Ara Mina Joins A Concert For The Environment

ARA MINA joins other Kapampangan artists in a concert to gather support for the campaign to save the trees in Pampanga.

This developed after DENR secretary Lito Atienza has given permit to DPWH to cut down trees along the highway from Apalit to San Fernando, Pampanga to give way for the road's widening project.

A number of Kapampangan artists painted the trunks of the trees with a human figure with arms stretched out and around the tree trunk (see picture below). But due to financial burden, they ran out of paints and asks other artists to join their cause.

That's the time local bands including actress Ara Mina spearheaded a concert for a cause and they generated more than one thousand signatures supporting the campaign.

ARA MINA Is Back In Bubble Gang

ARA MINA is back in the comedy sitcom "Bubble Gang" after almost two years of absence from the show. Ara says she really miss the cast especially Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Wendell Ramos and the production staff of the show.

Ara begged off from the show since she had some commitments in ABS-CBN where she made two afternoon soap operas there. When she came back to GMA-7, she was immediately guested in "Totoy Bato" where sheplayed the wife of Robin Padilla. Ara was also included in "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin" topbilled by Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal.

She just returned from her series of shows from the United States and Ara said a lot of her fans were delighted when she announced she is returning to "Bubble Gang".

"Sobrang natuwa sila anng sabihin kong babalik na ako. Na-miss daw kasi nila ako," Ara said.

Ara is going to start taping tomorrow and she couldn't hide her excitement in working again with the "Bubble Gang" cast.

"I'm very excited. Ang tagal ko na ring hindi sila nakatrabaho although nagkikita-kita naman kami paminsan-minsan," she said.

When asked aout her non-showbiz boyfriend, "Puwede naman pala ’yon, eh. Sobrang sarap ng feeling na walang intriga sa lovelife ko. Masarap pala ’pag non-showbiz ang karelasyon mo." said Ara.

Ara Mina For 2010?

ARA MINA is said to be eyeing for an electoral post come 2010. There are camps that are trying to convince Ara Mina to run for councilor or even the congressional post for Quezon City's fourth district.

This has been confirmed by Ara in an interview with ABS-CBN news.

"Humupa na ang ulan ngayon. Marami ang nage-encourage sa akin na tumakbo kasi nga 2001 pa lang bumababa na ako. So kilala na ako ng mga tao doon, so sabi ko let's see ano naman kahit sinasabi nilang kailangan kumikilos ka na ngayon for me hindi siguro ganoon kailangan 100% kang desididong tumakbo," she said.

Ara Mina is from a clan of politicians, her grandfather former Quezon City Mayor Mel Mathay and her father Ismael "Chuck" Mathay. So if ever she decides to enter the political arena, she is assured of the support of the political machineries of her family.

"Ang dad ko kahit anong gawin ko susuportahan niya ako all throughout hindi nila maiaano 'yon kasi it runs in the blood sa family. Kasi sa generation namin parang nakikita nila yung brother ko na si Chris and ako either lang sa aming dalawa ang pwedeng tumakbo sa generation," she said.

But Ara admitted she has to think a hundred times before making a decision on whether to follow her clan's political footsteps or to stay in showbusiness for a while.

Ara Mina worked with showbiz personalities like Maui Taylor, Rica Peralejo, Joyce Jimenez and others.

ABS-CBN Will Do the Philippine Remake of "Twilight"

"Twilight" will soon have its local version in the Philippines. This, after ABS-CBN in partnership with Ignite Media bagged the exclusive rights to make the Philippine remake of "Twilight" which is based on the best selling vampire novel of Stephanie Meyer.

"Twilight" (the movie) is the no.1 top grossing foreign movie in the Philippines for 2008. It already banked almost 180 million pesos on its 4-week run and it is still going strong in its 5th week.

The Phlippine remake will have a working title "Takipsilim", the Filipino word for "Twilight". It stars Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Molina. Ara Mina and Joyce Jimenez has been also considered to join the cast but there is no final decision yet.

Taping of the series will start February of 2009 and shooting locations include Tagaytay, Bukidnon and baguio. Some aprts of the series will be shot abroad.

ABS-CBN and Ignite Media reportedly paid $1 million for the contract.