Marya all praises for young co-stars

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Mother Lily Monteverde hosted a solo presscon just for Maricel Soriano of "Bahay Kubo." Madera told us all those who’ve seen the film cried and are praising Maricel’s performance as the mother in "Bahay Kubo," so many are predicting she’ll bag another filmfest best actress award, which she already did before for "Nasaan ang Puso," "Dahas" and "Filipinas."

"Aba, kung magkakatotoo, ‘di salamat," says Maria. "Kundi naman, I’ll still be grateful as I really enjoyed doing this moving family drama."

Did she really have a rough time with some of the "pasaway" young stars in the cast?

"I’m really wondering why may nasulat na ganyan. I feel nga blessed ako kasi sina Marian Rivera, Yasmien Kurdi, Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz, Mark Herras, at Jiro Manio, puro mababait silang bata at yung iba, kahit pagod na sa taping ng soap nila, may nilalagnat pa nga, trabaho pa rin. ‘Pag sinabing take na, ready agad sila kaya nakakatuwa. Dedicated sila sa trabaho. Si Shaina, dati ko nang naging anak sa ABS kaya gamay ko na siya. SinaMarian at Yasmien, ngayon pa lang. Pareho silang maganda na, mahusay pa. Ang tawag ko nga kay Marian is MariMar and I’m happy na nagre-rateang show niya. Love ko silang lahat kasi you know me, kung meron akong hindi gusto, nagsasalita ako agad. I’m really thankful nga kay Mother Lily she gave me the chance na makatrabaho yung starsng kabilang network. And at least, mga babae ang anak ko rito, except for Jiro. In real life, I have two boys, Marron and Tien. Naku, malalaki pa sa’kin. I’m really sad when I don’t get to spend enough time with them, kaya ngayong Christmas holidays, magbabakasyon kami na kaming tatlo lang.

"I’m not a perfect mom, I try to be, pero mahirap, e.E ngayon, lola na rin ako kay Elijah, ang anak ni Meryll. He’s one of God’s angels. Sabi ko nga, ako ang kamukha nito, hindi si Meryll."

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Alessandra de Rossi is now a mainstay in "Kamandag." She plays the role of Eleanor, the half sister of Maxene Magalona. "We have the same mom, Glydel Mercado, but she’s the daughter of a driver at ako, rich ang daddy ko," she says. "I studied in the States at balikbayan ako rito. I don’t know that Maxene is my sister kaya aapi-apihin ko siya kasi sampid lang siya. Magkakagusto rin ako kay Richard Gutierrez kayawe will be rivals."

But isn’t she also in "Pasan Ko ang Daigdig"? "Yes, pero matatapos na ‘yun sa third week of January, kaya few taping days na lang ang natitira and I can now concentrate sa ‘Kamandag’."

How is it playing a rich character in "Kamandag"? "Enjoy ako as I love dressing up. I have my own stylist, Cathy Binag, and she makes all my outfits and gowns para mukha talaga akong sosyal."

Will she have kissing scenes with Richard? "Ay, sobrang guwapo. Tatanggi pa ba ako roon? Kaya lang, magagalit ang fans niya. I’m sure everyone will say ‘Ang suwerte ni Alex, nahalikan si Richard.’ Walang magsasabing ‘Ang suwerte ni Richard, nahalikan si Alex.’ But Richard and I go a long way back. Nang mag-comeback siya sashowbiz as a teenstar, una niya kong nakasama sa ‘Click’ six years ago. Silang mga lalaki roon ang barkada ko, sila ni AJ Eigenmann, kaya ang tingin sa’kin ni Richard, lalaki. Ngayon lang kami nagkasama uli."

She seems to be playing only villain roles lately. "Oo nga, kontrabida ako sa ‘Darna,’ ‘Super Twins,’ ‘Pasan’ and now, ‘Kamandag’. Sabi ko nga sa manager ko, si Manny Valera, ayoko munang tumanggap ng villain role after this, for a change. I need to grow. I cannot do the same thing all the time."

How is it working with Maxene? "I love her. Na-excitenga ako when I learned magkakasama kami uli in ‘Kamandag.’ Half sisters din kami noon in ‘Hanggang Kailan,’ also directed by Mark Reyes of ‘Kamandag’ kaya sabi niya, naku, maingay na naman ang dalawang ito. Maxene is totoong tao, hindi showbiz, kaya masayang kasama."

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All our best film choices for this year are, so far, indie films: "Pisay," "Tribu," "Endo," "Foster Child," "Ataul for Rent," "Confessional," "Steel Life." Now, we finally a mainstream movie that ought to be nominated as best picture: "Katas ng Saudi." Written and directed by the ever reliable Joey Reyes, it’s like real life: sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but always, life is a struggle.

All Pinoy OFW’s can definitely relate with this story of an OFW’s (Jinggoy Estrada) homecoming, an improved version of "Anak" with Vilma Santos also playing an OFW that was marred by hysteria and melodrama. Here, just when things get out of hand, Joey cuts the scene right away. Even a hysterical character (Vangie Labalan as the mother of Jinggoy) is given a counterpoint (Eugene Domingo in a very restrained performance as Jinggoy’s sister) to balance things off.

Joey Reyes made Jinggoy’s role as the OFW, Oca, who returns home to his family after 10 years fit him to a T, utilizing even his being a roly-poly to make him a lovable character with his own shortcomings. But despite his flaws that sometimes make him look like a fool, one thing is evident in Oca, he loves his family unconditionally and is a true friend and relative who is generous to a fault. You will laugh and cry in this movie. The ending when Oca finally decides to return to Saudi, even if he prefers to stay home to see his kids grow up, is guaranteed to make you shed tears. You know this is happening to a lot of local families where a parent is forced to work abroad due to financial constraints and to give his or her kid a brighter future.

We won’t be surprised if Jinggoy would win his first best actor award as Oca. He shines in several scenes, like when he tells daughter, Shaina Magdayao, "Pasensiya ka na ako’ng naging tatay mo," and in his reconciliation scene with his in-laws (Liza Lorena and Ernie Zarate). Lorna Tolentino is also superb as the wife, Mercy, investing the role with the right mixture of goofiness and pathos. Those who are wary of fantasy and special effects movies this Christmas, watch this realistic slice of life that is sure to touch your heart.

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Dingdong Dantes hosted a Christmas party for the press at Centerstage on Circle Cafe on the Timog Rotonda. "It’s my way of saying thank you because this has been a very fruitful year for me with so many blessings," says Sergio of the hit show, "MariMar."

Dingdong raffled off various home appliances worth a total of P1 million. Some writers got two washing machines, two TV sets, two refrigerators. We got a microwave oven. Everyone also got a basket of groceries each. To Dingdong, thanks for your generosity and may you have more hit shows after "MariMar."

Dingdong is also in the cast of Bong Revilla’s Metro filmfest entry, "Resiklo," where he plays Angelo, a resistance fighter against aliens who invaded our planet.

Source: Malaya

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