Lovi Poe is back in the country after spending Christmas and the New Year with husband, film producer and scientist Monty Blencowe. The actress surprised entertainment media with her chic new cut at the first conference of her movie with Regal Entertainment, “Guilty Pleasure,” directed by Connie Macatuno and written by Noreen Capili.
Lovi plays a high-powered lawyer in “Guilty Pleasure,” which touches on consent and shows a case that echoes the “Me Too” movement that swept the United States.
It’s the first time for the actress to play an attorney and it’s a mixture of excitement and nerves as she has been preparing for the courtroom confrontation, as well as “sensitive moments” with JM De Guzman and Jameson Blake, who she gets to work with for the first time.
“I’m very excited, iba rin ang tema. It’s something deeper,” said Lovi.
“I get involved with both of them kasi we have a different storyline together but of course our paths will intertwine.”
Lovi said she is excited to reunite with her “Malaya” director.
“I’ve always been a fan and now we’re reunited again and iba naman ang story,” she shared.
She does discuss her projects with Monty, as it is natural between couples, and especially because he is also a film producer, but she did not ask for his explicit permission when it comes to shooting sensitive scenes.
“It’s not like I ask permission. Nothing’s changed. Alam naman nya ang line of work ko.
There’s no need for approval. he respects my job and he’s very ecited for me to do this project kasi it’s been a while and we got to spend time together during Christmas and sabi ko, ok it’s time to go back to work,” she related.
“We kind of share the same interests and he loves hearing what I do and ako rin, and ako rin gustung gusto ko marinig ang mga nangyayari sa kanya,” she also said. “He is also part of the industry but also he is a scientist so magkaiba rin world namin, so when I hear about his work stuff, na e-excite ako.”
For her, guilty pleasure is “not something good for us, but we enjoy it.”
And what is her guilty pleasure?
“Sweets, cookies. That’s why I work out extra hard.”
Noreen Capili, who wrote and conceptualized the film, said it may be inspired by real cases of abuse but not focused on one such case that the people involved can be identified as she does not want the project to be controversial. Her goal, she said, is to give voice and strength to survivors of abuse, especially women.
“I want ‘Guilty Pleasure’ to raise awareness kasi mga mga babae na nahihiya. I want them to feel na, hey, it’s not your fault,” said the scriptwriter of “Glitch” episode of “Shake Rattle & Roll Extreme,” “Through Night and Day,” among others.
Aside from Macatuno and Capili, “Guilty Pleasure” is backed by Regal producer Roselle Monteverde. The movie’s cast, including Sarah Edwards, Angelica LaO, Jameson and JM, said having such strong female backing has a positive effect on them as they draw strength and inspiration from these women.
“Especially when we’re tackling sensitive matter, they give better insights,” said Jameson.
Lovi said she looks up to Direk Connie, Noreen and Roselle. “I think it always helps. kasi when you are surrounded by people, they become aspirational. The moment that they go the extra mile, especially Miss Noreen and Direk, mahihiya ka to not do the same. So it pushes you to do better. These are strong women. I dream to be as strong. To be honest, it’s something I wish to work on, hirap akong mag no and mag set ng boundaries, but these bosses of ours. You can’t cross that line. These are the women I look up to. It’s extremely helpful to surround people who are above you,” said Lovi.
“When you are around Direk Coney and Ate Noreen may pwersa na matututunan kang magtiwala, Welcoming yung presence at the same time, strong,” said JM. “Hindi nga ako nakatulog nung storycon sa sobrang kaba pero kinausap ako ni Direk Coney at Ate Noreen and I felt OK, safe and ready.”
Among Lovi’s projects is a film that is her and her husband Monty’s production set to be shot in the Philippines. Another one is an action movie under director Richard Somes. The action film is a fruition of her dream, as Lovi has always been vocal about wanting to follow in the footsteps of her dad, “King of Philippine Movies,” the late Fernando Poe, Jr. In her Viu project with Piolo Pascual, Lovi earned the tag “LPJ” for Lovi Poe, Jr. as she played a derring-do cop, doing stunts, firing a gun as she hunted for a serial killer in the Filipino adaptation of a Korean hit series. (Gie Trillana)
