The Golden Globes: Sidelight cheers to the Filipino artist
By Elton Lugay
PHilippine Daily Inquirer
This image released
by NBC shows Eric Fellner, center, on stage with the cast and crew of “Les
Miserables” after the film won for best musical or comedy during the 70th Annual
Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly
Hills, Calif. AP
Talk about clichés.
When television host Mario Lopez saw me,
he hollered, “Pacquiao will rise again!” Actress Glenn Close said she wanted to
learn the “tinikling.”
But it was ‘Bourne Legacy’s’ Rachel Weisz
who had nice words for Filipinos as she passed by me fumbling with my tape
recorder on the Golden Globes red carpet. The Philippines has so much to be
proud of, she said, admiring how Filipinos were such great hosts to the actors
and crew of ‘Bourne Legacy,’ where she plays a scientist on the run.
“You guys are incredibly kind, welcoming
and loving people,” Weisz, wearing a Louis Vuitton gown, told me. “I’ve never
seen anything like it!”
It’s the Golden Globe Awards, the annual
gathering of Hollywood royalty. It is the undercard to the Oscars, the rowdier
party because, it’s been said, libation flowed freely. The Golden Globes is a
production of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, where Filipino journalist
and PDI columnist Ruben Nepales is chairman of the board.
Congratulations are in order. And should I
say big thanks to Ruben because if he were not up there on stage at The Beverly
Hilton I wouldn’t be down here by the red carpet covering the stars and their
gowns.
Ruben and wife Janet are longtime members
of the HFPA, the only Filipinos in the association. Many in the Filipino
American community are hats off to the couple for what they have achieved in
America’s entertainment industry.
“Ruben and Janet are important members of
the HFPA and what’s good about them is that they are still ‘kababayan,’” said
filmmaker and former fashion model Bessie Badilla who flew in from New York to
attend the Globes.
The irrepressible Bessie met “Les
Miserables’” Hugh Jackman. “He said I’m gorgeous! I almost died.” And with that
Bessie rooted for Les Miz all the way.
R & B singer Patti Austin said she is
grateful to Ruben and his friendship. “I’m gonna sing for you for free for a
long time,” she told him.
Patti also announced an upcoming concert
in Manila this year “hopefully with James Ingram.” Before parting, she praised
her Filipino makeup artist, Maxi Tone, for making her look beautiful every time
she walks the red carpet.
Designer Oliver Tolentino is no stranger
to the red carpet. This year he dressed up Janet, Bessie and former Miss
Universe Margaret Gardner.
“It’s my third year and each time I get so
inspired by the gowns all these celebrities are wearing,” he said. “The person
wearing the gown is my inspiration.”
Janet wore a pina jusi turquoise gown
embellished with Swarovski crystals, and Bessie, a chiffon gown in emerald green
which he called “color of the year.” Margaret sported a black body shaper of a
gown.
Les Miz director Tom Hooper and I managed
to connect amid the chaotic red carpet hoopla. I asked how he felt about not
getting an Oscar nomination.
This image released
by NBC shows Anne Hathaway with her award for best supporting actress in a
motion picture for her role in “Les Miserables” during the 70th Annual Golden
Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills,
Calif. AP
“It’s a bi-product of the fact that it’s a
year of wonderful movies and that it’s important to remember that,” he said.
“All in all it’s pretty exciting.” Did he just snub my question? Moving on…
Actress Jodie Foster is getting the Cecil
B. DeMille Award – the Globes’ Lifetime Achievement Award — for her enduring and
remarkable career in cinema. She said the award meant so much to her.
“It’s my whole childhood, my entire life
on screen. Forty-seven years of film business,” she said. “It’s kind of
emotional.”
ABC reporter Anthony Cabrera — a fellow
Pinoy — was another newbie, covering the event for the first time.
“It’s an overwhelming feeling, you meet
people from all over the world coming for the Golden Globes, that feels great
and to think I’m Filipino–it’s great. As you can see there’s not many of us
here,” he said.
And finally, a fleeting moment with Les
Miz composer and Broadway behemoth Claude-Michel Schönberg. He disclosed that
“Miss Saigon” may soon be going to the big screen.
“I’ve been seeing Lea Salonga quite often
these days and no I’m not going to talk about Miss Saigon,” he said. “There are
some kind of discussions of ‘Miss Saigon’ going to the big screen.” He said
auditions in Manila went well and that “I’ve never been disappointed in any of
them.”
“I must tell you, Filipino performers are
so close to vocal perfection–that’s difficult to ask for more.” More words of
praise for Filipino artistry from the great Schönberg.
What a night. Draining and also energizing
how in this big Hollywood party, we Filipinos made such remarkable impressions
on Hollywood’s film legends.
