Brand New Dad

Why Marvin is on Cloud 9
Directline By Boy Abunda
The Philippine Star

Marvin Agustin is now a proud father to twins Santiago and Sebastian who were born last Aug. 16, in San Francisco, U.S.A. According to his friend and publicist Joey Diego, "Sobrang excited siya. Kamukha raw niya yong mga bata, guapo." The twins are fraternal but they look alike. Marvin spent his first day as a young father by learning how to feed them and how to change diapers. It's the best time of his life, according to Joey. The boys stayed with their mother in the room and not in the nursery, so Marvin stayed close to his twins. He plans to stay in the US for another month.

Will the birth of Santiago and Sebastian bring Marvin and Tetet closer to the altar? We don't know yet, but the couple has decided to raise the twins in America. Marvin, one of the most hardworking actors we have, left Manila with a heavy heart, disappointed with a couple of snags in his career. I think this has something to do with the cancellation of some of his TV shows and his desire to do more, given his artistic energy. But according to Joey, when Marvin saw his sons for the first time, nothing else mattered.

"From Day One when I saw Sebastian and Santiago, all my hurt feelings vanished. Ang sarap ng feeling. So this is how it feels to be a father. I'm very happy," says Marvin.

We are truly happy for you, Marvin.

A revelation named Alcris Galura

Sixteen-year-old Alcris Galura is quite a revelation. This boy has been acting in movies since he was eight. Among his most memorable films are Mga Munting Tinig, Santa Santita, Babae sa Breakwater where he earned nominations for Best Child Actor at the FAMAS and Best Supporting Actor at the Urian.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Marvin together with the cast and director of Pusang Gala, Ellen Ongkeko- Marfil, Irma Adlawan and Lauren Novero in my show Private Conversations with Boy Abunda, 6 p.m., Thursdays, ANC News Channel.

Since the movie dealt on genderless love, longingness, belongingness, sex, among others, and where one of the major characters of the movie is gay (played by Ricky Davao), our conversation also touched on similar topics. I asked Alcris what he thought about homosexuals. Alcris said he felt it was wrong to be gay, as it is written in the Bible. Alcris is a Baptist. He says he reads the Bible everyday. But after being involved in Pusang Gala (he plays Jojo, who was adopted by a gay novelist played by Ricky Davao), he has come to understand gays and now has a broader view about them. I appreciated this boy's boldness and honesty. He did not mince words in front of people who thought otherwise.

Pusang Gala is one of director Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil's best works. Lead actress Irma Adlawan, who goes daring in the movie, says that so far, none of her children has come to watch the movie. Nor has she invited them to see it. Irma could not have done wrong in this movie. As always, she sparkles!

British Council anniversary

British Council Philippines, on its 25th anniversary celebration, presents a grand theater festival anchored on the works of William Shakespeare this September. It also invites local audiences to savor fresh perspectives of the Bard's works through three of his most famous works.

Tanghalang Pilipino, resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, stakes its claim to masterful performance via R'meo luvs Dew-Lhiett – a whimsical jologs version of the immortal love story. The play is now running at the CCP's Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and is set to move to Tanghalang Huseng Batute come September. It stars Noel Escondo and Catherine Racsag under the direction of Herbie Go, Tanghalang Pilipino artistic director.

Repertory Philippines, considered the foremost proponent of English language theater in the country, will stage an all-male version of Taming of the Shrew beginning Sept. 2 at Rep's Globe Theater in Greenbelt. With Bart Guingona at the helm, the cast includes Joel Trinidad, Niccolo Manahan and Topper Fabregas.

As a special treat, the British Council and its partners, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, New World Renaissance Hotel, Smart Communications, Dream Satellite Cable, ABC Channel 5, Shell Philippines Explorations, Bank of Commerce, Philippine Airlines and Pandiman Philippines have invited Scotland's Theater Babel to present its touring production of Macbeth at the CCP Little Theater on Sept. 14 and 15. Theater Babel's version is unmatched in its exploration of the corrosive effects of power and shows with searing clarity how little separates military heroism from violent brutality.

For inquiries on the Shakespeare festival, call 914-1011 to 14 or log on to www.britishcouncil.org.ph.