AGA Muhlach is back as an actor in Cignal-TV5’s “Suntok sa Buwan,” tagged as a movie series because it’s a TV series but filmed like a movie. Shot on location in Baguio and Benguet, this is produced by the winning tandem of directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, and directed by Geo Lomuntad.
Aga plays Jimmy Boy, a well-loved taxi driver in the place where they live, the Valley of Colors. He’s also a former boxer and now a boxing coach to his son, Dos, played by Elijah Canlas.
“When they offered it to me, nagustuhan ko. I felt I have to do it. Unang-una, it is set in Baguio, so malamig. Sabi ko talaga, kung gagawa ako ng series, it has to be in Baguio para comfortable during the shoot. Tapos, mahirap at hindi mayaman ang character ko, simpleng tao lang. Hindi ko na kailangang magbihis ng pamporma. This is not the typical drama about a father and a son. It’s also about sports, boxing. May action, may fight scenes sa paglaban sa sindikato. The total package.”
How is it working with Elijah?
“I’m happy working with Elijah who I just met sa look test, napakabait niyang tao. Magaling siya. Maganda ang team work namin. Sabi nila, lumalabas talaga ang chemistry namin kahit magtinginan lang kami. He’s only 21 years old, mahaba pa itatakbo ng career niya. He will get better, definitely.”
The show’s producer, Antoinette Jadaone, has nothing but praises for Aga. “He’s super committed to the project,” she says. “He’d text us his comments about the script. Kung may naiisip siyang idea para sa ikagaganda ng scene, he shares it with us. It’s refreshing for us, kasi we thought, icon siya, idol, but it turns out he’s so humble. No airs at all.”
Also in the cast are Maris Racal, Rez Cortez, Albie Casino and Matet de Leon. “Suntok sa Buwan” is now airing on Cignal-TV5.
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Janelle Tee is happy to be reunited with director Joey Reyes in the four-part miniseries, “Katawang Lupa,” after their movie “Secrets.” She plays a very intriguing role as a woman of mystery who leads a double life.
“When the movie opens, I’m already dead,” she says. “Yes, isa na akong bangkay. There will be a murder investigation at doon nila madi-discover ang mahiwaga kong buhay. While the investigation is going on, my story will be shown in flashbacks and the series will really revolve around me. I’m really thankful to Direk Joey na ako ang napili niya for this unique role in this very important project.”
Joey says he has had the highest respect for Janelle as a thinking actress since they worked together in “Secrets” and he really looks forward to working with her again as he enjoys working with talented new actors like her.
Janelle, in turn, says working with Direk Joey is a great learning experience for her. “Noong una, nahihiya pa ako sa kanya, but I quickly became comfortable with him kasi he gives a lot of valuable advice about love and life,” she says. “He noticed malakas ang appetite ko at pinapakain niya talaga ako nang husto. Siya lang ang director who feeds me so well,” she laughs. “I super love him kasi malalim siyang tao and I’m really excited to work with him again.”
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‘The movie is well acted and technical credits are also above average.’
Director Bobby Bonifacio got congratulated by the press after the screening of “Tahan” last Friday. The movie is well acted and technical credits are also above average. He’s better known for directing horror films like “Numbalik Diwa,” “Hospicio” and “Hellcome Home.”
Vivamax gives him a big break in “Tahan” starring Jaclyn Jose, JC Santos and Cloe Barreto. So how was it to direct Jaclyn Jose no less in “Tahan”?
“Siempre, nasindak ako kay Miss Jane, best actress sa Cannes,” he says. “But in fairness to her, ambait niya. Nagkuwentuhan kami sa set, she told me her ideas about the movie. Nakagaanan ko agad siya ng loob.”
Jaclyn was also helpful in helping her co-actors.
“Yes, andami niyang natulungan sa set. Unang-una na ang bida na si Cloe Barreto. She was able to share with Cloe her wisdom about acting. She made our job easier because of her generous help.”
“Tahan” is the kind of sex-and-violence flick their subscribers have come to expect from Vivamax. They won’t be disappointed as there are sex scenes galore. But we won’t recommend “Tahan” to the weak of heart and the squeamish as they will surely cringe from all the gory bloodbath sequences. Specially that stomach-churning scene where a dead victim is cut into smaller pieces and later on, when they’re about to bury it, the bloody pieces of arms, legs and what have you splattered into the ground.
