'I wasn't exploited'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

VIVA Hot Babe Gwen Garci gives her most daring performance ever in "Room 213," where she plays a photographer whose marriage to Allen Dizon, an architect, has gone sour. To revive the passion in their relationship that has gone stale, they resort to unconventional techniques aimed to spice up their lovelife.

Gwen figures in a number of bedscenes that leave little to the imagination. She is also shown taking a bath while seated in the buff on a small basin. There's also a scene where she does full frontal nudity in front of a full length mirror.

"I did it because the role calls for it," she says. "Hindi naman basta exploitative ang sex scenes dito but an integral part of the story. "

"Room 213" is written and directed by Keith Sicat, whose previous film, "Rigodon," won an award in New York. "Stylistically and narratively, 'Room 213' is a bit experimental in the sense that it's not told in a linear fashion," he explains. "There are a lot of flashbacks, fantasies, and associative ideas, so it's much more of a visual tone poem. Since dialogue is sparse, the film is also purposely relying on the sound and visuals to tell the story. To that end, we were very particular with the lighting, color palette, and textures seen in the frame. "

What's his intention as a filmmaker? "It was always of interest to me to construct a narrative film out of erotic elements. This was a good opportunity to do that. Thematically, I was curious to explore a scenario where a couple has grown so distant that their relationship is imploding. In that situation how does one keep the sparks alive? I think that's a question that's universal for anyone in a relationship of any length! It just turns out our characters are on the extreme end of the spectrum than most. Or maybe they're not!"

What's the message he wants to give to his audience? "That relationships are built on trust and trust is fragile. Secrets never remain hidden, the past is there to haunt, and playing with emotions is dangerous. The film poses the question: in the final ana-lysis, are we really all alone?"

How's the acting of his lead stars? "Allen and Gwen are amazing. They give such understated, nuanced, and emotionally intense performances that are pitch perfect to the material. Allen knows that 'less is more'. He relies mostly on his eyes and body language to convey what was going on internally with his character. Quite simply, his work is beautiful. Gwen is constantly surprising us in the way she would improvise during a scene. She would let the moment dictate her emotional state resulting in a remarkable, honest performance. People will see a very different Gwen here. "

"Room 213" will be shown exclusively at Robinson cinemas starting September 24. Watch it and see if you'd agree with what the director said about it.

MOCHA FILES COMPLAINT VS TABLOID

SINGER MOCHA Uson and her co-singer, Hershey de las Alas, filed a criminal complaint at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office last Thursday against the officers of Parazzi tabloid. This is due to a series of articles that appeared in alleging that they, including their two other co-singers, Grace and Bez, are lesbians.

"At first, we didn't mind it when they showed on Sept. 3 our pictures in a pool kissing at nilagay nilang 'Mocha Girls, Nagla-laplapan. Mga tiboli ba?' We know such intriguing reports are part of showbiz," says Mocha. "But on Sept. 5, nilabas nila uli ang photos saying 'Mga lesbian talaga! Partner-partner sa pagpaparaos ng init ang Mocha Girls'. On Sept. 10, naglabas sila uli ng photo ko with a girl asking 'Sino bang tibo?' Nilagyan na nila ng sobrang malisya. The pictures were taken when our group went outing to relax and we rented a private house in Laguna. We don't know who took the pictures, we're investigating that now. Kasi wala namang may dalang camera sa amin. We have nothing against lesbians, but we're not lesbians at all. Nagkakatuwaan lang kami roon while bonding. We're just having fun, but what they did is really an invasion of our privacy. We all felt violated that they even printed the photos and made insinuations about our sexuality. We're an all girl group and our market are men. Their allegition that we're lesbians can damage our careers, so we refuse to take sitting down itong pambabastos nila sa amin. "

"This is not a gimmick para kami mapag-usapan," Hershey stresses. "Our families are so affected by what they did, causing us so much pain and anguish. Iyak nang iyak din ang mothers namin nina Mocha at Grace and the whole family of Bez who're in the States, gusto na siyang mag-quit sa pagkanta. In suing them, we want to restore our respect and dignity. Kung gimmick lang ito, di sana naghubad na lang kami sa shows namin. We do sexy numbers but we never resort to cheap gimmicks. Masyado naman nilang dinudumihan ang aming pagkatao kaya we call on Mayor Fred Lim kasi may drive siya against sleazy tabloids. Sana, tulungan niya kami. "

Their lawyer, Rado Dimalibot, says the libel charge they filed is just the start. They will also file a civil case soon.

NOW, FOR REAL LESBIANS. ..

REAL lesbians will be glad to know that the Velvet Channel brings one of the most controversial series to your TV screens, "The L Word Season 3," shown Thursdays, 9:30 p. m. The show is about the lives and loves of a group of lesbian friends living in Los Angeles. The main character Jenny, is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago, who moves to Los Angeles to live with her boyfriend Tim and begins a professional writing career. Jenny's life is turned upside down when she attends a party hosted by Tim's next-door neigHBOrs, Bette and Tina, a lesbian couple who are about to take the step into parenthood after being together for seven years. A brief encounter at the party with Marina, the owner of the local coffeehouse, suddenly thrusts Jenny into a whole new world that makes her question her own sexual orientation.

Playing the role of Jenny is Mia Kirshner, a Canadian actress who has appeared in a similar role as a bisexual terrorist in the hit series "24" as well as in the comedy film "Not Another Teen Movie. " Playing her boyfriend Tim is Eric Mabius, now known as Daniel in "Ugly Betty. " Bette is played by Jennifer Beals and Tina Kennard, by Laurel Holloman. Having been in the industry since the early 80s, Jennifer has appeared in over 50 films and television shows. Laurel is known for her role in "Angel" as Justine. Playing Marina, the woman who cast doubts to Jenny's sexuality is Karina Lombard, a model and actress who was in "Legends of the Fall. "

GULLIBLE PHIL IS NUMBER ONE
CURRENTLY number one in "Celebrity Duets" is Fil-British balikbayan football player Phil Younghusband. Born on August 4, 1987, his dad and namesake Phillip James Younghusband was a British accountant and his mom Susan Placer is from Malabon. They met as pen pals. He has a brother who's 11 months older than him and a sister who's 6 years old. His dad passed away five years ago due to the big C. He first played for Chelsea in England.

"Football is the biggest sport in England and you can make a lot of money," he says. "I was only 9 when Chelsea scouts signed me up to a contract and became a part of the Chelsea Youth Team. I became the top scorer in the 2003-2004season - before turning professional in 2005. It's so competitive. When I started, there were probably about 40 players (in my batch). And now there are about two or three left. "

As a child, he came home with his family for an annual vacation in Manila. His mom still has relatives here and he enjoys being with his cousins. He finished math mechanics and sports science in England. He joined the 2005 Southeast Asian Games under the Philippine flag and enjoyed the warm reception given to him by his Pinoy fans. "I love the attention given to me by the people here. "

Phil stands 5'11", has hazel brown eyes and striking mestizo good looks. How did he join "Celebrity Duets"?

"GMA-7 invited me to join. They said it'd be a lot of fun. At first, I was so nervous as I only sing in the shower. But now I'm having a lot of fun. I get along well with all the other contestants. They're all nice. It's my manager, Joyce Ramirez, who coaches me to sing. This Saturday (tonight), I'm singing a Tagalog song of Side A, 'Ang Aking Awitin', with Nyoy Volante. This is a big challenge for me as I don't speak Tagalog well. "

Will he go into acting? "I don't know. My problem will be I don't speak Tagalog fluently. But I do enjoy entertaining people and making them happy. "

Joyce says her ward is too gullible. "Iniyakan lang siya ng isang Pinoy friend niya, pinautang niya ng P250,000 and up to now, hindi pa siya binabayaran. "

He's warned to be more careful, especially now that he's in showbiz. He shouldn't be too trusting as some people would take advantage of him. "I find it hard to say no when people ask for my help. I want to make a lot of friends. "

If you want to vote for Phil, text duetsphil and send to 367 for Smart/TnT and to 2344 for Globe/TM subscribers.

RUFA MAE'S LONG DISTANCE BF COMING

Rufa Mae Quinto's Mexican-American boyfriend, Bobby Lopez, is coming today to escort her at the premiere night of "Italy (I Trust And Love You") at SM Megamall tomorrow night. Bobby, 33, works in Hong Kong as an auditor for Mattel, a toy company. Rufa Mae admits their long distance relationship has been going on for three months.

"I'm proud of my role in the movie as a lounge singer in a cruise ship," she says. "This is our tribute sa mga kababayan nating OFWs na nagtatrabaho in these ocean liners. Magkaribal kami ni Jolina Magdangal dito kay Dennis Trillo. Jolens is a cabin attendant. "

Is it true she's just a support to Jolina in the movie? "Hindi naman. This is a team effort at bida kaming lahat, pati sina Eugene Domingo, Mark Herras and Rhian Ramos. Iba-iba ang characters na ginagampanan namin, pero in fairness, lahat kami, puro magaganda ang roles that we play. Walang nadehado sa amin dito. "

DIG AFRO-LATIN MUSIC?

IF you dig Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music, you'd enjoy "Azure: Jive to Afro-Latin Rhythms", a don't-miss event offered by the Entrepreneurial Management Ladies Batch 2011 of the University of Asia and the Pacific. You can listen and dance to the irresistible music of Grupo de Action Capoeira, Maneouvers members Jason Zamora, Joshua and Kiko Ong, Krystal Dame Tadeo and musicians from the U. P College of music.

It also gives you the chance to win a trip for two to Boracay, cellphones by Samsung, mp3s and other exciting prizes in the raffle draw. This will be held on October 3, 7:30 p. m. at Teatrino Greenhills. Tickets are available in gold (patron seats for P500), silver (P380) and red (P250 only). There are only limited seat so get your tickets now from Ara Biolena (Makati, the Fort) at 09163804808, Yasmeen Adams (Ortigas) at 09166587418, Janna Cid (Quezon City) at 09178988374, Mara Chua (Greenhills) at 09063402271, Eunice Garrovillas (Pasig, Mandaluyong) at 09178040075.

Source: People's Journal