Remember producer-actress Laila Dee?
She was the lady behind Eldee Films, a film factory which churned out dozens and dozens of movies in 1970s and 1980s.
Laila was very controversial when she filed a estafa and breach of contract cases against the late action star Ace Vergel when he stood up the filming of one of his projects with her.
Ace was reprimanded and had to finish off his film project with Dee pronto!
Since then, Laila had been a bad word to the Vergel household not only with Ace but with Beverly Vergel as well.
During one of the Star Olympics games of the Actors Guild mounted by its former president German Moreno, Beverly and Laila crossed path and it was a bloody confrontation between the two actresses.
A simple sports rule in the series of games was the root cause of their confrontation which was an aftermath of the Vergels legal battle with Dee.
Laila was also known for breaking English language grammar and for all intents and purposes, she didn't see it as an assault to the tongues but just slips of the tongue. She lived with it and even still lives with it to this day.
The very humane and real thing about Laila is her coming to terms with realities in life.
She wouldn't mind being labeled a starlet. “I don't care at all. It's just one of those intrigues being thrown at me by my enemies so why would bother with it?” asked the feisty woman.
She had a short stint in the world of politics when she ran and won as one of the barangay officials in her district of Palanan, Makati City.
After her brief barangay reign, she threw her hat in the most intriguing political arena of the Makati local government but lost. The following election, she ran for Lipa City Council—Laila is a native of Lipa City, Batangas—and lost again.
“Politics isn't my world. It's very dirty. All I wanted was to help other people but I wasn't given the chance. It's their lost, not mine. Anyway, I can help the needy even if I am not in and official public service,” Laila excalimed.
There is no turning back from show biz because Laila is still busy appearing in a lot of television shows like Channel 4's “Pangarap Kong Jackpot” but she isn't keen on the current working style on TV. “Masyadong pagod na pagod ang mga artista ngayon. Kahit umaga na, magdamangan, kinukunan pa sila. It's not healthy for the actors anymore,” commented the flamboyant producer.
She's also very hectic in her broadcast career at a radio commentator for DZME every Sunday night at 8.
“It's one of my therapies in life,” she admitted.
Just go on, Lai!
Ano na rin kaya ang nangyari sa mga anak niya na sina roy at henry....Roy acted in several movies in the early 80s while Henry pursued a singing career...I wonder where they are now...
ReplyDeleteRoy died, Henry is homeless in Los Angeles, check my you tube, filipino homeless in los angeles
DeleteDear Kuya Boy,
ReplyDeleteI came across this article. I have known you to be one of the well-educated scribes in our business. I remember that at the wake of Tito Charlie Davao, we were even talking about postgraduate studies, teaching and values among others. I seriously doubt that this was written by you.
1. ON KUYA ACE'S PROFESSIONAL ISSUES. As siblings, we never talked about each other's personal concerns. The times we caught-up with each other were spent light banter and exploring his latest gadgets, gizmos and quirky homemade inventions. If anyone in the family knew about this, then that would be my mom.
2. ON STAR OLYMPICS ISSUE. I was active with Star Olympics from early 1990’s to 1997. The Actors Guild (then known as KAPPT) president was DABOY (RUDY FERNANDEZ). Jackie Aquino and I were volunteer coordinators. Part of our task is to ensure that participation requirements and game rules were observed. Any concern arising from such should be brought to the attention of the KAPPT/GAME Officials who will decide on the matter. Officials on the field nearest me were TIRSO CRUZ, III and REZ CORTEZ. The officials convened and decided on the issue. Obviously, a technicality was why she was barred from participating, NOT BY ME but BY THE RULES OF THE GAME.
Unfortunately, as coordinator, I had to relay the decision to her. Messenger lang po. Instead understanding the reason behind the decision. She went ballistic and hurled invectives at me. This was witnessed by the players, marshals, game and KAPPT officials who were on the field with us.
Despite the fuss she was creating, the officials stood by their decision, which meant that game rules apply to all. No exception.
The reason I just allowed her vent her accusations, was that I was told “ huwag mo nang patulan… pagpasensyahan mo na lang” since a decision was already made. She was fuming as she walked away from us.
The reason I did not bother to dignify the issue after write-ups came-out, maligning and accusing me, was because she was barking at the wrong tree. In any sport, participants comply with game rules no exception. From the looks of it, she found herself in an embarrassing situation in the midst of showbiz personalities when she arrived all dolled-up expecting to play, but was barred from doing so. Even KAPPT did not answer her accusation because it will only boomerang to her when the truth behind the issue comes-out. She also came on the day of the competition when the teams have been practicing for weeks. If there was one in any of the four teams who was willing to include her in their team, then maybe, just maybe, the game officials might consider. Also, none of teams wanted to make last minute changes because nakalatag na game plan nila pati strategy on the deployment of players per event. It’s something beyond my control too.
Funny as it may look, she should have literally fought with the game book rules because that was what barred her from playing. Not me. Not the officials. Not the organizers. Not KAPPT. It was nothing personal at all.
To bring this out 10 years later serves no good purpose other than to malign me. Stale as this issue is, I am now providing my version of the issue.
To bring-out the issue about my brother which happened more than 10 years ago (before Star Olympics) serves no good purpose too, other than to malign my brother. As mentioned here, kuya went back to finish the project pronto! So, what is the issue? Have some respect for the dead.
Message above was sent by me : BEVERLY VERGEL
ReplyDelete