Aljur-Kris fans unfazed by Ondoy

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

IT WAS rumored that Isabel Oli backed out from doing the Babaeng Tuod role in "Darna" (it went to Nadine Samonte) as her ex-boyfriend Paolo Contis is also in the cast and she avoids bumping into him. "That's not true," she says. "I had to say No as my dad was in serious condition then and I had to help take care of him. But he's better now, so back to work na ako in 'Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit'."

What can she say about the pregnancy of Paolo's current girlfriend, Lian Paz?

"I'd rather not comment but, if it's true, I think that's great because a baby is a blessing."

Did she feel hurt when she heard about it?

"No. Puede ba, I've moved on. Nine months ago na yun. Ang tagal na."

Would she accept it if they'd get her later as the baby's godmother?

"I don't know what my reaction will be, but I don't think Paolo will do something like that as I'm sure it'd make his partner uncomfortable na kukunin niyang ninang ang ex niya."

Has she also found someone new?

"No, I'm dating, but I'm not in a hurry to be in another relationship again. As of now, I'm enjoying being unattached, going out with all my friends and not with just a single guy."

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Michelle Madrigal is glad to be in "Tinik sa Dibdib" after "Zorro," her last show, ended. "In 'Zorro,' I played a mahinhing village girl," she says. "This time, acting piece ang binigay nila sa'kin as Moret, the mute sister of Marvin Agustin who knows his secret affair with Ara Mina in 'Tinik sa Dibdib.' This was the comeback movie daw of Dina Bonnevie in the '80s and she won FAMAS and FAP best supporting actress for her portrayal. Nakaka-pressure, di ba? So kailangan talagang galingan ko para hindi naman ako mapahiya sa pagtitiwala sa akin ng GMA na makakaya kong gampanan ang role na ito. Di ko man malampasan ang galing ni Ms. D, mapantayan ko man lang sana. I really want to be recognized as a good actress, kaya gusto ko ring iwanan yung sexy image ko. Hopefully, 'Tinik sa Dibdib' will help me achieve my goalna makilala as a serious actress."

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John Lloyd Cruz was discovered by a talent scout who brought him to ABS-CBN when he was 14 while he was strolling at Sta. Lucia East Mall in Cainta. His family also lives in a Sta. Lucia subdivision where he grew up. "Kaya nga, part talaga ng buhay ko ang Sta. Lucia," he says. "When they asked me to endorse their new condo near ABS-CBN, La Breza, hindi na sila nagdalawang salita at tinanggap ko agad."

"We're really proud to have John Lloyd as our endorser as he's a successful actor both on TV and the movies," says corporate communications director Michelle Robles.

Sta. Lucia has been named 2003 Developer of the Year by Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) and the Most Trusted Property Developer from Reader's Digest Asia for 2006 to 2009.

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Five new Viva contract stars were introduced recently. Four of them are not really new but Viva is determined to boost their careers: Jamilla Obispo of "Pinoy Big Brother," "Starstruck's" Kirby de Jesus, singer Jay Perillo and Biboy Ramirez, who used to do be with GMA-7. The newcomer is Marissa Maristela, younger sister of Regine Tolentino.

Jamilla is now 23. She admits she became "pasaway" when she was with ABS-CBN. "In fairness to them, they gave me good shows naman like 'Maalaala Mo Kaya,' 'Your Song,' at naka-one year ako sa 'Let's Go,' but I wasn't serious then sa showbiz."

Since then, she has become a cover girl of various men's mags. Viva will launch her as a sexy star in the movie "Ex-Deal." How far will she go? "Hanggang kaya ko," she says. "Basta maganda ang story, lalo't launching ko at pang-award, why not? I'll show what needs to be shown."

She doesn't hide that she has a love child and she joined showbiz to have the boy's cleft palate operated on.

"After a series of operations, okay na siya. Madaldal na nga ngayon."

Kirby de Jesus is hoping to get better assignments with Viva. "Maglo-launch na ng 'Starstruck 5,' so lalo nang mahihirapan kaming datihan na mapansin sa GMA," says Kirby who got good reviews for his portrayal of German Moreno's gay son in the movie "Paupahan."

Biboy Ramirez is glad that Viva is casting him in the movie, "Working Girls 3." "Kasi sa GMA, puro TV lang ako, so I'm happy na magmu-movie naman ako this time."

He now admits he and Jackie Rice were on for almost two years, but he says he's not the reason why Jackie's career plummeted down. "Ako nga ang nagbibigay ng advice sa kanya noon to devote more time to her career but hindi pa siya focused then. I'm happy GMA gave her a second chance kasi magaling naman siyang artista."

Jay Perillo was last seen as the runner-up in "Are You the Next Big Star?" "Viva Records is giving me my own album," he says. He's now also in the movie of Regine Velasquez and Aga Muhlach, tentatively titled "Of All the Things," playing Regine's younger brother.

Marissa Maristela is 18 years old. She was in grade school when her Ate Regine joined showbiz. "Pababalik-balik ako rito at sa States," she says. "But I know how to speak fluent Tagalog."

We're told Viva plans to launch her as a sexy star with class after another balikbayan, Riza Santos, suddenly left their camp even if she already has a promising showbiz career here in Manila.

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Typhoon Ondoy's massive damage didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the fans who attended the premiere night of "Nandito Ako, Nagmamahal Sa'Yo" at SM Megamall last Sunday. They were screaming their lungs out when Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal arrived and waved at them. And they were not disappointed as "Nandito Ako" turned out to be one of the best launching films for a love team we've ever seen, thanks to the fine script by Jake Tordesillasand the expert direction of Maryo J. de los Reyes who certainly does a better job here than in his last movie, "Kamoteng Kahoy."

This one never bored us and it's very entertaining from start to finish.

The big cast uniformly delivers superb ensemble acting, especially Anna Capri as Aljur's mom, Valeen Montenegro as Kris' "kikay" cousin who has a crush on Aljur, Carlo Aquino in a special role as a young punk out to kill Anna, Bohol-based comedian Scarlet as Anna's scene-stealing relative, Gerald Madrid as Kris' priest brother and Baron Geisler as Kris' fiance who turns out to be Aljur's half brother. Most of all, Aljur and Kris are both splendid as the poor boy from Manila and the pretty Boholana whose love story is developed in a credible manner. They have several "kilig" moments in the film but the one we like best is when Aljur sings the film's theme song on the karaoke while Valeen is flirting with him but he has eyes for no one else but Kris, making Baron realize that his half-brother is hopelessly enamored with the girl he's about to marry.

The production values are all first rate and the outstanding cinematography alone is already worth the price of admission as it captures all the awesome scenic spots of Bohol perfectly. Another aspect of the film we appreciate is Direk Maryo's message about faith in the Lord and the power of prayer, introduced right in the opening scene when Aljur and Kris are still kids being taught by their parents about the value of putting the Lord in our lives. Another significant scene is the wedding where the priest repeatedly asks Kris: "Sure ka na ba (about marrying Baron)? Sakramento ito (referring the sacrament of matrimony.)" It's important to convey this in a movie like this as a lot of young people jump into marriage without realizing the commitment and responsibility it entails. We hope the public will watch this film as Direk Maryo demonstrates how to make a romantic vehicle without having to follow the usual annoying formulas most makers of love stories now resort to. It opens today in theaters nationwide.

Source: Malaya