‘Paghilom’ the movie launches

THE movie Paghilom had its press launching recently attended by no less than Tony Boy dela Rea, one of the main characters in the movie and a first-time movie producer. He was joined by his sister Avelina dela Rea who is the executive producer of a new film outfit called Cine Silang.

Tony Boy plays the role of Alfon, a domineering father in Paghilom, which tackles the dynamics of the conflicts in the family, the series of tragedies that happen to his two beloved sons, and the personal and emotional struggle between the husband and his suffering wife, Ophel, played by Jane Umali.

Joining them in this movie during the event

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS through musical triumphs with love even as he suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. Bennett drew and signed an image of Miles Davis’ trumpet that Gaga wears as a tattoo on her arm. k.d. lang’s formidable voice bowed to no one when she brought it to a series of memorable performances with Bennett in the 1990s.

DAY: Bianca Santos, 33; Kate Beckinsale, 50; Sandra Bullock, 59; Helen Mirren, 78.

“He was a place of refuge for the American songbook,” lang told the Associated Press. “He made sure that he loved a song. He would not sing any song that he didn’t love.”

Make no mistake: Bennett brought the goods. Watch a video of him coming on to a Shea Stadium stage to sing “New York State of Mind” with Billy Joel. His guest steals the song, and Joel beams as he watches. His handiwork has just been blessed by Tony Bennett.

At a San Francisco fundraiser a few years ago, with Alzheimer’s insidious impact already apparent, Folds watched stunned as Bennett switched from remarks to a few bars of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” in perfect pitch.

Bennett exuded an older generation’s class, always performing in a tuxedo or tailored suit. In a Los Angeles hotel room in 1994 when an earthquake hit before dawn, Bennett took the time to change into a suit before joining bathrobe-wearing evacuees, the Los Angeles Times noted.

In all of the work he did with contemporary artists, he never sounded age inappropriate, said music critic Jim Farber. Bennett always bent them to his musical will, never the other way around, he said.

“There’s this multitude of singers, from Gaga to Diana Krall to John Mayer,” lang said. “Now they can carry a certain understanding that they received firsthand from him.”

Something more important was usually happening in the audience.

Two years ago, writer Christine Passarella recalled sitting in lawn chairs in a Brooklyn park in the 1980s with her mother and baby daughter, listening to Bennett sing. “Seeing him live felt like watching an uncle embracing me and my mom, as his music helped us remember my father, my mom’s one and only love,” she wrote.

Countless numbers of people remember similar moments with family over the years, hearing Bennett’s voice wash warmly over them while sitting with a mother or father, a son or daughter. I’m among them. That is, ultimately, a legacy to be treasured above all. ■ are (from left to right) singer and actor Lance Raymundo as Dr. Marco Guevarra; Genesis Guevarra, the son of Mark and Anna; Piolo Broso, as Mark, one of the sons of Alfon and Ophie; and the movie’s director Tejay Gonzales. Also in the movie are Azenith Briones as Jenny, Sharmaine Suarez as Anna, Bridge Romero as Dr. Bong Guinto, and Joshua de Guzman as Rene Boy, the other son of Alfon and Ophel.

Tony Boy embarked on this project because of his passion for movies, while Avelina on her part wanted to leave a legacy for their family. This is a feel-good movie that every family can easily relate with and find a silver lining to every struggle in life.

The

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Take your time, get things right the first time and avoid emotional turmoil and opposition. Plan your adventures intelligently, and look at every aspect of a situation before you act. How you approach everyday issues will determine how the year unfolds. A steady pace forward will lead to results that give peace of mind. Self-reliance will build confidence. Your numbers are 9, 11, 23, 27, 33, 36, 41.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you don’t contribute, you won’t have a say. Stand up for your beliefs and adjust your life and how you live it to benefit you. Reevaluate your associates and how you spend your time. Happiness is a choice, and it begins with you. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Declutter your life, and you’ll eliminate tension, stress and complaints. Restructure how you spend your time to ensure you take a path that leads to better health, financial stability and a happy outlook. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Outsmart anyone interfering with what you want. Use your intelligence, physical attributes and courage to sidestep your way to the top. Counter anyone who tries to rewrite history or make you look bad. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your best foot forward and you’ll gain ground. Educational pursuits will lead you in a direction that is eye-opening. Be persistent when faced with doubt or necessary change if you want to improve your life. Don’t settle for something that isn’t healthy. ★★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t drag someone along who doesn’t want to be there. Forge ahead alone and you’ll accomplish what you set out to do. Trust your instincts and simplify your life. Distance yourself from drama and people who like to blame others for their mistakes. ★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Act in your best interest, not with emotional motives. A sound decision will make or break your spirit. Trust your instincts regarding travel, residential moves and educational pursuits. Be ready to act fast once you decide what’s best for you. ★★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Call for help if it will make your journey easier. Pressure at home or work will dictate the changes that follow. Look for the most opportunity-filled path, and secure your position to validate your authenticity. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll face multiple choices that can change your direction, lifestyle or relationship with others. Take care of your responsibilities to avoid criticism and being forced into something you don’t want. Control the situation instead of letting others dictate your next move. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Refuse to let what others do agitate you. Think and do what’s best for you and protect your money, possessions and reputation from anyone who tries to take advantage of you. Be resourceful, get your facts straight and create opportunities tailored to your needs. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a different approach when faced with opposition or setbacks, and you’ll find a way to zigzag your way to higher ground. Focus on what you can do and not what’s holding you back. Make change and opportunity priorities and start the process. ★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Choose your battles wisely. Humor anyone who is trying to coax you into an emotional struggle. Outsmart your way forward using charm, facts and empathy; you will come out on top. Keep life simple and affordable, regardless of what others choose to do. ★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a unique approach to investments and how you use your skills to earn a living. Look at partnerships that will help you get to where you want to go, and don’t hesitate to change what isn’t working for you anymore.

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are charismatic, intense and extravagant. You are dynamic and tireless.

Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach