Aiza Seguerra wary of her concert's grand venue

If she can have her way, acoustic star Aiza Seguerra would rather have her 25th anniversary concert held in a small venue, certainly not the size of Smart Araneta Coliseum where she is slated to play on September 28.

"I'm really not a big fan of big production numbers. Mas importante sa akin ang music quality at ang ambience ng intimate venues," she said during the press conference for her upcoming silver anniversary celebration show.

Starting at age 3 as a standout in “Eat Bulaga's” Little Miss Philippines, Aiza, now 28, is perhaps the youngest showbiz star to mark her 25th year as a celebrity figure.

And such a milestone deserves the big stage.

As well as big guest stars.

Starting with Tito, Vic and Joey who gave her her start in “Eat Bulaga,” "Bente Singko: Aiza Seguerra Anniversary Concert" will also have A-listers Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

Also sharing the big stage with her are The Company, Gloc 9, Cooky Chua and Bayang Barrios. Aiza will be joined too by her fellow ASAP Sessionistas, namely Juris, Richard Poon, Princess and Nyoy Volante.

“Battle for the Big Break” grand winner Krizza Neri. whom she mentors, will also be on hand as special guest.

Surviving the awkward stage

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra will make sure the evening sounds as grand as the event but Aiza's effort to make it as intimate as possible is likely to make the atmosphere more relaxed. All her life she seemed to know how to handle things.

When asked about how she went through adolescence, from which many child stars fall into and don’t return, the singer-actress who currently appears in ABS-CBN’s “Please Be Careful With My Heart” replied, “I was prepared well for that awkward stage. Somehow alam ko na ang gagawin ko after I realized I’m no longer a child.”

In 2001, at age 17, Aiza re-established herself as a recording star with the release of her debut album. Thanks to her sublime interpretation of the Moy Ortiz and Edith M. Gallardo song “Pagdating ng Panahon,” the album went platinum five times over. In 2010, her album “Perhaps Love” was released in Singapore which ranked number 2 on the sales chart.

Aiza has also appeared in more than 30 movies and strengthened her popular appeal when she played daughter to Vic Sotto’s Enteng Kabisote in the hit TV series “Okey Ka Fairy Ko.”

Yugel Losorata | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Brillante asks Filipinos to support local films

“Thy Womb” director Brillante Mendoza, who is back in the country with his La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award, a special recognition from film critics in Italy, hopes Filipinos will support the local film industry all the more.

“Pakiusap ko lang sa mga manunuood natin, maging mas masigasig lang para mas mainspire pa kami gumawa para sa mga Filipino audiences natin, hindi lang sa mga audiences natin abroad. Kasi we would also like to share kung bakit nila (foreign audiences) naaappreciate ang mga ganitong pelikula sa Pilipinas,” he told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! and other members of the press during his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Brillante represented the Philippines at the Venice International Film Festival together with “Thy Womb” lead star Nora Aunor and cast members Lovi Poe and Mercedes Cabral.

Nora won the Bisato d' Oro Award special critics’ award. Brillante also got P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention honors.

The director said the international audience’s warm reception was inspiring.

“Sobrang saya. Overwhelming ang response sa screening natin sa Venice (International Film Festival). Meron tayong standing ovation doon, so nakakataba ng puso. A prize outside the festival, it's a critics’ award in Italy. Meron silang sariling organization sa Italy na nagbibigay ng ganitong award sa mga pelikulang karapatdapat.”

Praise for Nora

He shared his joy over working with Nora, who didn’t have qualms working on an indie film like “Thy Womb,” where she played an infertile Badjao wife.

“Okay si Ate Guy (Nora). Walang problema, since the start pa lang na nag-umpisa kami hanggang sa paggawa namin at hanggang ngayon na kasama ko siya, sobrang nakakataba ng puso. Nakakatuwa na kahit superstar na siya at ito'y isang independent film pero yung partisipasyon niya ang laki-laki pa rin. Parang ang tagal-tagal na rin naming magkakilala, so masaya,” he said.

Brillante added that he has long accepted the Metro Manila Filmfest committee’s decision to exclude “Thy Womb” in the annual event. What matters to him now is that doors of opportunity are opening for the film in the international market.

“Naka-move on na rin ako kasi kumbaga hindi siguro para sa akin talaga yung festival na iyon. A meron silang kanya-kanyang criteria, masaya na tao. Lagi kong sinasabi na kung may magsara man, laging may magbubukas na mas malaki pa. Ito yung karangalan siguro na kapalit noon.”

More inspired

Brillante added that the success of “Thy Womb” inspires him to do quality films all the more.

“Kung nagkaroon na ng ganitong opportunity, sana yung mga manonood natin, panoorin na nila para naman makagawa pa kami ng mga ganoong klase ng pelikula sa susunod,” he said.

“Thy Womb” will be shown come November.

Brillante’s next film, “Captive”, starring Angel Aquino, Ronnie Lazaro and Mercedes Cabral, is inspired by stories of kidnapping and rebel group abductions.

“Hindi kami nagkaroon ng malaking publicity at promotion. I was hoping na sana kahit papaano mas maraming nanuod. Hindi kami pwedeng makipagcompete sa mga major companies, maliit lang kami, independent. Talagang kulang mg promotion iyan,” the director said.

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Is Jodi falling for Jolo?

Jodi Sta. Maria is consistently mum about her love life, especially on questions regarding rumored boyfriend Jolo Revilla, who allegedly went to Hong Kong with her recently.

While she admits going to Hong Kong with her son Thirdy, Jodi refused to answer who else came with them.

“I have a son Thirdy (by former husband Pampi Lacson). Siya ang inspiration ko. Para sa kanya ako gumigising,” she said at the thanksgiving party of her top-rating morning TV drama “Be Careful with My Heart” on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

A year after she and Pampi separated, Jodi is ready to open her heart again.

“I guess I am,” Jodi replied to a question on whether she is ready to love again. She also said that she “never lost faith in love.”

Instead of talking about her love life, Jodi is more interested in discussing the success of “Be Careful with My Heart,” which she stars with Richard Yap, Aiza Seguerra, Sylvia Sanchez, Divina Valencia, Gloria Sevilla and Mutya Orquiza. Jodi and Richard also released a nine-track album for the show, which will have Saturday replays beginning Sept.15.

“Yung demand talaga ng mga tao na nagre-request na mapanood yung show, regalo natin ito sa kanila. Yung mga taong nagwo-work, nasa school, hindi nakakanood ng “Be Careful With My Heart,” gusto rin nilang ma-experience yung good vibes and yung positive thing na naidudulot ng show. Ito na yung sagot sa request nila,” Jodi said.

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom