"Actually, the film is not a gay movie. Films on macho dancers were never gay movies in the sense that the issues tackled were not always on gays...this film about macho dancers is situated in a political and social environment," the director said.

For him, interpreting the macho dancers in a poltical and socio-economic backdrop was the challenge for him as a filmmaker as well as for the awarded writer Ricky Lee.

"Twilight Dancers" is about a has-been macho dancer Alfred who is portrayed by , the latest macho dancer sensation played by and a devious businesswoman, played by .

The film tackles how Madame Loca, who frequents the club where and Dwight perform nightly, is very influential and manipulative. A rich customer, she takes control of the dancers and pits them against each other for survival.

The other lives focused on the movie are the battered deaf-mute wife () of Alfred whom he is trying to win back; a director () who’s been promising a young male dancer () a break in showbiz; a transvestite () who fakes his virginity; a homosexual (); a cross dresser town mayor (); an assassinated union leader () and the club manager portrayed by .

Another challenging aspect of the film for Mel Chionglo was working with new actors. He was just glad that his actors met his expectations and delivered their respective roles well enough.

"Actually mabilis naman ang shooting namin and it was very smooth and walang problema despite the fact that 75% of the cast was relatively new...well, I’m used to it since the last two films on macho dancers both featured newcomers. So hindi mahirap," he said.

"Instead of controlling them, you just explain their roles. Like when they’re just macho dancers, you explain that each of them were given characters and that’s what they should only do. But the more natural they are the better. I just let them do what they feel is best but with guidance before the take," he replied.

The film too will showcase the growing popularity of gay clubs and macho dancers among female members of society as exemplified by Madame Loca. Mel shared that during filming in the nightclub they used, he saw a number of foreigners especially Korean women as frequent customers.

"It’s the sense of liberation for Pinays and foreign women. Though in the Philippines we are conservative, women now don’t have strictures. Women because of their economic independence are freer to do anything they want now as long as they have the means to do it and they enjoy it. Aside from the gays, women ang center ng clubs," he pointed out.

"In this particular film we decided to make dancing symbolic of something like survival in the Philippines in its current situation. So dancing takes on another meaning and it is shown as well as in excess of the film."

"The movie is made for the Philippines but like an icing on a cake, its been invited to international festivals. It’s an honor that it is recognized abroad. Hopefully it will also help the film here at the same time help the film sell abroad," the director expressed.

The intrigue about Piolo has always been concerning his sexuality, or true gender. It has been written about a hundred times, in the tabloids and even in broadsheets, that he is gay and that he has been linked to fellow male actors, for instance and most recently, Sam Milby.

But when asked if intrigues like this affect him, Piolo, with a happy face, said he isn’t affected at all. We found this intriguing of course. Is it because he doesn’t read the papers?

Well, anyway, Piolo will be featured in today’s first episode on the "king"s on "Star Magic Presents." Entitled written by and directed by , it is the story of (Piolo) who stays with his close relatives in Manila while processing his papers for his trup to to follow his lady love who is working there as a nurse. While staying at his cousing Egay’s (AJ Perez) house, he meets (), a teenager who has a very low self-esteem. Alvin develops a brotherly concern for Lea and encourages her to build her confidence and become a better person. Lea misunderstands Alvin’s concern and thinks that he is courting her. She falls for Alvin and more complications arise because Egay apparently has been harboring a secret crush on Lea. So how will Lea feel when she realizes that Alvin is just being a concerned kuya to her?

"Star Magic Presents" premiered last Saturday with and Diether Ocampo. Forthcoming episodes will feature the other "kings," plus , the newest addition to the Star Magic family.

Medical broadcaster who hosts " on with beauteous TV personality , is grinning from ear–to–ear these days because his TV show is getting to be a hit, especially with adults and senior citizens who are more health–conscious. At the health lectures that he conducts nationwide, Doc Gary has been receiving good feedback.

The recognition inspires Doc Gary, Amy and the entire "KTV" staff to come up with interesting and entertaining episodes for the viewers week after week. It has also prompted Doc Gary to transfer KTV to a primetime timeslot. Starting today, Sept. 2, "KTV" now airs at 5 p.m. on RPN 9. The show can also be seen four times a week on cable via the Prime Channel (Mondays – 11:30 p.m., Wednesday –12 n.n., Thursday – 8 p.m. and Friday 1 p.m.). "We’re very happy that we are able to reach more viewers," says Doc Gary. "Ang dami–daming blessings na natatanggap ng show."

To thank the public for its support, Doc Gary is throwing what he calls a "four–in–one celebration ni Brother Doc Gary" today, at the activity center of , . "I’m turning 41 on Sept. 3 so it’s my birthday blowout," smiles the tall and bagets–looking geriatrician, and one of the topnotchers in the most recent exams for fellows of the .

The whole–day affair will have games and prizes, merienda, a health lecture at 3 p.m., and a variety show hosted by Doc Gary and his colleague . Performers include and other surprise guests. Admission is free! Other DZMM broadcasters such as and and have taped their greetings for the birthday boy.

World-renowed Filipino Grandmaster Ernesto A. Presas will be featured in ABS-CBN’s Sports Unlimited this coming Saturday. Grandmaster Presas is the founder and president of the International Philippine Martial Arts Federation (IPMAF) and considered one of the top practitioners of arnis, an indigenous Philippine martial arts. He invented the Presas-style of arnis and the mano-mano (hand-tohand) technique. Hosts Diane Castillejo and Marc Nelson will learn the secrets of this martial arts techniques from the Grandmaster himself.

Incidentally, Grandmaster Presas recently recieved the ‘Living Legend’ award, highest award give to martial arts practitioners in the world by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Sports Unlimited is on at 11:30 p.m., right after Sabado Movie Greats.

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