Dreamgirls Schmeamgurls

Yeah, yeah.  So J-Hud won the Oscar for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role.  (yawns) Who needs the Dreamgirls?

 

When the Philippines has…

The FRIENDS!!! (rolls in laughter)

Oh…my…God!!!  I was jumping in jubilation when, while channel surfing, Pinoy Box Office or the PBO Channel was airing Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, one of the greatest movies ever made in the Philippines that can give Dreamgirls a run for their money!  Why?  Here are some of the reasons:

THE NAMES!  Who could ever forget characters (and the NAMES for that matter!) like Camille Gonzaga (played by Dina Bonnevie), Monique Versoza (played by THE Cherie Gil), and Bianca Eleazar (played by my idol, Sharon Cuneta).  Ugh.  Very diva-esque just like their counterparts, Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorell Robinson.

THE SCENES!  Remember that famous scene which catapulted Dina Bonnevie to stardom?  It was after the fallout of The Friends (see?  Dreamgirls na Dreamgirls, devah?).  Cut to Camille singing The Friends’s signature song, “That’s What Friends are For” (how witty!) in a sleazy bar, Danny Tan playing the piano, a strip of pale orange cartolina with “Camille” written in longhand plastered as the backdrop to symbolize the character’s career and friendship fizzling to non-existence.  She sobs throughout the song (Yes. She finished f-ing song.  Hey, the show must go on, right?) and this extra became famous for delivering this classic line to the fallen star: Maghubad ka na lang!  Camille sobs further…and still sings, “kee-heep sma-(sob)-hay-ling…(sob) knowing (sob) you (sob) can al(sob)ways (sob) count on me (sob-sob)…for sure (sob-sob-sob) that’s what friends are fooooooor…. (sobs)”.  All this sobbing done simultaenously with THE Danny Tan shaking his head…in intercuts, of course.  And when Camille finished the song (finally)…camera slowly pans to the left revealing the pale orange cartolina cut-out…CAMILLE…fade to white.  (rolls in laughter. sakit na tyan ko)

 THE OUTFITS!  While the Dreamgirls don sparkling, shining, shimmering gowns, the Friends are more glamorous (crickets chirp)  It’s true (readers with blank stares).  What can be more glamorous than beaded velvet full gowns with sleeves and padded shoulders and with their pajas.  And since this is a girl group, the syltist with a genius mind seem to have sat down in a corner thinking:  “Hmmm…how can i make The Friends look the same but still show off their personalities (long pause) A-ha!”  Thus, the “one-cloth/three-styles” costume was born! (rolls in laughter)  Remember the montage shot of The Friends performing from one concert to another?  They were wearing the same textile but cut in different ways.  Classic is the black velvet gown with large red flower prints.!  Monique was in a venus cut, Bianca was in puffed sleeves, and Camille in bustiere!  All from the same roll of cloth. Hahahahahahahaha!

THE HAIR.  Who can beat the “Cobra Hairstyle???” (rolls in laughter)

And so what if J-Hud won the coveted Oscar???  BATTLE OF THE RIBBONS na lang.

Remember Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “I Believe in You and Me” where she nailed the song and missed it completely in this hideous fuschia gown with matching ribbon???  She should have gone to our very own Shawie for tips.  Evidenced by:

Sharon in haute couture with yellow ribbon from Divisoria (I think the stylist bought some ribbon for Christmas and then had an Oprah light-bulb moment and exclaimed:  “Wow!  This yellow ribbon would look good on Sharon, matched with a padded blue crochet blouse!  I am such a genius!”).  It truly helped her in this heart-wrenching scene with Dindo Fernando where her character, Bianca, sings her dad’s composition while the latter is gasping for air and trying to stay alive. 

The genius of Philippine cinema writing!  Only the Filipino screenwriter can think of singing while someone is in his/her deathbed.  How poignant! (readers go on a 2-minute standing ovation)

Hope you enjoyed.  I am so happy to be back!  I promise to upload my Compostella Valley experience.  I truly missed you all, my loves… (gives everyone a biiiiiiiiiiiig hug)