‘At this point, I want to make more films na bago ang tema at ‘di ko pa nagagawa, ‘yung naiiba — Joey Reyes’
ANGELI Khang was delighted when told that people were looking for her when Vivamax sexy stars went on a motorcade in various places out of town.
“Yes, I was told na hinahanap ako sa caravan, pero nakaka-pressure din,” she says. “Kasi nahihiya ako, I don’t really know how to behave in front of them. Mahiyain kasi talaga ako.
Hindi pa talaga nagsi-sink in sa akin’ yung sinasabing sikat na ako.”
What’s her role in “Virgin Forest”? “Victim ako ng human trafficking at ginawang prostitute against my will.”
Does she get tired of doing movies where she’s always taking her clothes off?
“I pray na sana nga, after ten movies, matigil na ang sexy films for me. But I think ‘Virgin Forest’ is one of the best movies I made kasi malalim ang movie about illegal logging, environmental protection and the exploitation of women. But I really hope na hindi paghuhubad lang ang projects ko at magkaroon naman ako ng wholesome movie where I can show my potential in acting.”
She is also taping an 8-part drama series, “Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin,” directed by Mac Alejandre who directed her in her biggest Vivamax hit, “Silip sa Apoy,” where she was at her most daring. How is it working with Direk Mac again?
“Masarap katrabaho si Direk Mac kasi very patient siya in explaining what he wants to get from you in a scene. I’m really amazed na nakaya kong gawin lahat ng mga ipinagawa niya sa akin and so I give him my full trust.”
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Khalil Ramos stars in his first primetime series in GMA Public Affairs’ “Love You Stranger” with real life sweetheart Gabbi Garcia. “We’re so happy kasi ang ganda ng project,” he says. “When I first read the script, I said it’s quite ambitious, kasi mapapatawa ka, matatakot ka, mai-in love ka.”
He is also happy with his role as Ben, a film director. “It’s no secret that I really plan to direct movies someday. So dito, kahit paano, nabigyan ako ng chance na maging film director.”
So how is it working with his girlfriend in a series? “We’re so comfortable na with each other kaya sabay kami in analyzing the characters we play. Our characters are so different from the real us. I go to our town of Santa Castela to do a movie as a director. I meet Gabbi again as LJ, the production designer. Pero may tension ang characters namin, so kailangan makita ng viewers ang tension between us, making the show more intriguing.”
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Writer-director Joey Reyes is best known for his feel-good love stories like but he now forays into Vivamax territory with a scorching sex-drama, “Secrets,” that starts streaming on June 10. What prompted him to jump into the Vivamax bandwagon?
“I was challenged kasi my best friend, si Joel Lamangan, gawa lang nang gawa, and he asked, why don’t I try it. At this point, I want to make more films na bago ang tema at ‘di ko pa nagagawa, ‘yung naiiba. Sawa na ako sa romcom and I also want to work with the new stars we have now.”
He also wants to try the streaming platform. “Ang Vivamax, hindi na dumaraan sa censorship so you have the artistic freedom to create what you want. Galing tayo sa pandemya, natigang tayo in making movies, pero naiba na ang geography ng entertainment. Ang hirap nang pabalikin ng mga tao sa sinehan. They’ll go to big Hollywood releases like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Doctor Strange,’ but sa local films, mas preferred nila na sa streaming sila. So now, I want to do the films na gusto ko talagang gawin. Very important for me kung ano ang sinasabi ng pelikula, like itong ‘Secrets’.”
He has hatched the story of “Secrets” years ago. “Kuwento ito ng mga taong may kakaibang kulo sa loob ng kanilang katauhan. Actually, matagal na ang script na ito sa akin, but not all producers will do it. Ang puede ngang alternate title nito is ‘Topak.’ Kasi lahat ng characters, puno ng topak, lahat sila may dark side. Lahat sila, may itinatagong secrets. Janelle Tee plays the lead at marami siyang itinatago. With her, what you see is not what you get.”
He obviously enjoyed doing “Secrets” as he has now agreed to do more Vivamax projects.
“Three more films are lined up for me, plus a series na si Janelle uli ang leading lady ko.
Sana matuloy lahat.”
