‘But getting married and having a baby made me realize the value of commitment to your marital vows. — Coleen Garcia’
COLEEN Garcia stayed in France for several months to accompany her husband Billy Crawford when he joined a dance contest, where he won. She’s now going back to Paris again as an endorser of L’Oreal, but she has to finish first the shoot of a new mini-series for Viva One, “Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko.” What is her role?
“I play Allie, a dentist. My clinic is in a building opposite the restaurant where Carlo Aquino as Benedict works as a chef. We have a whirlwind romance. We love each other so much and we’re looking forward to facing the altar and spending our lives together.”
But as their wedding date nears, they realize they come from totally different families of origin and the differences in their background make them rethink their decision. It turns out that Coleen’s best friends, Ryza Cenon and Rhen Escano, are also experiencing difficulties in their own relationships with their respective partners, Kiko Rodriguez and Jerome Ponce. “Our problem is kung susuko na lang ba kami agad sa mga kinakaharap naming problema,” says Coleen.
Has she ever given up on anything?
“Naku, unfortunately, madali akong sumuko. What happened to my character in the series actually happened to me in real life.
“Billy and I almost called off the wedding at Balesin Island five years ago. I was not sure if I wanted to push through with it or not. Sobrang magulo ang utak ko noon. But getting married and having a baby made me realize the value of commitment to your marital vows.
Now, our son, Amari, is turning 3 years old in September, and he helps me para hindi ako sumuko. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I don’t have my family now. Billy and I have grown so much together.”
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Ashley Diaz is the daughter of Joko Diaz who was introduced by Viva in the TV series “Di Na Muli.” She is 19 years old and is now given the leading role in the horror movie, “Mary Cherry Chua,” written and directed by Roni S. Benaid, a creative supervisor in Viva.
The movie is based on a popular urban legend that has been heard around for many years now. Mary is an intelligent student who was raped and killed by the school janitor and her spirit still wanders in the school premises.
Ashley plays Karen, a student who becomes so intrigued by the story of Mary Cherry Chua that she decides to do her own investigation about her death. With the help of friends and classmates, she manages to obtain new information about the case, but little does she know that as she digs deeper looking for truth, she may also be digging her own grave as she uncovers a deep dark secret that could put her own life at great risk.
Karen is Ashley’s first lead role and she’s thankful to Viva for giving her this big break. How is it working with her dad?
“I enjoyed working with my dad. I know he’s always there to guide and support me but hindi niya ako dinidiktahan. He allows me to explore things on my own.”
Supporting them in the movie are Kokoy De Santos as Paco (Karen’s cowardly research partner), Lyca Gairanod as Faith (Karen’s supportive best friend), Krissha Viaje as Lena (Karen’s protective sister) and with the special participation Miss Alma Moreno as Miss Estrella, who will give crucial information about Mary Cherry Chua’s death.
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Jay Manalo says “Bugaw” is his last movie in the contract he signed up with Viva two years ago. “I don’t know if they’d still renew it but gusto ko lang magpasalamat kay Boss Vic dahil ang dami kong nagawang movies sa contract kong mag-e-expire na,” he says.
We tell him he gave some very good performances in the films assigned to him, like “Selina’s Gold” where he played a villainous lecher who gets a shocking comeuppance in the film’s twisted ending, and also in “Hosto,” where he was Vince Rillon’s martyr gay lover who’s all out in his love scenes with Vince.
“Ako naman, kahit anong role ang ibigay sa akin, I just give it my best,” he says. “Sa ‘Hosto,’ sa bedscene namin ni Vince, todo ako, it’s just a role, siya ‘yung umurong at na-conscious sa akin. So after the martyr role there, heto, balik ako sa bad guy role as a corrupt cop in ‘Bugaw’ that’s now showing on Vivamax.”
Since he is the most veteran member of the “Bugaw” cast, how is it working with his co-stars who are all newcomers?
“I act as a kuya na kung ano ang nakikita kong kulang sa acting nila, sinasabi ko. Ganun din naman kung sobra at kailangang bawasan. But all of them, Alexa Ocampo, Clifford Pusing and Ataska Mercado, in all fairness, magagaling naman sila. They’ll go far.”
