I remember when I was a sub-teener trying to get into the Sampaguita gate entrance and had to crane my neck to catch a gimpse of Bobby Vasquez! He was the newest discovery, sort of a rebel-without-a-cause James Deanish and each time I heard the song Bobby Bobby Bobby (by Joanne Campbell), I swooned thinking it was composed for him! ’Twas the era of A Summer Place, ALDILA (or rather Lovers Must Learn if you’re in Asia but actually entitled originally Rome Adventure)…I worshipped Troy Donahue and Suzanne Plezhette! Troy and Sandra Dee!
Fast forward to 2020. Now, my evening is all about Billie (Liza Soberano) and Gabo (Enrique Gil). Like a crazed baget, am so immersed with their current teleserye that strums back to our favorite Bread lovesong of the 70s, “Make it With You”. As I’ve flashbacked to the romantic-comedy memory lane, I realize we love it for the reality. We love when the bidas run into each other by happenstance. The “sanas”, the “she loves him? he loves her na”, the “oops, did his lips brush onto hers?”, did their fingers get intertwined like kuryente? Remember the scene of Gabo and Billie in that closed tiny room that rocked in a rhythmical pulse of intimacy when finally their chemistry peaked!
Add to this a cinematic ooh-la-la of a backdrop – CROATIA! (aah, thank God I’ve been to this unebelievably magnificent 7th wonder of the universe – Croatia is famous for its sweeping beaches and rocky coves that definitely spice up the amour ingredient). So, after watching Gabo and Billie, you go to bed starry-eyed, young and in love again “Life can be short or long, Love can be right or wrong, And if I chose the one I’d like to help me through, I’d like to make it with you…” Di ba?
We may not fall in love viewing Niagara Falls, or be the ideal YAYA-turned magical bride to a handsome Baron to make the “hills alive wth songs they have sung for a thousand years,” but the real good rom coms stay with us. They make us aware at ourselves, our hopes, dreams, fantasies or illusions. They make us laugh at our mistakes. They show us how to open our hearts and be vulnerably sensitive and most of all, they make us believe in the possibility of what we want coming true.
This is what happens now to the LizQuen fanatics – most of them even believe that Liz and Quen have secretly tied the knot! The happily ever after! Which led us to chat with one of its directors, Frasco Mortiz (yes, he is the son of Edgar Mortiz and Millett Santos.)
1. Make it with you seems to be a chartbuster. What makes it so? The factors?
Frasco: I think the chemistry of Lizquen matched with a a new and more mature storyline gave viewers a new reason to tune in. Their last project being the “fantaserye” Bagani, it has been a while since their fans saw them on television. The first two weeks were shot in Croatia kaya iba rin po yung naging visual dynamics. Personally, I immediately fell in love with Billie (Liza) and Gabo’s (Enrique) love story.
2. Please describe working conditions with Liza and Enrique – how does it feel to handle the famous couple? Are they always cooperative? What sets them apart from the rest of the stars you have directed?
Frasco: I’ve only been with the show for a week and have yet to work with Liza, but I finally was able to work with Quen again after 8 years (I last worked with him in my first full length film for Star Cinema, The Reunion in 2012). Trivia: Liza first appeared on TV in our teen sitcom LUV U when she was still a young teenager. I love working with Quen cause he’s really collaborative, he listens and he cares for his character. He’s very professional and you’d rarely hear him complain about anything on the set. As for Liza, she’s really nice as well and I hear nothing but good things about her work. Her role as Billie is the anchor of the show. I love the fact that Liza and Quen care so much about what their fans and what the viewers want, which is why we always discuss a scene to make sure we delivery the story the way the management and creative team envision it. (By the way the scenes in Croatia were done by Direk Cathy Molina.)
3. What is your dream project?
Frasco: Oh wow, it would probably be a decent superhero or action movie. I’m an uber geek since I was a kid and I love comic books and superheroes. I have a crazy action film concept that I’d really love to do if given the chance and the right budget.
4. Your sentiments about news that ABS CBN will not get franchise renewal?
Frasco: We try not to think about it during work. But I think whatever happens next month, ABS-CBN will always be here to stay, even in a different shape or form if needed. The company will always deliver topnotch content to the Filipinos who expect nothing less from the country’s best Network.
Actually, we are also glad to see Herbert Bautista back on the screen as Liz’s erpat not to mention that my very good friend Eddie Gutierrez plays her adorable Lolo. Aba – yes, our extremely goodlooking LODI – Ian Veneracion is Quen’s papa.
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While we’re focused on the director’s seat, we bumped virtually into Ricky Davao, now working with Nora Aunor in the teleserye version of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (inspired by the 1989 drama film directed by Elwood Perez and produced by Lily Monteverde headlined by Nora and Tirso Cruz III then).
And I asked Ricky – What else does he want to portray to complete his definition of a real actor?
Ricky: For me, it’s very hard to pinpoint or articulate exactly a role I want to portray. I just want to act in a movie with a good story. In a well written and directed film, actors can really showcase their talent and shine. My dream is to be able to work abroad, internationally. There are so many beautiful stories that should be told about Filipinos living in the Philippines and abroad. Produced and directed not only by Filipinos but by international/Foreign filmmakers. Or perhaps a collaboration. I hope in my lifetime I’d be able to work with the Robert de Niros, Meryl Streeps, Spielbergs, Scorseses not only of Hollywood but also of different countries. And commercially shown around the world. To quote Korea’s Bong Joon Ho acceptance speech in The Golden Globes, (and he recently won the Oscar) “Once you overcome the 1 inch tall barrier of SUBTITLES, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films!”. We have amazing Filipino stories to tell the world!
His observation of the current state of our film and TV industry?
Ricky: Our TV industry is doing quite well. There are about 10 Teleseryes/ Soap Operas showing everyday from our major television networks. Some Teleseryes are now shown outside of the Philippines. South East Asian countries and also in South American countries. And I heard they are widely accepted and doing very well in the ratings. The long running (40 years) noontime show EAT BULAGA has franchises in South East Asia. I’m now acting in a teleserye with The Nora Aunor and directed by Laurice Guillen. I’m also directing a new teleserye, “THE SEED OF LOVE” to be shown March or April.
Our films are doing quite well. A lot of independent films are now produced and doing the rounds of International Film Festivals, most of them getting recognized for their artistic excellence. We have around 5 film festivals yearly that fund and produce films written and directed by new writer/directors. Thanks also to ABS CBN’s Sagip Pelikula, now the young generation can watch restored Classic Filipino Films.
Talk about actor/directors. While we are on this subject, this is what directress/actress Gina Alajar said.
Gina: The industry is really surviving. Mabuti na lang at dumadami ang mga Indie film makers at sila talaga ang nagfi-fill in ng slot for Filipino movies sa mga theaters, they are keeping the industry alive.
What project does Gina intend to do in the near future?
Gina: I want projects na meron maiimpart na lesson But also speak of the heart, materials that are easily relatable…A person will relate to different characters in different situations in various ways. Whatever part of the story makes them feel, and what they feel, comes from who that person is. Actually as an actress, my dream roile is still the Sybil character, yung multiple personality. My idea of a good actress is someone who can transform herself into the character and make people forget that she is only acting.
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Christopher “Bo” de Leon is back into his best elements as he leads the cast of Love Thy Woman. “This new teleserye is testing my GOD given talent again. All the actors are really good here. Consider the powerhouse cast: Eula Valdes, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sunshine Cruz, Ruffa Gutierrez, Yam Concepcion, Xian Lim and Kim Chiu. There is more than what you see in the trailer. I am enjoying every minute of it. Thank GOD.
Any plans to direct in the immediate future? “The plan is to go back to directing and producing again. I have several scripts at hand – which I did myself. Will see what happens.”
I asked Bo if it is possible at all to do a sequel to Mike de Leon’s “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising” – presently dated now – 2020.
More than 4 decades ago, 1977, we saw Joey (De Leon) and Ana (Hilda Koronel) in a beautiful romantic tale set in Baguio – actually the scenes at the picturesque Sagada (in the Benguet province) had attracted the young film audiences then. Bo’s character is that of a struggling music student who falls in love madly with a married woman – Hilda, who’s trapped in a loveless union. I recall I brought a group of movie scribes to the set at the request of LVN head Manny de Leon (the son of the legend Donya Sisang, I was the PR of the film). In one of our balik-Pinas visits, we chanced on the recent screening of the film which was beautifully restored by ABS, thanks to Leo Katigbak.
A few days ago, I had an e-talk with Hilda and we discussed her dream vehicle.
Hilda: No budget constraints, great actors to work with (and on time lol) a fantastic story of course, a wonderful great director with enormous patience, and never a 27 hour work load. I just want a great script, age appropriate and a great cast. Great roles for my age are hard to come by… lot of offers but i must choose wisely…”
“Kung Mangarap..” brings back a lot of good memories to Hilda. She is also grateful that her old movies like Brocka’s “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Insiang,” had been saved from deterioration and neglect. “It’s wonderful. These films form part of our legacy.”
“Mike de Leon is a great cinematographer and director ans we work well together.”
Shooting ‘Kung Mangarap’ wasn’t always easy – they had to go up and down Baguio for about three months. Hilda was on her senior year in Maryknoll College at the time. “I had to excuse myself for one semester to finish this film,” she explained. “It was my last semester, so I ran into some trouble and that moved my graduation date to a later time.” But she has no regrets doing it “It’s a fabulous film.” It was tough shooting the picnic scene which showed morning fog creeping up the grove. “The film had succeeded in immortalizing on celluloid the City of Pines in all its pristine glory, before it was forever changed by the 1990 earthquake and the inevitability of progress.”
Imagine all these changes if a sequel were to be filmed. Meanwhile, we hunger for a HILDA KORONEL to be back with projects that really matter!
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It’s the month when all concerts happen – Valentines season!
We asked Ogie Alcasid – what comes to him first and foremost, the singer, the song or the composer?
“Singing i think comes first. But I cannot deny that my songwriting is what people remember me more for.”
As we go to press, Torontonians are excited to watch Ariel Rivera soon towards the end of March – we heard this is being produced by his brothers. Gary V is performing this Spring (in May) and people have started buying tickets in advance.