AJ Raval is tagged as the new Pantasya ng Bayan for baring her body in the films she did. Of course, bashers quickly came to attack her to the point of body shaming her. How does she react to them?

“Ay, wala po akong pakialam sa kanila,” she says at the presscon of her latest skin flick, “Taya”. “When I did my first movie, ‘Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar’, kasama ko si Mama Rosanna Roces and she advised me na sa pagpasok ko sa pagpapa-sexy, kailangang matatag ang loob ko at wala akong pakialam sa sasabihin ng ibang tao. Lagi kong tinatandaan ‘yun.”

She says she knows she’s not perfect but she doesn’t feel insecure about her height, her looks, the shape of her body, her skin color and even the size of her boobs.

“Hindi ko naman gagawin ito kung sa tingin ko, wala akong K (karapatan). Kaya kaysa magpaapekto ako sa bashers, I just focus on my work para mas mapagbuti ko ang acting ko. Kung ang Viva nga nagtitiwala sa akin at sunud-sunod ang movies ko sa kanila, bakit ko naman papansinin ‘yung bashers? Ang importante, masaya ako sa ginagawa ko at enjoy ako mag-artista.”

In “Taya”, she plays a sexy girl who is the prize in an online betting game. Her partner, Sean de Guzman, plays a student who gets addicted to gambling. Has she tried gambling herself?

“Hindi po ako, but ‘yung ex-boyfriend ko. Naging addict siya sa pagsusugal hanggang sa nagkabaon-baon siya sa utang at ako na ang nai-stress kasi ako ang nagbabayad sa mga utang niya. Kaya ang wish ko, sana mapanood niya itong ‘Taya’ para matutuhan niyang hindi dapat maging sobrang sugapa sa sugal. Dahil lahat ng sobra, masama.”

Aside from AJ, two new nymphets are also introduced in “Taya”, Jela Cuenca and Angeli Khang. Like AJ, both of them are also just too ready to bare their nubile bodies in front of the camera in “Taya”. “The movie really has a lot to offer, hindi lang ako,” says AJ.

How did she handle her sex scenes with Sean? “We had a workshop along with sina Jela and Angeli, and Direk Roman Perez explained to us what he’ll require from us. Naging open kami ni Sean sa isa’t isa at walang wall between us. And during the shoot, he keeps on asking us kung ok pa ba kami, kung kaya pa ba namin. Napakagaan katrabaho ni Direk kasi hindi ka niya pipilitin kung ayaw mo. We enjoyed working with him.”

Arnel, Bamboo enliven concert scene in US

THE concert scene in the U.S. is now slowly going back to normal and even Las Vegas has opened up again. Two top Pinoy rock artists will perform in “First Light”, a series of concerts in three U.S. cities, Arnel Pineda and Bamboo, as produced by Ms. Pen de Leon Manahan or Ms. M of Spotlight Media Entertainment.

The concerts will be held in Las Vegas, Seattle, and San Jose (CA). Ms. M will make sure that health protocols will be in place to insure the safety of both the performing artists and the audience as well.

“Of course we’re going to ensure that preventive measures against the virus are strictly followed at each event.” Ms. M added. “We have to keep strong and positive during these trying times. We can’t stop doing what we’re passionate about. I’ve always been passionate about bringing great entertainment to everyone while giving opportunities to Filipino artists to showcase their incomparable talents here in the US and making my business grow at the same time. It’s the circle of life. We all need to help each other rise especially during a storm. We all need to keep the faith.”

During the last quarter of 2020, Ms. M also gave life to Spotlight Media Magazine to connect the local Pinoy community, and even the whole world, virtually.

“You can’t go wrong with a multi-media platform, both in print and digital forms. This way, community partners, organizations and other entrepreneurs may still have a voice using the magazine. You always need to have a back-up plan. We couldn’t do live concerts in 2020, so my family and I had to think outside of the box. As the saying goes, ‘When life gives you lemons, make limoncello’. You have to keep creating new visions for yourself.”

She’s so happy because advanced ticket sales are doing well for the concerts. “It’s not only Pinoys based in the U.S. who are buying tickets but also foreigners because Arnel is so popular as the lead singer of Journey,” she adds. “Nakakatuwa si Arnel kasi he’s so sikat here but he’s so down to earth and has no airs. He’s very humble and acts like an ordinary person.”

People ask her if she’s related to Mr. M or Johnny Manahan but she says they’re not at all related. She’s been in the USA for 22 years and her businesses are concerned mainly with behavioral management and health care. “I’m relatively new in concert producing,” she says. “I was introduced to Anna Puno ng Starmedia and I started with a concert with K Brosas and Angeline Quinto concert in Palm Springs, Agua Caliente. Proceeds of my concerts go to my foundation that helps the poor in the Philippines. I also have a website that helps Filipinos in America stay connected, spotlightentertinment.com.”

The first leg of the concert will be held in Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino at Las Vegas, Nevada on September 17, 2021, 7 PM. This is followed by San Jose Center of the Performing Arts on Sept. 25 and Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle on October 1.

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