I miss Hilda Koronel a lot.
During her heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, I was lucky enough to be running around with her because of my association with her discoverer and mentor, the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka, and her Public Relations Officer (PRO), the still missing TV host, entertainment writer, producer and talent manager Boy C. de Guia.
Kuya (a term of endearment to an older brother by blood or affinity) Boy would proudly remind me that one has to be rubbing elbows with beautiful people like Hilda before one is regarded as a movie journalist of the highest order.
I believed him although I didn't completely toe his line in carving my niche, doing my style.
I wouldn't mind if I merely rose again from the ranks and gradually achieved my set of goals on my own although I am indebted to him.
Anyway, I have hobnobbed with Koronel and some other gods and goddesses as de Guia wants to say as "beautiful people" to a certain degree in the entertainment industry.
The last time I saw Susan Reid, the real name of the actress, was when she did a movie with Bea Alonzo.
My US sojourn last year was a short stint I had to go back home quickly otherwise I could have looked for Hilda who's married to Ralph Moore, Jr. and hopefully got an audience with her.
Anyway, I was happy when I saw her however on social media accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the special awards, from the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles, California.
At the socials and awards night of the MIFF, Hilda and her perennial leading man in the Philippine local movie industry, Christopher de Leon reunited after ages.
They had the field day throughout that made up for the lost time.
#OpinYon #MIFF #HildaKoronel #WeTakeAStand