Ruffa and Annabelleto star in Regal movie

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

MOTHER Lily Monteverde signed up Ruffa Gutierrez to an exclusive 3-picture contract last Tuesday. The first movie will be a comedy she?ll do with her mom, Annabelle Rama, tentatively titled "My Monster Mom" or "Mama Dong," to be directed by Joey Reyes. Next will be the "Desperadas" project to be directed by Joel Lamangan, then a suspense-thriller to be directed by Peque Gallaga and filmed in Negros.

"The last films I did were also with Regal, ?Puri? and ?Halik,? ten years ago" says Ruffa. "I?m happy that I?m now back again with Mother Lily."

Who would she like to be her co-stars? "It?s up to Mother Lily, basta babagay sa roles in the movie. Ang importante, my leading men, may height. For ?Desperadas,? I think she?s trying to reunite me with Aiko (Melendez) and Carmina (Villaroel) kundi na puede sinaGretchen (Barretto) and Dawn (Zulueta). But I?m looking forward to my movie with my mom kasi I?ve never worked with her, so it?d fun. O fun ba talaga, mommy? But I?m sure, ?pag may shooting na, kapag 6 a.m. ang call time, 2 a.m. pa lang, ginigising na ako niyan."

Annabelle says she did not want to accept the film but Mother Lily forced her to. "I don?t hide naman na kaya iniwan ko pag-aartista dahil hindi ako marunong umarte. Kaya I recommend my kids na lang, huwag na ako. Pero si Mother, may convincing power. Ang kulit. Nag-quote ako ng price, hindi tinawaran, so hindi na ako nakatanggi."

It seems viewers like to see Ruffa and Annabelle together. When they guest together on TV, like in "Sharon" and "Deal or No Deal," the ratings are always high.

No doubt Ruffa?s career is booming now as she also just signed up a contract with ABS-CBN to be co-host of "The Buzz" and to star in a "Sineserye" "telemovie." She also has three new offers for endorsements. "Suwerte nga ako sa career, pero malas naman sa pag-ibig," she sighs.

How is she and Yilmaz? "I?ve forgiven him for everything he said against me. Alam ko, galit lang siya ng mga panahong iyon. The experience made me stronger kasi from every trial, you learn, you grow. I just pray that eventually, we?ll still be good friends for the sake of our children."

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Aside from being a womanizer, the latest accusation on Mark Herras is that he?s into drugs and this is the reason why he?s losing weight.

"Ano na namang intriga ?yan?" he sighs. "I was really surprised kasi it?s said I do drugs while playing computer games in an internet shop on Morato Ave. How can that be when it?s a public place at ang daming tao roon? Kung gagawa ako nang ganun, di siempre itatago ko na lang sa isang mas pribadong lugar, di ba? E, may ibang writers na nagpupunta sainternet shop na yun, ano? Ang takot ko na lang na masulat ako kung gagawa nga ako ng kalokohan."

Her manager, Manay Lolit Solis, asked him pointblank about it. "Siempre, I denied it dahil hindi naman talaga totoo. Payat lang ako talaga, siguro dahil sa pagod at sa dance numbers na ginagawa ko. Pero hindi ako natutuyot like they claim. Talagang ganito lang ang katawan ko. Pangromansa," he laughs. "I?ve never tried drugs at wala akong balak tikman ito even for the sake of curiosity. Bakit ko naman sisirain ang buhay ko, e ang dami kong blessings? Kung addict man ako, it?s an addiction to computer games, like DOTA. Nakaka-relax kasi after a hard day?s work."

Mark?s movie with Jennylyn Mercado, "Tiyanaks," will be shown soon after her film with Patrick Garcia, "Angels," is released. So which is the better movie and which does he think will earn more at the tills? "Sana parehong kumita. Magkaiba naman ang ?Tiyanaks? at ?Angels.? Horror movie ang sa amin at love story naman ?yung kanila ni Patrick. I pray na panoorin na lang ng mga tao ang dalawang pelikula para sumigla naman uli ang local film industry."

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After Ricky Davao?s impressive work in the "Marie" episode of "Paraiso," two more stars debut as film directors in two episode of "Angels," Gina Alajar in "Angel of Mine" and Dingdong Dantes in "Daddy?s Angel." Both Gina and Dingdong prove they?re very competent not only in front but also behind the camera. Their episodes tug at the heartstrings and they also get superlative performances from their lead actors.

In "Angel of Mine," Angel Locsin plays a jaded police reporter who holds a grudge against the world since her own mom, Pinky Amador, neglected her and ran away with another man. When her former yaya, Malou de Leon, goes to Samar, she asks Angel to look after her child, Eunice Lagusad, for a couple of days. But Malou dies in an accident and Angel ends up as the child?s permanent guardian. At first, she considers the girl as a burden who intrudes on her privacy, but an incident (which we won?t reveal here) makes her realize that the girl is really a blessing to her. Both Angel and Eunice give heartfelt performances under Gina?s guidance.

In "Daddy?s Angel," Marvin Agustin plays an ex-con who is shown being released from jail after seven years of imprisonment. In flashback, we learn he was jailed for killing the man (Paolo Paraiso) who raped his wife (Valerie Concepcion). His mom (Jaclyn Jose) is happy to see him again but Marvin harbors ill feelings toward the boy (Nash Aguas) who was conceived by his wife after the rape. This is a tearjerker and Nash is so pitiful as the rejected boy who tries his best to win the love of the man he thinks is his dad, so be sure to bring a hanky with you. The scene of Nash looking for a missing cat in the rain will melt your heart.

Both Marvin and Nash give very touching performances. The comic relief is Dominic Ochoa as Marvin?s best friend who does funny things to entertain Nash.

The last episode, "Angel of Love," is the only one with a real angel (Ella Cruz) who acts as a matchmaking Cupid between a poor rocker, Jennylyn Mercado, and a weathy boy who comes from an "old rich" family where family members even speak in Spanish, Patrick Garcia. What lifts this up from the now predictable boy-meets-girl stories we see on screen is Jennylyn?s endearing portrayal of the feisty girl who knows how to fight for her rights. If you think Jen is so identified with Mark Herras, you?d be amazed as she also has great on-screen chemistry with Patrick. Just like other romantic stories, this ends with a dreamy wedding sequence.

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Judy Ann Santos opened her "Bida ng Buhay Ko" 20th anniversary special at the Big Dome last Saturday with a va-va-voom dance number while singing a Beyonce, Fergie and Pussycat Dolls medley. She came on stage fully covered then she removed her cover to reveal her sexy outfit that made the crowd roar with approval. She later said she rehearsed that seductive number for four days.

Her boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo hosted the affair with the help of Bianca Gonzales and Phoemela Baranda. While her family members were being interviewed from Mommy Carol to her siblings and nieces, singing champs Jed Madela, Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista, Kris Lawrence and Christian Bautista all sang special songs for her.

Zsa Zsa Padilla introduced the portion which featured the various soaps Juday did through the years. Makisig Morales and other kiddie stars sang the theme song of her first TV show, "Ula, Ang Batang Gubat," followed by Gladys Reyes for "Mara Clara," Jericho Rosales for "Esperanza," Pow Chavez for "Sa Puso Ko Iingatan ka," Aiza Seguerra for "Basta?t Kasama Kita," TJ Trinidad for "Krystala" and Angelika de la Cruz for "Sa Piling Mo."

Erik Santos and Sarah Geronimo sang the theme songs of some movies she did like "Paano ang Puso Ko," "Kahit Isang Saglit," "Don?t Give Up On Us," and many more.

Close friends of Juday like Beth Tamayo, Mylene Dizon, Nikki Valdez, Angelu de Leon, Kaye Abad, Jao Mapa, Bobby Andrews, Spencer Reyes and ex-boyfriend Wowie de Guzman did a special dance number.

All in all, it?s one night that Juday?s fans will never forget. Don?t miss it when it?s shown on July 1 in "Kapamilya Sunday?s Best." On Monday, Juday and Ryan?s new teleserye, "Ysabella," will premiere on Primetime Bida replacing "Flor de Luna."

Source: Malaya