‘It’s a daring role for Paulo, not only because the role might give him negative feedback, but he goes beyond his comfort zone and even does frontal nudity’
Paulo Avelino is elated to have an entry in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), “Fan Girl,” written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone. The film is experimental as Paulo plays himself but only a fictionalized version as its ultimate portrayal of him is not very flattering. This is because it shows the bad side of a popular actor who tries to exploit his obsessed fan.
After doing a mall show, Paulo is not aware that the fan secretly stows away in his car and he is surprised to see her inside his mansion. The teenage girl is at first thrilled to be up close and personal with her idol, but later sees the darker side of this fictitious Paulo, who is so different from the matinee idol she has learned to admire and even worship.
It’s a daring role for Paulo, not only because the role might give him negative feedback, but he goes beyond his comfort zone and even does frontal nudity in a scene where he is shown peeing and his fan takes his picture. The movie has been shown in international film festivals in Tokyo and Estonia and got rave reviews. We just don’t know it this scene would be shown uncut in its local release.
Paulo is grateful he made the movie.
“It’s always nice when your work and your movie are appreciated by those who’ve seen it, especially by audiences abroad,” he said. “I’m positive local viewers will also enjoy watching it as an entry in the MMFF.”
Antoinette Jadaone said the film is four years in the making. She offered the role to other actors but only Paulo accepted its forbidding and formidable challenges.
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Alden Richards is excited as his 10th anniversary concert, “Alden’s Reality,” will be held tonight, December 8. He has prepared a great evening of music and entertainment for all his fans and admirers.
“We’re making sure no stone is left unturned to make it something truly worthwhile for the audience,” he said. “I’m doing all my best to give them an unforgettable show kasi 10th anniversary show ko ito. When I was starting, ang dami kong pangarap, ang dami kong gustong mangyari sa buhay ko noon. Now, I can say unti-unti siyang natutupad because of the support of the people. My struggles pushed me to work hard para marating ko kung ano man ang narating ko ngayon.”
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Phillip Salvador was teary eyed when the lights went on after the press preview of his MMFF entry, “Isa Pang Bahaghari.” It must be tears of joy as everyone congratulated him for his fine performance as an errant husband who seeks the forgiveness of the family he left behind. Too bad Ate Guy didn’t make it to the preview due to hypertension.
Phillip hugged Direk Joel.
“Thank you,” he said. “I didn’t know magiging ganito kaganda ang movie. I’m so happy sa reaction ng press after the preview.”
He then turned to us and told us. “And to think, I turned it down noong una. Ayokong gawin ito.”
Why not?
“Una, naisip ko, hindi ako ready. Ang taba ko. At ayoko na talaga. Dennis Evangelista, the line producer, was the first to call me, sabi ko ayoko. Then pinakausap niya ko kay Direk Joel who said, just read the script first. Sige na, basahin mo lang.”
He agreed and Joel sent him the script.
“After I read it, ang ganda nga. At sina Nora Aunor and Michael de Mesa ang makakasama ko, both great actors, so napapayag din ako. Sabi ko, sige, ayusin natin ang schedule. And now, after I’ve seen it, siguro magsisisi ako kung hindi ko ginawa ito. Siguro, meant for me talaga ang project na ito.”
He enjoyed working with Ate Guy and Michael de Mesa. “Suportahan talaga kami sa mga eksena namin. Walang sapawan, walang agawan ng eksena. First time ko naman to work with the young actors who played our kids, Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco and Sanya Lopez, at taas ang kamay ko, puro magagaling sila.”
Does this mean he’s now open to doing more films?
“It depends sa material. I really miss acting with our great actors like Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Tirso Cruz III and si Gina Alajar na mas kilala na ngayon as director.
Sa younger actors, I want to work with John Lloyd Cruz. Basta maganda ang material at script, I will go for it.”
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Director Joel Lamangan was congratulated by everyone after the press preview of “Isa Pang Bahaghari.”
Most writers agree it works as tearjerker with its moving story of family, love, forgiveness and acceptance that’s perfect viewing for the coming Christmas season. The acting of the entire ensemble cannot be faulted. But how does Direk Joel feel that it’s going to be shown online and not in actual theaters?
“Siempre, I feel sad about it,” he admitted. “Itong ‘Isa Pang Bahaghari,’ inapi nila ito. Noong nakaraang 2019 film fest, they rejected it. And now, those who’ve seen it say mas maganda pa ito kaysa ‘Rainbow’s Sunset’ na siyang big winner sa 2019 film fest. Tapos, ipinasok nila ito sa summer film fest daw, na dapat sana, showing noong April, pero hindi naman natuloy dahil nga nagka-pandemic. Ngayon, tinanggap nila sa December film fest pero on streaming naman.”
He prays viewers will still watch it even if it’s not going to be shown in actual theaters. “Pero iba pa rin siempre ang experience noong nanonood ka sa loob ng madilim na sinehan at sa malaking screen. Kung ako nga mismo, hindi ako marunong kung paano manood diyan sa streaming. Kailangan daw magbayad ka by Gcash. Ni wala nga ako niyang Gcash na ‘yan. Siguro sa Metro Manila, maraming manonood, but sa provinces, I doubt it, kasi ni baka walang WiFi ang marami sa taga roon.”
He has a very valid point here and we think the first thing that the people running the film fest should do is to educate the general populace on how to access the entries by streaming. It’s already been validly observed that Pinoy viewers don’t really want to watch online, since there are many content available on YouTube for free.
