‘I really trained hard physically in boxing, martial arts and how to do stunts – Ysabel Ortega’
Photo from Ysabel Ortega’s Instagram account
YSABEL Ortega was 16 years old when she started in showbiz as a Kapamilya artist. She played support and contravida roles in soaps and felt nothing much was happening to her career so she moved to GMA.
She was quickly given lead roles opposite Miguel Tanfelix in “What We Could Be” and now, “Voltes V: Legacy,” which are both shown on primetime. So her decision to be a Kapuso proved to be worth it. Despite her work in showbiz, Ysabel has a degree in Political Economy from the University of Asia and the Pacific and wants to take up law. She is happy to be part of the big-budgeted “Voltes V,” now showing on primetime on GMA.
“We’re all thankful that the run in theaters was very successful,” she says. “And now that we’re airing on primetime, we’re so glad for the very warm audience reception. Talagang lagi kaming trending gabi-gabi.’’
In the story, she plays Jamie Robinson, the only girl among the five members of the Voltes V team. “I watched the original anime show. I’m so grateful na ako ang napili ni Direk Mark Reyes to play Jamie. I really trained hard physically in boxing, martial arts and how to do stunts.”
She’s being linked romantically to her leading man, Miguel Tanfelix. So what is the real score between them?”¨ “After being paired in two shows, we have really become very, very close,” she says. “Lalo na nga, lock in taping kami, so we have plenty of time to spend with each other sa set. We are really enjoying each other’s company, but we don’t want to rush things. Mga bata pa naman kami so our careers remain to be our priority.”
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Beks Battalion of Lassy, Chad Kinis and MC Muah had a hit concert last year. Now, they star in their own movie, “Beks Days of Our Lives,” to be shown in theaters on May 17. At their face-to-face press con, we ask them how their friendship started.
“Nagsimula kami sa comedy bars,” replied Lassy. “Si Chad ang unang nag-vlog sa amin and kinulit niya kami ni MC to join him. Nag-hit naman ‘yung vlogs namin kasi pandemic, hindi lumalabas ang mga tao at naaliw sila sa panonood sa amin. Then kinuha kami ng Viva.
Pinag-concert kami online then live sa New Frontier, now movie na.”
So they think Chad has K (karapatan) to direct their movie?
“Ay opo,” said MC. “Kasi si Chad, nag-aral talaga siya ng formal filmmaking kaya alam niya talaga ang ginagawa niya as a director. Magugulat kayo sa movie namin kasi hindi lang siya comedy kundi may drama rin. May puso siya, but ang core pa rin ng movie is comedy to entertain viewers.”
In “Beks Days of Our Lives,” Richard (Chad Kinis), Melvin (MC Muah), and Reggie (Lassy) have been friends for many years despite working in different fields. Richard is an insurance broker. Melvin works as a tour guide. Reggie is into sales. Every week, they see to it that they bond together. Then one of them is diagnosed with a terminal illness, so they go to Camarines Sur to create more beautiful memories together in their last great adventure together that they want to be the best days of their lives!
“Beks Days of Our Lives” is extra special for Chad as it is his directorial debut. “Yes, dream ko po talaga ‘yun. Maging director gaya ni Darryl Yap at ng nasirang Wenn Deramas and Phillip Lazaro. Kaya sana, panoorin nyo po ang ‘Beks Days of Our Lives,’ a joyful celebration of love, friendship, and life itself starting in theaters on May 17 po.”
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Allen Dizon is one of our busiest actors today. He has four new movies in the can: “Ligalig” with Nora Aunor, “Pamilya sa Dilim” with Laurice Guillen, “Walker” with Sunshine Dizon, and “Abe Nida” with Katrina Halili. Aside from this, he is shooting two new films: “Acetylene Love” with Jaclyn Jose and “Poon” with Janice de Belen and Althea Ablan.
He is also busy on TV with GMA-7’s hit afternoon drama, “Abot Kamay na Pangarap.” And now, he has just been tapped to be the endorser of a top restaurant chain, Wing Commander, that has branches in Antipolo, Cainta, Marikina and Tagaytay.
“I feel so blessed sa dami ng trabahong dumarating sa akin,” said Allen in his launch as official Wing Commander endorser. “Wing Commander offers the best chicken wings, smoked and with different flavors. They offer other yummy dishes like bulalo, sisig and other cuisines, all at reasonable prices. Their main restaurant is in Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, on top of a beautiful hill overlooking Metro-Manila down below.”
Allen is taping four times a week for “Abot Kamay na Pangarap.” But he has to ask GMA’s permission to allow him to attend the Danang International Film Festival.
“My film, ‘Abe Nida,’ is an official competition entry, so I will represent it. I play the role of a wood carver who’s losing his mind after his wife cheated on him.”
