By Jesse Jose

A Cup O' Kapeng Barako  

I am a DOM.  As in Dirty Old Man.

Romy Marquez, a colleague and a cyberspace friend that I admire and respect (in fact we even belong in the same club known as MAC (Mutual Admiration Club), wrote in one of his recent Op-Ed stories in Digital Journal, an on-line mainstream newspaper in Toronta, Canada, titled, "The Problem With Manila Sex-Video Star Playing Caregiver In Film," that questioned Philippine Actress Maricar Reyes's playing the role of a Toronto caregiver, named Juana Tejada.

This short film will be shown this Saturday on ABS/CBN, TFC's "Maalaala Mo Kayo," a popular and well-watched soap opera, hosted by Charo Santos.

Next to that song-and-dance musical, "ASAP Rocks," that features young, sexy, good looking movie stars, I like watching this Filipino tear-jerker.  And that's because the stories presented are taken out from real-life stories, whose story lines were sent by letter writers, then scripted by professional writers ... and dramatized by our own talented actors and actresses.

I've enjoyed watching several of these "Maalaala Mo Kaya" shows. 

My dear friend, Romy, said that Maricar Reyes is the wrong choice to play the role of the caregiver.  And that's because Maricar has been seen world-wide in a sex video. 

THARR SHE BLOWS: I've seen the video, and I thought, "Damn, she's good ... she's heavenly, especially in that portion, 'Tharr, she blows.'"  So, I watched that portion over and over ... and over again.  She's sensational, I tell ya.  And I don't think she was acting in this sex film.  From what I heard, it was filmed by the lover WITHOUT her knowledge and consent.  She was acting naturally, in other words.  And it looked like she was having lots of fun.... 

She was wild.  And, I loved it!

But Romy asked, "How can she do justice (to the role of this caregiver) when she invites attention to her past (the sex videos) than to the cause (the caregiver's) she's trying to immortalize in the film?"

Please forgive my ignorance, but I dunno what was this caregiver's cause. 

Romy added, "I just hope that Reyes's sexual  proclivities ... will not rub on Juana Tejada nor on Filipino caregivers because that would be grossly unfair."

Romy quoted an unnamed Nanny, who said daw that "Maricar is not a role model for us, but Juana is...."  And that the reaction shared by several caregivers was: "Masisira ang reputasyon ng mga caregivers."

May I beg to differ, but I think Miss Maricar's sexual proclivities (to borrow Romy's words) should be EMULATED BY ALL WOMEN, caregivers and all!

Romy concluded in his story that the memory of Juana Tejada is "better served by having actors who do not have the baggage that would forever be identified with them.  It seems to me that the motive of ABS/CBN was to relaunch Maricar Reyes with a drama that's sure to attract the caregiving community and perhaps the rich Canadian market."

ON ROMY MARQUEZ & MY COMMENT I SENT TO HIM: I like Romy.  As a writer, he's prolific.  As a person, though I haven't met him yet, I believe he's got a lot of depth.  I am able to say that from reading many of his writings.  I enjoy reading his writings and poetry and watching his news videos that he freely shares to all.  Oh yes, he can be blunt and sharp and obnoxious, too, to his critics and detractors.  Ahem, like yours truly ... but that's THE nature of writers.  Amongst us Fil-Am writers, there are cowardly writers and there are fearless writers, and there are plagiarists-writers galore.  Romy belongs to the category of FEARLESS writers....

But I am getting away from my intent in writing this story.  For my intent is this comment to his story:

Pareng Romy,

Who do you think would be the "proper" Philippine actress to play the role of Juana Tejada?  Would Vice Ganda fit the role?  Dyok lang, pare.

But seriously now, Maricar Reyes might have been in a porno film, but she's also a fine actress.  And I believe this sexy star can pull it off, playing the role of a sexless caregiver.  She's talented, and she's a doctor, too, as you know.  At saka, alam mo naman sa atin, kailangan good-looking at sexy ka to be a movie star, or nobody would watch your films.  Who would want to watch ugly people on films, anyway?

Also, show business is, as you said, a business to make money.  Maricar has got a lot of fans, and the more fans, the more money she and ABS/CBN would be raking in....

And, you betcha, Dear Readers, this Saturday, I'll be watching the sexy Miss Maricar Reyes portray the role of a sexless Toronto caregiver on ABS/CBN TFC's "Maalaala Mo Kaya."  The host, Miss Charo Santos, is also one sexy thing to look at.

FIVE RULES FOR DOMS TO FOLLOW TO A HAPPY LIFE: On a final note, let me quote the Five Rules For DOMs To Follow To A Happy Life.  It was sent to me by another friend, Ray Burdeos.  Ray is also a prolific writer.  He writes books.  His popular book, "The Steward and the Captain's Daughter" has been widely-read, reviewed several times and sold in Barnes and Noble stores.

Here are the five rules, according to Ray:

1. It's important to have a woman who helps at home, cooks from time to time, cleans up, and has a job.

2. It's important to have a woman who can make you laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman who you can trust, and doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman who is good in bed, and likes to be with you.

5. It's VERY, VERY important that these four women do not know each other.

Oh yes, indeed, welcome to the club, Ray.  ILMFAO.  Rule number four is my favorite rule of all.  Her name: Maricar Reyes.  Of course, sa fantasy ko lang.  Well, as I said, I am a DOM, as in Dirty Old Man.  JJ