Was it an accident or was it self-inflicted? As of this writing, it appears that there are no clear answers on what really happened to Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, a former actor who is also the son of actor-politicians Bong and Lani Revilla.
Jolo was rushed to the Asian Hospital in Alabang mid-morning of Saturday, from a gunshot wound to his chest. Initial talks with Lolita Solis, as reported by the major local news channels, implied that Jolo’s wound was apparently self-inflicted. Solis, who represents Jolo and his parents in their show business dealings, also added that Jolo appeared troubled and depressed when she saw him the day before the incident. But the family counsel and spokesman, lawyer Raymund Fortun said Jolo accidentally pulled the trigger of the gun as he was cleaning it at their residence in Ayala Alabang. Fortun added that the gun was a .40 caliber Glock pistol.
Social media has been abuzz with speculations, more questions and varied opinions. Some asked why Jolo should clean a loaded gun. Who first saw him bloodied? Who took him to the hospital? Some reckoned that it might be a failed suicide attempt due to depression. Jolo’s father has been in jail over corruption charges and was recently in the news again after being seen outside his cell, in the company of another senator also imprisoned on similar charges.
Some have been speculating whether his romance with actress Jodi Santamaria had anything to do with the shooting incident. Jodi was working on her new ABS-CBN drama series (Pangako sa ’Yo) in Zambales when the incident took place. By the time you read this, other revelations and updates regarding the incident would already have been made. The parents might have already spoken up and dismissed the the attempted suicide angle. Jodi would have already been contacted for comment. We just hope that Jolo survives this test, and be well and brave enough to tell us the truth on what really happened.
NASTY SLUGFEST
We have been reading a lot about the nasty verbal back-and-forth between estranged showbiz couples like Jackie Foster and Benjie Paras, and Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano.
Washing their dirty linen in public will certainly create more damage to a love that has long gone beyond sour. We feel that in the end, it is their children who suffer the consequences of their tirades against each other.
‘T-BIRD AT AKO’ RESTORED
We are happy to know that the restored Danny Zialcita film T-Bird at Ako was warmly received when it was shown recently at the Cine Adarna of the University Philippines Diliman.
The 1982 film, with inimitable actors like Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Tommy Abuel, Suzanne Gonzales and Odette Khan in the cast, has been restored with professional precision and utmost care. Aunor and Khan were present in the screening, much to the delight of the crowd.
Special mention should go to Leo Katigbak and his restoration team for bringing back a wonderfully crafted movie for a new generation of local film audience to watch.
Katigbak was recently honored with an Ani ng Dangal by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts for being recognized by the International Gold Quill Awards in 2014 with an Award of Excellence during ceremonies in Toronto, Canada, last year. The Gold Quill Awards, the flagship awards program of the International Association of Business Communicators, aims to recognize excellence in communications worldwide.
The ABS-CBN initiative on film restoration, which started in 2011, advocates the restoration of Philippine cinema classics in an effort to raise appreciation for these outstanding film works among the new generation of Filipino film followers, both locally and for those now living abroad. Katigbak set up the archives back in 1994, with the view of preserving outstanding local films early on.
To date, the team has managed to successfully restore timeless Filipino films like Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, Pegue Gallaga’s Oro, Plata, Mata, Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Mike de Leon’s Hindi Nahahati ang Langit, releasing its first restored film in 2012 and adding 83 other titles since then. We heard that another Bernal classic, Ikaw ay Akin, also starring Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, is the next in line for Katigbak’s hard-working team. So the fans of the two living superstars will have something to look forward to before the year ends.
