comeback, too.

For Marian Rivera, may your Metro Manila Film Festival entry become a success, and may you give premium to loyalty and friendship. It's really not about the money and the bling-bling.

For Heart Evangelista, use your fashion influence to further promote and sell Filipino brands made by Filipino designers.

For Kim Chiu, time to heal and find the man who will not use her stellar stature for popularity and gain, and more roles that will allow her to play complex woman characters.

For Barbie Forteza, drop David Licauco as a leading man. Find wisdom in the power of osmosis, because, to be frank, nahahawa ka sa kabanuan niya sa pag-arte (his poor acting is beginning to rub off on you).

For Therese Malvar, Barbara Miguel, Andrea Brillantes, Xyriel Manabat, Daniela Stanner, Ruby Ruiz and Dolly de Leon, may the Muses continue to inspire and make you crave and hunger for more women roles with substance and grace.

For Elijah Canlas, Kokoy de Santos, Cedric Juan, Miggy Jimenez, Kyle Echarri, may the gods challenge you more so you can give us male characters in film and TV who think, feel, are committed and will do everything for love.

May this year's MMFF achieve its box office targets — because God knows the local film industry needs a big shot in the arm at this time.

Also, wishing that more Filipino films, and not just Marvel, DC, Disney and other film franchises, get the love, support, hard-earned pesos and time of Pinoy audiences; and that Filipino TV shows, especially its producers and writers, learn from the influx of hit dramas, comedies, thrillers and other genres from international viewing platforms to craft more compelling, illuminating stories about Filipino life.