‘I’m happier with what we have now, as it makes it easier for us
to work together. — Kylie Versoza’
MISS International 2016 Kylie Versoza is reunited with Marco Gumabao in the romantic comedy, “Baby Boy, Baby Girl,” which is about having a sugar daddy or a sugar mommy.
What was her reaction when the project was first offered to her?
“I was surprised so what I did is do my own research about it,” says Kylie. “Our director, Jason Paul Laxamana, told me there are websites about sugar dating so I took a look and I learned may nangyayari naman pala talagang ganito and my first reaction is we cannot just judge the people who do it. Most of them have their own reasons and I became more compassionate with them.”
In the movie, Kylie is Josie and Marco is Seb, former sweethearts who both struggle financially. Marco is so hard up as a janitor so he gets a sugar mommy and his life prospered.
Kylie struggles in online selling. When she sees her ex leading a more extravagant lifestyle, she learns he is into sugar dating. She then asks him to help her find a sugar daddy so she can pay all her bills, rekindling their feelings for each other.
Off cam, did they entertain any feelings for each other? “Marco and I have been good friends for six years,” says Kylie. “We have done TV series like ‘Los Bastardos’ and movies like ‘My Husband, My Lover,’ and although he is very attractive, I just want to keep our being good friends. I’m happier with what we have now, as it makes it easier for us to work together. I really admire him as an actor as he really works hard to be good in his craft, but that’s all.”
***
Ina Raymundo is thankful and proud to be part of a prestige project like Adolfo Alix’ “Pieta.”
“When I was told I’d act with Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar and Jaclyn Jose, medyo kinabahan ako as they’re such formidable, award-winning actresses,” she says. “But I considered it a challenge for me to give my best and also, I’m sure that I will gain a lot of new knowledge about our craft as actors just by working with them.”
Ina was discovered in 1995 as the sexy model in the Sabado Nights SMB commercial. She then forayed into the movies that same year, in “Bikini Watch” and was launched as a sexy star in “Burlesk Queen Ngayon” in 1999, a blockbuster hit. In 2003, she married Ukranian-Canadian businessman Brian Poturnak and they now have four daughters and one son.
What is her role in “Pieta”? “I play the girlfriend of Alfred Vargas, but our romance was aborted when he was arrested for allegedly killing his own father. After so many years, nakalaya siya at ako naman, may anak nang teenager, but our feelings for each other are still there.”
Ina just celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary with hubby Brian. “We have our differences kasi magkaiba ang aming culture and background, but he’s really my Prince Charming, the man of my dreams, an answered prayer. So, no regrets at all.”
***
Xian Lim’s last project was the movie “Hello Universe” which he himself directed. Now, he’s back to being a lead actor on TV in GMA’s drama series on figure skating, “Hearts on Ice.”
It’s his first time for him to be paired with Ashley Ortega and they’re both amazed they are currently being linked to each other, even if it’s common knowledge that Xian’s real life inamorata is Kim Chiu. But naturally, fans of Kim are mad at Xiam for cheating on Kim.
Honestly, though, we think it’s just a ploy to help promote and drum up more interest for “Hearts on Ice,” but some folks easily lapped it up, hook, line and sinker. At the show’s presscon, Xian clarified the issue.
“Wala pong ganun,” he stresses. “Ashley and I became close friends dahil even before we started taping the show, madalas na kaming nagkakasama sa aming training sa skating rink. Nagtutulungan talaga kami in preparing for our roles as figure skaters in the show. So siguro, nami-misinterpret ng ibang tao ang closeness namin. Alam nyo naman po sa showbiz, magkapareha lang kayo at nakitang magkasama kayo, may something na agad.”
Xian was really surprised when the project was first offered to him. “Sabi ko, ako ba talaga ang pinili niya for the role? Ako raw kasi athlete naman talaga ako as I play basketball. So I really had to learn ice skating and train well with Ashley who’s already an expert figure skater. I’m really glad Ashley is very patient in helping teach me how to skate. Ilang beses niya akong nakitang natumba, bumagsak sa ice.”
After “Hearts on Ice,” Xian will resume the taping of the series he was doing with Jennylyn Mercado two years ago, “Love Die Repeat.” This was shelved when Jennylyn got pregnant with her baby daughter.
