Iza `nasa loob ang kulo'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

WE got to talk to Iza Calzado at the Regal Christmas party. She was absent in all the previous "Desperadas" presscons as she was then busy with "Batanes. " We asked her about her role in "Desperadas. "

"Maganda ang role ko, may pagka-offbeat," she says. "Among us four sisters playing the title role (the others being Ruffa Gutierrez, Rufa Mae Quinto and Marian Rivera), I am the one considered as the most level-headed, but the truth is I'm a sex-starved wife who seems conservative on the outside but so wild and wanton on the inside. "Kumbaga, nasa loob ang kulo at kalandian ko rito. Kunwari, turned off ako sa sex books na sinusulat ng sister kong si Rufa Mae, who plays a sexologist here, pero 'yun pala, I read them secretly to get tips about lovemaking. And it's because my husband, TJ Trinidad, neglects me.

"He's a doctor at mas priority niya ang trabaho niya kaysa sa akin. Even if I try to seduce him with scented candles and a romantic atmosphere, hindi pa rin niya ako pinapansin. Because of this, natukso ako sa ibang guys, like Ryan Eigenmann. All my fans who are used to me playing goody-goody roles will be surprised by my performance in 'Desperadas' dahil later on, kung anu-anong malalaswang salita na ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. "

So, how is it working with her three sisters in the movie? "We all got along fine. Contrary to rumors na nagpapatalbugan kami sa set at sa pictorial, naging maganda ang samahan kahit first time namin to work with each other and we really felt like sisters by the time matapos ang shooting. "

Iza is thankful that 2007 has been a very fruitful year for her. She was even able to do a Hollywood movie, "The Echo," and she did films in Batanes and also in Singapore, "Mona, Singapore Escort. "

On TV, she was in "Impostora" and has now just started taping "Joaquin Bordado" with Robin Padilla that will start airing in February as replacement of "Zaido. " "I'm praying that 2008 will be as productive for me as 2007. "

GMA REPORTER INTIMIDATED BY STARS
CESAR Apolinario is happy to be given his directorial debut in "Banal," a controversial story about corruption in media and the police force. He finished journalism at UST and later took film courses in UP. As a reporter for GMA News, he has covered politics as well as the police beat, giving him enough insights about cops that he used in "Banal," which is treated documentary style like what he does for GMA's "I Witness" or "Reporter's Notebook. "

"In all fairness, 'Banal' is not just about corruption among cops but also about their heroism," he says. "It's not an indictment of the police force as it also shows there are good law enforcers and not just those who break the law. It shows real life situations and is not just fiction. "

Cesar is thankful to his actors for cooperating with him wholeheartedly. "At first, I was intimidated by them kasi mas nauna sila lahat sa akin sa movies and I'm just a neophyte compared to them. But in fairness to all of them, they never made me feel na hoy, baguhan ka lang, ha. I really want to thank Sir Christopher de Leon for all the help "I got from him while we were shooting the movie. He plays Major Miguel Sagala, the SWAT trainor who took good care of the rookies assigned to him, Paolo Contis as Cris Marcelo, the idealistic honest cop, and Alfred Vargas as Jason Ramos, the corrupt one. But in the end, the viewers will be surprised kasi may twist in both the characters played by Paolo and Alfred.

"I also like to thank the other stars who supported them: Leo Martinez, Pen Medina, Cass Ponti, Evangeline Pascual and Pepe Smith, along with our producer, Ina Alegre, who went all out with the budget just to make sure we come up with a movie that will please even the most discriminating viewers of cinema. "

REMEMBERING LOCAL FILMS' GREAT DIRECTORS
IT'S Metro filmfest again and we just want to share with you our memories of what happened in the Metro Manila Filmfest of 1977, exactly 30 years ago. That was a good year as most top directors were represented.

Some of the entries that year were Lino Brocka's "Inay" starring the late Alicia Vergel and introducing her late son, Ace Vergel, Ishmael Bernal's "Walang Katapusang Tag-araw" starring Charito Solis and Liza Lorena, Mario O 'Hara's "Mga Bilanggong Birhen" with Armida Siguion Reyna and Alma Moreno (which was finished by Romy Suzara after Mario and Armida had a fight), Mike de Leon's "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising" with Christopher de Leon and Hilda Koronel, and Celso Ad. Castillo's "Burlesk Queen" with Vilma Santos in the title role.

The board of jurors then went overboard in praising Celso's work to high heavens, at the expense of the other entries, so "Burlesk Queen" romped off with most of the trophies in the awards night. During the awards ceremonies, "Kung Mangarap" was heavily censured despite its citations (believed to be written by Rolando Tinio), prompting Mike de Leon to walk out. The late Brocka followed him and ran into Tinio at the lobby of the venue, the Coral Ballroom of the then Hilton Hotel. Brocka was so pissed at Tinio and shouted: "Bakla!. " Tinio shouted back: "Bakla ka rin!" Brocka then challenged Tinio to a fight: "Gusto mo, sabunutan tayo! Bakla sa bakla!" That was a much talked about awards night because of the protests that followed and those involved said they will return their trophies. (But they never did. )

The rest, as they say, is history. Both Brocka and Tinio have passed away and later proclaimed National Artists for film and theatre, respectively.

In hindsight, though, we'd say that the entry in that year's filmfest that, for us, managed to really stand the test of time, is "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising". After seeing it again and again through the years, you can't help but marvel at the genius of Mike de Leon in making films. Both Boyet and Hilda also gave superlative performances. Oh, how we wish Mike de Leon would make more films and not let his talent go to waste.

Too bad there's no existing copy of "Burlesk Queen," which we also enjoyed. We'd really like to see it again, especially the controversial ending showing the scantily clad Ate Vi dancing herself to an abortion for about 10 minutes non-stop.

'Wowowee' BROUHAHA REVIVED
AND we thought the "Wowowee-Wilyonaryo" cheating brouhaha that caused a word war between Joey de Leon and Willie Revillame was over. Well, looks like it's gonna be revived due to an incriminating video footage currently displayed on YouTube. Called "Kita Mo, Ang Katotoha-nan sa Wilyonaryo scam ng Wowowee"), whoever posted it then notified entertainment writers like us to say how to access it.

It was posted by someone name Bogardito 69. Whoever he is, he must be from ABS-CBN as only someone connected with the studio would have access to the footage. Is he one of the "Wowowee" staffers allegedly fired after the incident? It could be they didn't like being used as the scapegoat and this is their way of taking revenge.

The video shows hosts Willie Revillame, Mariel Rodriguez and crying lady Valerie Concepcion still not fully dressed up, rehearsing the Wilyonaryo game portion with their dancers. This is shown in detail, including the part that shows that more than one number was placed inside the gold wheel that Willie opens while haggling with a woman who pretended to be a contestant.

It's shown that even the reactions of contestants are not spontaneous but also faked. This can be very damaging as it shows that what happened in the show in August was not a mere technical glitch, as they claimed. Now that the show's rating continues to dwindle, they better come up with a more persuasively believable explanation. Wonder what Joey de Leon will say about this now.

CO-STARS IN Dolphy-VIC MOVIE UNKNOWN YET
BING Loyzaga as Satana is no longer part of "Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka Fairy Ko" after being the main villain in "EK 1, 2, and 3. " "Tuwing matatapos ang three previous films, napapatay namin siya then she gets resurrected," says Vic Sotto who plays Enteng. "This time, this is a prequel, so she has to stay dead na. The lead villains are now Ian Veneracion and Francine Prieto. "

Kristine Hermosa is retained as his wife, Faye, along with kids Oyo Sotto and Aiza Seguerra. Also starring in this prequel are G Tongi as Ina Magenta, Ruby Rodriguez, Ian de Leon, Arthur Solinap, Oyo Sotto and Jose Manalo. Vic said he's open to doing "Enteng Kabisote 5. " "Hangga't gusto ito ng tao, hanggang Enteng 10, gagawin namin. "

Vic is now working on a movie that will star him with Comedy King Dolphy. "We're in pre-production. We don't know yet who the other cast members will be. Shooting starts in January. "

LIFE-CHANGING CELEBRATION
CHRISTMAS is the time for sharing and today, Sharon Cuneta will give away a truckload of presents in her show on ABS-CBN. This week, three of the brightest and busiest stars in showbiz spend some of their precious time with the people who deserve it especially this Christmas season. Judy Ann Santos travels all the way to Bataan to offer presents to an Aeta community.

Angel Locsin provides holiday cheer to young kids who experienced tragic events in their early lives. Meanwhile, the megastar surprises a female inmate as everyone witnesses her getting out of jail and start a new life this Christmas. More than material things and money, the most precious present is giving love and time to people in need. So spend time with the family this blessed Sunday and witness an uplifting and life-changing Christmas celebration on "Sharon," after "Goin Bulilit" on ABS-CBN. Also, get daily quotes and trivia from Sharon's show. Text SHARON ON to 2366.

Source: People's Journal