McCOY DE LEON was offered projects he chose to turn down because he felt he won’t be happy in doing them. But when Viva Films got him to do a new movie where he will co-star with Nadine Lustre, he quickly grabbed the opportunity. This is in “Deleter,” written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mikhail Red.
“I got really excited because it will be my first time to work with Nadine Lustre, and also with our other co-star, Louise de los Reyes,” he says. “It’s also nice to work again with Direk Mikhail na nakasama ko naman before sa horror flick na ‘Block Z’ which we did for Star Cinema.”
What’s his role in “Deleter”? “I play the role of Jace, a carefree, happy go lucky office worker na kasama nina Nadine as Lyra and Louise as Aileen sa trabaho. We work in a shadowy content moderators online. Ang trabaho namin is to moderate or filter videos na dumaraan sa amin to remove any disturbing images before they are posted on various social media platforms.”
How come he says he has turned down some projects offered to him before? “May projects na talaga na happy ka pati sa role na ipapagawa sa’yo, like ang past projects ko sa Viva gaya ng ‘Puto’ with Herbert Bautista and ‘yung ‘Habangbuhay’ namin ni Elisse (Joson, his partner). I want movies na hindi lang ako masaya kundi makakatulong sa growth ko bilang aktor.”
So how is Elisse and their Baby Felize now?
“We’re all okay. Elisse and I are both more mature, more aware of our responsibilities for our family. We are thankful for all the help extended by our respective families. Malaking tulong talaga sila sa amin.”
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Cloe Barreto cried after the press screening of “Tahan” that is now streaming on Vivamax.
“Naiyak ako sa ganda ng movie,” she says. “Tears of joy po ito. Sobrang saya ko kasi hindi ko ine-expect ganun kaganda lalabas ang movie namin. Nakaka-proud. I felt, kasama ba talaga ako sa movie na ‘yan? Parang hindi ako ‘yun. Sobrang ganda kasi, kaya very thankful ako na napasama ako sa ‘Tahan’.”
She was aware they’re making a psychological thriller. “But nagulat ako, hindi ko akalaing ganun kaganda ang resulta sa screen. Thanks to our director, Bobby Bonifacio, ang galing niya. Gustong-gusto ko ‘yung eksena na para akong si Chucky!”
Chucky is the evil doll that turned into a brutal killer in “Child’s Play” that was a blockbuster hit so it had several several sequels, turning it into a successful franchise. So, who knows?
“Tahan” might have a sequel and Vivamax may also turn it into a series of thrilling franchise films.
Cloe considers “Tahan” as a comeback film of sorts since her first movie, “Silab,” was shown last year yet and it took a while before she was given a follow up movie. Now, she is back with a vengeance as, even before ‘Tahan’ was shown, she has already completed two new movies.
“Yes nga po, bigla akong naging busy,” she says. “First movie ko pong natapos is ‘Fall Guy,’ a drama directed by Direk Joel Lamangan. The second po is ‘The Influencer,’ a thriller naman po directed by Direk Louie Ignacio. Si Sean de Guzman po ang leading man ko in both movies.”
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‘Magkasama rin po kami sa ‘Voltes V Legacy’ kaya may namuong magandang friendship between us — Ysabel Ortega’
Photo from Ysabel Ortega’s Instagram account
Ysabel Ortega, the daughter of Sen. Lito Lapid and former actress Michelle Ortega, is fortunate that she was chosen by GMA-7 and Atty. Joji Alonso of Quantum Films to star in the first teleserye that they’re co-producing, “What We Could Be.”
We were invited to the press preview of its first week and the story really revolves on Ysabel as Cynthia, a nurse who’s just been laid off by the hospital where she works. She’s the breadwinner so this is a big blow for her family who depends on her.
She finds work as the personal caregiver of an old woman Lola Aunor (Celeste Legaspi, who’s very good in her role), who’s grouchy and lonely because her husband and only daughter are both dead. Eventually, she wins Lola Aunor’s heart and this does not come as a surprise as it is established Cynthia has a perky and winning personality. We’re sure she’ll easily endear herself to primetime viewers.
“I’d really like to thank GMA and Quantum Films for trusting me with this very challenging but fulfilling role,” she says. “I did my best to give it justice. I also want to thank my leading man, Miguel Tanfelix, because he was a big help to me in interpreting my role, also our director, Jeffrey Jeturian, na talagang naging matiyaga sa paggabay sa akin.”
The grapevine says she and Miguel are now playing beautiful music together but Ysabel says they’re just good friends at the moment. “Magkasama rin po kami sa ‘Voltes V Legacy’ kaya may namuong magandang friendship between us,” she says.
