Versatile actor Lou Veloso, who is currently serving as a councilor representing the sixth district of Manila, is one lucky guy. He is one of the few Filipino actors who auditioned and got a part in the “Bourne Legacy.”

Although he had been in showbiz for quite some time now (naka-shorts pa lang ako napapanood ko na ’to, hehe, peace.), Lou was humble enough to admit that he still got starstruck at the sight of lead actress Rachel Weisz and villain Edward Norton.

He narrated that during a lull in the set when they shot at the Navotas fishport, he was talking to someone over the cellphone when Norton slowly passed by in front of him. Dahil nga na-starstruck, natawag daw tuloy ni Lou na ‘Edward’ ’yung kausap sa telepono at pinutol din niya ang pakikipag-usap dito para matitigan si Norton.

Takang-taka siya du’n sa isyu na nanakaw na cables dahil sa set daw ay non-issue ’yun kaya nagulat sila na me ganoong balita. Na-sad nga siya dahil tayo daw mismong mga Pilipino ang gumagawa at nagpapalaki ng ganoong mga isyu.

Bumilib din daw siya kay Ms. Weisz dahil wala daw itong star complex at in fact ay lumapit at nagpakilala pa ito sa kanya at saka siya kinamusta.

Nung sabihin ni Lou na ninenerbiyos siya dahil first time niya na mapasama sa isang Hollywood movie, kaagad naman daw siyang inalo ni Weisz na wala itong dapat ika-nerbiyos.

Ang role nga pala ni Lou ay isang mangingisda. Nakita niyang nahulog sa motorsiklo si Weisz at tinulungan niya ito. Naka-limang take daw sila sa eksena na wala naman siyang dialogue, hindi dahil sa hindi maganda ang kanyang performance. Binigyan daw kasi sila ng director ng freedom na gawin ang kanilang eksena sa anumang paraan na gusto nila. Lumalabas, kaya limang take ang parehong eksena ay para may pagpilian ang direktor.

Anyway, sa January 31 ay sa Palawan naman ang shoot ni Lou kasama pa din ang mga bida at doon ay may dialogue na daw siya bilang guide nina Weisz. ’Wag nang tanungin kung magkano ang bayad. Basta ‘okay’ daw at higit na malaki sa bayad na nakukuha niya sa paggawa ng local films. O, ha?

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Cocoy Laurel, the singer-actor son of the late Vice President Doy Laurel who was a matinee idol during his younger years, still has the qualities of a great performer that made him immensely popular.

He wowed the guests at the commemoration of his father’s 8th death anniversary with his rendition of a medley of VP Doy’s favorite songs. His sister Iwi, whose song ‘Special Memory’ has become immortal, also hasn’t lost her prowess as she joined Cocoy in the singing.

What really brought the house down was when, at the program’s conclusion, Cocoy led the Manila City Chorale in singing the ‘Awit ng Maynila’, the city’s anthem, with so  much feeling. I saw Mayor Fred Lim’s face light up in awe and enjoyment. Even the event’s emcee, Glo Garcia, blurted out, ‘walang kupas!’ over the microphone in apparent admiration.

The media members present took particular notice of Lt. Col. Edgar Reyes, chief of the Manila Police District’s mobile unit, who was seen vigorously clapping way after Cocoy has finished his rendition.

As for me, it was the best version of the ‘Awit ng Maynila’ I have heard so far, considering the countless occasions I’ve heard it sung in various events I’ve covered. What’s more, Cocoy was very amiable and down to earth, gamely posing with everyone who wanted their pictures taken with him and answering questions about Nora Aunor, who was once linked to him.

I learned that he is presently preoccupied with fund-raising concerts for the poor. It’s so nice to hear that someone of his stature does things like this. May his tribe increase…                                                                                                                                                                  

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May nakapagbulong na diyan daw sa Tiaong, Quezon ay may isang jueteng lord na gumagamit ng mga sundalo at PNP bilang security. Pati daw sa koleksyon ay ginagamit din ng nasabing jueteng lord ang mga sundalong escorts.

Naku ha?  Ang sosyal naman ng jueteng lord na ito. Kilala daw ito sa alyas na ‘Mon’.

Sana ay maimbestigahan ito ng mga awtoridad at maihinto ang ganitong practice if ever it does exist kasi ’di lang nakakasira sa imahe ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan. Nakaka-dismaya din sa parte ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan na sa iligal ginagamit ang mga sundalo at pulis na ang suweldo ay sa mamamayan din galing.

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Beauty tip: Do not use ordinary soap to wash hair as it is not designed to cleanse the scalp and hair.  Also, do not wash hair intensively since this can irritate the scalp and increase the cell turn over and flakes.  (Source: Dr. RosaryMay Canay-Diaz of the Le Californian Beau Medical Spa/410-8424/450-1388)   

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Jokjok (from Juliet de Loza of Abante)–Sabi Feng Shui, kung mirror nasa hagdan, swelte, akyat grasya.  Kung mirror nasa pinto, yan swelte pasok grasya.  Kung mirror nasa kisame, kaw sobra-sobra swelte talaga! Nasa loob ka motel, kita-kita mo talaga papatong sa `yo grasya!

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