‘[S]iya mismo ang gumagawa ng kanyang stunts and fight routines, na hindi niya magagawa kung buntis siya — Roman Perez, Jr.’
AJ RAVAL, Vivamax’ busiest nymphet, is said to be pregnant. Roman Perez Jr., the most prolific Vivamax director who did hits like “Taya,” “House Tour,” “Siklo,” “Hugas,” “Putahe” and the ten-episode series “Iskandalo,” says he was so surprised when he read that his signature star was impregnated by Aljur Abrenica and Vivamax is no longer giving her any new projects.
“Right now, ginagawa ni AJ para sa akin ang action-dramang ‘Sitio Diablo,’” says Direk Roman. “Kapareha niya rito for the first time si Kiko Estrada. Marami siyang action scenes dito at siya mismo ang gumagawa ng kanyang stunts and fight routines, na hindi niya magagawa kung buntis siya.”
And right after “Sitio Diablo,” Direk Roman says AJ has a follow up project right away. “Yes, magsasama naman sila ng isa pang Vivamax hottie, si Angeli Khang, for the first time sa isang pelikula, directed by Jules Katanyag, then babalik siya sa akin for still another project. So she remains very, very busy.”
Direk Roman has also just finished shooting “Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili,” an erotic thriller that’s a reimagining of a 1989 Dina Bonnevie movie that will start streaming on Viva on July 15. He is also busy shooting the horror movie “Kaluskos” starring Coleen Garcia in an old house in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
***
Cesar Montano says playing the role of Ferdinand Marcos in Viva’s “Maid in Malacañang” is a very big challenge for him. “I’ve done movies on national heroes like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, but never kong naisip na gagampanan ko pala si FM balang araw. I tried to do more research on FM but kakaunti lang ang available na videos on him, so I want to talk to Sen. Imee Marcos so I can ask her about her father felt at that time, para naman I can give justice to the role.”
He has not done a film since 2015 when he did the horror film “Nilalang” for Viva, so he is happy to be back on the big screen in “Maid in Malacañang,” which will be released in cinemas.
“Actually, I’ve finished a movie about indigenous people, ‘The Blood Brothers,’ pero mas mauuna pang ipalabas itong ‘Maid in Malacañang’ kasi July 20 na ang playdate nito. I’m happy and excited kasi I’d finally get to work with my son, Diego, who plays Bongbong Marcos. It’s a great blessing for us.”
Written and directed by Darryl Yap, the film aims to show the lighter side of the First Family that until now has never been shared with anyone. It will also introduce characters and storylines that make the First Family more relatable and normal like other Filipino households with close family ties. It is the quintessential Filipino family sticking together braving all odds.
Aside from Cesar Montano and Diego Loyzaga, the film also stars Ruffa Gutierrez as First Lady Imelda Marcos, Cristine Reyes as Imee, Ella Cruz as Irene, Kyle Velino as Greggy Araneta and Kiko Estrada as Tommy Manotoc.
Playing the maids who were then serving the Marcoses are Elizabeth Oropesa as Yaya Lucy, the meddlesome maid everyone is scared of; Karla Estrada as Yaya Santa, the family’s favorite yaya; and Beverly Salviejo as Yaya Biday, the Ilocano Yaya.
***
Shaira Diaz and Arra San Agustin are the two leading ladies of Ruru Madrid in the spectacular action-adventure series, “Lolong,” that starts airing on Monday, replacing “First Lady” that ends this week. Some folks are insinuating that Shaira and Arra took their roles as rivals seriously and they were really fighting during the lock-in taping of “Lolong” in Quezon Province.
“Hindi po totoo ‘yan,” says Shaira during the Zoom press con. “Hindi kami magkaaway ni Arra. Solid nga ang naging samahan and friendship namin ni Arra during the taping. Kasi kami ang magka-roommate sa location at parang sisters ang turingan naming dalawa.”
How about the characters they play? Are they at odds with each other since they’re fighting over Ruru Madrid?
“No, walang lamangan sa aming dalawa. Sa story kasi, ako ang kababata ni Ruru, sabay kaming lumaki. Tapos, si Arra naman, siya ang vlogger reporter na dumating sa bayan namin to do a story about the giant crocodile.”
How is it working with Ruru? “Sobrang dedicated siya sa craft niya and you’ll be amazed dahil kahit nasasaktan siya sa action scenes and stunts, sige pa rin siya. We all got along fine with Ruru. Pantay ang trato niya sa amin ni Arra. Masaya kami sa show at tiyak kong masisiyahan ang viewers when they watch ‘Lolong.’”
In turn, Arra says she enjoyed working with Shaira and they were able to relate with each other.
“Naging close friends kami talaga while doing ‘Lolong,’” she adds. “’Yung love triangle sa amin nina Shaira and Ruru will be one of the attractions in the show. Hindi kasi predictable ang love story rito ng pag-aagawan namin kay Ruru. Abangan nyo lang at maganda ang mangyayari sa lahat ng characters.”
