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| LT longs for an international awardColumn: A Little Bit LORNA Tolentino has appeared in 92 different roles (not a single role repeated, she says) in her 38 years in showbiz. She has worked with the best directors from Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, Chito Roño, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Laurice Guillen, and Joey Reyes. How she wished her filmography included the late Gerry de Leon. Lorna has completed "Katas ng Saudi" for Maverick Films directed by Joey Reyes. It is the first time that she is paired opposite Jinggoy Estrada whom she treats like an older brother. Surprisingly, it is also her second time to appear in a comedy. "The first comedy I did was "Pusong Mamon" with Albert Martinez and Eric Quizon. Please take note that I am not a comedienne. It is the situation in the story that makes it funny. "Katas ng Saudi" has plenty of this. It opens with Jinggoy arriving from the Middle East after working for 10 years in order to provide his family a bright future. He soon discovers that so many things have changed and he feels like a total stranger to his three children. In a way, the movie is a tribute to all OFWs whose biggest sacrifice is to be away from their families," Lorna explains. Lorna loves her profession so much that she hopes to achieve what actress Gloria Romero has reached in terms of durability. " I simply adore her. She is strong at her age and very active. Acting for me is a continuous process of learning. Our new directors today are so innovative and so is the movie technology. For as long as they offer roles to play, big or small, I will not retire from acting," says the forty something Lorna. All her acting trophies (she did a grand slam as best actress for the movie "Narito ang Puso Ko" megged by Chito Roño) as well as those of her husband Rudy Fernandez, are displayed in their den. Would she still yearn for more? "What I dream of now is to receive an acting award from film festivals abroad which happened to "Kubrador" and Gina Pareno. I want to experience that feeling. My passport to this is to appear in an indie project dahil ito ang palaging pambato sa mga foreign festivals. I almost did one for Eddie Romero but I had to turn it down dahil nagkasakit nga si Rudy. My other goal is for my films to make money sa box office. I feel sad when you know that you did a beautiful project pero kakaunti ang nag-a-apreciate nito. "Katas ng Saudi" is one movie I am very proud of. It mirrors the plight of every overseas workers na patuloy na dumadami," she relates. "Katas ng Saudi" also stars the young loveteam of Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz, Liza Lorena, Eugene Domingo and Bayani Agbayani. Senator Jinggoy Estrada said that he will introduce more bills to give OFWs and domestic helpers more benefits. Proceeds from the premiere of "Katas ng Saudi" are earmarked for the families of OFWs. HARDLY RECOGNIZABLE NO doubt, Richard Gutierrez is the most bankable actor in the GMA roster of talents. According to Wilma Galvante, Richard is accepted as a super hero by his huge teen followings and has become a role model for them, too. The fact that he loves action perfectly qualified Richard to portray Kamandag, a new telefantaserye from GMA network. This would make Richard the Primetime King since all his teleseryes are toprated. Based on the popular Carlo J. Caparas comic strip in People's Tonight during the 80's, this awe-inspiring journey of a superhero as he searches for love, family, and identity premieres tonight. At the press launch of "Kamandag," the studio 3 of GMA network was converted into a mini jungle and one by one, the entire cast paraded before us in their most stunning pre-historic costumes. We hardly recognized Francine Prieto as her face was somewhat painted but with the sexy figure and towering height partly similarly covered with furs, there is no mistaking that she was Francine alright. For male ogglers, Francine is quite a sight to behold. She plays a wild cat, the very deceitful Queen Kuran. MOST PROMISING MAXENE Magalona is also in the cast and we hope her teleserye appearance would create an impact and place her among the leagues of today's brightest stars like Yasmien Kurdi or Marian Rivera. She was once considered the most promising, you know. With a star-studded cast in full attendance, how come the creator of "Kamandag" and listed in the credits as one of the creative consultants, Carlo J. Caparas (and of course, his wife Donna) was a no-show at all? An accomplished storyteller, Carlo would have supplied interesting informations about "Kamadag" during the one-on-one interviews. (No, he arrived later with son, CJ. —Ed. ) ANOTHER PRE-SOLD STORY TALK about fabulous costumes, Princess Sarah tops the list. This is a pre-Christmas project of ABS CBN with Sharlene San Pedro playing the title role. It has a captive market as nearly every Filipino is familiar with the story of the orphaned girl Sarah. The cast is like who's who in the Star Magic Circle. They include Ai Ai delas Alas, Albert Martinez, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi, Candy Pangilinan, Matt Evans, Melissa Ricks, Irish Fullerton, Bubbles Paraiso, Sophia Baars and Ms. Sheryl Cruz as the stern and cold-hearted Miss Minchin. On its second time around, Princess Sarah will capture the hearts of kids of all ages once again. It airs after TV Patrol World. Source: People's Journal |
