LGBT community exponent Ricky Reyes explained why he chose not to be in politics amid numerous offers to lead government agencies or run for public office. While the TV host and beauty guru is into public service, he’s one of those people who find politics too complicated and toxic at times.
On his television show, he tirelessly calls for those blessed to share their blessings with the less fortunate, and whenever he goes around the country, he inspires people with his messages of hope and perseverance.
“If I really wanted to, dapat matagal na. But I have found a different avenue to serve and help other people,” Reyes, who is simply known as Mother Ricky, shared in a recent press conference for the celebration of FilHair’s 35th anniversary.
FilHair or the Filipino Hairdressers Association is a premier association of professional hairdressers, makeup artists and salon owners in the country. It is set to launch a landmark event that will gather together people in the beauty industry to a daylong event this summer.
“We’re calling it Jade Anniversary Beauty Event, it’s going to be a glitzy gathering of beauty trade practitioners and suppliers at the Metrotent in MetroWalk in Pasig City on April 23,” Mother Ricky cheerfully shared.
The popular hairdresser and philanthropist, who is at the helm of this “colorful event,” named the categories that the beauty practitioners can compete in: the Best in Men’s Haircut, Best in Evening makeup and Best in Bridal makeup categories. Also for this year, a Color Master Award is at stake for the Best in Creative Hair Coloring category.
“This year’s event is even more exciting because we added new categories,” he said.
One such is “Do-Me-a-Barbie,” a category that will test the competitors’ talent in creating a total Barbie Doll look, together with Nail Art and Flask Makeup categories. Ultimately, expect the beauty goddess of Egypt come to life as hairdressers compete on Metrotent stage to showcase their creations in the Fabulous Cleopatra category.
“It’s truly something to look forward to,” Mother Ricky chimed.
As run up to the main event, the TV host and beauty guru said that FilHair members have started embarking on a nationwide tour that started last week in Iloilo City and Bulacan. They engage people to FilHair’s livelihood training programs with the help of the Local Government Units.
To make this year’s event more relevant, Mother Ricky also invited members of LGBT Pilipinas who were, in tum, just too grateful to forge alliance with FilHair to conduct livelihood training programs in some marginalized sectors of society around the country.
“The beauty of this is that, the LGBT group is tasked to serve the community that, instead of the usual gay pageant activities, street parades asserting equal rights, people will see a different LGBT now asserting instead its valuable role in helping and making a difference in other people’s lives.” Mader Ricky enthused.
“My vision is for people to realize the mislabeling the LGBT group, that LGBT members have the capacity to help and be relevant to the society that they belong, that it is not about whether you are straight, gay or lesbian, but just another human with a heart and a life’s purpose. I told them (the LGBTs) to change gears and join hands in serving our countrymen,” he continued.
FilHair, with the participation of the LGBT group, sees hundreds of people gathered together in one place in some key cities and municipalities wherein livelihood training on professional Hair Coloring technique, proper Makeup application, medicinal Foot Spa with Magnesium will be conducted.
Also included in the program are some popular salon services. Furthermore, Mother Ricky announced that the overall champion among all categories will be receiving a complimentary round-trip ticket with 4 days/3 nights hotel accommodation to compete in the APHCA Hair Olympics slated in Singapore later this year in November.
Scheduled to arrive in the country to comprise the panel of judges are some country leaders of the Asia Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA) from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
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A memorable exit
Action star Lito Lapid’s character in ABS-CBN’s action drama series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano took an exit a day before the start of the official campaign for national candidates in the midterm elections. His character, Romulo “Pinuno/Leon” Dumaguit, died in an encounter.
Lapid, a former senator, is eyeing a Senate comeback.
“That death scene lasted for 20 minutes,” Lapid said in vernacular recalling his last appearance on the top-rating primetime series.
In the episode, Lapid’s character was shot dead by Jhong Hilario’s character Alakdan after the former killed a number of his men.
“It was well executed and it’s funny that people remember the scene not only because of my death but because of Angel Aquino. It’s like we’re the oldest love team on TV,” Lapid added in jest.
Since Coco Martin’s character Cardo Dalisay started to search for justice over the death of his son, his scenes were often with Lapid’s character, which is why televiewers have come to love the character and were saddened by his demise.
In an interview with Manila Standard, Lapid revealed that he has finished a new full length film even before he left Ang Probinsyano. But they have to keep the film first until after the elections because they were unable to promote it early this year due to other commitments.
“We were able to finish the film before my exit in Probinsyano and before the campaign period started. Sayang nga, pwede sana naming maipalabas before the campaign period started, ” he shared.
According to the 63-year-old action star, Lumang Banal is the film’s working title and his being part of the Coco Martin starrer series somehow inspired the film, not to mention that it has also helped his action career take flight once more.
“Maraming nagsa-suggest na gawin na lang Vendetta ang title kasi kilalang-kilala ang vigilante group called Vendetta sa Probinsyano. In the story, I play a retired army officer. My daughter was kidnapped by bad guys, and my character will do anything to get her back,” Lapid shared adding that the story is similar to Liam Neeson’s blockbuster action film, Taken.