1. On Fil-Am actor Germaine de Leon, L.A. screening of “Manila Skies,”
and the passing of a dear colleague
I’d like to give a heads up to our media friends in
Manila about Fil-Am actor Germaine de Leon, who is also in the movie “Here Comes the Boom,”
(where Charice and another Fil-Am actor Reggie Lee stars opposite comedian Kevin James).
“Here Comes the Boom” will hit Manila theaters come January 8. Germaine is one of the most
successful Fil-Am actors in Hollywood onstage, tv and films. He is famous for his role in the hit
tv series “Dexter” and currently playing lead in the well-acclaimed comedy play “Kong: A
Goddamn 30-Foot Gorilla” at the SkyPilot Theater in NoHo district. He happens to be a relative
of the big Padilla clan and close to the Ranillo’s (Suzette, Dandin, Matt, etc.). He is the
grandson of Jose Padilla, Jr. You can read my feature article about this talented guy in my next
column.

2. In my last column, I
mentioned about the lack of Filipino films we see in different film festivals around U.S. and I am
happy to share that a few weeks ago, I saw Raymond Red’s “Manila Skies” (sub-titled
“Himpapawid”) starring Raul Arellano in one of its L.A. screening in a regular theater. The film
was entered at the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival but now was able to get a one
week run in selected AMC theaters here in L.A. and in some parts of the U.S. The movie is
inspired by a true news account of a desperate man who lost his faith in the society and decided
to hijack a plane. Arellano gave a strong performance, cinematography was great (I think Red
mentioned that he used a red camera) but it was the storytelling and screenplay that had me
engrossed watching the film. Red, the only Filipino director who won a Palme d’Or at Cannes
(2000) also just finished a black and white feature entitled “Kamera Obskura,” which won the
Special Jury Prize at the recent 2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival held in Manila.
The Philippine industry is mourning the demise of
veteran and acclaimed director, writer, and actor Celso Ad Castillo, who was succumbed to
death at the age of 69, by a heart attack. He was known of doing erratic films, sex-themed

3. movies as well as great period films that made a trend in the history of Filipino films. He directed
62 feature films and wrote 44 movie screenplays which started from 1964 to 2010. Some of his
notable films include “Burlesk Queen” (Vilma Santos), “Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan”
(Christopher de Leon), “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat Ng Lupa” (Gloria Diaz),
“Asedillo” (FPJ), “Kung Bakit Dugo Ang Kulay Ng Gabi,” “Tag-Ulan Sa Tag-Araw,” “Ang
Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion,” “Patayin Mo Sa Sindak si Barbara,” “Ihalik Mo Ako Sa Diyos,”
” Daluyong at Habagat,” “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-Itim ng Tagak,” “Bakit May Pag-Ibig Pa,”
“Maligno,” “Sa Dulo Ng Kris,” “Aliw-Iw,” “Uhaw Na Dagat,” among many memorable films.
And here in L.A.,
the Filipino entertainment media and Fil-Am community are very sad of the passing of a dear
friend and colleague — Jackie Regala-Katigbak, whom at the age of 51, lost her battle to breast
cancer. Jackie, together with his husband Gerry Katigbak and son Mikko produced many shows
in Los Angeles in the past two decades under their family banner KATZ Entertainment. Katz last
produced concert was the Starmagic 20, the 20th anniversary of ABS-CBN where 19 stars from
said network performed at the Shrine Auditorium. Jackie R. Katigbak was a former editor of
Manila Standard in Manila, Philippines (and also worked at Manila Bulletin as an assistant
editor) before migrating in Los Angeles. She has written and became entertainment editors for
several L.A. publications including Asian Journal Publications, Weekend Balita, among others,
and worked as a PRO for several brand (Goldilocks, Forex Cargo, etc.) before venturing into
producing concerts and tour shows for Manila-based singers and artists. On a personal note,
Jackie is one of the nicest and endearing person I’ve known for many years. She was always
cool, steady, and has a lot of patience. We were supposed to have a meeting after
Thanksgiving to talk about Mikko’s pending Hollywood career (the kid wowed the judges during
last year’s IMTA competition held at the Bonaventure Hotel!) and since then I took in Michaelo
(Mikko) under my wings and swore to keep my promise that I’ll forever guide and help him.
Suddenly, I was shocked about the sad news on Tuesday. There is a funeral service at the

4. Forest Lawn in Cypress this weekend: Viewing on Saturday (10 – 9 p.m.), Sunday visitation
from 5-7 p.m. and mass from 7-9 p.m.).