Rayver was the unanimous choice

Author: Ethel Ramos
Column: Studio Whispers

Until director Cathy Garcia-Molina saw a tape of John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo in an episode in "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (MMK), she had no idea the two would click as a team in a movie. They seemed like an unlikely pair, after all.

"Pero, sa MMK, kahit papaano may nakita akong chemistry sa kanila na will create on-screen magic," recalls Direk Cathy.

True enough, John Lloyd and Sarah’s first team-up, "A Very Special Love," was the surprise hit of 2008.

Even the film’s DVDs are selling like hotcakes not only here but also abroad.

"Ang maganda pa rin, the film got very good reviews from the critics as well as from the moviegoers," Direk Cathy says with a smile. "It also made Sarah not just the ‘Box-office Queen’ for the year 2008 but also an actress."

"A Very Special Love" gave Direk Cathy and John Lloyd their second "Box-office Director" and "Box-office King" trophies, respectively, from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

Last year, they won for the movie, "One More Chance," which, incidentally, also won for Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd’s leading lady in the said movie, the "Box-office Queen" trophy.

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"Basta ako, I have to admit that Direk Cathy, John Lloyd and ‘A Very Special Love’ brought a lot of changes in me, both personally and professionally," Sarah says, "Kaya I was more inspired when I did ‘You Changed My Life’ with the same team.

"Sana magustuhan din ng mga tao ang pelikulang ito."

"You Changed My Life" will open in 100 theaters nationwide on February 25. It will have a premiere on February 24 at Cinemas 9 and 10 of SM Megamall.

Still loveless to this date, Sarah admits that the reason she is able to deliver in her kilig scenes with John Lloyd is because she really admires the guy.

"Siguro, iyan din ang dahilan that even if they are not sweethearts in real life, they are convincing as a pair on screen," DirekCathy says. "Happily, that’s obviously what matters to the audience."

A Star Cinema production, "You Changed My Life" also stars Rayver Cruz, Rowell Santiago, Dante Rivero, Irma Adlawan and Al Tantay.

Sarah sings the theme song.

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Direk Cathy clarifies that the choice of Rayver as the new character in "You Changed My Life" has nothing to do with the report that he is wooing Sarah and that the singer-actress has a crush on him.

"Actually, it was a choice whether we will add somebody older or younger na magiging dahilan para magselos si Miggy (John Lloyd).

"I’m glad that Rayver was the unanimous choice. I’ve worked with him in the series, ‘Spirits’ (which she directed with Chito Rono). He is a good actor. At professional," the director adds.

That Cathy Garcia-Molina is now an in-demand director is apparent. For her next assignment, she will direct either the Aga Muhlach-Angel Locsin movie or the Piolo Pascual-KC Concepcion project.

"Any of these two, I welcome," she says.

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Do you know that the reported non-showbiz boyfriend of Diana Zubiri is actually the son of former movie producer George Lopez?

Lopez was well-liked in the business. He was 52 when he died.

We will pray for the repose of his soul.

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It’s good to hear that John Estrada and his Brazilian beauty queen girlfriend, Priscilla Mirelles, have not parted ways.

The two not just look together but John’s children by his ex-wife, Janice de Belen, look up to Priscilla.

They were seen together last Valentine’s Day.

Source: Malaya

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