John Lloyd and KC: Will there be sparks?

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

HOW true is it that ABS-CBN is lukewarm to the idea of co-producing a movie with GMA Films that will launch the Richard Gutierrez-KC Concepcion love team? We heard that ABS wants to do a movie, pairing KC with John Lloyd Cruz instead. This early then, they should brace themselves for publicity slants saying John Lloyd was a former boyfriend of KC's aunt, Ciara Sotto, the cousin of her mom, Sharon Cuneta, and they had a bitter parting with the rumor that John Lloyd treated Ciara shabbily. Whether they like it or not, we're sure this bit of information will be dragged into the movie.

As of now, we really can't think of anyone at ABS who might be paired with KC and be warmly accepted by the public, although we must admit KC had good chemistry with Derek Ramsey when they were paired in "Maalaala Mo Kaya." The problem is that Derek is so identified with Angelica Panganiban, in the same way that John Lloyd is so identified with Bea Alonzo. KC also can't be paired with Piolo Pascual as he's much older. One alternative would be Luis Manzano, who's only about four years older than her. And why not? The daughter of the megastar paired with the son of the Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos. It doesn't seem like an impractical idea, right?

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Joel Lamangan directed one of the best serials ever on GMA-7, "Kung Mawawala Ka." Now, after doing afternoon hits like "Sinasamba Kita" and "Pasan Ko ang Daigdig," he's back on primetime on GMA Telebabad's new soap after "Marimar," the adaptation of the Sharon Cuneta movie, "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita."

"Pero malayong-malayo na ito from the original," he says. "We just borrowed the milieu. The story has been expanded and there are now more characters, a bigger cast and more intriguing twists and turns in the development of the plot."

Isn't he somehow pressured that "Babangon" replaces "Marimar" that often rates 40 percent plus? "May pressure, but we're confident that we'd be able to achieve high ratings also. Siguro not at the start agad, but eventually, because of the very engrossing story, we can do it."

Can Yasmien Kurdi now rate high in primetime? "I believe so. Her afternoon soaps were rating so high kaya hinog na sila ni JC de Vera for evening viewing."

What's the difference in making a soap opera for primetime than one in the afternoon? "More demanding ang primetime show as the network has bigger expectations for higher ratings. You have to have bigger production values. Siempre, mas malaki rin ang return of investment sa TV commercials on primetime kaya, usually, lahat ng hingin ko para mas mapaganda ang show, they give it. Like in 'Babangon,' for the opening scene, we use a helicopter and 500 extras. Big scene talaga as it shows a massacre caused by a jueteng lord, played by Emilio Garcia na asawa ni Dina Bonnevie rito. Emilio dies, so Dina becomes the jueteng queen. Siya ang ina ni Yasmien Kurdi, but her enemies will kidnap Yasmien as a baby at palalakihin siyang mangmang. Naampon siya ni Deborah Sun na kabit ni Mike Magat. Yasmien discovers na nilalason ni Mike si Deborah kaya the guy is jailed and Deborah leaves all her riches of P10 million kay Yasmien, na niloko naman ni Marvin Agustin.

"Marami pang surprises ang kuwento, but Yasmien will develop as a character and her arc will make a 360 degree turn from a stupid girl deceived by all to being the wily head of a syndicate. It's a very demanding role and Yasmien delivers. First time I directed her in 'Aishite Imasu' and 'So Happy Together' four years ago, I already saw her potential."

What can he say about Yasmien's alleged weight problem? "Actually, ang payat niya ngayon. Kaya lang, even if she's thin, she's still big, parang si Sharon Cuneta kasi they both have big bones.Lakihin talaga silang mga babae and they can't do anything about it except to maintain their weight to a minimum."

On the big screen, Direk Joel is now finishing the comedy "Manay Po 2: Overload," and will soon star "Anak ng Aswang." Doesn't he miss doing serious films? "I have three scripts that are all serious. First is about extrajudicial abductions and killings, 'Dukot,' written by Von Ilagan. It's very timely, 'di ba? Then there's the indie film I'm doing for the directors guild, 'Fuchsia,' a love story by Ricky Lee about older people starring Gloria Romero, Rosa Rosal, Dolphy and Eddie Garcia, with Iza Calzado as Gloria's apo who witnesses their love story. Our goal here is to show indie filmmakers that we can make movies that are audience-friendly, out of the box pero commercial pa rin. Then I have 'Lihis,' also by Ricky, about homosexual love in the NPA. Napanood ko yung 'Lihim ni Antonio' and I'm surprised, allowed na pala ngayon ng MTRCB gumawa ng ganun ka-daring na movies. E, 'di ba uso gay films ngayon, so I want to make one, too."

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Some quarters are blaming Ruffa Gutierrez for magnifying what happened to her and Lani Mercado. "Kundi ko raw inilabas ito sa 'The Buzz,' hindi lalaki ng ganito ang issue," she says. "All I can say is I'm not the one who started it. May mga nakapansin at una itong nasulat as blind item, then pinangalanan na nila. All I did is to confirm such a thing happened. But I want to make it clear na hindi ako galit kay Lani at all. Nagtaka lang ako."

Lani's self appointed defender and protector, Manay Lolit Solis, took the cudgels for her. The issue further got worse when Annabelle Rama felt Lolit bypassed their 30-year friendship and also stepped into the picture, challenging Lolit on TV: "Kung matapang ka, magharap tayong dalawa, kahit saang lugar o anong oras, hindi kita uurungan."

But now that Lani Mercado herself has apologized to Ruffa Gutierrez, we hope things will simmer down. Before she left for the US a few days ago, Lani was interviewed at the airport and she cried while imploring Lolit to put an end to the conflict: "I love you, 'Nay Lolit, at alam kong ipinagtatanggol mo lang ako, pero huwag na po, tama na, okay na tayo. Kasi ayoko talagang may nag-aaway. Wala akong intensiyong makipag-away, kaya period na. Tama na. Kay Ruffa, matagal nang tapos ito and I have moved on, and I'm sure you have also moved on. Nagulat lang ako nung magsalita ka, pero kung sa tingin mo, na-offend kita, pasensiya na. Next time, 'pag nagkita tayo, papansinin na kita. Walang problema sa akin yun.Yung nangyaring sitwasyon na yun, talagang nagmamadali lang ang tao and a lot of people can attest to that. We're both mature people so, sana magkaintindihan na lang. Malaki ang respeto namin ni Bong kina Tita Annabelle at Tito Eddie, kaya sana magkaayos na. Maliit ang industriya nating ginagalawan kaya sana, huwag nang palakihin pa ito ng ibang tao."

Well, as they say, all's well that ends well. It's really common for show business to feast even on such trivial things when there are no big issues being discussed, especially in showbiz talk shows. But now that people have regained their senses (before Lolit and Annabelle further hurt each other and do irreparable damage to their 30-year-old friendship), let's just move on to the next controversial issue.

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Gabby Concepcion is scheduled to come home in April to do a movie for GMA Films titled "Love Cruise" with Jolina Magdangal. But no, they won't be paired with each other. Gabby's leading lady will be Rufa Mae Quinto while Jolina will be paired with a younger guy who's still being considered. The movie will be directed by Mark Reyes who's last work, "My Best Friend's Girlfriend," made a killing at the box office.

According to his dad, Rollie Concepcion, Gabby will come home with new wife Genevieve and their baby daughter. This will fulfill KC Concepcion's wish to see his newest sister. Gabby has four daughters, all "panganays" or first born, with Sharon Cuneta, Grace Ibuna, Jenny Syquia and now, with Genevieve.

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Valerie Concepcion is very lucky. She left GMA-7 only after her manager had a falling out with the station due to the sudden transfer of Angel Locsin to ABS. She started with ABS as guest co-host of "Wowowee" and up to now, she's still there. And whaddaya know? She's now also the leading lady of Vhong Navarro in his new movie "Supah Papalicious." Some folks say she has even overtaken Angel, who has yet to do a movie with ABS.

"Huwag na lang po ako ikumpara kay Angel," she says. "Alam ko may plans din naman ang ABS for her."

In the story, Valerie plays the role of a single mom with Makisig Morales as her son. Doesn't she mind playing mom to Makisig, who's 11?

"Okay lang kasi I'm a mom na naman in real life. But my daughter, Heather Fiona, is only three years old. Since I'm only 20, 'di ibig sabihin, 9 lang ako ng maging anak ko si Makisig. Basta masaya ako to be part of this movie."

The movie's director, Gilbert Perez, says Valerie is believable as the mom of Makisig as she has a wide range as an actress and can project herself to look older. "Pero kahit mom na siya, she showsna matindi pa rin ang sex appeal niya," he adds.

"I enjoyed making this movie kasi bungisngis talaga akoat enjoy akong nagpapatawa and it's also an honor for me to be the leading lady of Vhong Navarro na siyang comedy prince ng bansa ngayon," adds Valerie.

Is it true Vhong wooed her while they were shooting the movie? "No. Never po siyang nanligaw sa akin. But I'm not surprised that many girls find him very appealing because of his sense of humor."

The movie opens on March 22.

(mmhannah143@yahoo.com)

Source: Malaya