‘I’m just happy that everyone’s finding their own happiness. — Kylie Padilla’
(Photo from Kylie Padilla’s Instagram account)
KYLIE Padilla made a successful comeback after splitting from Aljur Abrenica in the hit primetime drama, “Bolera.” She’s now reunited with “Encantadia” sisters Sanya Lopez and Gabbi Garcia in “Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” replacing the toprated “Maria Clara at Ibarra” on February 27.
“I am so glad to work with Sanya and Gabbi,” she says. “Naging maganda agad ang bonding namin sa taping.”
“Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” just like “Maria Clara at Ibarra”, is a historical-fantasy drama that connects the present world with that of the past. Urduja is a legendary warrior princess who lived in pre-colonial times in Pangasinan. It’s said she left a precious necklace with ancient jewels that are magical anting-anting.
It becomes the mission of Gabbi Garcia and Kylie to search for the necklace. Gabbi plays Crystal, a talented jewelry designer, while Kylie is Gem, a fearless rookie cop. They will be facing opposition from various bounty hunters who also want the antique necklace. The show will also take the viewer back into the past to show the forgotten world of Princess Urduja, as played by Sanya.
Between her and her ex-husband, Kylie is the one who is really luckier after their breakup, as she has also finished a movie with Gerald Anderson shot in Switzerland. In contrast, Aljur is now relegated to playing kontrabida roles. What can she say now that Aljur and sexpot AJ Raval have admitted that they’re in a relationship? Some netizens are even urging her to file charges against the two.
“I am just happy for everybody. That is what’s important. Seriously, ‘di ba, kapag dumarating ang some sort of depression to anyone, just being happy is already a blessing.
So, it’s no joke, I’m just happy that everyone’s finding their own happiness.”
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Allen Dizon is glad to be reunited with director Joel Lamangan in the fearless film about the final days of the Marcos regime, “Oras de Peligro.”
“I always enjoy working with Direk Joel kasi our movies are mostly socially relevant and I’ve won awards in some of them,” he says. “Now, ‘Oras de Peligro’ will tell the truth on what really happened in the last days of the Marcoses.”
How does he feel that it’s being shown on March 1 opposite the new pro-Marcos movie?
“I don’t really mind. Gusto ko nga, mapag-usapan sila nang husto para magka-interest ang mga tao na panoorin sila. We all known naman na matamlay pa rin ang local films na pinalalabas sa mga sinehan, right? So sana, this time, bigyang pansin naman ng moviegoers ang mga pelikulang Pilipino at panoorin nila ito sa sinehan and they be the judge kung aling pelikula ba talaga ang nagsasabi ng totoo tungkol sa ating history.”
“Oras de Peligro” intends to be an eye-opener specially for millennials and Gen Z viewers who allowed themselves to believe in distortions made in our recent history because of Tiktok and social media. In the movie, Allen plays Dario, the husband of Cherry Pie Picache as Beatriz. They have two kids played by Dave Bornea and Therese Malvar.
“Jeepney driver akong naniniwala na dapat nang magkaroon ng mga pagbabago sa ating pamahalaan kaya sang-ayon ako sa political rallies involving drivers. Pero si Cherry Pie as my wife, tutol siya roon. Mas gusto niyang manahimik na lang at huwag ma-involved.
Then, habang nagpapasada ako ng jeepney, may mga manghoholdap sa pasahero ng sasakyan ko at masasangkot ako sa kaguluhan.”
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We have seen “Padre Burgos,” the 1949 film directed by Gerry de Leon about the priests who were executed by the Spaniards that inspired Jose Rizal to write his immortal novels.
Now, Jesuit Communications is coming up with a new movie, “Gomburza,” about martyred priests Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who were executed in 1872.
Playing the lead roles are award-winning veteran actor Dante Rivero as Padre Mariano Gomez, theater and movie thespian Cedrick Juan as Padre José Burgos, and matinee idol Enchong Dee as Padre Jacinto Zamora.
Joining them are an equally impressive list of actors that includes Epi Quizon, Jaime Fabregas, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Khalil Ramos, Elijah Canlas, Neil Ryan Sese, Paolo O’Hara, Tommy Alejandrino, Gerry Kaimo, Anthony Falcon, Dylan Tay Talon, Jomari Angeles, Bon Lentejas, Leo Rialp, Joel Sarracho, Nanding Josef and Ketchup Eusebio.
Film and TV heartthrob Piolo Pascual will play the very special role of Padre Pédro Pelaéz, the Filipino clergy leader who was a mentor of Padre José Burgos. Executive producer and JesCom associate director Fr. Ro Atilano, SJ, describes the cast as “God’s answer to our prayers. There were other options before but this ensemble came at the right time.”
Venice International Film Festival Orrizonti Prize winner Pepe Diokno is directing “GomBurZa” from a screenplay by celebrated writer Rody Vera. Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines and the company behind the 2016 action-drama biopic Ignacio de Loyola, is the producer.
