Raring to do bad-girl roles

Author: Joseph Peter R. Gonzales
Column: Life & Entertainment

Iza Calzado is aware that Sunshine Dizon has the more challenging part in All About Eve.

"Her character is more feisty, angst-filled and colorful. Viewers always remember her crisp lines. Nicole [the character she plays] serves as a perfect foil to Sunshine's Erika being the reserved type, although she also fights back if needed. I must say that Shine is doing an excellent job. As for me, I've already accepted that I'll always be the good girl in most of my soaps. So what I have, I make full use of," she says.

Viewers commend her and Sunshine whenever they do their confrontation scenes because they always come out natural and effective.

"Thank you! Actually, with Shine and me, we just give what the role requires us to do. Our partnership dates back to Encantadia days then Impostora. All About Eve is our biggest soap together, considering the heavy lineup of the cast. There's Jean Garcia, Eula Valdez, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Eric Quizon, Alfred Vargas, Celia Rodriguez and Richard Gomez. It's simply a dream team so we always have to set our best foot forward, especially when doing our dramatic highlights!"

In the story, she is paired with Mark Anthony. Many are falling in love with their tandem.

"Honestly I'm surprised with how our screen partnership has turned out here. I always hear comments like we have strong chemistry and sparks fly when we're already sharing the frame. Initially, I didn't think we'll stir curiosity among the viewers this strong. We have lots of 'kilig' moments here which remind me of my teenage days. The story is actually the one weaving the chemistry between us."

Meanwhile, although she's always being considered for sweet roles on screen, Iza says she still welcomes doing offbeat portrayals.

"Because it broadens my horizon as a performer," she reasons out. "That's why I liked my participation in the movie One True Love opposite Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes late last year. My role was 'out of the box' so to speak and I got very good reviews for my performance. I even had a love scene there. It's really beneficial to your growth as an actress if you get to try different genres."

Sans Lloydie

Bea Alonzo's latest potboiler for Star Cinema is I Love You So by Lauren Dyogi. Here, she has two leading men--Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay.

"To be honest, I felt [sic] pressured at first [sic] upon learning that my next movie assignment is not with John Lloyd. Everyone knows that [sic] for the longest time, my movies [sic] are with him. We're used to each other's work habits. Our chemistry is great and I think all our films as a love team made money. I knew it would be inevitable for the public to compare the movie's performance at the tills with Lloydie's highly successful projects outside our love team, particularly the ones with Sarah [Geronimo].

"But after reading the script, I instantly fell in love with the material! I just didn't think of the initial pressure I felt. Instead, I just focused on how to make my character appealing to the viewers," explains Bea.

She'll be doing a love scene with Sam in the film.

"That's true although I still don't have even the slightest idea as to how we're going to execute it. But knowing how artistic and meticulous Direk Lauren is and how professional Sam is, I'm sure we'll pull it off pretty well."

Bea doesn't deny that she'll still feel her way in doing the said love scene.

"I know it'll be a lot different because I haven't done a similar scene with Sam even if we appeared together in the movie Close To You before unlike with John Lloyd with whom I had numerous intimate moments in most of the films [we starred in]."

The star is definitely proud of her new screen offering.

"It signals many firsts in my career as an actor. It's my first adult role. I can say it's my heaviest acting job. Of course, whenever I think about the new challenges it entails, I get scared but I'm sure, all my fears would be put to rest eventually. I know we have a winner in this film," Bea says.

What's up Dingdong?

Now that Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang is nearing its climax, many are asking what Dingdong Dantes' next project will be.

"Well, I don't know yet! I'll play it by ear," says the heartthrob.

Will it just be fine if he goes back to the telefantasya genre, especially since talks are ripe that his perennial screen partner Marian Rivera might be the next Darna?

"It's no problem with me. Yes, why not? Before Marimar, Dyesebel and Tadyang, I did Encantadia and Atlantika, remember? I'm just happy that I can do any type of soap. At least, I didn't get identified with drama only or action or telefantasya. I can proudly say that my projects were diverse. They helped me build a versatile image which is beneficial for me in the long run!"

Some quarters are toying with the idea of him and Richard Gutierrez appearing in one grand soap opera or film. They say it'll be a blast since they are GMA-7's hottest male leads.

"Yes, that's cool. If ever an offer like that comes along, I'm willing to do it. But preferably, it must be an action vehicle."

Like any superstar combination, billing is an issue. In their case, who does he think deserves to be given prominent billing?

"Actually, I'm not in the position to say who. I'll just let my manager take care of that aspect," Dingdong states.

Source: Manila Standard Today