Cherie Gil does not approve of use of famous line in ‘Bituing Walang Ningning’ musical

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Actress Cherie Gil is not pleased about someone else using the iconic line she famously uttered in Bituing Walang Ningning.

According to a report from Pep, Gil, who played Lavinia Arguelles in the 1985 movie, is requesting Viva Films and Resorts World Manila to stop using the famous line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!” in the musical version of the movie which opened last week. A cease and desist letter was given to both parties by Gil’s lawyer Lorna Kapunan.

Here’s a look at that famous scene:

In the same report, it was mentioned that Gil owns the intellectual property right to the said line.

However, director Emmanuel Borlaza, who directed the movie said that the particular line came from him. The late screenwriter Orlando Nadres wrote the screenplay. 

Meanwhile, according to a report from ABS-CBN, actress Cris Villonco, who plays Lavinia in the musical, said that she is not aware of any court order stopping her from saying the famous line.  

”As far as I’m concerned, as long as there’s no court order I’m saying the line on Thursday night,” Villonco said.

“Ang sinabi po sa akin as long as there’s no court order – and alam ko po it was a cease and desist notice – ay sasabihin ko pa din po on Thursday night at until Sunday this weekend. Tapos tingnan po natin ano ang mangyayari next weekend.”

(What they told me is as long as there’s no court order – and I know it was a cease and desist notice – I can still say the line on Thursday night until Sunday this weekend. Let’s see what happens next weekend.)

Meanwhile in a another interview with Pep, Viva Films’ lawyer Heather Annang said this: 

“Ang position ng (the position of) Viva is this: There’s no basis for Cherie’s claim.

“Una, ang Viva, kanya ang film rights. Kinuha niya kay Nerissa Cabral [comics novelist]. (First, Viva owns the film rights. They got it from Nerissa Cabral.) 

“Tapos noong 1985, in-employ ng Viva si Direk Emmanuel Borlaza to direct it, si Orlando Nadres to write the script, and of course, Sharon and Cherie to be the actors, to portray the roles.

(And in 1985, Viva employed Direk Emmanuel Borlaza to direct it, Orlando Nadres to write the script and of course, Sharon and Cherie to be the actors to portray the roles) 

“So, under the intellectual property code, lahat ng output nila bilang direktor, scriptwriter, artista, pagmamay-ari ng Viva, in the course of their employment, belongs to Viva,” Annang explained. 

Annang said that the line will continue to be used in the musical given their stance.  – Rappler.com