Aga, Sharon, Anne at Sarah mga 'produkto' ni Boss Vic

Author: Nel Alejandrino
Column: Tattle

BOSS Vic del Rosario is pretty certain that a glorious year awaits his movie outfit, Viva Films, come 2009.

After all, the year 2008 ended with a bang as far as Viva is concerned. We were all witnesses to it, 'di ba naman?

It was year 2008 which saw the birth of Sarah Geronimo as a box-office star via Viva's joint venture with Star Cinema, A Very Special Love.

Now comes Baler, Viva's joint production with Bida Foundation and an entry in this year's ongoing Metro Manila filmfest.

The movie did not only sweep, well, almost all of the major awards sa nakaraang Gabi ng Parangal, pini-predict pa na dahil nga sa 10 awards na pinanalunan nito bukod pa sa rave reviews na inaani mula sa critics at karaniwang moviegoers, mapapabilang ang Baler sa tatlong top grossers ng naturang annual film event.

The trophies won by Baler, besides the Best Picture and Gatpuno Antonio Villegas, included Anne Curtis' Best Actress plum; Phillip Salvador's Best Supporting Actor trophy; Roi Iglesias' Best Screenplay, Mark Meiley's Best Director; Lee Meily's Best Cinematography; and the Gender Sensitivity award.

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Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo are both homegrown Viva talents.

Raw pa ang dalawa, as far as showbiz standard is concerned, when they joined Viva's stable of talents.

Anne recalled that she was nine years old nang gawin niya ang pelikulang Enchanted Kingdom na dinirek ni Peque Gallaga.

She has been in showbiz for 12 years and her best actress trophy for Baler is her first acting award.

"I know a talent when I see one," sabi ni Boss Vic. "Unang tingin ko pa lamang sa kanya (Anne), kahit noong child actress pa siyang matatawag, alam kong one day soon, magiging malaki at magaling siyang artista. "

Boss Vic's decision to have Anne play the lead role opposite Jericho Rosales in Baler came about after he saw her in When Love Begins, which co-starred Anne with Aga Muhlach.

"The fact that Aga agreed na makapareha si Anne sa pelikula was a plus factor for her. Knowing Aga na sobrang protective sa kanyang career, hindi siya 'yung tipo ng actor na papayag na kahit sino na lang na leading lady, magka-pelikula lang.

"Happily, Anne delivered naman. Aga was vocal about his admiration for her. Professional daw si Anne and she really holds great promise as a performer," pahayag pa ni Boss Vic.

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THIRTEEN years old naman si Sarah when she emerged as champion in the talent search Star In A Million, which Viva Entertainment, a subsidiary of Viva Films, produced.

Boss Vic didn't only believe in Sarah's talent as a singer. Feel niya rin na magiging malaki at magaling itong artista mabigyan lang ng right break.

Boss Vic knows, however, that without Star Cinema, A Very Special Love would not have been as successful. He also knows that it was a risk for Star Cinema to co-produce the movie with Viva and to allow one of their prized stars, John Lloyd Cruz, na makatrabaho si Sarah.

Now, the two film outfits have a follow-up movie for John Lloyd and Sarah, You Changed My Life.

It will have Cathy Molina-Garcia at the helm once again.

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LIKE Anne and Sarah, two of the biggest stars na maipagmamalaki ng Viva na sa kanila rin nagsimula ay sina Sharon Cuneta at Aga.

Several of Sharon's biggest hit movies were produced by Boss Vic's film company.

Viva also bankrolled Aga's first big movie, Bagets. Carry on, Boss Vic!

Source: People's Tonight