Cease-fire

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

FOLKS expecting fireworks at the presscon of "Zorro" were disappointed that there was no soapy confrontation between Annabelle Rama and Wilma Galvante. As usual, Wilma delivered the welcome remarks at the start of the presscon, being GMA’s senior vice president for entertainment. As she was speaking, all eyes focused on Annabelle who was seated at the back, so she quipped with a smile: "At bakit lahat kayo, sa akin nakatingin?"

When the special presentation for the launch of "Zorro" started, Annabelle cried when her son Richard Gutierrez appeared from above and slid down across the studio via a harness onto the stage. "Sobra kasing ganda ng presentation," she explained later when asked why she cried. "Bonggang-bongga, ang ganda! Parang Hollywood! Lahat impressive, pati costumes, ‘yung stunts, ang buong presentation. Grabe! Natalbugan lahat ng previous shows ni Richard, pati pressconng movie niya with KC (Concepcion)."

How come she was smiling while Wilma was speaking?

"I’m just surprised that she came because I thought she’d snub the affair. Tinatanong ko kasi ang mga kasama niyang executives who’d talk at the start of the presscon if Wilma would be there. No one answered me. It turned out, surprise pala niya."

So does that mean she’s no longer angry with Wilma?

"Hindi naman ‘yan kasama sa promo ng ‘Zorro.’ Let’s face it, business is business pa rin. It’s expected na gampanan din ni Wilma ang duty niya as entertainment VP. I’m happy that she didn’t take things personally and she showed up at the presscon.Maganda ‘yun, ‘di ba? Napi-feel ko naalagaan nila talaga ang anak ko. Tuwang-tuwa ako. Talagang ginastusan, hindi lang ang show kundi pati ‘yung presscon."

What if she found herself face to face with Wilma?

"I see no problem with that. Okay lang sa’kin. Kung hindi niya ko papansinin, okay rin. ‘Di wala na lang pansinan. Sanay naman ako sa ganun. Okay na ‘yun. Hindi rin naman kami nagkaroon ng chance na magkita dahil I’m seated with the press at siya naman, sa backstage nanggaling. As of now, ayoko na lang ng mga nega-nega issues. Kailangan, positive para maganda ang rating ng ‘Zorro.’"

***

Richard Gutierrez was asked after the presentation what he feels about the rift between his mom and Wilma. "Personally, siempre, ayoko sana ng ganyang mga gulo," he replies. "Mas maganda kung laging peaceful sana ang lahat. But I guess, in showbiz, we can’t avoid such misunderstandings and conflicts. Basta ako, labas sa gulo nila. At the height of their conflict, wala naman ako dito kasi we were holed up and so busy in Bagac, Bataan, for the taping of ‘Zorro,’ walang balikan dito saManila. We felt like nasa ibang mundo kami roon at hindi kami affected ng mga gulo rito. But siempre, my mom can expect my support, ng buong family namin. Given the chance, I’m willing to mediate para magkabati si Mommy at si Tita Wilma. Pero later na lang siguro kasi, sa ngayon, masyado pang mainit. As of now, I just give my best to the assignments GMA gives to me. Lalo na itong ‘Zorro,’ napakalaking project, so it’s my responsibility to give 110% of my efforts dito para matumbasan ang pagtitiwla nila sa’kin."

His mom cried while watching the press presentation. "So she told me, and I’m glad dahil pinaghirapan naman namin talaga ito at ang buong show mismo. I can guarantee the viewers na hindi masasayang ang bawat minuto nila sa panonood ng ‘Zorro.’ My peg was Antonio Banderas in the last ‘Zorro’ movie. ‘Yung may pagka-naughty at funny ang interpretation, pero very Filipino ang dating. I think with the help of the entire GMA team, nagawa naman namin ng tama ang Filipino adaptation ng ‘Zorro.’"

How is Rhian Ramos now as a leading lady?

"She’s definitely a much better actress. Mas nag-maturesiya and I’m excited to work with her again. Nakita ko ang pagsisimula niya sa ‘Capt. Barbell.’ She has really improved a lot and I’m so proud of her. She’s perfect for the role of Lolita in ‘Zorro.’"

KC Concepcion is now taping her first teleserye in Paris. Do they have any communication? "Since she went to Paris, wala pa. But before she left, meron. Nakakahiya naman, siempre, naka-focus na siya sa trabaho niya roon at ako rin naman, concentrated ako rito sa‘Zorro.’ Basta we have good memories of the time we worked with each other. "

***

Rhian Ramos admits she’s happy that rumored boyfriend JC de Vera has ironed things out with GMA-7 and is not moving to ABS-CBN. "Siempre, we’re close friends kaya natutuwa akong he got his birthday wish, which is ma-solve na ang problem niya and he’d remain a Kapuso," she says. "But I seldom see him now kasi nga I’m taping ‘Zorro’ with Richard Gutierrez and most of the time, I stay there. E, ako, when I work, talagang mas focused ako sa trabaho ko, kaya no chance for us to see each other often like noong we were doing’ La Lola.’ As of now, I’m really proud to be part of a big project like ‘Zorro’ na ginastusan talaga sa costumes, sa sets, even in the Spanish types of weapons we used from swords to pistols. Daig pa nga nito ang isang malaking pelikula. Happy rin ako to be reunited with Richard after we did ‘Capt. Barbell,’ ‘Lupin’ and ‘Asero.’ Isa si Richard sa mga kasundo kong katrabaho kasi he’s not only a true professional kundi maalaga rin sa leading ladies niya. First leading man ko siyaso I’m really very comfortable with him. I play Lolita Pulido, the daughter of rich parents Leo Martinez and Pinky Marquez, who want me to marry TJ Trinidad kahit si Richard ang mas gusto ko."

How did she prepare for a period show like "Zorro" that’s set in Spanish times?

"Siempre, first of all, I trained in riding horses, then pati sa fencing kasi mapapasabak din daw ako rito sa eskrimahan. Then I have to study Spanish as we have delivery some lines in Spanish. I also have to prepare my costumes. Dapat talaga, ‘yung babagay sa’kin. Excited talaga ako sa ‘Zorro’ as it’s so different from any show I’ve done before."

***

Marian Rivera is honest enough to admit that she no longer accepts suitors even if she and Dingdong Dantes are still just on the "exclusively dating" stage.

"Kasi wala rin naman akong time na makipag-datesa iba," she says. "Kami ni Dingdong, no choice kami na maging laging magkasama kasi we’re always together sa taping ‘Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang.’ So after work, kung minsan, we eat out or we go watch a movie together. Ganun lang. Relax na ako sa company ni Dingdong dahil ikatlong show na namin ito."

The last film they watched together was "The Reader," for which Kate Winslet won the Oscar best actress award. How did she like it?

"Maganda. I was touched kaya naiyak ako. Magaling talaga si Kate."

Will she able to do the kind of nude scenes Kate did in it?

"In fairness to her, kahit naghuhubad siya, hindi bastos ang dating nito. At sa galing ng acting niya, hindi mo naman mapapansin ‘yung basta hubaran lang kundi yung ganda ng movie. But as for me, sorrypo, hindi ko kaya ang ganung mga eksena."

They were both born in August (Dong’s birthday is Aug. 2 and Marian’s Aug. 12) and have the same zodiac sign, Leo. Some folks say this is obvious that they are compatible.

"Well, totoo namang magkasundo-magkasundo kami ngayon. Ni hindi nga kami nag-aaway at wala ring mga selosan. Pareho kami pati sa favorite food namin: sinigang, kahit na anong klase sinigang pero mas okay kung hipon."

They’re now doing everything to attract kid viewers in watching "Babaeng Hinugot." "Binawasan na ang violence and we offer more drama on the show," she adds. "The story now veers away from syndicates and focuses more on family and love, para mas maging family-oriented. Lalo rin itong nagiging interesting kasi my part, Proserfina, now doubts if Jackilou Blanco is really her mother o impostor lang ito. Maganda ang plot twist na ito kaya dapat abangan ng viewers. Parang second idenitities na namin ni Dong sina Proserfina at Homer. We’re also told to refrain using words mature and sexy, para ma-realizena bagay na bagay rin sa bata ang kuwento ng ‘Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang.’"

Source: Malaya

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