"Star" is the Holy Wednesday episode of the 2007 edition of the annual drama anthology Eat Bulaga's Lenten Special. It aired on 4 April 2007 with a total runtime of 65 minutes.
Each year, the anthology replaces the noontime show's regular programming in observance of the solemnity of Holy Week. Standalone episodes of short dramas are shown from Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday, with each episode having different characters, story, and director. A total of three episodes were produced and released for the 2007 edition.[1]
Directed by Joel Lamangan, "Star" is a story about an ambitious mother who displays unfair favoritism between her two grown-up children. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to repair the rift between their family.[2]
The episode is top-billed by Gina Alajar, Michael V, and Julia Clarete. Supporting cast includes Paolo Ballesteros, Pauleen Luna, Francis Magalona, Toni Rose Gayda, Alfred Vargas, Cindy Kurleto, Lollie Mara, and Mr. Pogi 2006 second runner-up Mark Fresco.
Plot
Outside the hospital, a mentally ill patient interrupts the filming of a television news crew by repeatedly asking them who the "star" is. Annoyed reporter Alex (Francis Magalona) responds that he is the star and demands that the crazy woman be removed from the scene. The news crew resumes its recording to report on the tragic car accident that left star actor Jamie Canlas (Paolo Ballesteros) in critical condition.
Meanwhile in the hospital, Miniang (Gina Alajar) talks to her younger son's doctors to determine his current condition. Jonathan (Michael V) tries to comfort his mother who gets annoyed at the older son's gesture. Miniang demands Jonathan to leave her alone with her favorite child.
Lani sees Jamie's condition.
Jonathan meets with Lani (Julia Clarete), the president of his brother's fan club, who reveals that she is pregnant with Jamie's child. The ratings-hungry reporter overhears their conversation and later releases the controversial news to the public, which infuriates Miniang as it turns the public opinion for the dying actor sour. To fix the situation, Jonathan comes up with a different plan: He would simply lie to the public that the real father of the child is him and not his younger brother.
Outside Jamie's room, Miniang demands Lani to leave. For the first time, Jonathan defiantly talks back to defend Lani from his mother. With the unborn child as the only reminder of his son, Miniang begins to reflect and reconcile with Lani and Jonathan as Jamie takes his last breath.
Meanwhile, Dr. Robles tells her sister, the mentally ill patient roaming around the hospital, that she is the star. However, Elena corrects her that the real star of the world who everyone forgets is Jesus Christ.
Cast
Main cast
- Gina Alajar as Miniang Canlas
- Michael V as Jonathan "Jonat" Canlas
- Julia Clarete as Lani Nobres
Supporting cast
- Paolo Ballesteros as Jamie Canlas
- Pauleen Luna as Paula Muñoz
- Francis Magalona as Alex Molina
- Toni Rose Gayda as Elena
- Alfred Vargas as Dr. Matt Castro
- Cindy Kurleto as Dr. Carla Flores
- Lollie Mara as Dr. Robles
- Mark Fresco as Mark
Trivia
- A digitally remastered version of "Star" was re-aired on Holy Monday, 11 April 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in Eat Bulaga! being unable to produce new content for the 2022 Holy Week, three episodes from the past—the others being "Binhi sa Matabang Lupa" and "Pangalawang Bukas"— were replayed instead.
- To comply with local election laws, scenes involving Alfred Vargas—who is seeking election for councilor in Quezon City's 5th district—have been omitted from the 2022 remastered edition. His name was also blurred out from the opening and end credits of the episode. As a result, the runtime of the updated version has been shortened to 55 minutes.
Full episode
References
- ↑ Carlo at Maja, friends pa rin, 2 April 2007, Pilipino Star Ngayon.
- ↑ "Eat Bulaga" hosts star in three Lenten episodes, 28 March 2007, Philippine Entertainment Portal.