MICHAEL V is back in “Pepito Manaloto” after hibernating for two years during the pandemic. The show is one of the most successful sitcoms on GMA-7 since it started in March 2010.
When the pandemic came, Michael V rested and a younger cast took over in a prequel called “Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento” with Sef Cadayona and Mikee Quintos as the young Michael V and Manilyn Reynes. Now, the original cast is back in “Pepito Manoloto:
Tuloy ang Kuwento, Book 3,” with Michael V also directing it after the show’s director, Bert de Leon, passed during the pandemic.
“It’s demanding to be both actor and director at the same time,” he says. “But I enjoy it, juggling two jobs at the same time. We made some changes but I think hindi naman kami nalalayo sa original vision ni Direk Bert for the show.”
Aside from Michael and Manilyn, original cast members are Jake Vargas and Angel Satsumi as their kids, Chito and Clarisse, plus John Feir as Patrick, Mosang as Baby, Ronnie Henares as Tommy, Chariz Solomon as Janice, Janna Dominguez as Maria, Jen Rosendahl as Berta and Arthur Solinap as Bert.
They all admitted they felt sad when their show was temporarily shelved after ten years, but they’re now so happy they’re all back as they really missed each other’s company so much.
“Now na tuloy na uli ang show with the original cast, siempre happy kami to be all together again,” says Michael V. “Sobrang saya ng nabuong friendship among us cast members and we’re all family na. But we feel the absence of Direk Bert and we miss him a lot.”
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‘They end up in bed and, from being boring and reserved, Hanna blooms and becomes wild and liberated. — Rose Van Ginkle’
Rose Van Ginkle plays the title role in “Kitty K7,” Vivamax latest sensual offering produced by award-winning filmmaker Dan Villegas, written by Pam Miraz and directed by newbie Joy Aquino.
Rose used to be a member of the Pop Girls before she decided to accept sexy roles. She played a supporting role in “Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar 1” and “Gluta,” then played one of the leads in “69+1” and was the leading lady in “Boy Bastos.” But in “Kitty K7,” the whole story revolves on her. What’s her role?
“I play Hanna, an obedient child, religious, faithful to her boyfriend and with a boring personality, kaya her long-time boyfriend eventually broke up with her,” she says. “She’s heartbroken but she then discovers a part of herself she hasn’t known before.”
Hanna gets to be more adventurous. “Yes, she starts to explore new things and meet other people, like Marco Gallo as Krishna, a photographer who takes erotic shots of her. They end up in bed and, from being boring and reserved, Hanna blooms and becomes wild and liberated. This leads her to introduce herself on the internet as her alter ego, the cam girl called Kitty K7. The name comes from the name of your pet and the street where you live.
This is definitely my sexiest movie to date. First time ko to go all out. Ito na ‘yung pinakamalala sa lahat ng mga ginawa ko.”
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Director Joel Lamangan is definitely the busiest filmmaker of the pandemic. Others might have no projects but he continues to helm one movie after another. His “Moonlight Butterfly” and “Island of Desire” have just been shown on Vivamax and now, he has another new movie coming up, “Biyak.” What’s the movie all about?
“It’s the story of two sisters na nagkahiwalay at lumaking magkaiba ang kapalaran,” he says. “We are introducing two new actresses playing their first lead roles in ‘Biyak.’ Si Angelica Cervantes, pinaampon when she was a child. Ang umampon sa kanya, sina Melissa Mendez at Jim Pebanco, na mga may kaya sa buhay.”
And who’s the other actress?
“Si Quinn Carillo, who also co-wrote the script with Troy Espiritu. Lumaki siya sa mother nila, si Maureen Mauricio. Laki siya sa hirap at naging durugista, but she is street smart and later on, she turned into a police asset who helps the cops in apprehending drug traffickers.”
Direk Joel says “Biyak” touches on child abuse. “Kasi si Angelica rito, kahit mayaman sila, hindi siya maligaya kasi she’s being sexually abused by her foster father.”
How is it directing newcomers like Angelica and Quinn in “Biyak”? “Aba, pareho silang may promise, may potential. At natutuwa ako na nakakatuklas tayo ng bagong talents sa industriya. As far as their performances are concerned, I would say they deliver satisfactorily.”
Has he himself ever been a victim of sexual abuse? “Ako? Never! Hindi ko naranasan.
Walang magkakalakas ng loob na abusuhin ako kasi, sa umpisa pa lang, tiyak na papalag na ako.”
