Aiko Melendez out, Vina Morales in

Due to the recent events in Aiko Melendez’s private life, she has chosen to leave show business for a while, and that includes a plum role in the upcoming drama series on ABS-CBN titled Sandugo.

The star, last Saturday, feted her friends in the business with a thanksgiving dinner at Chateau 1771 in the new Bonifacio High Street mall in BGC with current squeeze, Subic Mayor Jay Khonghun.

Aiko won Best Supporting Actress at the recent Gawad Pasado Awards 2019, the same award she bagged at the Metro Manila Film Festival last year for her role in the film Rainbow’s Sunset by Joel Lamangan.

After dinner, Aiko met the members of the press and said, as a way of apologizing to the management of the network and TV drama, “Pasensya na po. And babawi ako sa inyo. Mas kailangan kasi talaga ako ngayon ni Jay (Please excuse me. I’ll make it up to you. Jay just needs me now, really).”

Mayor Khonghun is running for Vice Governor of Zambales in the coming midterm elections, and Aiko decided to join him in his campaign sorties in the province.

While the actress confirmed that the character she would have played, Sandugo, was written specially for her, she regrets she won’t be able to do it because of the time she will to give for her partner’s political aspirations.

Mayor Khonghun is among those in the list of narco-politicians released by President Rodrigo Duterte. That has given the couple anxiety, given the fact that the campaign for candidates for local elective posts is about to start.

“Let me be brief on this, I have known Jay more profoundly than anyone, and deep in my heart I know he is not involved in that,” she said repeatedly. “That’s why it saddens me and at the same time it angers me why some people would want to tarnish his reputation as one of the most efficient and hardworking public servants in the province.”

she regrets she won’t be able to do it because of the time she will to give for her partner’s political aspirations.

“That’s the reason why I had to beg off the drama series because I can’t be working and at the same time worry for Jay,” she added.

The role has since been offered to Vina Morales, “Who is my friend and I am glad they gave the role to her,” Aiko continued.

Aiko believes that the allegation is the rap of Jay’s political opponents who want him at the losing end in the coming elections.

“It’s perfect timing, I’d say, that it came out days after he announced his intention to run for vice governor,” Aiko surmised. “Jay is a gentleman and he never says anything against his opponents, that’s why I am speaking on his behalf.”

She added, “And I’ve seen how he works. I have not seen him deal with anything illegal. I also have heard him speaking on the phone with anyone with dubious deals.

“Even his drivers — 10 years, 15 years — and the members of his staff count years under his wings,” explained Aiko.

Mayor Jay butted in, “Two years is the shortest.”

“Yeah, that’s shortest. The most is 20 years,” said Aiko, “And they are vouching for Jay’s credibility.”

Aiko and Jay are not engaged yet, contrary to rumors that stemmed from a photo on social media.

It’s a photo Mayor Jay and Aiko is using for a calendar they’re going to distribute during the campaign.

“No engagement yet,” she said. “No proposal yet.”

Shangri-La’s Red Carpet ready for blockbuster season

I recently watched Captain Marvel at Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet, the newly redone Cineplex in the mall, and I was surprised to see a different Cineplex altogether.

The lobby is not like any Cineplex in town with a huge TV monitor that shows all the blockbuster films either coming or currently showing in the five screens of the plex.

I watched the film at the Premier Theater that now offers ticket buyers a more intimate setting with wider available space and reclining seats for comfortable and immersive movie viewing. The cinema is also fitted with an adjoining bar and lounge facility, making it the perfect venue for exclusive parties, events and other VIP affairs.

“Having hosted a good number of movie screenings through the years, and being home to various foreign film festivals, the Shang understands that venue matters when it comes to having a memorable cinema experience,” says Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager, Lala Fojas. “And since we’ve always seen our theater as a lifestyle venue that completes the Shang experience, we’ve made sure the Red Carpet delivers our signature VIP treatment.”

Moviegoers at the Premier Theater get free popcorn and drinks from the Red Carpet Cinebar.

They can also get other treats offered at the bar.

Moviegoers at this theater get free popcorn and drinks from the Red Carpet Cinebar.

Go beyond just screening movies and make going to the cinema an exciting and unforgettable affair. Book the Red Carpet for conferences, conventions, and private screenings — the Red Carpet can also arrange catering from any of the mall’s excellent dining destinations as part of its services.

Buying tickets is also easy and convenient with the Red Carpet’s online ticketing system. Just head over to www.redcarpetattheshang.com to check movie schedules, purchase tickets, and update your account in real-time.

Shang’s E-SEE Club also offers more ways to make the most out of the cinema experience.

E-SEE Club members receive additional perks and privileges such as being able to purchase tickets online using a credit card or through the E-SEE Club Load Wallet on the Red Carpet website. Members can also earn reward points for every ticket purchased, redeem passes, get free parking coupons and Cinebar treats.

While Sen. JV Ejercito has never been in the movies or played any role in a TV drama, his heart has always been close to the movie/TV industry.

“Naturally, my father (former President and current Mayor of Manila Joseph Estrada) was a movie actor, and that’s how he started making a name for himself. That’s the reason I am always ready to give my support to the local film industry,” he told members of the press at a press do last week in Quezon City while he took time off from campaigning.

Sen. JV Ejercito has always been close to the movie/TV industry.

“I’m always willing to lend my support to any legislation concerning show business, just like Senate President Tito Sotto and other members of congress who have been in the business, like Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos. If we need to lower the prices of admission tickets to bring back the audience to Filipino films, then we should do that. I hope the local film industry rebounds because it’s sad to lose it, after all it is already our heritage.”

JV is glad that the Universal Health Care (UHC) law that he supported had been passed into law. “The UHC is one of the reasons I fought for the restoration of almost P16 billion funds for the health facilities enhancement program in the 2019 budget. It makes medical consultation and many basic laboratory tests affordable and accessible. You know in the Philippines, it is very expensive to get sick.

Fresh from his critically acclaimed portrayal of Thuy in the Miss Saigon UK/International Tour of Cameron Mackintosh, Gerald Santos is back in Manila. He will headline a concert, his first after that UK stint. The concert will be at The Theatre at Solaire on 4 May, 8 p.m. and is aptly titled “Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert.”

With 553 performances as the young Vietcong who was betrothed to his cousin, Kim, the central character of the musical that also killed him, Gerald was an original UK/ International Tour cast member. He clinched the difficult role of Thuy after worldwide auditions by the Cameron Mackintosh Limited Production.

Gerald bested more than a thousand theater actors and singers from different countries and he finally joined the company in May 2017. He performed in 14 venues across the UK, Switzerland and Germany for nearly two years. Throughout the tour, he earned rave reviews from the critics and the audiences alike for his portrayal of the ill-fated character.

Gerald Santos, dubbed as The Prince of Ballad.

Gerald was a grand champion in a local singing competition and is dubbed The Prince of Ballad.

Joining him as special guests in his concert are equally talented performers including Jake Zyrus and his fellow Filipinos in the Miss Saigon UK/International Tour: – Aicelle Santos (who played Gigi), Joreen Bautista (alternate Kim) and the legendary Leo Valdez (The Engineer).

This is an extremely rare chance to see a glimpse of one of the greatest musicals ever, LIVE! Thus, this concert is one of the most anticipated events of 2019.

“Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert” is presented by Mediabiz Entertainment Production, Echo Jam and Twin M Productions International, in cooperation with Solaire Casino and Resort, Star Events and Globaltronics. Tickets are available at TicketWorld, (02) 891 9999.