JOSHUA Garcia used to be identified with Julia Barretto after they did several hit mov ies together. But now, he officially goes solo in Regal Entertainment’s “Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” now streaming on Prime Video.
Those who saw it at its special screening are one in saying that he gives a sterling performance as Galo, a student who lives with an aunt and uncle (Melissa Mendez and Ricky Davao) in Manila. They treat him like their houseboy.
When his dad in their province died, Galo goes home to his grandmother’s very old house in a remote island. His grandma is Mama Susan (Angie Ferro), who seems very strange and mysterious, mouthing lines about how man destroyed the environment and about the impending doom of the apocalypse.
Joshua is in 100% of all the movie’s scenes and is perfect as the bewitched and bewildered hero.
“This is my first solo movie, also my first project with Regal Entertainment and my first movie with director Chito Roño,” he says at the Q&A that followed the screening. “I am so happy, honored and grateful that I was given the opportunity to work with them and with 85-year-old veteran actress Angie Ferro who plays Mama Susan. She was so supportive, inalalayan niya ako in our scenes together.”
Now that he’s no longer just part of a love team, he also looks forward to taking on more challenging roles. “At least, tapos na ako sa mga rom-com. Gusto ko to do more demanding projects that will help me to grow more in my craft as an actor.”
***
Ashley Ortega is so ecstatic her primetime series, “Hearts on Ice,” is rating very well and getting very positive feedback from viewers. “l want to thank them for all the support they’re giving our show,” she says. “Ang dami kong hirap in my role as Ponggay in ‘Hearts on Ice,’ but now, I can say that all the falls, the cuts, the bruises, all the battle scars at lahat ng hirap ko in doing the show, all paid off well and worth it.”
In a video she shared in social media, she showed the mishaps that happened while doing some scenes where accidents occur while she is figure skating. In one video, she slipped and fell, then she slid on the ice and her arms and knees got wounded.
“Pati ang likod ko masakit dahil sa pagbagsak ko. The production staff and crew always tell me to be extra careful but such accidents really happen and cannot be totally avoided in our sport, no matter how careful you are.”
It’s good that when she became so busy in doing “Hearts on Ice,” her love life is zero as she has already broken with her politician boyfriend, Mayor Mark Alcala of Lucena City. “It was a mutual decision naman,” she says. “Okay naman kami. But as for me, it’s my choice na ang concentration ko talaga right now is my acting career.”
***
‘[T]he Beks Battalion started as stand-up comics in comedy bars and were later given a break on mainstream showbiz. They’re no longer marginalized.’
After Vice Ganda, Chad Kinis, Lassy and MC Muah of the Beks Battalion are the next gay comedians to be given a big break by Viva. After casting them in supporting roles, they now star in their own movie, “Beks Days of Our Lives,” with Chad himself directing it.
Gay humor is nothing new in local showbiz. But before, the hit gay movies are made by a very straight comedian, the late Dolphy. Another straight actor who excels in playing gay roles is Michael de Mesa in “It’s a Deal.” Gay comedians usually just play supporting roles, like Manny Castañeda and Ogie Diaz.
It’s really Vice Ganda who is the first gay comedian who hit it big in films like “Petrang Kabayo” and “Praybeyt Benjamin.”
Like Vice Ganda, the Beks Battalion started as stand-up comics in comedy bars and were later given a break on mainstream showbiz. They’re no longer marginalized.
In “Beks Days of Our Lives,” Chad, Lassy and MC underline the importance of having good friends in anyone’s life. The comic gags and jokes used in the movie are a hit or miss thing, but most of the time, they do get to hit it right. With the go-for-broke performances of the three main stars, they do deliver their fair share of laughs.
Viva used to do a lot of those male-oriented naughty comedies starring the likes of Janno Gibbs, Andrew E and Dennis Padilla. Now, they come up with gay-oriented flicks and we hope they find the right market for this kind of goofy entertainment fare.
