When I was still working for another newspaper in Intramuros, I would often see into Nestor Cuartero, who was the entertainment editor of Tempo, a tabloid newspaper affiliated with Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, back then.
Whenever we saw each other at the editorial office, I would always say a shy hello to him, which he’d acknowledge with a sincere smile.
Back then, I was too shy to approach him, not because he’s unapproachable. It’s not him, it’s me.
In fact, he’s one of the kindest editors I know. Even when I moved to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), he has extended his kindness to this neophyte public relations employee who would often invite him to our events and send him press releases.
Recently, Cuartero launched his book, titled “PH Movie Confidential”, a slim volume of 130 glossy pages featuring a humble collection of essays about trends, practices, beliefs, quirks, and movements that helped shape the Philippine movie industry.
The launch happened at the Film Development Center of the Philippines (FDCP) Cinematheque in Manila, in cooperation with the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED), where Cuartero is one of its esteemed founding members.
The book is partially the result of the veteran journalist’s experiences in covering and writing about the entertainment beat for Tempo and Manila Bulletin, as well as his being an avid moviegoer for the past six decades.
“Let’s just say a good chunk of those years had been spent as a close, first-hand observer of the industry as a working journalist covering the entertainment beat,” he said.
In his book, Cuartero tackled why certain actors are typecast, whether fan mentality is an illness or not, why some actors don’t want to take on gay roles, and the behind-the-scenes ganap after an intimate scene, among others.
Published by Ultimate Learning Series by Carl Balita Review Center, in cooperation with the FDCP, the book also touches on the evolution of Tagalog film titles, from Nabasag ang Banga to Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Banig to The Panti Sisters.
Contained in 14 chapters are well-researched topics that could interest and maybe inspire fans, students, lovers, and researchers of Philippine movies, written in a conversational yet insightful manner.
You’ll love how he interspersed historical truths with tidbits of gossip and trivia.
When it comes down to it, entertainment stories sell like hotcakes. It is one of the newspaper sections that is often most read and peruse to a T.
In all honesty, we really slurp up the juiciest scandals and gossip. We turn into analysts, digging through every little detail and even making our own conspiracy theories. More than news and financial articles, we take time diving into the who’s who and the latest happenings in showbizlandia.
While entertainment stories may seem trivial, Cuartero strongly believes that entertainment journalism is a serious business.
He shared that it is “a craft with its own seriousness of purpose, a historical perspective, a sense of responsibility — all achievable without robbing the stories of their natural grasp, look and feel of the beautiful, the humorous, the vibrant, and well, yes, the entertaining.”
Through his book, he hopes to “transform and elevate entertainment writing far beyond the level of gossip and trash commonly associated with it.”
The book, which sells at a promotional price of P400 (excluding shipping), can be sourced at over 100 CBRC schools all over the Philippines. Orders are also welcome through nescuar@yahoo.com or via mobile phone 0917-800-5986.