Elijah Canlas won several best actor awards both here and abroad for “Kalel, 15,” directed by Jun Lana. He is now reunited with Jun in “About Us But Not About Us,” a veritable acting duel between him and Romnick Sarmenta.
At the press preview, everyone agrees both Elijah and Romnick give superb performances that they should both be nominated (or even win) as best actors in the coming Summer Metro Manila Film Festival that starts on April 8, Black Saturday, in theaters nationwide.
Elijah plays a very intriguing role as Lancelot, a UP student who you’d think is harmless, but something will be revealed about his true nature by the time the film reaches its final act. Romnick is his teacher, Ericson, who helps Lancelot when he is beaten up by his stepfather. The movie is basically like a two-character play, with just the two of them conversing inside a restaurant.
About his lovelife, it’s common knowledge that Elijah is now in a relationship with Miles Ocampo. They met when they were paired in “Paano ang Pasko/Pangako?” for IdeaFirst and TV5 nearly two years ago. So how are they doing?
“We’re okay. But at the start ng taping, hindi siya nakikipag-usap. Para siyang may sariling mundo. But when I talked to her, she replied naman and then we started texting each other. Doon nagsimula. Right now, we’re both busy, but we try to find time for each other.
We’re both still learning, so we try to help each other grow.”
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Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali are both homegrown Kapuso stars who now get to star in their first TV show together, “The Write One,” the first collaboration between Philippine broadcast giant GMA Network and leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service Viu.
“I’m really so excited to be given this chance to work with Bianca in a romantic drama series like this,” says Ruru. “I’m also happy to be reunited with GMA Public Affairs as our producer after I did ‘Lolong’ with them, which is really a huge success.”
“The Write One” is a groundbreaking story with Ruru playing Liam, a frustrated writer who is given the chance to rewrite his love story with Bianca as Joyce that has lost its luster, through the help of a mysterious typewriter. Joining Ruru and Bianca are fellow Sparkle artists Mikee Quintos and Paul Salas who are also a reel and real life couple.
“The Write One” will also see the TV reunion of ex-couple Lotlot De Leon and Ramon Christopher. They play Liam’s parents. Further giving life to the story are highly-esteemed actors Mon Confiado, Alma Concepcion, Kokoy de Santos, Royce Cabrera and Art Acuna. ((M. Bautista, Malaya)
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LOVI POE is now an executive producer – in Hollywood no less. Yes, “Supreme Actress” Lovi Poe has become one of the executive producers of the remake of the 2003 cult film “The Room,” a romantic drama.
The story is about a successful banker in San Francisco whose fiancee betrays him when she goes to bed with his own best friend. This was written, directed and starred in by Tommy Wiseau.
The remake will now topbill Hollywood actor Bob Odenkirk, best known for his role as Saul Goodman in the hit series, “Breaking Bad,” that ran for five seasons, and its spin-off, “Better Call Saul,” that ran for seven seasons. He also played the title role in the hit action movie, “Mr. Nobody”
Odenkirk will be taking on the lead role of Johnny. The buzz around this remake of “The Room” had already emerged on social media recently.
It was Brando Crawford of Acting for a Cause who approached Lovi to take part in some of the projects that his company is doing. “I saw great synergy with his company, so I agreed to help produce ‘The Room’,” Lovi says.
Meanwhile, Lovi is busy with “Batang Quiapo,” a big hit on Philippine television today. Lovi is amazed with the public’s very warm reception to the top-rating series. Catch “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” weekdays at 8. (M. Bautista, Malaya)
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MARCO Gumabao says he was surprised by the story “Baby Boy, Baby Girl” by director Jason Paul Laxamana.
“It’s about sugar dating and I play the role of a sugar baby boy with a sugar mommy while Kylie Versoza naman is a sugar baby girl with a sugar daddy. I was shocked but also got excited as we know that sugar dating really happens today and it’s quite challenging to explore this world.”
In the story, he and Kylie play former sweethearts who broke up since they’re both living in poverty. As Seb, Marco is a penniless janitor who resorts to having a sugar mommy, Giselle Sanchez, and his financial status quickly improved.
“When Kylie saw me, nagtaka siya kasi biglang yumaman ako,” he says. “And when she found out I got it from sugar dating, nagpaturo siya sa akin and I become her mentor. She also gets a sugar daddy at bumuti rin ang buhay niya.”
But meeting each other again has its own complications. They both realized they still have serious romantic feelings for each other. He’s been loveless for sometime. Hasn’t it crossed his mind to woo Kylie? And he’s also being linked to Cristine Reyes.
“Kylie and I have been friends for a long time now and may mga nang-aasar nga sa amin, bakit hindi na lang kayo? If we were meant for each other, dapat noon pa. I saw the journey of her relationship with Jake Cuenca, so now, respeto na lang sa kanila ni Jake, ‘di ba? About Cristine, we became good friends since makasama ko siya sa first TV series ko, ‘Tubig at Langis’. We’ve maintained that friendship by hanging out a lot. That’s it.” (M. Bautista, Malaya)
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Ryza Cenon is back on the big screen in Viva’s new romance-drama that will be shown in movie theaters this March 15, “Kunwari Mahal Kita.” How does it feel?
“Siempre, may pressure, kasi the industry has not yet fully recovered as people haven’t really returned to theaters,” she says. “But hopefully, they will give us the chance na suportahan kami at panoorin ang movie namin sa sinehan, kasi we all did our best para mapaganda itong movie namin. It will make you laugh, cry and fall in love all over again.”
What is her role? “I play Heidi or Hydes, isang probinsiyana working in a resort hotel.
Sobrang strong ang personality at galit sa mga lalaki kasi her mother, Miss Yayo Aguila, laging sinasaktan ng mga lalaki.”
Her life became complicated when she met Joseph Marco as Greg. “Joseph is a good friend of the owner of the resort where I work. My boss orders me to tour him around and we get closer to one another. Then one day, Nathalie Hart arrives and it turns out she’s the legal wife of Joseph who earlier wants their marriage to be annulled. Joseph asks me to pretend I’m his girlfriend but Nathalie now wants to get him back.”
Ryza’s son is now two years old. Does she and the boy’s dad, Miguel Cruz, plan to tie the knot soon?
“It’s not our priority. We’re having our own house constructed now. ‘Yun muna ang ginagastusan namin, kaysa gumastos ka sa kasal tapos baka mauwi lang sa hiwalayan.
Happy namin kami sa sitwasyon namin ngayon.” (M. Bautista, Malaya)
Kapuso star Klea Pineda comes out as gay
StarStruck Season 6 Ultimate Female Survivor Klea Pineda has opened up about her sexuality.
Klea revealed on her 24th birthday today, March 19, that she’s a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“My 24th birthday is extra special since I finally mustered up the courage to come out to the world as my true authentic self. Masasabi ko na ito na ang pinakamatapang na desisyon na nagawa ko sa buong buhay ko. I want the world to know that I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Klea in an Instagram post.
Klea added: “My sexuality is just one aspect of my life, and it won’t stop me from chasing after my dreams. I am still the same Klea that you loved and supported throughout the years. The only difference now is I can proudly say that I’m gay!”
“From now on, I want to live my life fearlessly. Sana samahan nyo ako sa paggawa ng sarili kong kwento na alam kong tunay na magpapasaya sa akin.
“Let’s spread love and empowerment, everyone! And always remember, #LoveIsLove!” (R. Requintina, mb.com)