MOTHER Lily Monteverde doesn't only predict trends, she dictates them to the audience. During the '80s it was fantasy-comedy, then TF, now, it's sci-fi and "experimental" films. How did she develop this "power" to influence the moviegoer's taste?

"I don't think it can be called power, only an instinct. When I feel na this is something I want to do, I just do it! At wala namang trends, you just have to know how to sell your movie. Paminsan-minsan, nanonood ako ng pelikula sa mga sinehan, with the exceptions of big movies like 'Titanic.' Hindi ako nagre-rent ng pelikula, nakikisali lang ako sa panonood sa mga anak ko," mother laughs.

"And I am a movie fan up to now. Sometimes we live in illusions, sometimes we want to experience beautiful things. I just give Filipinos that feeling.

"Movies are always on my mind--when I wake up, before I sleep. Talagang addict sa movies, obssessed ako. Hindi na nawawala sa katawan ko ang movies, kahit na sabihing naghihirap ang show biz. Nandoon pa rin ang fighting spirit ko. Nacha-challenge ako."

Mother cites "Relasyon," "Broken Marriage," "Manila By Night," "Sister Stella L," "Scorpio Nights" and "Virgin Forest" as her best movies because they all had substantial stories and remarkable actors, aside from the fact that they were directed by Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Peque Gallaga.

"I consider them my best because they can compete with Hollywood movies. I hope I can be a producer in Hollywood," she bellows. "Before, it was very easy to make formulas, commercial hits, but now, it's different. Technology is different--kasi the lighting, editing and effects are very modern. Now, even the jokes are different. The taste of the masa is unpredictable!"

But Mother Lily still enjoys taking risks. And she doesn't sulk when her "risks" bomb at the tills.

"Fifteen years ago, if my pictures didn't make money, for one week, nade-depress ako. I would just lie down in bed at umiiyak ako. But now, I take things lightly. Kumita man o hindi, I have the same reaction because I believe na darating din 'yung right project na kikita ulit," she shares.

"And I will not leave show biz even if I have my school. I don't believe na bagsak na ang industry. You just have to handle things right and work within your budget."

Handling money and stars is second nature to Mother Lily. She can make and unmake a star just by snapping her fingers. But her prodigal "stars" usually find themselves back in her "motherly" arms. How does she win her "children" back?

"I was so sensitive that I would cry when they left me," Mother Lily remembers. "I felt it was the end of the world. Ayaw ko silang makita, sisigaw ako, 'Tapos na, ayoko na!' Pero hinahanap-hanap ko naman sila.

"And when I see them, they can come to me and kiss me. I love my stars. I treasure them so much--without them I will not be where I am today."

Is Mother Lily not prone to "show biz burn-out?"

"No, I enjoy show biz. I have peace of mind and I am happy. I am always inspired. No regrets," she philosophizes, then laughs. "Maybe I am like this because I always exercise. I do bending then I go to church at 6:15 every morning. After Mass, I jog and walk 10 kilometers a day. When I jog, I really concentrate and I don't talk to anybody. But when I walk, I pray the rosary and think of the things I have to do. Nobody's perfect. Moody ako but I still have my sense of humor."

Her mood swings are legendary. But her spontaneity helps her cope with the maddening circus that show biz is. Who knows, her next production just might be her life story!

The Groove entertained us and managed to entice the press to dance during their album launch at Annapolis Live last May 21.

With songs like "You Should Be Dancing," "Bongga Ka 'Day," "Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko," "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" and "Last Dance," the Groove transported us back to the "cartridge days" when flares, corduroy and polyester were in fashion.

But if you read the titles from their debut album under Orbit Music, you'll notice that the songs are all covers! Are they scared of recording an original song? Does a "full cover" album minimize the risk of a flop?

Tyrone Ty (vocals) disagrees, "We're not afraid of risks. It's just that hindi na nakahabol 'yung mga originals namin. But our next album will definitely have originals. And idea ng Orbit Music na gumawa ng souvenir album for the people who watch us. Orbit wanted to provide them with the Groove music which they can take home and play."

But isn't '70s music just a fad? Will they shift to a different type of music when '70s music no longer appeals to people?

Tyrone shakes his head, "'70s music didn't really leave us. The sound from the '70s is good music and good music never dies. We won't change our music. And, if we disband, we will stay as friends."

Ricky Trinidad, their manager, adds, "Bands need to have concepts. I used to manage Kulay and DV8 before and they had their own image. With the Groove, it's '70s music but we made sure it was different in terms of packaging. It took us eight long months to form the Groove because we had to chart our direction. I'd like to believe that we're progressive."

The Corrs initially wanted to postpone recording their third album but after their MTV Unplugged album sold 2.5 million copies, they decided to go back to Dublin to work.

Andrea Corr (vocals) feels that "In Blue" reflects their growth as artist without losing their unique sound. "Every band says their latest recording is their best, but I really believe it. It's us. It's who we are and we're very proud of it," she says.

She cites "Breathless" as a memorable track on the album because it has heart and soul. "I went to Switzerland where Mutt Lange (husband and producer of Shania Twain) lives. We went into the forest with his guitar and wrote "Breathless" over there. The way his songs work is very different. It's like being on a roller coaster. You don't get a second let-up, it's just hook after hook," she reveals.

We enjoyed the special anniversary episode of "The Probe Team" last Tuesday where all four segment hosts became people we never imagined them to be.

Che Che Lazaro efficiently played the role of a bus conductor. Karen Davila was transformed into a fish vendor. Love Anover conquered the gym as aerobics instructor. Robert Alejandro almost became a nude model for fine arts students. All four didn't have the slightest idea what they would be asked to do, but they gamely agreed to do it.

Among the four, it was Alejandro who truly impressed us. Being the newcomer in the group, he struck us as a true sport. Initially, Alejandro thought he was undergoing a difficult fraternity initiation ritual. For a few minutes, he was caught off-guard with the avalanche of curse words thrown at him by the supposed frat leaders. But when he learned that it was a set-up for a nude sketching session, he calmed down and gamely posed-but he didn't go all the way.

Lazaro said it was her toughest assignment of her career. Davila was praised to the highest heavens by the fish vendors' association members. And Anover injected comedy into aerobics.

Congratulations, Probe Team, you never fail to amaze us.

All the important people in advertising, fashion and modeling industry will be at the Greenhills Theater tonight when the search for the Circle of 10 Image Models ends and the careers of the 10 winners begin.

The winners will be automatically awarded a one-year modeling contract by the Preview Modeling Agency, organizer of the event.

Tonight, the candidates will be wearing the creations of fashion designers Arielle Agasang, Dong Omaga Diaz and Bong Lazo. Show biz personalities Ryan Agoncillo and Jolina Magdangal will receive the Image Models of the Year award. For tickets, call 817-1685.

The winners for the MTV Music Video Awards have been announced with the top plum going to True Faith's "Sa Kanya" video. But one big question remains unanswered: how come True Faith won the grand prize when it lost to Parokya ni Edgar in the group category?

Everyone thought Viktoria would snatch the top prize since she won the best female video award, but True Faith pulled the biggest surprise of the evening. Ogie Alcasid won in the male division and Freestyle in the new artist category.

After his erotic movies "Phone Sex" and "Toro," director Jose Javier Reyes returns to making movies about young love and romance-"Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin" and "Tunay na Mahal."

"Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin" is the newer film of the two and it stars Diether Ocampo and Angelu de Leon. We sensed that direk Joey seems to be more excited about this film since it's more contemporary and less melodramatic. But with Maricel Soriano-Christopher de Leon tandem in the other film, and knowing Pinoy's love for drama, he might just end up having two hits in a row.

After these two films, Joey has "Adok," a family drama starring Lorna Tolentino and Cogey Domingo and "Boyet" with Ricky Davao and Carlo Aquino.

When we spoke to aspiring actor Carlo Muñoz during the press conference of Channel 2's new show, "Rave," we discovered something deep in the young actor.

Carlo is the younger brother of model-turned-actor Leandro Muñoz. He has more pronounced mestizo features--deep-set eyes, more prominent jaw, and a more masculine appeal. We tell him that he reminds us of Raymond Bagatsing, and Carlo is flattered.

His role in "Rave" is categorized as support but he doesn't mind. "It's the impact you make that determines if you are credible as an actor. I prefer to start with small roles before taking on big ones, so I'll be more prepared," he says.

Carlo will next be seen in a special episode of "Maala-ala Mo Kaya" where he gets to be directed for the second time by Lupita Kashiwahara, currently on vacation from the States.