‘We don’t know how true this is because we know Chito and he always conducts himself with the proper decorum.’
Derek Ramsay and Beauty Gonzalez are understandably ecstatic after the screening of their horror film, “Kampon,” last Monday night. The press congratulated them for coming up with an effective fright film that will really give viewers a good scare.
“It’s my first horror movie kaya naman I was apprehensive as to how it would go, so I’m glad the premiere night audience really enjoyed watching it and everyone was screaming at the jump scares,” says Derek.
“Ako naman, first Metro Manila Film Festival entry ko kaya curious din ako to see how viewers would like it and it’s so nice to watch it with them dahil they were all affected and reacting like they’re really terrified by the scary portions,” says Beauty.
Their respective spouses came to support them at the premiere night: Derek’s Ellen Adarna and Beauty’s Norman Crisologo. “Ellen really wanted to see my love scenes with both Beauty and Zeinab Harake,” says Derek. “Kinukurot-kurot niya ako during the bedscenes but she’s really a very supportive wife. We were holding hands while watching and she really has no problems with the intimate scenes. She’s also an actress and we’re all professionals here.”
As for Beauty, she says her husband Norman is very understanding. “Wholesome naman ‘yung bedscene namin ni Derek. Mas wild ‘yung bedscene ni Derek with Zeinab na may kagatan pa sila ng labi.”
As a horror flick, “Kampon,” as directed by King Palisoc, really delivers the expected jump scares. What is truly horrifying here is that all the violent mayhem is performed by a 7-year-old little girl, who looks so cute and innocent but is so creepy and powerful as she can give life back to dead people and even make heads of other people explode at will.
***
Miguel Tanfelix is thankful that right after the hit action-adventure series, “Voltes V Legacy,” he is now reunited with partner Ysabel Ortega in the heartwarming drama, “Firefly,” produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs.
“Nakakatuwa dahil it qualified as an official entry in the Metro-Manila Film Festival that opens on Christmas Day,” he says. “Shooting pa lang ng movie, nag-enjoy na kami kasi it’s a road movie that takes us to beautiful scenic spots in Bicol like the Mayon and Bulusan Volcanoes.”
In the movie, he and Ysabel play passengers in a bus going to Bicol, where child actor Euwenn Mikaell also rode to find the fabled island of fireflies from the stories his mother, played by Alessandra de Rossi, told him.
Miguel says it’s nice to be part of a movie that delivers a very positive message to its viewers. Of course, one good reason why he enjoyed shooting the film is it gave him the opportunity to spend more time with Ysabel. So what’s the real score between them now?
“We don’t want to give yet our relationship a definite label. But as of now, we can say we’re dating each other exclusively.”
***
This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival has not yet officially started but it’s already getting to be quite controversial. Ace director Chito Roño has been chosen to be the chairman of the jurors who’ll choose the winners come the award night that will be held at the New Frontier Theater on Wednesday, December 27.
Last year, it was director Laurice Guillen who headed the jury committee that also got a lot of flak for snubbing the heartwarming family movie, “Family Matters,” that was later on vindicated in other award-giving bodies this year.
The other jurors in this year’s board of judges reportedly complained when Chito Roño commented that “Mallari,” a period film starring Piolo Pascual is “Dreadful! Ang pangit ng ‘Mallari’ at pinakapangit ang acting ni Piolo.”
Someone told us that the other jurors complained because of this. “Umalma sila kasi bakit daw kailangang mag-comment agad ang chairman nila,” says our source. “Dapat nga naman, he should have kept it to himself at sa deliberation nila niya ito ginagawa.”
They felt he is trying to influence the other jurors. They say he should be watching the entries just by himself and keep his comments to himself. We don’t know how true this is because we know Chito and he always conducts himself with the proper decorum. Maybe the MMFF committee in charge of the whole festival could clarify this.
Another concerned quarter said that Tirso Cruz III being the current head of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) might exert undue influence for the entry “When I Met You in Tokyo” to also win come awards night.
It is said both Tirso and his wife Lyn Ynchausti Cruz play important role in the movie as Edwin and Anita. And they might try to affect the decisions of the jurors in favor their movie.
Honestly, we think this is quite baseless. We don’t think Pip will risk staining his unsullied reputation just to make “When I Met You In Tokyo” bring home some awards. If ever the movie would get to win some trophies, we’re sure it’s because they deserve it, so let’s stop these useless speculations.
