The wealthy Oscar winner features in a new advert, funded by a coalition of unions and green groups, urging Australians to “Say Yes” to a tax on carbon.

Australians are among the world’s worst per capita carbon polluters and Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard has proposed a carbon tax to be levied on major industrial polluters by July 1, 2012.

She then plans a full emissions trading scheme in three to five years.

But the proposals are not popular, with the conservative opposition saying a tax would damage the economy and drive up the cost of living by making energy far more expensive, bumping up electricity bills.

“$53 million Hollywood superstar tells Aussie families to pay up”, the Sydney Sunday Telegraph blared on its front page, referring to how much Blanchett is worth.

“Cate Blanchett has proved she is just another morally vain Hollywood star trying to justify her great good fortune by preaching to the rest of us about climate change,” the paper said in a comment piece.

The Australian Family Association claimed she was out of touch.

“It’s nice to have a multi-millionaire who won’t be impacted by it telling you how great it is. It’s easy for her to advocate it, she’s one of the people who can afford to pay it,” the association said, according to the newspaper.

“There are people who have no comfort zone and no room to move.”

Blanchett made no comment but her co-star in the advert, Australian actor Michael Caton, defended his role.

“I’m sure people will criticize me but I thought long and hard and I really believe in this, so I’m speaking up for it,” he said.

Earlier this month, a national poll by The Australian newspaper showed 60 percent of voters were now opposed to a carbon tax. Only 30 percent of voters supported the plan and 10 percent were undecided.

Scott-Heron, an African-American who first gained fame for his poetry and spoken word performances in the late 1960s, saw his influence grow until he was dubbed the “Godfather of Rap.”

His early albums, “Pieces of a Man” and “Winter in America,” have been credited with influencing a generation of hip-hop musicians who followed him.

“RIP to 1 of tha greats Gil Scott-Heron,” US rap artist Snoop Dogg tweeted.

Rap artist Eminem also weighed in with a Twitter post: “RIP Gil Scott-Heron. He influenced all of hip-hop.”

Scott-Heron died Friday at a New York hospital, according to XL Recordings. The cause of death was not immediately known but US media reported that he recently returned home after feeling ill while traveling in Europe.

Much of his music reflected his struggle with an addiction to drugs and alcohol. He has said he was HIV-positive.

“Gil shunned all the trappings of fame and success. He could have had all those things. But he was greater than that,” XL Recordings founder and owner Richard Russell wrote on his website.

“He seemed wholly uninterested in money… To my knowledge, he never accepted an award. He always wanted everyone else to receive credit for their work.

Russell hailed Scott-Heron’s “immense talent.”

“He was a master lyricist, singer, orator and keyboard player,” Russell continued. “He had a fierce intelligence, and a way with words which was untouchable.”

Recorded in 1970, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” was a percussion-backed anti-establishment opus that challenged advertising, media and police brutality.

The revolution “will not make you look five pounds thinner… will not go better with Coke,” he stated in the recording. Popular TV shows “will no longer be so damned relevant… because black people will be in the street looking for a brighter day.”

Coco Martin, actor of the decade. JOSEPH AGCAOILI

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – It was a homecoming of sorts for Coco Martin.

The actor, who grew up in Novaliches, traces his roots in Pampanga. “My parents are from Dolores,” he said.

His breakthrough film, Brillante Mendoza’s “Masahista,” was partly shot in Pampanga, too.

It was hardly surprising that Martin took a break from the hectic tapings of his ABS-CBN soap, “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin,” to attend the Pampanga leg of Sineng Pambansa – where his films, Dondon Santos’ “Noy” and Mendoza’s “Tirador,” were part of the lineup.

Although he has attained every indie actor’s dream – mainstream stardom – he doesn’t categorize himself as either alternative or commercial.

“My job is to act, whether in indie or mainstream films,” he said. “Dapat walang [There should be no] divide between indie and mainstream. We are all part of the same industry.”

He admitted that he had to go through the wringer before gaining widespread acceptance in the biz: “I experienced rejection numerous times. I didn’t get good breaks on TV. At that time, most moviegoers still looked down on independent films as cheap or gay-themed.”

But he was able to overcome those challenges “with the help and guidance of Direk Brillante, [mentors] Bing Lao and Ed Instrella, and other people I look up to.”

Mendoza recalled that Martin was a keen student on the set. “He would join my brainstorming sessions with writers. He would study the cinematographer’s job while shooting.”

The ‘indie way’

When Martin co-produced and co-directed “Noy,” he said he shot the documentary scenes because he knew how to do it “the indie way.”

Indie actors, he said, are truly committed to their craft: “Money is not that big, but I came to know the real meaning of dedication and professionalism. I learned never to be late and to get along with coworkers. I do indie films for the sense of fulfillment and to achieve my goals as an artist.”

Martin’s attainment of mainstream success was capped recently by his inclusion in the list of the “Decade’s Best Performers” by the critics’ group’s Urian, along with Gina Pareño and Cherry Pie Picache.

“I asked myself why I was included in the list when I consider myself a newcomer. I was told that it was not about how long you’ve been in the industry, but because of the movies you’ve made that have been recognized here and abroad,” said Martin.

At the awards show, his voice cracked when he dedicated his Urian Decade’s Best trophy to his grandmother Matilde: “My lola and I never talk about my work at home. I was too shy to thank her in my past acceptance speeches. But this time I decided to mention her because I might not get the same chance again.”

FOREVER. Congresswoman Lani Mercado renews wedding vows with husband and Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on their 25th wedding anniversary.

Big boss noticed that something was amiss with Pretty Star.

If PS’ career is taking forever to soar, BB thinks it’s because of the girl’s erratic behavior. He suspects PS has serious mental issues.

But why isn’t anyone intervening? “No one from PS’ camp dares to tell her to see a psychiatrist,” said a mole.

Her handlers are ignoring the telltale signs that PS is on the verge … not of stardom, but of a major nervous breakdown.

Problem is, PS is considered a cash cow and sending her away for treatment might spell financial disaster for those who are depending on her.

Mama knows best

Beautiful Star has realized that her mom was right all along.

BS defied her family and hooked up with an Unsavory Guy.

Everyone advised BS to proceed with caution – but she was young, foolish and blinded by love.

BS fought with mom constantly. But after UG treated her badly, she ran to her family for help.

To mix metaphors: Prodigal daughter had to eat humble pie.

Synchronized

Even the most jaded industry insider couldn’t ignore it.

New showbiz sweethearts confirmed their “relationship” separately in shows aired by their respective home studios at the same time.

Mole gasped: “Is this a well-planned campaign or what?”

Time was when privacy was treasured in the biz. But now everyone acts as his or her own drumbeater.

Happily expecting

Newlyweds Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Sotto are happily expecting. “I’m six weeks pregnant,” Kristine confirmed in a statement last week. “Yahoo! God is really good. More to come!”

Oyo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “We didn’t expect the good news to come so soon. But we’re happy. It’s a blessing.”

They tied the knot last January.

Joyously renewing

As he promised, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. renewed vows with wife Representative Lani Mercado on the occasion of their silver anniversary yesterday (Saturday).

An insider noted that, “in spite of the highs and lows (and the different beautiful women linked with the action star), the couple’s bond remained strong.”

“This is more important than the first time,” Bong told the Inquirer. “I was only 19 then and was naturally excited.”

But he’s still the same groom giddy with excitement, he said. “After 25 years together, six children and two grandchildren, I’m looking forward to another 25 years together … for our golden anniversary.”

Lani agreed: “Our friends told us that some couples are no longer as healthy when they celebrate their 50th … but now we can involve our children and show them the importance of our marriage and love for each other.”

Venus as Reyna Elena

The Araneta Center held its traditional Grand Santacruzan on May 15, the feast of San Isidro Labrador. Some 30 beauty queens paraded around the  Cubao commercial complex with marching bands and colorful flowers lining up the route.

Miss Universe 4th runner up Venus Raj was Reyna Elena while Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan was the Emperatriz.

Scotty tops iTunes

LOS ANGELES – New “American Idol” champion Scotty McCreery hit No. 1 on the iTunes single charts on Thursday, as Fox television reported a 21 percent surge in viewers for the all-country music finale of the long-running singing contest.

McCreery, 17, became the first country musician to win the “Idol” title and a recording contract since Carrie Underwood in 2005. The poised teen with the distinctive deep voice beat 16 year-old Lauren Alaina in the youngest Top 2 match-up in the show’s 10-year history.

McCreery’s newly-released single “I Love You This Big” went straight to the top of the iTunes singles charts, while Alaina’s emotional ballad “Like My Mother Does” was at No. 3 on on Thursday.

“This is pretty wild. It is a whole lot more than I bargained for coming into this,” McCreery, a former grocery store clerk from North Carolina, told reporters on Thursday. “But I’m handling it well. This is my new life, so it’s good.”

Some 29.3 million Americans tuned in see McCreery crowned at the end of a star-studded finale on Wednesday that included performances from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Bono and “Idol” judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Reuters

A different kind of bracelet

LOS ANGELES – Troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan was fitted with an ankle bracelet electronic monitoring device Thursday at the start of 35 days of home detention as part of a plea deal over her alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace, police said.

The 24-year-old was sentenced last month to 120 days in jail for violating probation and ordered to complete community service, but was allowed to serve her sentence at home after pleading no contest to the theft charge.

She was booked at 5 a.m. Thursday at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, south of Los Angeles, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said.

Top of the tabloids

The top show biz news in the Inquirer tabloid Bandera (and why we are moved if we are moved):

Puro imbento lang daw ang pasabog, Jennylyn supalpal kay Dennis (Her word against his.)

Relasyong Luis Manzano, Jen Mercado nagsimula sa karate (Magandang pelikula yan a.)

Ligawang Luis-Jen echos lang (Sino kaya gumawa ng script?)

Marami na ang bwisit kay Luis (Dahil?)

Alex Gonzaga ‘tinakasan’ ang nanay (Saan nagpunta?)

Karylle pinag-a-asawa na ni Zsazsa (Ready na kaya si Yael?)

Pati raw condo nilagyan ng laman, KC busog sa regalo kay Piolo (Wow sarap naman.)

Cesar umaming ‘under de saya’ kay Sunshine (Free plugging sa bagong show niya.)

Dingdong nag-react sa love life ni P-Noy

Baron ayaw nang makakita ng alak (Sana totoo na yan.)

Luis Alandy malas daw sa mga babae?

Marian Rivera nag-sorry na sa pambabatok kay Pacman

Erap, Ramos, GMA face to face sa kasalang Lani-Bong (Plastikan.)

Mga bading sa set ng ‘Amaya’ nagpiyesta sa mga bukol

The episode is in line with his new pet cause: the anti-mining campaign in Palawan.

After discussing the environmental problem with Gina Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Mendoza decided to do the TV series, along with a documentary film, to popularize the issue among the masses.

A Star Cinema movie was also mentioned, but he would like to prioritize the docu and MMK.

Also in the works is a Brillante Mendoza Film Festival in SM Cinemas nationwide. He also plans to invite other internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmakers Auraeus Solito, Raya Martin and Pepe Diokno to make docus and short films on Palawan.

Bayani San Diego Jr.

Marian Rivera as Amaya

Director Mac Alejandre scoured all of Luzon province to find the perfect backdrop for GMA 7’s historical epic series “Amaya.”

The story is set in the pre-colonial period of the 1500s. It is about a princess (portrayed by Marian Rivera), who is forced to into slavery. She later discovers her extraordinary powers, which she uses to lead her people at a time when males dominated society.

“We’ve shot scenes in Norzagaray and Marilao, Bulacan; Calatagan, Batangas; Morong, Bataan; Subic, Zambales; Bolinao, Pangasinan and a couple more,” Alejandre told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent media gathering. “Why are these sets far from each other? Because the story happens when there weren’t many structures yet. We had to look for places with very few establishments, which don’t disturb viewers visually.”

Alejandre said he accepted the project, which the network dubbed as an “epic-serye,” for several reasons: “I believe in the story of  ‘Amaya.’ I also think this genre is exciting and that it can be a format where dozens of stories can be told and retold. Lastly, I think the money that GMA 7 is putting into this is worth it.”

The series is created by the same team that worked on “Encantadia” in 2005. The story is written by Suzette Doctolero, with Rodell Cruz as production designer and Gino Gonzales as costume expert.

Inquirer Entertainment sat down with Alejandre, who only had good words for his lead actors Marian, Sid Lucero and Mikael Daez. He also talked about the pressure of directing a multimillion-peso project.

Will you be pushing Marian to her limits in this series?

She already does that on her own. She knows that, as an artist, she should try new things. This is physically challenging for her. She had to run in the forest topless and barefoot under the hot sun while holding a full-grown snake. She did this repeatedly, with no qualms. I made her walk on the sand from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but I never heard her complain. Unlike me, she has no fear of snakes. She has held three different snakes since we started taping. These snakes tend to go wild when the weather gets too hot for them.

Did it really take you more than a year in pre-production?

Yes. The idea for “Amaya” came from a crazy writer who dared to go wild. I have to hand it to Suzette, who wrote the story from a long-forgotten period. We’ve commissioned two experts from the University of the Philippines’ history department as consultants. When the script was given to me, I had a series of meetings with Suzette and the historians. This took two months. We had to validate a lot of processes and make sure that some events in the lives of our characters really happened in the 1500s.

Can you cite examples?

It took us three hours to set up a burial rite of a babaylan (priestess) because we first had to look for a centuries-old balete tree. When we were finally ready, we were told that burial rites were only done during mornings. We had to wait for the next day.

Buboy Villar also stars in the GMA 7 teleserye to be aired soon.

When you look closely at Amaya’s bed, you’ll see that it has engravings. The design team spent time and money to recreate a princess’ bed (in the 1500s).

What’s the network’s goal in producing “Amaya?”

We want to tell a good story. If it stirs interest in our history, that’s good. If it sparks discussion, that’s also good. We don’t want to be historians but we want to tell a love story that may have happened at a time and place referred to in “Amaya.”

Did GMA 7 set a budget limit?

I can say this project costs hundreds of millions of pesos, but the GMA 7 bosses and I never talked about money. Whenever they sat down with me, it was always to say that they wanted to see certain things in the show.

How do you describe Sid as an actor?

He’s very intense. He’s an acting genius. He’s the validation of all my assumptions. We’ve not shot major scenes yet, but I know that he’s a brilliant artist. I gave him a difficult piece during his audition. On the 10th second, I already knew that he’s Prince Bagani.

What about Mikael?

My only basis for describing him was what I saw during his screening and the workshop he attended. He’s very promising, he wouldn’t be on the show if I don’t believe in him.

Are you feeling the pressure of directing such a big project?

I feel extremely tired. This requires so much energy. When I’m tired, I’m vulnerable to a lot of emotions. Only now, in all my 20 years as a director, have I felt so tired. Whenever we pack up, tulog agad ako sa kotse.

I’m also doing “Ang Panday,” (starring Senator Bong Revilla). I feel overwhelmed with the trust. I’m so grateful. What do I give in return? I work hard.

How long do you expect this series to run? What should viewers expect from it?

This will run for about 22 weeks. Viewers will witness battle scenes with a cast of hundreds. They will see swords so beautifully crafted and ergonomic because they’re based on research. We constructed almost a dozen karakoa, or war ships, for the show. It was really difficult to shoot. We don’t cheat. We had to mount cranes in the water for these ships. Filipinos are very talented. Our architecture is very practical. We don’t owe this kind of civilization to the Spaniards. We were doing well long before they arrived.

Our writers’ imagination didn’t stop there. It was necessary for me and the people who will execute what’s on paper to further the script, then let it flourish. That’s my responsibility as a director.

“Amaya” also features Gina Alajar, Lani Mercado, Gardo Versoza, Raymond Bagatsing, Glaiza de Castro, Ryan Eigenmann and Rochelle Pangilinan, among others. It premieres tomorrow on GMA 7’s Telebabad time slot.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph

A friend who answered the telephone listed for his Manhattan recording company confirms he died Friday afternoon at a hospital. Doris C. Nolan says he died after becoming sick upon returning from a European trip.

Scott-Heron recorded “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” in the 1970s in Harlem.

He mixed minimalistic percussion and spoken-word performances tinged with politics in a style he sometimes referred to as bluesology. He recorded more than a dozen albums and wrote a handful of books.

Scott-Heron was born in Chicago on April 1, 1949. He was raised in Jackson, Tennessee.

Conaway died in the Encino Medical Center northwest of Los Angeles as a result of complications from pneumonia, his sister Carla Shreve told the Los Angeles Times.

After several days in an induced coma, the actor’s family decided to disconnect him from an artificial respirator.

“Jeff Conaway was a wonderful and decent man, and we will miss him. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time,” Hollywood star John Travolta told E!News.

Conaway was hospitalized last June after being found unconscious in his house due to an overdose of prescription medications, said Shreve.

One of his last television appearances was in 2008 on the reality show “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” a program moderated by Drew Pinsky, a celebrity physician who specializes in addiction.

Born in New York, Conaway began his acting career on Broadway but his big break came with “Grease,” starring with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

He also became a regular on the hit sitcom “Taxi,” playing Wheeler, one of a group of New York cab drivers.

“Taxi,” which ran from 1978 to 1983, launched the careers of a host of comedic actors, including Danny De Vito, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd and Andy Kaufman.

Conaway later recalled in an interview that a back injury he suffered while making “Grease” led to his becoming addicted to painkillers, the start of innumerable drug problems that sabotaged his career.

On “Celebrity Rehab,” he admitted to struggling with addictions to cocaine and alcohol.

Lindsay Lohan. AFP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—Troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan was fitted with an ankle bracelet Thursday at the start of 35 days of home detention as part of a plea deal over her alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace, police said.

The 24-year-old was sentenced last month to 120 days in jail for violating probation and ordered to complete community service, but was allowed to serve her sentence at home after pleading no contest to the theft charge.

She was booked at 5:00 am Thursday at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, south of Los Angeles and fitted with the electronic monitoring device, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said.

“Ms. Lohan will be under the supervision of the sheriff’s department and her release date is expected to be around June 29,” said spokesman Steve Whitmore, adding: “She will serve about 35 days on home detention.”

Lohan had been ordered to surrender to jail authorities on or before June 17. She was also ordered to do 480 hours of community service last month, including 100 at the LA County morgue.

The actress must also stay at least 100 yards away from the jewelry store where the alleged theft took place, near her home in the upmarket Venice district, undergo counseling and complete a course for shoplifters.

Lohan spent a few hours in jail last month after Sautner ruled she had violated her probation for a 2007 drug and drunk driving offense when she allegedly stole the necklace on January 22.

It is the latest in a long list of legal tangles for the star — once the promising child star of hit Disney movies “The Parent Trap” and “Freaky Friday” — who has a reputation for hard partying.

In July last year Lohan was sentenced to 90 days in jail and another 90 days in rehab for violating her probation in a drunk-driving case, but served just 13 days due to prison overcrowding.

She was jailed again in September, but was granted bail after only 15 hours behind bars and subsequently checked into rehab for drug addiction, a course she completed in January.

In 2007, she spent just 84 minutes in jail after police arrested her twice for cocaine possession while driving — in one instance crashing her Mercedes-Benz into a tree.

MUHLACH (RIGHT, WITH LOCSIN). Self-effacing honesty.

Now that Aga Muhlach’s latest starrer, “In the Name of Love,” has effectively and even definitively reestablished him as the best dramatic actor on the local film scene, some movie buffs have been trying to figure out what gives him the edge over other and younger male leads like Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Coco Martin. I hope these comparative notes are of some help:

First off, what makes Aga’s portrayal in his latest movie exceptional is the new commitment and “go-for-broke” attack that he brings to it. For far too long, he’s been the top male dramatic lead around, but often too safely and even smugly so.

As a result, his recent performances have tended to be rather predictable—a real pity, since Aga has shown in some of his early portrayals that he’s got it in him to be an exceptional actor in films.

“In the Name of Love” is a landmark movie in his career, because he’s rekindled the “fire in the belly” to again come up with a memorable and dramatically insightful portrayal that used to make him more than just a pretty face in his youth.

True gift

It could be the fact that he’s already in his 40s and maturing both as a person and an artist that has “reminded” him of his true gift and “duty” as an actor.

Whatever the reason, he has clearly decided to focus, not on his on-screen image and signature charm, but on the character he’s playing, period.

Since the character is no spring chicken, Aga has “allowed” his age to show in certain scenes, and this “confessional” stance has added immeasurably to his performance’s truth, pathos and affecting vulnerability.

Since the character has all sorts of grave personal, psychological and ethical problems to contend with, Aga’s self-effacing honesty makes his daunting and even tragic conflicts viscerally real, and that much easier for viewers to understand, empathize with and learn from.

The big “test” of the actor’s resolve is the key and extended scene in which he finally reveals to Angel Locsin’s character how deeply hurt and angry he feels about what he perceives to be her emotional disloyalty and duplicity.

Challenging scene

As Aga launches into the emotionally challenging scene, we see him reach certain “landmark” points that, in his previously “safer” portrayals, he would have stopped at.

But, so rigorous is the revelatory path that he and director Olivia Lamasan have charted for themselves that, instead of stopping, he just keeps going.

One dark moment leads him to an even darker and more painful level, which then takes him lower still, until it’s the very soul of his tormented character that we are gazing at, and deeply feeling for.

Having bravely descended into the very pit of “hell,” where good looks and youth are quite frankly irrelevant and even distracting, Aga finally emerges at the other side of his character’s painful journey of confession and brutally honest self-revelation, triumphant and transformed.