‘Bilib ako sa kanya kasi wala siyang takot na baka mag-fail siya o hindi magustuhan ng viewers ang work niya. — Zanjoe Marudo’
ZANJOE Marudo has been acting since 2006 after he joined “Pinoy Big Brother” and he has since won two best supporting actor awards. He’s turning 40 years old in July and now, he has a good chance of winning a best actor award for his fine performance as Bela Padilla’s devoted proxy boyfriend in the drama about grief and moving on, “366.”
“My role as Marco, the guy who tries to help Bela move on after she lost JC Santos is very demanding,” he says. “Maraming emotional na eksena and nakakapagod gawin.”
But he didn’t have second thoughts about accepting the film. “This is Bela’s directorial debut and also our first movie together, so I won’t let go of that opportunity. I want to show her my support sa pagpasok niya sa bagong career niya as filmmaker.”
And how would she size up Bela as a first-time director? “Like I said, mahirap ‘yung role ko so I am thankful sa guidance niya as our director. She certainly knows what she is doing.
She collaborates well with her actors. For Bela kasi, this is a special project for her so she wants everyone’s contribution. Amazing na siya before as an actress, but now nakakabilib siya as a director pa.”
Like Bela, does he also intend to go and direct his own film someday?
“Yes, may balak din ako, pero kailangan ko munang makuha kay Bela ‘yung tapang niya para makapagsimula. Bilib ako sa kanya kasi wala siyang takot na baka mag-fail siya o hindi magustuhan ng viewers ang work niya. I have some materials in mind, but as of now
I want to focus muna on acting and do characters that I haven’t done before. Kailangan ko pa ng more experience before I go into directing.”
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Carmina Villaroel plays a daring role as Barbara Sagrado in the hit GMA primetime drama, “Widow’s Web.” She’s married but has a young lover played by Michael Agassi, who plays the coach of her son Anjay Anson in the story. Did she have second thoughts doing the sexy scene with Michael where he is only in his briefs while she is in her leopard skin night gown?
“No, when I read the script, I know we will have such a scene at kailangan talaga sa story, so okay lang,” she says.
Director Jerry Sineneng says it’s Michael who was reluctant to do the scene as he was intimidated by Carmina. “In fairness kay Carmina, siya pa ang kumausap kay Michael para maging comfortable ito sa kanya at magawa ang scene na hahalik-halikan siya nito sa leeg,” he says.
Carmina says she’s surprised at how successful “Widow’s Web” is in the rating’s game.
“We’re all happy kasi malaki ang taas ng rating namin sa mga kasabay namin. It seems viewers are all eager to find out who the killer of my brother Ryan Eigenmann is. I’m one of the suspects at bentang-benta rin sa audience ang tarayan namin ng co-stars ko, lalo na ‘yung sampalan namin ni Ashley Ortega.”
She is thankful that tapings now are no longer done lock in style. “Kasi nagkakahiwa-hiwalay kami ng family ko kapag may lock-in taping ang bawat isa sa aming,” she says. “Si Mavy left us when he did ‘I Left My Heart in Sorsogon’ in Bicol. Si Cassy naman had to go to La Union for the taping of ‘First Lady.’ Pinakahuli ang daddy nila, si Zoren, who taped for his new show, ‘Apoy sa Langit,’ with Maricel Laxa. One month din siyang nawala. So ngayon, hopefully, tuloy-tuloy nang mag-normalize ang situation at hindi na kami uli magkakalayo sa isa’t isa nang matagal.”
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Sofia Pablo gets her biggest break playing the title role of “Raya Sirena,” a seven-part mini-series to be shown every Sunday. This was first shown as a single episode in “Regal Presents” with her ka-love team, Allen Ansay as her leading man, Gavin. It rated very high and the feed back is so positive. so Regal and GMA decided to further develop it and expand the story.
“I’m really thankful and honored for this big break kasi andaming ibang love teams pero kami ang pinagkatiwalaan nilang gawing bida in this project,” she says. “Our team is called Team Jolly kasi we’re both very jolly raw and we’re so happy that Team Jolly is given its chance to shine. Parang birthday gift nila ito sa akin kasi I’m turning 16 on April 10.”
Regal executive Roselle Monteverde has high hopes for their love team. “Maganda ang combination and chemistry nila,” she says. “Malakas din ang kilig factor nila and they’re both very dedicated and passionate sa careers nila, so we’re sure malayo ang mararating nila in the business.”
“Raya Sirena” is directed by Crisanto Aquino of the award-winning 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival movie, “Write to Love.”
How did Sofia prepare for the swimming scenes?
“Ang preparation ko is for the shoot sa Bataan kasi I have to be healthy and strong all throughout our stay there,” she says. “Kasi, maraming outside scenes sa dagat and it’s the middle of summer kaya nakatirik ang araw, so we have to prepare for that. Sa swimming, not much preparation kasi ever since I was a little girl, I do mermaid swimming na kaya, sanay na ako mag-swim ng may buntot. I just pray na panoorin sana at suportahan talaga ng viewers itong ‘Raya Sirena’ as a mini-series kasi ito ang biggest break namin ni Allen Ansay and our Team Jolly.”
“Raya Sirena” starts airing on April 24 at 3 p.m. on GMA.
