AI AI de las Alas has made two films with director Louie Ignacio for which she won awards: “Area” where she played an aging prostitute and “School Service” where she was a con artist who exploits little children. Now, she gets to shine again in another Louie Ignacio film, “Litrato,” which is about dementia and life in an old folks’ home. We’ve seen the film and its biggest asset is Ai Ai’s remarkable portrayal of an “ulyanin” and pitiful old woman searching for her missing relatives. Why did she accept such a deglamorized role?
“I enjoy challenging roles to help broaden my experience in acting,” she says. “But when I read the script of ‘Litrato,’ sabi ko, parang sobra naman yata ang challenge nito sa akin. I was afraid baka hindi ko kaya, but I want to do it. With the help of a lot of prayers, naitawid naman as only God can make miracles.”
In “Litrato,” Ai Ai is given a great supporting cast and the whole ensemble gives commendable performances in the movie. This is led by Ara Mina as Ai Ai’s long lost daughter who sells fishball in the street, Quinn Carillo as her caregiver, who turns out to be someone else as there’s a very big surprising twist in her character that will surely shock viewers. Also in the cast is Liza Lorena as the mistress of a judge who is the enemy turned friend of Ai Ai in the nursing home. Bodgie Pascua gives a heartwarming performance as Ai Ai’s love interest, an old man who professes constant love for her with his poems.
“I want to thank Direk Louie kasi vision niya ito. May gusto siyang ipakita tungkol sa buhay ng matatanda, ng relationships between mothers and daughters, at nailarawan niya ‘yun nang maayos dito sa ‘Litrato,’ so see it, now showing in theaters.”
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The leading man of Heaven Peralejo won us over with his charm and humor.
Marco Gallo amazed us at the press con of his movie with Heaven Peralejo, “The Ship Show,” as he answered questions in fluent Tagalog, with no accent. “Practice lang po,” he says.
He is really kengkoy in his own way. When Aster Amoyo asked him and Heaven as to what is the real score between them now, it’s Heaven who replied:
“Marco and I have really become close while doing ‘The Rain in Espana’ and now, ‘The Ship Show.’ But whatever is going on between us now, I’d rather na sa amin na lang. I prefer that we keep it to ourselves. But kung ano ang mga pino-post namin sa social media, what you see is what you get.”
And what can Marco say? “Sinabi na ng boss. So I will just respect that. Baka magalit sa akin.”
When Heaven later excused herself to go to the restroom, Marco stood up from the stage and approached Aster. “Tita Aster, alam nyo ‘yung sa amin ni Heaven, habang wala siya, ang gusto ko sa kanya, sobrang maalaga siya talaga. Pinagluluto niya ako at pinagluluto ko rin siya. O teka, baka bumalik na siya.”
The love team of Marco and Heaven really became hot after their first series together, “The Rain in Espana,” really hit it big in Viva One. So we’re not surprised that they’re quickly given a follow-up project, and it’s a movie this time, “The Ship Show,” written and directed by JP Laxamana.
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After doing two films where he played Pres. Marcos, Cesar Montano agrees to do a teleserye again, “Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan.” We thought he was avoiding doing TV series as they are time consuming.
“Well, the original movie of ‘Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan’ was directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya,” he says. “Alam nyo naman we did acclaimed films like ‘Jose Rizal,’ ‘Muro Ami’ and ‘Bagong Buwan,’ so malaking bahagi siya ng career ko and this project is an homage to her. Also, I’m playing the role originally played by Manoy Eddie Garcia, and it’s an honor to do it now as a teleserye.”
Cesar is now a senior citizen at 60 and a grandfather with his son Diego Loyzaga having a baby daughter in Australia. How does he feel about it? “I’m proud na may apo na ako but I have yet to see her. Sa picture pa lang. Nasa Australia pa siya.”
What is his secret in looking much younger than his age? “Keep the nice and happy memories in your heart. I always dwell on the good memories, especially about love. I think that’s what makes you look young. Do not dwell on the negative aspects of your life. You should stay just in the bright places, full of sunshine.”
Then he starts singing “You Are My Sunshine,” which is obviously for his ex-wife, Sunshine Cruz, who just said in an interview she has totally forgiven and forgotten what happened between her and Cesar in the past.
