Shaina Magdayao admits she had initial apprehensions when Lily was offered to her.
“Well, for one, it’s my maiden independent movie, which is an entry to the Cinema One Originals Film Festival. As everyone knows, I grew up making mainstream projects. When finally I committed, I was already taping for Single Single and Story of Us. I really had to make some adjustments.”
“I knew it was a big risk since I would be uprooted from my comfort zone, so to speak. Imagine, the film is in the Visayan dialect! I can understand but I cannot speak it. That was one of the biggest challenges I had to face. Imagine, it was recorded in live sound, as in no dubbing. Ha-ha-ha! You just don’t know how nervous I was during the shoot,” she says.
It’s good she was able to finish the project in a smooth-sailing fashion despite the challenges.
“I’m grateful because I was given a speech coach since day one. It made work easier. And on my part, I really studied the dialect so I can give an accurate and heartfelt performance. I really wanted to do this so I did my best. I didn’t want to turn in a half-baked characterization. I’m proud with the finished product.”
Interestingly, if there’s one person who was so happy that she made the movie, it’s her dad.
“He’s a Cebuano so the project has a soft spot to him. He always visited the set since the whole movie was shot in Cebu. Hearing me speak the dialect on the set made my dad happy. So even if it was hard to memorize all my lines in Cebuano, I really exerted my best efforts just to be credible.”
The lovely lass plays an interesting role in Lily.
“The film is about an urban legend in Cebu…a girl who is believed to be a half-human, half-beast. It’s something new for me and the decision of accepting this project proved me right. Apart from my dad, I want the Cebu film industry to be proud of me,” ends Shaina.
★★★★★
Eula Valdez feels so elated now that she has the opportunity to work with Snooky Serna in the latest GMA afternoon drama titled Hahamakin ang Lahat.
“I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m her fan since her Underage days,” she avers. “It’s my favorite youth-oriented Tagalog film of all-time. Yes, I told her that and even revealed that I used to re-enact her scenes in said movie. I’m really happy that we’re co-stars in the show.”
Interestingly, Eula will be oppressing Snooky in the program.
“That’s right! In the beginning of the story, we’re friends, but later, we will fight and I will make life miserable for her.”
Until now, the competent character actress couldn’t believe that she will share scenes with her childhood idol.
“It’s an honor to interact with Snooky on screen. I feel blessed and grateful for this rare chance,” states Eula.
★★★★★
Ai Ai delas Alas is so proud of her indie movie titled Area. Under the helm of Louie Ignacio, it recently romped off with the Jury Prize at the recent 12th Eurasia International Film Festival in Kazakhstan.
“I can say that this is one of my best movies. I really worked hard in breathing life to my character, that of an aging prostitute in Pampanga who is longing to see her child by an American customer. I’m sure all mothers who are physically away from their kids will be able to relate in my role as Hillary,” she says.
The presentation of the scenes is so realistic.
“It’s both hilarious and touching. I’m hats-off to Direk Louie for pulling things off well. Viewers should watch out for that scene where I was entertaining a customer with a Siamese twin and another one who pays me, not with money but with appliances like electric fan.”
In the film, the Comedy Queen is with her son Sancho.
“Yes! He is Duman here, a pimp and the right hand of the brothel owner played by Allen (Dizon). I guess, it’s interesting to watch us two in one quality potboiler such as this,” avers Ai Ai.