JANNO Gibbs is happy that Viva is showing his new film, “Hello Universe,” in theaters on January 25 and not via streaming like his last film, “Mang Jose.”
“Hello Universe” is a comedy-drama with a touch of fantasy written and directed by Xian Lim.
Janno plays a man full of regrets and having a midlife crisis, feeling that life has passed him by. He is given a second chance when he is mysteriously transported to an alternate universe. How is Xian Lim as a director?
“Diktador siya,” he says, then quickly takes it back. “Hindi, joke lang. Actually, bilib ako sa talent niya. Artista na, director at writer pa. Very artistic as he also plays the piano, he sings, he paints. He’s very open minded in asking us for our suggestions and he really knows what he is doing.”
He’s happy to reunite with good friend Anjo Yllana as his best friend in “Hello Universe.” “In the early ’90s, we did a hit TV comedy, ‘Ober Da Bakod’, na isinapelikula and was so successful it even had a sequel. Marami rin kaming ibang movies na ginawa na sa Viva na magkasama kami. Through the years, we didn’t lose touch naman so it’s nice to work with him again.”
Janno’s two daughters with Bing Loyzaga, Alyssa and Gab, are now both grown ups. The eldest, Alyssa, married Anton Cruz in Australia last year. “Both our daughters are now Australian citizens,” says Janno. “So kami ni Bing, we’re thinking of also going there kasi ang gaganda ng benefits nila, lalo sa health care for their citizens. Two of Bing’s brothers are based there, so we will see.”
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‘Kasi pareho kaming duwag ni Yuri. I’m really afraid of ghosts so I avoid doing horror films. – Bela Padilla’
Bela Padilla and Marco Gumabao are paired for the first time in “Spellbound,” an adaptation of a hit 2011 Korean film. It’s about magic, ghosts, and romance. “Spellbound” is Viva’s pre-Valentine offering on February 1.
Bela plays Yuri, a woman who can see dead people. She’s haunted by the ghost of a high school friend who died in a car accident where she survived. She avoids people and lives alone. Then she meets Marco Gumabao, who plays Victor, a street magician. Victor makes use of her gift of seeing dead people as part of his act. It’s a hit and romance blooms between them but the ghost, played by Rhen Escaño, won’t leave them alone.
We asked Bela how it is working with Marco.
“It’s nice working with him as he’s been a friend for a long time,” said Bela. “Okay siyang katrabaho lalo na this movie took so long to shoot. We started shooting this on January 20, 2020 and first shooting day namin sumabog ang Taal and then na-declare ang first day ng lockdown because of Covid. Natigil ang shoot namin at hindi na kami nagkita. I went to London in July 2021 and we were able to resume the shooting only last year. And now, finally, we’re glad natapos na rin siya at ipapalabas na.”
Bela said this is the first time she’s portraying a character that is really like her. “Kasi pareho kaming duwag ni Yuri. I’m really afraid of ghosts so I avoid doing horror films. But this one, I like the material. Pero sa shoot, tinatanong ko na agad kung nasaan ‘yung mga gumaganap ng multo para hindi na ako nagugulat.”
“Spellbound” also stars Cindy Miranda, Benj Manalo, Moi Bien and Ronnie Liang. directed by Jalz Zarate.
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“Underage” is the 1980 movie that catapulted Maricel Soriano and Snooky Serna to stardom, along with Dina Bonnevie who was earlier launched in “Katorse.” GMA-7 now airs its millennial version of the movie.
“Underage,” the TV series, stars Lexi Gonzales, Elijah Alejo and Hailey Mendes as the Serrano sisters. It is part of GMA’s afternoon lineup and is directed by Rechie del Carmen and Paul Sta. Ana. The story is now totally different from the movie as it turns out the sisters have the same mom but different dads.
Lexi as Celine is 17, the responsible eldest sister and dreams of being an entrepreneur.
Hailey as Carrie is 16, artistic and aspires to be an architect. Elijah as Chynna is 15, very bubbly and aims to be social media influencer.
Their lives are messed up when they become suspects in the killing of a young man, Leo Guerrero, played by Nikki Co. Lexi as Celine will confess to the crime even if she’s innocent, just so her sisters will be set free. “We know the originals are a tough act to follow but we are doing our best para hindi kami mapahiya sa GMA for their trust in us,” says Lexi.
Snooky Serna, who’s in the original movie, is part of the show as Velda, one of the girls’ oppressors and mother of Nikki Co. Also in the cast are Sunshine Cruz as the girls’ mother Lena, Smokey Manaloto as their father Delfin, Yayo Aguila as their aunt Becca who also maltreats them, Jean Saburit as Ylvira Gatchalian, Christian Vasquez as Dominic, Jome Silayan as Rico, Maey Bautista as Remy, Vince Crisostomo as Tope, and Gil Cuerva as Lance.
