Marjorie has had enough

November 7, 2019

AGA Muhlach is quite happy with the positive comments he got for his acting as Mark Alvarez, the mysterious stranger in “Nuuk,” which had its successful premiere night at SM Megamall last Monday. Those who have seen the movie were also impressed by the mystery in the story and the beauty of the ice-covered locations shot in the capital of Greenland.

Aga is suddenly busy as the year ends with two new movies. “Nuuk” is now showing in theaters and next month, he has an entry in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” a remake of a Korean blockbuster opening on Christmas Day.

We remember we first saw Aga when he was a ten-year-old boy at the shooting of a movie of his late aunt, Amalia Fuentes, somewhere in Intramuros. He was with his late dad, Cheng Muhlach, and we told his dad that Aga has so much star potential. “I’m just praying that he will grow taller than me,” said Cheng did.

And that, Aga did. He went on to become one of the top matinee idols of his era. Now, he just turned golden boy on August 12 and he says he’s not only older, but also much wiser.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot from my mistakes,” he says. “My wife Charlene is a real good influence on me.”

He feels so happy in his life right now. “I’m just grateful that at my age, I still get a lot of good offers and can still do big movies like ‘Nuuk’ and ‘Miracle at Cell No. 7.’ Personally, I’m very happy with my family. Our twins ni Charlene, Andres and Atasha, turned 18 on November 5 and they are both very good kids. My other son, Iggy Boy (his son with Janice de Belen), is also doing great with his own restaurant and has now also has his own family and has given me grandchildren. Really, I feel so blessed and I want to thank God for all His wonderful blessings in my life.”

***
Michelle Dee says she can feel some pressure as our country’s next representative in the Miss World pageant to be held in London next month, as both her mom, Melanie Marquez, and cousin, Winwyn Marquez, are international title-holders. Melanie won as Miss International and Winwyn won as Reina Hispanico Americana.

“May pressure, but I think positively and I promise to do my very best to bring home the crown,” she says at the press con of her very first movie, “Cara X Jagger.” “I do believe in myself. I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a beauty queen, but a lot of people are always telling me I have all the qualifications to be one. Now, I’m really preparing hard for it.”

What’s the advice that her mom gave her? “We’re close and we talk about a lot of things but lagi niyang ini-inject ‘yung preparations for Miss World. She says the best thing is just be yourself and don’t try to be the next Melanie or Winwyn. Just be Michelle Dee, embrace everything about yourself, no pretensions.”

She’ll fly to London on November 19 but the pageant’s coronation night will be on December 14 yet. “Marami pa kasing ibang activities before the pageant proper. We’re now choosing kung anong National Costume that I’ll wear to best represent our beautiful country.”

If she would win, then she and her mom Melanie will be the first mother and daughter team to become international beauty pageant winners.

Meantime, we asked Michelle how it was working with Ruru Madrid and Jasmine Curtis in “Cara X Jagger.”

“We had fun. They’re both easy to work with, including our very young director, Ice Idanan. Most of my scenes are with Ruru kasi best friends kami rito who are both into motorcycles.

Nag-enjoy ako. This is actually the first of two films I’ve done. The other one is ‘GLU, Go La Union,’ a barkada movie which is slated for release next year.”

***
Jane Oineza has done two films so far this year, “Finding You” and “Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love.” She has now completed her third film for 2019, “Tayo Muna Habang Hindi Pa Tayo,” an entry in the 15th Cinema One Originals that will be shown from November 7 to 17 in selected cinemas. She is paired for the first time with JC Santos, who was last seen in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino entry, “Open.” Why is the title of their movie “Tayo Muna Habang Hindi Pa Tayo”?

“Yes, mapapaisip ka and you’d ask ‘ano raw?’” she laughs. “Pero ganyan talaga ang movie. May kaguluhan talaga siya. It’s about problematic relationships and about compromise.”

How is it working with JC?

“First time naming magkapareha at maganda ang timpla ng movie namin kasi may halong comedy and kilig.”

Do they have love scenes? How did she handle them?

“Nag-jell agad kami so walang awkwardness. Maayos ang rehearsals namin before each take with our director, Denise O’Hara. We became close friends while doing this movie. The name of my character is Alex at si JC naman is Carlo. I’m in love with him but he is not ready to seriously commit to a relationship, so I offered na kami muna habang ‘di pa talagang kami.”

Looks like she’s getting to be more daring after she did “Project Feb, 14” for iWant streaming where she had torrid scenes with McCoy de Leon. Her leading man now, JC, is more used to doing daring roles, just like in “Open” and “Don’t Call Me Tita” where he had butt exposure. How about her?

“May butt exposure din siya rito,” she laughs. “At ako rin, meron. Abangan nyo. Ha ha ha!”

***
Jo Berry got a lot of positive reviews for her credible dramatic acting in her first soap, “Onanay,” which is now being shown in some countries abroad like in the Dominican Republic where it’s a big hit with “El Amor Mas Grande” as its Spanish title. She’s now getting more positive comments from netizens for her believable portrayal as Alden Richards’ adoptive mother in GMA-7’s primetime drama, “The Gift.”

Viewers say she’s a standout in that scene where she got mad because Alden as Sep is determined to search for his biological mom and she’s afraid he might just get hurt in the process. Netizens say she looks so convincing as Alden’s foster mom when the truth is that she’s younger than Alden as she’s only 24 and Alden is 27.

“Okay lang naman ‘yun,” she says. “We’re just portraying our respective roles. Ganun din naman ako sa ‘Onanay’ as mother nina Mikee Quintos at Kate Valdez. Masaya lang ako na after ‘Onanay,’ where I got to work with Nora Aunor and Cherie Gil, nasama naman ako ngayon sa ‘The Gift’ and given the chance na makatrabaho naman si Alden, si Tita Beth Oropesa as my mom, Lola Char, and si Miss Jean Garcia as Alden’s real mom. Never in my dreams ko naisip na mabibigyan ako ng pagkakataong makatrabaho ang magagaling na artistang ito.”

She said joining showbusiness changed her life.

“Very much, kasi malaki ang naitulong nito sa aming ng pamilya. Malaki ang ipinagbago ng buhay ko. Ang pinakagusto ko, ‘yung comments ng little people na gaya ko, na sinasabing nagsisilbi raw akong inspirasyon sa kanila para hindi sila mawalan ng pag-asa. Ako kasi, never kong kinonsider ang sarili ko na kawawa ako dahil sa kalagayan ko. Kasi, when you see yourself as kawawa, then magiging kawawa ka nga. Lahat tayo, ginawa ni Lord with a purpose at kailangan lang, hanapin mo ang purpose ni Lord para sa iyo.”

***
The Barretto sisters have continued their war after All Saints’ Day. Gretchen Barretto attended a party with both Tonyboy Cojuangco and Atong Ang to show that all is well between them. But Claudine dropped a bomb against Marjorie, posting a video taken while their late dad was still confined in a hospital where you can clearly hear Marjorie saying “Inday is so dramatic, baka masapak ko siya.”

Claudine then asks if this is what Marjorie meant that she’s a “good daughter” to their Mommy Inday. She posted on her social account: “My heart breaks for my mom. Although this didn’t surprise me bcoz she does this all the time. Earlier this year she was going to hurt my mom physically & in so many more times. Now that my Dad is not around I promise on my father’s grave that this will never happen again.”

Marjorie answered this in an official statement: “I don’t refer to my mom as ‘Inday.’ We call her Mom or Mommy. Hindi po ang Mommy ko ang pinag-uusapan namin dito. And hindi sinasapak ang 82-year-old Mother. My Mom is one TOUGH WOMAN, none of us can ever overpower her. Let this be known to all that my mom and I are on good terms. There are far more important matters happening in this country like earthquakes. Enough of the Barretto family problems. I don’t want to take part anymore in their dirty tricks, tactics, and cyberbullying. In the meantime, I hope those who took those videos and continue to spread them online are aware of Republic Act 4200. Ayon po sa batas, it is clearly illegal to record someone (audio and video) without their consent. Siguro po dapat kumuha muna sila ng magaling na legal advice bago nila inilalabas ito maliciously and out of its real context.”

Later on, Marjorie also posted: “PROVE this twisted story of yours in court. Prove that I have ever tried to physically hurt my Mother.

“And prove that it was the argument that my mom and I had about Julia giving 500k in exchange for the Subic home. PROVE it.

“Because it was only when Dad was dead that Julia paid the 500k and so much more than any of us. And how we repeatedly made it clear that Julia was not buying the Subic house, long before Dad died, that was clear to all.

“All siblings knew that, you wrote it down in your paper, and you were recording it from your phone without our consent. I will see you in court, the rest of the family will stand by me as witnesses.”

But their mom herself, Mrs. Inday Barretto, declared in her own social media account: “I am the Inday that Marjorie was referring to after a big fight in the hospital about the Subic home own. I’m shocked and in so much pain as a mother.”

Marjorie sent a message to Claudine but she made a mistake and sent it to herself: “Take you proper medications please. Nahihilo ka na sa kuwento mo.”

To which, Claudine quickly made a reply: “Oh my! What happened? Why did you TAG YOURSELF, Marjorie? Tsk, tsk. Don’t worry, I drank my meds. So should you. Mock me all you want BUT NOT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. Don’t your children see a psychiatrist?”

Personally, we really hope they’ll settle their differences soon. (Although gossip outlets will wish the contrary as the public is so fond of feasting on this unabashed display of dirt among celebrities.) Actually, in the end, no one wins in this kind of war between members of the same family. They all lose!

Aubrey Miles shares secret to amazing post-baby body

Mario E. Bautista

November 5, 2019

AI AI De Las Alas just renewed her contract with GMA Network. “This is my third contract with them since I became a Kapuso again in 2015,” she said. “Every two years ang contract ko before, but this time, three years na and I’m just very happy to still be a Kapuso. Right now, I have two shows, ‘Sunday Pinasaya,’ na four years na, and now, I’m a judge in ‘The Clash Season 2’ na very happy ako to be a part of. By next year daw, they’ll give me a new soap.”

How come there’s a rumor that “Sunday Pinasaya” will soon end?

“I don’t know kunsaan galing yang tsismis na ‘yan, but we just talked to the executives involved and they said, ‘Tuloy pa rin ang saya’. Hanggang December pa ang contract with GMA.”

What can she say to those who bash her as a judge in “The Clash”?

“Wala, mas magtataka ako kung walang mamba-bash sa’kin kasi part na yan ng social media. Kaligayahan na ng bashers na mam-bash so pagbigyan na lang natin sila. But sa ngayon, mas marami na raw namba-bash kay Christian Bautista as judge kaysa sa akin.

Basta happy ako maging judge and be a part ng journey ng Clashers.”

She’s also happy to have an entry in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival with Coco Martin and Jennylyn Mercado, “Tripol Trobol, Huli Ka Balbon!”, which Coco himself directs.

“Pareho silang first time ko nakatrabaho at pareho silang mabait kasama. Kaya lang, si Coco, as our director, napaka-hyper. Five in the morning ang calltime namin at hindi yata napapagod. Grabe ang energy. Dahil sa kanya, napilitan akong mag-gym to be able to cope with his overflowing energy. Si Jennylyn naman, so sweet. Kahit pagod na at puyat, hindi rin nagrereklamo. Masaya ang movie namin. Action-comedy and viewers will like it during the holiday season.”

***
Alice Dixson is busy with the promo of her movie with Aga Muhlach, “Nuuk,” but she agreed to appear in GMA-7’s new afternoon drama, “Madrasta.” The show’s lead stars, Juancho Trivino and Arra San Agustin, were surprised to see her on the set, ready to tape an episode with them.

“It’s a guest role lang naman,” said Alice. “I will play a famous celebrity named Angelina Cruz and they will get me to be an endorser.”

Juancho, who plays Sean in “Madrasta,” is he’s happy to be given the chance to work Alice.

“Wala siya sa original cast when we started but we’re glad she has joined us now,” he said.

“I remember her as Dyesebel and I’ve seen her in some soaps so I know magaling siyang artista. She’s really a welcome addition to ‘Madrasta’.”

“Mas maganda pa pala siya sa personal kaysa on screen,” Arra shared. “We are so thankful na nakasama namin siya sa eksena. Kahit special participation lamang siya, salamat at nagkaroon kami ng chance na makatrabaho siya.”

In the story, the clinic of Juancho and his mom, Gladys Reyes as Dr. Elizabeth Ledesma, that specializes on cosmetic surgery nearly goes bankrupt after Juancho’s unfaithful wife, Thea Tolentino, deceived them and eloped with her boyfriend, Ahron Villena. They now to revive their business with Alice, a top celebrity, as their endorser.

***
JM de Guzman finds working with Alessandra de Rossi in the Cinema One Digitals entry, “Lucid,” quite an adventure. “I’m aware na magaling siyang artista at napatunayan ko ‘yun dito sa movie namin,” he said. “I’m really proud and honored to be given the chance na makasama siya kasi gusto ko talaga to be able to work with award-winning co-stars like Alex kasi laging mayroon kang bagong matututuhan from them.”

So what did he learn from Alex? “She’s very positive na katrabaho. Hindi demanding.

Relaxed lang, but para kaming nag-e-experiment in doing our scenes together and I think maganda naman lumabas ang mga eksena namin in ‘Lucid’, directed by Victor Villanueva, who’s also a new but very talented young filmmaker.”

He and Alex play lucid dreamers in the movie. “May mga tao talagang ganyan, lucid dreamers. Nakokontrol ang mga nangyayari sa panaginip nila. Ako mismo, I have vivid dreams. My doctor told me to write down my dreams para hindi ko malimutan, but I can’t, so I just draw them, sketch them. Isang dream ko, about war. Anarchy. I still remember the sounds. Planes fell from the sky. Suddenly, there came a strong electric force. Alleys were flooded. Children from the streets were everywhere. There were killings. Darkness reigned. The doctor said it’s not an ordinary dream but a nightmare. Kaya nga naka-identify ako sa role ko in ‘Lucid’ and the surreal dreams my character there experienced.”

He is currently being linked to Ria Atayde but he says they’re just good friends who are still getting to know each other better. “She’s a rare find, a good influence. I think we bring out the best in each other. But we’re both more focused now on our careers. I want her to watch ‘Lucid’ kasi I’m proud of this movie. It will have is premiere night at Trinoma on November 10, 7:30 p.m. and I will invite her.”

***
Aubrey Miles just gave birth to her and Troy Montero’s daughter, who they called Rockett, but she came to the press con of her movie, “Santigwar,” looking so slim and sexy like she didn’t give birth at all. And to think her eldest son, Maury, is now 18 while her second son, Hunter, is now 11.

“Kasi kahit noong buntis ako, nag-e-exercise naman ako,” she said. “Tapos, nag-breastfeed pa ako, so mabilis makapayat ‘yun. And now, back to exercise na uli ako.”

Troy’s brother, KC Montero, recently got married to beauty queen Stephanie Dods in the US very recently. Were they invited? “No. It’s a very simple affair. Saka ang layo. But we really wish them well.”

How about her and Troy? Don’t they have plans of eventually tying the knot since they’ve been living together for 16 years now? “We’ve talked about it. If ever, I want something unusual, like getting married in the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. Para memorable talaga.

But as of now, okay naman kami, happy sa isa’t isa. We’ve never had a really big fight.

Pinag-uusapan lang namin pag may problem. But we agreed na kapag may nag-cheat sa amin, wala nang usap-usap, hiwalayan na agad.”

***
Joem Bascon is used to playing supporting roles so he’s jubilant when Regal offered him to be Lovi Poe’s leading man in the sexy drama, “The Annulment.” “It’s good I’ve worked with Lovi several times before, so kilala na namin yung isa’t isa. But before shooting started, nag-workshop pa rin kami with Direk Mac Alejandre kasi marami kaming gagawing love scenes and we have to be aware what exactly he wants us to do before the camera. Very daring siya, pati yung shower scene, but I believe naitawid naman namin nang maayos.”

Doing “The Annulment” was an eye-opener for him. “I’m sure maraming makaka-relate rito kasi it charts ‘yung relationship namin ni Lovi from the start na nagkakilala kami, naging mag-steady, ikinasal and how our relationship as a married couple eventually deteriorated at nauwi sa annulment. It will give people a better of understanding sa difference ng annulment, divorce and legal separation. Annulment is voiding your marriage na parang walang nangyari. It’s a long and painful process for both the couple. Ang character ko, sa kabila ng pinagdaraanan namin ni Lovi, meron pa ring hope within me na sana maayos pa rin, until you realize na healing can only start kapag nagka-annulment na.”

So, any new discoveries about Lovi while doing “The Annulment”?

“Nothing much. Neighbors kami so alam ko, she jogs every morning. Then nawala siya. Matagal siyang nagbakasyon sa States. Pagbalik niya, akala ko, baka tumaba, but fit and healthy pa rin siya. Fitness buff talaga.”

Joem admits he and her non-showbiz girlfriend named Crisha Uy, has been living together for five years now. Any plans of walking down the aisle soon? “Yes, napag-uusapan. Thirty-two na ako, not getting any younger. May plano kami to upgrade our relationship. Baka next year.”

Lovi willing to wait for the right person

Mario E. Bautista

October 31, 2019

ALEXA Ilacad is excited to play her first lead role in the special Halloween offering, “Santigwar,” the Bicolano word for faith healer who fights evil spirits. She plays the daughter of the original “santigwar,” Dan Fernandez, but she’s the one who faces the aswang in the movie, played by the sultry Aubrey Miles.

“If you love horror movies, you’ll enjoy ‘Santigwar,’ directed by Joven Tan, as it’s sure to terrify you,” she says. “I enjoyed doing it with the other young stars in the movie like Marlo Mortel, Paulo Angeles, Marco Gallo and Khean Johnson na naging mga biktima ng aswang while they’re vacationing in our town.”

At the press con, she was asked about her revelations in Boy Abunda’s show that she got hurt by her past relationship with Nash Aguas. This was caused by Nash’s declaration to his current girlfriend Mika de la Cruz: “Thirteen years and I still love you.”

“Napaisip lang ako kasi sa 13 years na ‘yun, I was there,” she explains. “Okay lang sana kasi in ‘Goin’ Bulilit,’ they were together, puppy love, nauna sila. But when I read that ‘thirteen years thing,’ napaisip nga ako kasi inside that thirteen years, I was there. So, when you say na ‘thirteen years and I still love you,’ where was I?’”

She got a lot of bashing because of that. “It was because his camp was trying to spread rumors about me. Parang sinasabi na, I have no right to talk about ‘thirteen years thing’ and all of that, because ako naman daw ang nanloko. That accusation was so funny, kasi ang tagal na nilang sinasabi na nanloko daw ako and all that, but where’s the proof? I dare them. Show me what you have against me. Salita kayo nang salita, wala naman kayong maipakita. Wala naman kasi talaga. Wala nga akong dyowa. Sige, kung nanlalaki nga ako, nasaan? Naghiwalay kami nang maayos, kasi it’s not working anymore. He became very controlling. I felt wala nang mangyayari na maganda rito. Hindi ko kaya na ipagpatuloy ‘to.

There’s no trust anymore. When I went to ABS, sabi ng make-up artist sa akin, ‘Bes, sabi ni Nash na nanlalaki ka raw.’ So, ipinagkakalat niya ang assumptions niya at ‘yun ang pinamba-bash sa’kin ng fans niya, na galing din sa kanya kaya tigilan na nila ako.”

***
Lovi Poe was last seen in a regular TV series last year in “The One That Got Away.” After that, she had a long vacation abroad. Now, she’s finally back in a new movie, “The Annulment”, with Joem Bascon and directed by McArthur Alejandre. She plays Joem’s wife, Gari, while Joem is Sherwin, and they have sizzling love scenes together. She admits it’s one of the sexiest films she has ever done. Why did she consent to do such provocative bedscenes?

“Simply because it’s needed in the story,” she says. “The movie shows sex in the different stages of the relationship of a couple. First is the honeymoon stage when the relationship is new, very intense and passionate. May shower scene pa kami rito. Then as the relationship sours, ipinakita ang sex habang magkagalit ‘yung couple. There’s forced sex, so sinampal ko siya, pinagbigyan and asked him: ito ba ang gusto mo? It helps that I feel very comfortable with Joem kasi we’ve worked several times before and neighbors kasi kami.

We’ve already watched the love scenes and we’re happy with the outcome.”

But she stresses the movie is not just about the sexy bedscenes. “More than that, it dissects the dissolution of a marriage that leads to annulment. I play Gari, a pre-school teacher who comes from a well-to-do family. Then I meet Joem who comes from a different background. I thought we’d be compatible and although I’ve seen some traits in him na hindi ko gusto, I thought mapagbabago ko siya once we’re married. But it didn’t happen, so the marriage suffers and I ask him for annulment. It turns out Joem and I have different perspectives and expectations in life.”

How does she feel when folks chide her for being single?

“I don’t compare myself with others. Just because they’re married na does not mean I also would. I don’t want to rush and regret it. I’d rather wait until I find the right person for me, kahit abutin pa ako ng 60 years old. I’d get married nga at 30, then realize later that it’s a mistake, huwag na lang. That’s why it’s important to find the right guy.”

***
Ruru Madrid plays the title role in APT-Cignal Entertainment’s romance, “Cara X Jagger”, with Jasmine Curtis Smith as Cara. He plays a biker who figures in a motorcycle accident and gets afflicted with memory loss called hyperthymesia.

How is it working with Jasmine?

“I’ve always wanted to work with her because I know she’s one of the best actresses of her generation, having won acting awards early in her career,” he says. “I am very thankful to APT and Cignal for giving me the chance to be able to work with her and this is one film project I’d never forget. Intimidated ako noong una kasi dati na niya akong fan, but mabait pala siya. First scene pa lang namin, sabi agad sa amin, o sweet-sweetan kayo rito. I’m glad she trusted me right away so nawala na hiya ko sa kanya. I saw her serious love for her craft as an actress.”

Aside from “Cara X Jagger,” Ruru has finished another movie, the youth barkada movie, “Go La Union.” He was supposed to be the leading man of model Maureen Wroblewitz in her first movie for Reality Entertainment but it was to be shot in New Zealand right away and he cannot leave as he’s busy with the promo of “Cara X Jagger” that has a November 6 playdate. Ruru is being linked to Bianca Umali but he won’t admit it as of now. “Kapag personal relationship mo, ‘di mo naman kailangang ipangalandakan pa. Pero darating ang araw na lalabas din ang ganyang klaseng relationship.”

It’s said GMA has forbidden him and Bianca to admit it in public as this would surely hurt Bianca’s love team with Miguel Tanfelix. So now, they’ll just keep the public guessing.

***
Alessandra de Rossi is happy to work with JM de Guzman in the Cinema One entry, “Lucid,” where she plays Anna Cruz, a lucid dreamer, who meets JM, a man of mystery who challenges her to make her dreams more daring and adventurous.

“This is something that happens in real life, may lucid dreamers talaga,” says Alex. “When it was first offered to me, I agreed to do it right away kasi nagandahan ako. Our movie is about a woman na marunong mag-lucid dreaming, so, sa kanyang daily life, hindi niya nakokontrol ‘yung mga nangyayari sa buhay niya, bored na bored siya sa life niya, ganu’n.

Parang empty na siya, burned out. Pero pagdating sa gabi, kapag natulog na siya, ayun, nakokontrol niya lahat sa panaginip niya.”

How is it working with JM? “Hindi ko alam na siya ang kapareha ko, but when I found out, natuwa ako. Sinabi ko agad sa kanya na idol ko siya. Pero ayaw niyang maniwala, kasi ako raw ang idol niya. Magaling naman talaga siyang artista at nagkasundo kami agad kasi pareho kaming seryoso with our craft.”

Alex herself is now no longer just an actress. She wrote the script of the movie “12” last year and now, she not only writes the script but also directs her newest project, “Fuffy and Fream,” opposite Piolo Pascual, who is also producing it for his own company, Spring Films.

“Siempre, we have to grow,” she says. “It’s a new adventure for me but I’m glad bago ‘yun, nagawa ko itong ‘Lucid’ with JM de Guzman and I really enjoyed working with him.”
“Lucid” will have its premiere night at Trinoma on November 10, 7:30 p.m.

Why Regine accepted lead role in ‘Yours Truly, Shirley’

Mario E. Bautista

October 29, 2019

REGINE Velasquez has a new movie and it excites us as we’ve always told her she has the potential to be an award-winning drama actress like other singers before her who went into acting, such as Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

“Hindi naman kasi talaga ako artista, singer naman talaga ako,” she says. “Pero nung i-offer nila sa’kin itong ‘Yours Truly, Shirley’, nabudol ako, I accepted it. Niligawan kasi nila ako. Maganda ang role ko as a widow na ang akala, ‘yung husband niya is reincarnated in a young man played by Rayt Carreon. Comedy naman ang approach at hindi drama kaya hindi masyadong nakaka-stress sa emotions.”

We heard she has now intimidated all the other actresses that have an entry in the coming Cinema One Originals since she is the biggest star in it. They now concede she would win as best actress in the festival. “Hindi naman totoo ‘yan,” she says. “May entry rin si Cherie Gil. Ano naman ang panama ko roon? Saka hindi ko alam na may competition. Hindi po ako na-inform.”

Regine’s movie is directed by Nigel Santos and will premiere at Trinoma on November 10, 9:45 p.m.

The other entries are: “Metamorphosis” – A coming of age story starring teen actor Gold Azeron as Adan, a 14-year old born with both the male and female genitals, directed by J.E. Tiglao.

“O” – A horror-black comedy with Jasmine Curtis Smith, Lauren Young and Anna Luna, directed by Kevin Dayrit, about a morgue intern who meets a vampire, Matilda.

“Sila-Sila” – A drama with Gio Gahol and Topher Fabregas, this is directed by Gian Abrahan who won Cinema One best picture in 2017 for “Paki.” He describes it as an LGBT ghost story about a man who attends their high school reunion.

“Tayo Muna Habang Hindi Pa Tayo” – Denise O’Hara makes her Cinema One Originals debut with this romantic comedy starring Jane Oineza and JC Santos. The film is about love and the fear of commitment and how it can be traumatic for some people.

“Tia Madre” – A horror drama-thriller told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, Camille, played by Janna Agoncillo, with a mysterious mother, Emilia (Cherie Gil). It is written and directed by Eve Baswel.

“Utopia” – The stories of a freelance videographer, a rookie police officer and an undercover agent intertwine after a comet flies over Manila, with Enzo Pineda, Joem Bascon and Aaron Villaflor, directed by Dustin Celestino and Dustin Uy.

“Lucid” – A movie about dreams starring Alessandra de Rossi and JM de Guzman, directed by Victor Villanueva. Alex plays a lucid dreamer whose waking life and dream life get very complicated.

Cinema One Originals, now on its 15th year, will run from November 7- 17 at Trinoma, Glorietta, Ayala Manila Bay, Gateway and Powerplant Makati.

***
Rocco Nacino is so happy to be tapped by the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) as their youth advocate for health and nutrition projects. He has a master’s degree in nursing and he feels this will surely be a big help in the performance of his duties as a Kapuso Foundation volunteer. “I’m used to helping out our needy brothers because my mom is a cancer survivor and we give gifts on Christmas Day to patients afflicted with the big C,” he says when he was presented to the press by GMAKF founder and ambassador Mel Tiangco in a special presscon, along with other new advocates: Bea Binene for disaster relief and Patricia Tumulak for Kapuso School Development.

Mel Tiangco welcomed them all warmly and thanked them sincerely for their commitment to GMAKF’s mission to help uplift the lives of our underprivileged fellowmen all over the country. “I look forward to being with them in accomplishing together our various projects for the needy in the near future,” she adds.

Rocco says it’s actually them who are honored to be part of GMAKF. “I just really feel so excited to help spread joy and offer assistance to our people,” he says. “I will also be active in the blood donation program, especially now that a lot of people need blood since there is a dengue epidemic.”

Rocco looks forward to going out of town to push Kapuso Foundation projects even if he is so busy taping for his new action-drama, “Descendants of the Sun,” with Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado and Jasmine Curtis Smith that’s slated for a February airing. Rocco also feels blessed that his romantic-comedy, “Write About Love” for TBA Studios opposite Miles Ocampo, has been accepted as an official entry in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival this December. With regard to his lovelife, it’s going strong with athlete Melissa Gohing and they just celebrated her birthday together in a cozy place in Antipolo a few days ago.

***
Rita Daniela is seen Monday to Friday in the GMA romcom, “One of the Baes,” which is rating very well, and on Saturday and Sunday, she’s seen as a host who chronicles the journeys of the contestants in the singing contest, “The Clash.”

“I never thought ‘yung ‘Special Tatay’ will make the big difference in my career,” she says.

“To think dalawang beses ko ‘yung tinanggihan kasi ayoko magkontrabida at pokpok pa ang role na magiging unwed mother pa. But eventually, I was convinced to accept it. Sabi ko anyway, hindi naman magtatagal ang show. But who would have thought na magugustuhan ng tao ang role ko as Aubrey at magki-click ang tandem namin ni Ken Chan kaya ayan ngayon, nabigyan kami ng lead roles on primetime sa ‘One of the Baes’ at tapos, hosts pa kami ng ‘The Clash’ season 2. Grabeng blessings talaga ang dumating!”
Hosting “The Clash” makes her feel nostalgic. “Kasi sa singing contest din ako galing. I was 10 years old when I joined ‘Popstar Kids’ and when I see the clashers now, I remember the time when I was a contestant na naghihintay na tawagin sa dressing room.”

How does she find the current crop of contestants in “The Clash”? “Maraming magaling. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, just believe in yourself and what you’re capable of doing. Yung mga natatanggal, siempre nakakalungkot, but I tell them not to lose hope. Laban lang nang laban!”

***
Viva Films had successive hits with “Just a Stranger” and “Jowable.” It now announces its exciting lineup of new releases for the last quarter of 2019.

Currently showing is the inspiring story starring Sarah Geronimo and her pet dog, Happy, in “Unforgettable”, directed by Jun Robles Lana and Perci Intalan. It’s getting very positive reviews and everyone who has seen it agrees Sarah is very touching and does justice to her very challenging role as a young woman afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome.

After “Unforgettable” is the intriguing mystery-drama, “Nuuk, A Sub-Zero Love Affair”, filmed on location in Nuuk, the frozen capital city of Greenland. It stars Aga Muhlach as Mark, a businessman working in Greenland who meets the widow Elaiza Svendsen, played by Alice Dixson, who’s feeling low after the death of her husband. They make a romantic connection but Aga suddenly goes missing. It is directed by Veronica Velasco.

Coming on November 13 is “Cinta Itu Buta,” Bahasa words for “Love is Blind.” This is the Indonesian remake of the Philippine blockbuster, “Kita Kita”, which starred Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez and directed by Sarah Ingrid Bernardo. The remake is now shot on location in the beautiful seaside city of Busan in Korea. It stars Jakarta’s popular superstars, the ravishing Shandy Aulia and talented comedian Dodit Mulyanto who will make you fall in love all over again, as directed by Rachmania Arunita.

On November 20, get ready to be shocked with the erotic sapphic romance between two beautiful women in “Adan” starring the adventurous duo of Rhen Escano and former beauty queen Cindy Miranda doing sizzling bedscenes in the lesbian-themed movie.

Bela Padilla stars in “Mananita”, produced by TEN17P Films for Viva, written by the internationally acclaimed Lav Diaz and directed by Paul Soriano. In this searing character study that shows what happens when your life’s purpose is stripped away, Bela plays the challenging role of a former military sniper who takes the law into her own hands to avenge the death of her parents. It is the lone Philippine entry in the competition section of the Tokyo International Film Festival set to premiere on October 29.Viva ends the year with a big bang with their MMFF entry, “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” a remake of a tearjerking Korean megahit topbilled by Aga Muhlach. He is supported by child star Xia Vigor and Bela Padilla playing his young and grown up daughter, plus Joel Torre, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Jojit Lorenzo and Rico Soliman. It is directed by Nuel Naval. The rest of the year will surely offer great entertainment with all these movies from Viva.

Barretto lovers dragged into the fray

Mario E. Bautista

October 24, 2019

The Barretto sisters’ saga continues. On Tuesday evening, Karen Davila’s interview of Marjorie Barretto aired. Karen asked Marj why she agreed to be interviewed on cam.

“Limang taon akong nanahimik. Five years na ang character assassination sa akin.

Magsasalita na ako dahil sobra na, para malaman ng tao ang katotohanan.”

About Pres. Duterte at the wake: “I’m very grateful to the president for taking time out to grieve with our family.”

About Atong Ang: “Alam namin he was the boyfriend of our niece, Nicole. Common knowledge ‘yan. Doon sa wake, we got a call and Nicole was told na umalis, kasi darating daw si Gretchen, so she cried, napahiya siya. Parang sampal sa mukha niya. Kasi magkakaroon daw ng gulo. Everything was orchestrated. Na-offend ang family namin kasi pinaaalis ang aming nephews and nieces.”

She adds that if Gretchen truly wanted reconciliation, she could have visited their dad while he was confined in the hospital. “Nakaratay ang tatay namin for 16 days. Claudine slept there for 16 days, but how come hindi niya na-convince si Gretchen na dalawin ang father namin habang buhay pa?”

So Gretchen came to the wake and Duterte tried to reconcile them. “Pinagbabati kami but I could see the insincerity on Gretchen’s face. I know her the most. So I told the president, I respect you, I voted for you, but sorry po di ko kayo mapagbibigyan. Diyan nagsimula ang bastusan because Claudine said: ‘You’re unbelievable!’ So I told the president. ‘Nakita nyo po, ito ang totoong pagkatao nila. Nagbabait-baitan lang sila sa inyo.’

“Gretchen said I had a nervous breakdown, but siya ang nagka-nervous breakdown.

Hinabol niya si Nicole and beat up my niece. Siya ang gumawa ng gulo, hindi ako. By that time, I was just sitting quietly with the president at the other end of the room. I apologized to the president and he said, ‘Stop apologizing’.”

So is Atong Ang lying about Nicole? “Yes, naging boyfriend siya ni Nicole. Huwag naman niyang babuyin ang pamangkin ko. Five years sila and she was only 18 then, tapos sasabihin niyang naging sekretarya lang niya.”

Is it true she had a relationship with ex-Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri? “He’s the father of my youngest daughter. That’s all I have to say. I’m not perfect. Pagdating sa pag-ibig, mahina ako. I’m sorry I fell in love with a married man, pero eto na yun.”

How about Gretchen’s allegation that Echieverri molested Claudine? “Favorite word nila yung molest. Pati mga anak ko raw, he molested. Gretchen also said our dad molested her when she was young. Si Claudine, she asked for financial help from Recom. Sabi ko kay Recom, huwag, kasi she’s mentally unstable. Pero sabi niya, baka sa iba pa lumapit at mapasama, so tinulungan niya. It turned out it was a set up to hurt me. Mayor Echiverri is a lawyer so he’s perfectly capable to answer that for himself.”

Gretchen said their dad had a heart attack because Marjorie did not invite their mom to their dad’s last birthday party held at her house. “It goes to show that Gretchen does not really care about our family. Our dad didn’t die of heart attack but because of chills, high fever and severe pneumonia, not heart attack. Our dad knows our mom cannot come because she isn’t feeling well. I’m a good daughter. I visit our family every Sunday. It’s Gretchen who has not invited our parents at all to any of her mansions, not even to their garage.”

What about the allegation “na inilalako niya ang mga anak niya? “My children are not for sale. They work very hard. Matitino ang mga anak ko. Siguro they say that because I became a mistress, but I’m not a mistress for money. What Gretchen is doing is not only to me but also to my friends and family. This evilness has to stop. I’m praying for healing. I’m praying for a reconciliation, but just not an orchestrated one.”

***

Beauty Gonzales says she’s not a fan of horror movies but what’s funny is she has just finished two horror movies in quick succession. First was “Abandoned” on iWant where she played a lady security guard who is assigned to an abandoned building that turns out to be haunted. Now, she is also in Star Cinema’s special Halloween presentation that opens on October 30, “Hellcome Home.” In the movie, she plays the wife of Raymond Bagatsing and their family gets to live in a haunted old house, along with their kids played by Teejay Marquez, Gillian Vicencio and Miel Espinosa.

“When we were doing ‘Hellcome Home’, sinabi ko sa director namin, si Bobby Bonifacio, na hindi talaga ako mahilig manood ng horror movie dahil ayokong magbabayad na nga ako, tapos tatakutin ko pa ang sarili ko,” she says. “But I now ask the viewers, magbayad kayo rito kasi maganda ho itong pelikula namin. Hindi kayo mabibigo, lalo na ‘yung mahilig sa scary movies, dahil siguradong sisindakin kayo nito.”

In the movie, she plays the mother of two grown up kids, Teejay and Gillian, and one little girl, Miel. In real life, it’s said she is but a year of two older than Teejay, so how come she agreed to do mother roles when she turned only 28 last May 28?

“‘Yun ang roles na binibigay nila sa’kin,” she shrugs. “And it’s not the first time naman that I played a mother role, kasi sa TV series na ‘Pusong Ligaw’ noon, mother din ako nina Diego Loyzaga and Enzo Pineda. And also sa ‘Abandoned’, mother din ako ni Seth Fedellin.

Now, sa ‘Kadenang Ginto’ mother rin ako, so okay lang naman sa akin kasi mother na rin ako in real life with my own daughter Olivia.”

She says she doesn’t really mind doing mother roles as she knows she doesn’t at all look like the mother of grown up kids in rea life. “Secure ako sa beauty ko, kaya hindi na issue ‘yan for me. I’m just happy to do my job and that viewers believe naman that I’m really a mother of these kids on screen. But what’s important is I’m always a cool mom and in real life, I don’t really look naman like their mom.”

Aga Muhlach at his happiest now

Mario E. Bautista

October 22, 2019

AGA Muhlach is happy to be working again with Alice Dixson in Viva’s psychological drama, “Nuuk,” which was shot on location in Nuuk, Greenland and opens in theaters on November 6.

“Bale 22 days kami roon na nag-shoot,” he relates. “It’s a very cold place at lahat kami, kung minsan, hindi makatagal sa lamig when we’re shooting exteriors. Nakaka-depress din kasi sobrang tahimik and you’re always cooped up inside your home.”

Those who have seen the trailer of “Nuuk” are all intrigued about Aga’s character as he is seen disappearing mysteriously and no one can remember seeing him at all with Alice.

“Marami nga akong nababasang comments sa internet speculating about the twists in my character and the story,” says Aga. “Ano ba raw talaga ako? Multo lang na si Alice ang tanging nakakakita? Pero siempre, we cannot reveal anything kasi you have to see the full movie for you to be able to understand it. And you have to see it from the start dahil tiyak na magugulat kayo kasi hindi siya predictable.”

It’s said he and Alice have a love scene in the movie.

“It’s passionate, but shot with so much tenderness,” says Aga. “Sa Regal Films noong early ‘90s, wala kaming ganitong mga eksena. Marami pang bawal kay Alice noon. Aabutin pala ng 30 years at pareho na kaming 50 years old bago kami makapag-love scene.”

Alice says it’s a given that Aga is a very good actor. “Kaya siempre, kailangang humabol ako para hindi niya ako maiwanan sa eksena,” she adds. “It’s really nice to get to work with him again.”

He says he is at his happiest in his life now. “Yes, kuntento ako sa buhay ko, I feel very comfortable with my wife, my kids. Kaya lang ‘yung katawan mo, ‘yung metabolism mo, nag-iba na. Kahit anong workout ang gawin mo at kahit anong diyeta, grabe, parang walang epekto. But still, never surrender, laban lang! Lalo ngayon, may bago pa akong movie, ‘Miracle in Cell no. 7’ na entry sa Metro Manila Film Fest, so sa set, sabi ko, ‘wag na silang magdadala ng kung anu-anong pagkain para hindi ako natutukso.”

***

And so the feud of the Barretto sisters continues. They seem to be enjoying all the attention because they can iron things out in private but they choose to air their linen in public.

Carmina Villaroel interviews Marjorie and Julia Barretto.

The sisters fighting right in the wake of their own father is exactly the type of fodder readers of gossip columns feast on.

Gretchen and Marjorie Barretto allegedly engaged in a hair pulling accident. It so happened that Pres. Duterte was there and he tried to act as referee between them. One report said “Natadyakan tuloy siya ng isa sa magkapatid.” Another report said it’s not Marjorie who had an altercation with Gretchen but a niece of theirs named Nicole, the daughter of a brother who had an affair with Atong Ang, who also had a relationship with Claudine once.

But Gretchen herself is quoted as saying that everything was well at the start, she even hugged her mom with whom she has had a strained relationship for years now. She said things went downhills when Marjorie had a nervous breakdown because Duterte asked them to shake hands for the sake of their dad. It is said Marjorie resisted as she’s not even happy Gretchen was there to finally reunite with their family.

In the ensuing melee, it’s said Nicole was hit by a flying kick. It’s said Duterte was miffed when Julia Barretto asked why he is there, when their family doesn’t even like him. So Duterte left on board his motorcycle and that’s when he allegedly figured in an accident.

Meantime, Claudine was rebuffed by Marjorie and they also had an altercation. She is shown ending up in a hospital because of the bruises on her arms and she also has to be calmed down after the harrowing encounter with her sister. Later on, she posted a cryptic message in her social media account asking: “Are you proud of who you have become? I hope not!”

Marjorie then posted an incriminating message, saying: “There are very disturbing news going around right now. All these years, I have kept my peace and I always chose to ignore all the LIES that my sisters spread about me and my children. But nothing can get lower than this.

“Giving false statements to the press, and twisting stories about what really happened in my Father’s wake is by far the most epic one. They have tried so hard over the years to destroy my name, I have nothing to lose anymore at this point.

“I love my family very much, they are my core. I am all for reconciliation. We were hoping for that all those 16 days that my Father was fighting for his life in the hospital.

“It would have been nice if she made her peace in the quiet of my Fathers room. With no cameras.

“Don’t be fooled by the statements of my sisters, they are leaving out a very important detail of what really caused pain and tension in the wake.

“May I request everyone to allow our family to grieve, it’s our last day with our Father today. Please hold your judgement and opinions until he is laid to rest, then WE WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME SPEAK THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.\“I would like to ask for prayers too. Because when I speak the truth, my life and my children’s life will be put in danger.

“My sister’s boyfriend is powerful in a very bad way (and I don’t mean Tony Boy) And in speaking the truth I won’t be able to leave his name out.

“And to our dear President Duterte, thank you for being there for the family and sharing in our grief. My apologies that your name was dragged into this. You were so kind to me. I will always be grateful.”

Of course, as expected, Gretchen replied to this, even alluding to the ex-Caloocan Mayor Echiverri who has long been rumored to be the dad of Marjorie’s youngest child, even adding that their youngest sister, Claudine, is filing a case against Marjorie’s alleged lover for molestation. Gretchen writes:

“Quoting Marjorie Baldivia este Echiverri: ‘WE WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME SPEAK THE TRUTH & NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.’ It’s a BITTERSWEET FEELING THAT YOU, truly for the first time, will speak the Truth, IN OTHER WORDS , I AM GRATEFUL, for WE WILL ALL WAIT FOR THAT TIME.

“Heres a video that was forwarded to me by @marisol0125 MY TRUTH . This video IS NOT FAKE NEWS AS BEING CLAIMED by Marjorie Baldivia Echiverri. FYI, MY MOM SPOKE TO ME & ASSURED EVERYONE THAT SHE WILL TELL ALL REGARDING OUR FAMILY FEUD & THE DAY OF MY DAD’S BIRTHDAY & WHO CAUSED MY FATHER’S ATTACK .

“YOUR THREAT TO SUE ME FOR LIBEL? I PLEAD NO , I’M SCARED…. AND AS TO MY BOYFRIEND WHO IS POWERFUL IN A BAD WAY (like you say) YES HE IS POWERFUL (but in a good way, not bad as you claimed.) Your boyfriend is also POWERFUL & certainly IN A VERY BAD WAY, I was told. Countless corruption cases, I was told. NOT TO MENTION, NUMEROUS MOLESTATION CASES, AM I CORRECT? I WAS INFORMED THAT @claubarretto WILL FILE A MOLESTATION CASE AGAINST YOUR POWERFUL BOYFRIEND. THE ONLY REQUEST OF @claubarretto IS FOR HIM TO NOT BE IN THE WAKE DUE TO TRAUMA.”

It’s said that Gretchen, Claudine and their own mom, Mrs. Inday Barretto, are now joining forces against Marjorie, who are supported by their other siblings, Guia and Mito.

It will be recalled Gretchen and Marjorie’s rift worsened when Gretchen chose to side with Bea Alonzo at the height of the rumors saying her niece Julia canoodled with Gerald Anderson at the time that he’s still on with Bea. And so now, claws and knives are fully drawn and, the worse part of it, their respective lovers are now being dragged into their fight. Let’s see if cooler heads could still prevail before it gets even worse and worst.

Meantime, the niece, Julia Barretto, would not be outdone and also posted her own personal message on social media: “Today we said our last goodbye to our dearest Pikey (her term of endearment for her late grandpa). We finally put him to rest. (Her grandpa was cremated.)

“Pikey, I’m sorry for how a solemn occasion and celebration of your life turned into a circus. That instead of your legacy being remembered and given attention, it created noise and more damage. This is not how it was supposed to be. I’m sorry that you watched all of this happen.

“My dearest 9/29, the past months have been difficult, but seeing you suffer and then watching you leave us was the toughest part. On top of that, on top of my pain and broken heart I am being attacked. Pikey, despite all these false accusations targetted at me, despite all the lies being spread about my family and me, I will remain still and keep my peace. I will exclude myself from a battle that is not mine, but I will still stand by my mom and will be there for her no matter what happens.

“I will focus on sharing your legacy and the beautiful stories about how great a person you were. Since your passing, I’ve been busy with work and I will focus on that because I know that that was your doing, together with the Lord God. The rest of my family and I will be continued to be attacked and painted as bad people, but you and God know we were there during the good and most difficult times leading up to your passing. Your legacy will live on. I will keep my peace, focus on you, my faith, and the work that I have been receiving.

“Please 9/29, please Rest In Peace. And to everyone, I humbly ask that you please stop attacking me and my family at this most difficult time. We are all in pain and we are all still grieving our loss. Love and light to all. 9/29… signing off.”

Meantime, holier than thou people are having a high time making their own comments maligning the Barrettos for acting like “palengkeras” in the continuing shame and scandal in their family. Akala mo, ang lilinis nila! How hypocritical, when they’re actually the reason why publications actually favor negative stories about celebrities. They just enjoy reading dirt: about actresses who get pregnant out of wedlock, about celebrity marriages ending in separation, and about celebrity family members warring with each other, like the Barrettos.

This is because reading about celebs who err remind us that they are all mere mortals like us who have feet of clay. Also, it’s a way of escaping from their own humdrum lives that are boring and unexciting, so they all secretly wish the Barrettos to make “away pa more.”

Seriously, though, we wish that Gretchen and Marjorie would be able to iron out all their differences before it gets even more out of hand and embarrass them all the more.

Aga-Alice film delves into depression

Mario E. Bautista

October 17, 2019

ALICE Dixson is happy to be reunited with Aga Muhlach in Viva’s newest release, “Nuuk”, which was filmed on location in distant Nuuk, the capital of icy Greenland in the most northern part of Denmark. So how is it working with Aga again?

“It’s great! It always feels good to reconnect with a good actor like him!” she says. “The first time we got to work together was in ‘Hot Summer’ in 1989, followed by ‘Joeyboy Munti, Batang Ama’, his comeback solo drama with Regal in 1991. We were just in our early 20s then. The last film we did together was ‘Sinungaling Mong Puso’, with Vilma Santos, in 1992.

“We’re now more mature. At 50 years old, we’re both older and wiser.”

She plays a very complex character named Elaisa Svendsen in “Nuuk,” a psychological drama directed by Veronica Velasco. “My character has depression and she meets Aga in the story. Later, she doesn’t know if she really met Aga after he vanishes or she just made him up in her imagination. It’s not difficult for me to relate with my character as I also experienced depression when I first moved to Canada, whose very cold climate is similar to Greenland. The long winters heighten your feelings of sadness, which is why Greenland is said to have the highest suicide rate in the world.”

She moved to Canada in 1998 after she married Ronnie Miranda, but their marriage ended 15 years later and she decided to return home to Manila and resume her showbiz career. In “Nuuk,” which opens on November 6 in theaters nationwide, she plays a Pinay married to a Danish guy.

“Elaisa has been living in Greenland since she was in her early 20s. The movie opens after the death of her husband and she spirals downward into depression. It doesn’t help that she has a troubled relationship with her only son, Karl, played by Warneq Fleischer, a Filipino theater actor who’s based in Denmark. Then, just as everything starts to fall apart, she meets Aga as Mark Alvarez, a Filipino businessman who helps her cope with her woes.”

***

KZ Tandingan is best known for singing, after winning in “X Factor Philippines” in 2012 and producing her own hit song, “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” that gave her the Aliw Award for best new artist. Last year, she made waves internationally when she joined “Singer 2018” in Hunan, China.

Now, she gets to foray into acting in the indie film, “The Art of Ligaw,” produced by the Davao-based company CoreMinds and directed by Jourdan Sebastian. She says she couldn’t believe it when her handler at Cornerstone told her she has a new offer.

“Pero hindi raw sa singing kundi sa acting,” says KZ. “Siempre, I couldn’t believe it. Sabi ko, totoo ba ito? Hindi naman ako artista.”

Direk Jourdan says they’re really looking for someone who speaks fluent Visayan. “The whole movie is filmed in Davao and the lead female character, Carisse, is a Visayan millennial provinciana working in a call center,” he adds. “Someone asked me to watch KZ singing a Visayan song and I said, I think I found my Carisse. Epy is our choice as the male lead, Jake, and we asked KZ to do some readings with him. Doon pa lang, nagalingan na kami sa kanya. At ang ganda ng chemistry nila ni Epy. We asked her to take an acting workshop. As the shooting went along, we realized we made the right decision in casting her as she has good comic timing, comes to the set prepared, memorized all her lines and always hits her marks. After this movie, we’re sure the industry will realize that she’s not just a good musician but also a good actress.”

KZ also gets to sing in the movie, performing her original songs “Quicksand” and “Walanghiyang Pag-ibig.”

Direk Jourdan says “The Art of Ligaw” will show that courtship or “ligaw” could be the good tradition that we have lost now that most young lovers go steady just on the basis of texting or of communicating through social media like Facebook.

“We live in an era where everything is instant,” says Direk Jourdan. “We have instant coffee, instant noodles and also instant relationships that do no last very long. ‘The Art of Ligaw’ will show that courtship is an integral part of a romantic relationship as this is where prospective lovers can get to know each other more deeply before they make a commitment in their relationship.”

***

Jeric Gonzales was the winner in the artista search “Protege” in 2012 but his career didn’t take off right away. He was given supporting roles in soaps like “Pari Koy”, “Destiny Rose” and “Ika-5 Utos”, and now, finally, he’s given a lead role in “Magkaagaw” as Jio, a young man torn between an older woman, Sheryl Cruz as Veron, and Klea Pineda as his wife Clarisse. Did he ever feel frustrated when stardom took so long in coming?

“There were times when I felt impatient but I know hindi naman ako pababayaan ng GMA,” he says. “Now, I think, dumating na yung right time to give me a lead and I was given ample time to really prepare for it. Physically, I trained at the gym regularly. I was careful with my diet, no more rice, more of high protein and fiber. For my craft, I took the acting workshops of New York Coach Anthony Bova very seriously and learned so much from it in handling heavy dramatic scenes. I also took sensuality worshops and it gave me more confidence in front of the camera.”

He has love scenes with both Sheryl and Klea. How did he prepare for them? “I have to make sure that I not only look good, but also smell good. Nakakahiya naman sa kanila if I’m not at my best. I make sure I take good care of them while doing our love scenes.

We’re taught to be very relaxed during the love scenes para hindi magmukhang napipilitan lang kami on screen and I think we achieved that.”

Jeric is really feeling so blessed these days. Aside from his first starring role in “Magkaagaw”, he just won the best single performance by an actor trophy from the PMPC Star Awards last Sunday night. This is for the episode “Sex Slave” that was shown earlier this year in “Magpakailanman.”

***

Thea Tolentino can’t believe that seven years have quickly passed since she won in the artista search known as “Protege”. ‘“I was just 16 then,” she says. “I was launched playing the title role of ‘Pyra, Babaeng Apoy’ but eventually, mas nakilala ako playing contravida roles after I played villain to Barbie Forteza in ‘Half Sisters.’ Since then, hindi ako nawawalan ng project and I’m very thankful to GMA dahil heto, I have a new show again, ‘Madrasta,’ where once again, contravida ang role ko.”

“Madrasta” is now a toprater in GMA’s afternoon slot. Doesn’t she get tired of being a villain in soap after soap?

“Not really, kasi iba-iba naman ang atake ko sa bawat villain role na ibinibigay nila sa akin, like in ‘Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko’ na transgender ang role. Pinag-aaralan kong mabuti ang character assigned to me, pati back story niya why she’s behaving that way, para naiiba-iba ko pati hitsura ko, like dito sa ‘Madrasta’, nagpaiba ako ng hair style at pati ng kulay ng buhok ko kasi mayaman ang role ko rito as Katharine, the husband of Juancho Trivino na iniwan siya at sumama sa lover ko, played by Ahron Villena.”

How does it feel that she’s supporting Arra San Agustin who plays the title role of “Madrasta”?

“She’s okay. Hindi siya basta magpapaapi sa akin dito. Lumalaban siya.”

It’s common knowledge she’s going steady with Mikoy Morales, a runner up in “Protege,” who now plays Alden Richards’ best friend in “The Gift.” Does Mikoy find her grouchy and cranky considering she’s always making “taray” to someone in her soaps?

“Not at all. Kasi sa harap lang naman ng kamera ako nagtataray. Off cam, sweet po ako, maniwala kayo’t hindi. I’m a good girl I am. Mikoy and I are very supportive of each other’s careers at hindi kami nakikialam at all sa isa’t isa.”

In “Madrasta”, Gladys Reyes plays her mother-in-law as Juancho Trivino’s mother. Isn’t she fazed doing scenes with Gladys who’s an accomplished contravida? “Mabait siya at marami akong natutuhan sa kanya. In my first soap, ‘Pyra’, may eksenang sinampal niya ako. Hindi niya dinaya. Ang lakas talaga. Naiwan ‘yung marka ng kamay niya sa mukha ko. So doon ko nalamang in doing such scenes, bigay todo mo na. Don’t fake it.”

Barkada movies bomb at the tills

Mario E. Bautista

October 16, 2019

BARKADA movies used to be quite popular in local films. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, we remember the barkada of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. who made a series of hit barkada flicks with their Lo’Waist Gang. It proved so popular it had a female counterpart, the H-Line Gang. At Sampaguita Pictures, they had the hit “Mga Batang…” franchise starring their young stars introduced in Stars 66, like “Mga Batang Bangketa”, “Mga Bata ng Lagim”, etc.

In the ‘80s, one of the biggest hits is Viva’s “Bagets” that even spawned a sequel. In the ‘90s, it’s the movies of the Guwapings, like “Guwapings, First Adventure”, “Guwapings Dos”, “Pare Ko” and “Kabilin-bilinan ng Lola.” But lately, all the films about barkadas have laid big fat eggs at the box office. First was Viva’s “Squad Goals,” which tried to launch a new batch of stars: Julian Trono, Vitto Marquez, Andrew Muhlach, Jack Reid and Dan Huschka, directed by Mark Meily.

Then there’s Regal’s “Walwal” with Elmo Magalona, Kiko Estrada, Donny Pangilinan and Jerome Ponce, directed by Joey Reyes. This was followed by “Petmalu” with Diego Loyzaga, Vitto Marquez, Marlo Mortel, Jairus Aquino and Charles Kieron, written and directed by Joven Tan.

Then there’s “G”, an entry in the recent Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino starring Jameson Blake, McCoy de Leon, Mark Oblea and Paolo Angeles, produced by CineKo and directed by Dondon Santos.

The last is the recent “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love” about five millennial friends with Tony Labrusca, Jane Oineza, Jerome Ponce, Myrtle Sarrosa and Albie Casino, produced by Regal and written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana.

This is the reason we are fearful about the fate of two more youth-oriented movies coming up. First is “G! LU,” which stands for “Go La Union.” Maybe they should change the title considering what’s hapened to the recent “G.” Produced by Arnold Vegafria, this stars Derrick Monasterio, Ruru Madrid, David Licauco, Kiko Estrada and Teejay Marquez, with a first-time director.

Then there’s “Dead Kids,” produced by Globe Productions and directed by Mikhail Red. The title alone already has a negative connotation. We hope it won’t end up really dead at the box office. This stars Khalil Ramos, Vance Larena, Sue Ramirez, Markus Paterson, Kelvin MIranda, Gabby Padilla and Jan Silverio.
Well, what can we say? These movies flopped mainly because their stars are of the “bituing walang ningning” variety. They don’t have fans who’d want to see them on the big screen. We asked a producer why they keep on getting this star and the answer was: “Alam mo bang she’s very popular in social media? She has 5 million followers on Instagram.” Now she knows having millions of followers in social media does not necessarily translate into box office gold.

Those five million fans are just satisfied seeing her on Instagram, not on the big screen where they have to pay to see her.

And so, we have more “barkada” movie since producers never learn from their mistakes. Let’s just wish them well and hope they’ll have better luck at the box office than any of their ill-fated predecessors na pawang umuwing luhaan sa takilya.

A school for contravidas

Mario E. Bautista

October 10, 2019

BARBIE Forteza is back doing a romantic comedy in “Wait Lang… Is This Love?,” the featured story in “Wagas” now showing before “Eat Bulaga” which pairs her with sweetheart Jak Roberto. It started airing last week and the feedback is great and the ratings are so encouraging that GMA management quickly decided to extend its run for two months instead of just the usual one month. Is there any advantage of her and BFJak Roberto working together now?

“Oo naman,” says Barbie. “Kasi may nag-aalaga sa akin sa taping, ‘di ba? At this point, wala na kaming ilangan at all, kasi very comfortable na kami sa isa’t isa.”

“Ang maganda rito sa ‘Wait Lang,’ unlike ‘Kara Mia,’ our last show na drama-fantasy, rom-com ito at hindi kami nalalayo sa characters namin, kaya mas masarap siyang laruin,” adds Jak.

Someone asked if they don’t get tired of being with each other all the time. “Hindi naman kasi meron din naman kaming alone time for ourselves. We know kung kailan ang time namin to be together at kung kailan ‘yung we’re on our own, lalo na ako kasi most of the time, ako ang nasa harap ng camera interacting with my two aunts in the story, Tina Paner and Yayo Aguila, and with my best friend, Ayra Mariano as Bane,” says Barbie.

“Sabi ng iba, baka maumay kayo sa isa’t isa, pero hindi namin napi-feel ‘yun,” says Jak.

“Habang tumatagal, mas nai-inspire namin ang isa’t isa. Aside from this, magkasama rin kami sa ‘Sunday Pinasaya’.”

What do they find to be each other’s most endearing qualities?

“Definitely, ‘yung respeto niya sa parents ko,” says Barbie. “Doon mo makikita na he has good manners kasi nagpasintabi muna siya sa magulang ko. And now, they really get along fine. Hindi na nga ako laging sinasamahan ng parents ko sa tapings kasi nandun naman siya at malaki ang tiwala nila sa kanya. Alam din nilang hindi kami mahilig lumabas o gumimik. Ang libangan lang namin, manood ng sine. Like right after this press con, manonood kami ng ‘Joker’ sa Trinoma. Mga ganun lang. At si Jak, he’s not the type na nagpakitang-gilas nung nanliligaw siya, putting his best foot forward. Now, after two years,

I can say na he’s getting better and better at natural talaga sa kanya ang pagiging gentleman.”

***

Kate Valdez was last seen playing the contravida, Natalie, in “Onanay.” While waiting for her next TV assignment, she now gets to do her very first movie, “Black Lipstick.” In the story, she also plays a villain role to Kyline Alcantara, but no matter how busy she is with showbiz work, she has not neglected her college studies and still attends her classes in Miriam College.

At the “Black Lipstick” press con, she was asked about the rumors that some stars allegedly avoid working with her.

“I really don’t know kunsaan nanggagaling ang mga tsismis na ‘yan,” she says. “May ilang fans na nagsabing akala nila, suplada kasi ako lagi akong nagtataray noon sa ‘Onanay,’ but

I assured them I was just playing a contravida role at hindi ako ganoon sa totoong buhay.”

One story says she is quite demanding on the set. “Narinig ko ngang sabi, feeling mayaman daw ako, but it’s not true. I don’t even have a car. We’re just renting, so bakit naman ako magyayaman-yamanan?”

It’s also reported that she was taken out of “Studio 7” because of her attitude problem.

“Wala na po ako roon kasi my contract has ended. I can feel naman na love ako ng ‘Studio 7’ family ko, so I really don’t know where such stories are coming from. To be honest, I feel sad kasi it affects my friendship sa mga kasama ko roon. Wala naman akong nakakaaway na sinuman sa ‘Studio 7.’ But I have faith in the Lord at ang mahalaga, I can feel that He loves me. I lessened my load sa showbiz kasi ngja nag-focused muna ako sa studies ko.”

***

Vic Del Rosario of Viva Entertainment will be given a Special Life Achievement Award by the QCinema International Film Festival that starts on October 13. He succeeded in establishing Viva Entertainment as one of the biggest, most enduring pillars in the entertainment industry for more than fifty years now.

QCinema is presenting the section, Viva Classics, as a tribute to the outstanding contributions of “Boss Vic,” as he is fondly called, to the local film industry. Three of the previous decades’ well-loved hits will be shown during the festival. First is the musical-drama “Bituing Walang Ningning” starring Sharon Cuneta, Cherie Gil and Christopher de Leon, as directed by the late Emmanuel H. Borlaza. Then, there the sexy drama, “Scorpio Nights 2” with Albert Martinez and Joyce Jimenez, directed by Erik Matti.

The last is “Working Girls,” a star-studded comedy-drama about the experiences of various women, led by Gina Pareño, Hilda Koronel, Chanda Romero, Rio Locsin, Carmi Martin and many more, directed by the late Ishmael Bernal. For more, visit qcinema.ph.

***

Gladys Reyes is thankful to GMA-7 as she is never without a regular show for a long time, such that she sometimes appear in two or three shows a year, like “Little Nanay,” “Poor Senorita,” “Inday Will Always Love You,” “TODA One I Love” and now, the latest is “Madrasta.” Aside from this, she’s a frequent guest in shows like “Dear Uge,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Tadhana” and even “Imbestigador” and “Wish Ko Lang.” In other words, she’s really “mabentang-mabenta.”

“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa GMA for all their support,” she says. “I can feel na love nila talaga ako kaya naman I give my best in every show I do for them. Katulad dito sa ‘Madrasta,’ mabait ang role ko rito as the mother of Juancho Trivino. Pareho kaming doktor ng anak ko rito. Ang contravida rito is si Almira Muhlach, siya ‘yung greedy mother ni Thea Tolentino, first wife ni Juancho, who’ll both do everything for their own selfish goals.”
No doubt she now ranks as one of our best screen villains, along with the contravidas of the ‘60s like Bella Flores, Carol Varga and Zeny Zabala. Her wish now is to be given the chance to do a project with other renowed contravidas, like Celia Rodriguez, Cherie Gil, Jean Garcia, Eula Valdez, Dimples Romana and even younger ones like Kyline Alcantara and Thea Tolentino.

“Dream project ko talaga ‘yun,” she says. “Contravidas from different generations working together in a fun movie na hindi serious kundi may pagka-comedy na magtatarayan sila-sila, magsasampalan, magsasabunutan. ‘Di ba riot ‘yun? Maloloka ang viewers sa pagtatarayan namin sa bawat isa. Sana, matuloy.”

She also dreams of having her own school for contravidas.

“I want to share ‘yung 35 years of experience ko playing villain roles. Ang wide experience ko sa pagko-contravida, gusto kong i-share ngayon sa aspiring contravidas. Dapat, alam mo rin na kung hindi ka pambida, mag-contravida ka na lang dahil madalas na mas tumatagal ang careers ng mga nagko-contra kaysa roon sa puro lead roles lang ang ginagawa.”

***

Patricia Javier made a lot of heads turn while she was sashaying on the ramp as the celebrity model of topnotch designer Don Cristobal. This was at the “Fashion for Passion” event, with Veronica Ho as chairperson, of the Rotary Club of Cubao held at the Novotel Ballroom on Saturday night. The show is for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society, Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay Inc. for bloodletting, and Love Yourself Foundation that fosters HIV and Aids awareness.

Patricia is easily the most gorgeous among the models, with her wearing her crown and sash as the country’s representative to the coming Noble Queen of the Universe Pageant to be held at the Manila Hotel on December 1. Don Cristobal’s elegant red gown with its very high slit also becomes her, fitting her perfectly that she looks like a stunning apparition and epitome of fabulous Filipina beauty on stage.

Martin happy to be hated

Mario E. Bautista

October 3, 2019

JANE Oineza is happy with her role as a tech savvy millennial in “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love.”

“I play Ma-an, a very competitive person,” she says. “Vlogger siya at gusto niyang maging top social media influencer. She advocates woman empowerment, kaya lang, may problema siya. Ang biggest rival niya is Thia Tomalia, na mas maraming regular subscribers kaysa sa kanya. And what irks her is the fact that Thia is the current girlfriend of her ex-boyfriend. So nai-insecure siya and she wants to prove that she’s not only the better vlogger but also the better girlfriend.”

She heads the big cast of the movie that also includes Myrtle Sarrosa, Tony Labrusca, Jerome Ponce and Albie Casino. Was there a point that she really gave up on love?

“Sumuko ako sa isang relasyon, but not on love. I believe in having a special someone that inspires you. But if it goes wrong, dapat hindi ka sumuko, especially when it comes to loving yourself.”

What’s the craziest thing she did for love?

“I forget myself, kasi masyado kang naka-focus sa mahal mo. But I’ve since learned my lesson. Dapat ‘di mo rin kalimutan ang sarili mo.”

Jane’s last boyfriend was Kyle Secades. They were both “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) housemates, but Jane was in “PBB All In,” while Kyle was in “PBB Teens 737.” They broke up a year ago and since then, Jane has been unattached.

***
Regine Velasquez is busy rehearsing for her concert with Sharon Cuneta, “Iconic,” at the Big Dome on October 18 and 19.

But aside from this she is also busy with three movies. “I’m in the new movie of Sarah Geronimo, ‘Unforgettable,’ which I did just for her and sobrang galing niya. And guest din ako sa ‘M&M,’ film fest movie nina Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis. But meron akong natapos na full length movie sa Cinema One Film Festival to be shown in November, ‘Yours Truly, Shirley’.”

“Biyuda ako dun na kamamatay lang ng asawa and I believe that a young singer is the reincarnation of my late husband,” she related, “The last movie I did was ‘Of All the Things” with Aga Muhlach in 2012. May naumpisahan akong ‘Mrs Recto,’ pero ‘di natapos. I agreed to this film kasi comedy. Ayoko ng drama, sobrang nai-stress ako. The director, Nigel Santos, is so bagets. Nahihiya pa sa’kin. Basta sabi ko sa kanya, gusto ko take one lang ang mga eksena para hindi nawawala ang authenticity nito. Kasi kapag pinauulit sa’kin, naiiba ang timpla ng interpretation ko.”

***
Arra San Agustin was supposed to be Ken Chan’s leading lady in “My Special Tatay,” but their team up didn’t click with the viewers who preferred Ken to end up with Rita Daniela.
Arra now gets her biggest break playing the title role in “Madrasta,” which airs every afternoon on GMA-7.

Arra is a discovery of “Starstruck 6” where the female winner was Klea Pineda, now also being launched in her own soap, “Magkaagaw,” with Jeric Gonzales. Arra has done supporting roles and also became a regular in “Bubble Gang.” How is it now that she’s finally given her big break playing the lead role in “Madrasta”?

“Siempre, sobrang nagpapasalamat po ako sa GMA sa pagtitiwala nila sa akin,” she says.

“Pressured po ako on how the people will receive it, but I’m really doing my very best para hindi ako mapahiya. I think we’ve come up with a show for the whole family that will easily endear itself to the viewers’ hearts.”

In “Madrasta,” she plays the role of Audrey, a nurse who comes from a poor and humble family. “Gusto kong makatulong sa family namin kasi baon kami sa utang para lang maka-graduate ako sa college. Susubukan kong magtrabaho abroad, sa Canada, pero victim ako ng illegal recruiter and I was sent back to Manila.”

Playing her leading man is Juancho Trivino who saves her when she tries to kill herself. He is a doctor, Sean Ledesma, whose wife, played by Thea Tolentino as Katharine, abandoned him and their kids. Juancho then meets Arra and makes her the stepmother or madrasta of his kids with Thea.

***
Martin Del Rosario says he himself was very surprised when his name was called as the winner of the best actor award in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) awards night held at One Esplanade. This is for his portrayal of the gay Daniel in the PPP top grosser, “The Panti Sisters,” which is now on its fourth week.

“I’ve won awards as best supporting actor but this is my first best actor award,” he says. “I was at a loss for words kasi hindi ko ine-expect na mananalo ako and I was not able to prepare any speech. I felt na hindi lang ako ang nanalo kundi kaming tatlo ng sisters kong sina Christian Bables and Paolo Ballesteros. Honestly, kami naman kasi talagang lahat ang gumaganap sa title role ng ‘The Panti Sisters,’ so dapat lang na i-share ko ang award ko sa kanila.”

Some people really doubt his masculinity. How does he feel about it?

“Well, it means, very convincing talaga ang performance ko, so okay lang. And I’m glad kasi sa bago kong teleserye sa GMA-7, ‘The Gift,’ kontrabida naman ang role ko. I’m a young politician here na arogante, abusado, at inaapi ko si Alden Richards as Sep, without knowing na half brothers pala kami as we have the same mother, si Jean Garcia. Actually, dahil sa akin kaya nabaril sa ulo si Alden as Sep at nabulag.”

Is he afraid Alden’s fans will bash him for oppressing their idol in the show?

“Ay, sigurado na, given na ‘yan. I’m sure maraming maiinis sa akin. But I’m glad to be given the chance to play a role na totally opposite sa gay roles na ginagawa ko. Dito, brusko naman ako, lalaking-lalaki, kontrabida kay Alden and it will show that I’m capable of playing different kinds of roles at hindi puro kabaklaan. We’re all happy in ‘The Gift’ kasi laging nagte-trend worldwide ang show namin, which means marami talagang nagkaka-interes manood nito.”

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