A fierce-looking Cristine Reyes with her hair colored fuchsia is what her fans see when they search the movie Maria online.
Pedring A. Lopez, or Direk Pedring to his co-workers in the film, did an awesome transformation of Christine, form the sweet and sexy woman she has been playing in previous films and on TV series to a ruthless and unscrupulous woman who will make everything, even kill, to make sure her and family’s life is safe.
Says direk Pedring, “Maria is the story of a former cartel assassin named Lily who fakes her own death after an unfulfilled mission earning her the wrath of the organization. She flees to a distant province where she completely transforms her life. Changing her name to Maria, she meets Bert, a respectable businessman, who becomes her husband. They have a daughter named Mina.”
Maria’s peaceful life is cut short when the cartel learns of her whereabouts. Kaleb, the man whose orders she didn’t follow in the past, tracks her down right inside her home. Failing to protect her family, she returns to a life of violence with revenge on her mind.
Reyes underwent rigorous training. She was even hurt while shooting a major fight scene, yet she remained undaunted. She even showed the numerous bruises on her arms and legs on her IG account.
The internationally acclaimed Direk Pedring (Best Director at the Los Angeles Philippine Film Festival and Festival Internacional de Cine Fantastico de Torremolinos for Nilalang) posted on Twitter that Cristine “handles the fights with almost 90 percent of all her stunts without doubles”, expressing his “respect for her dedication to her craft.”
Maria is Cristine’s big screen comeback after Abay Babes. In an interview found on Film Combat Syndicate.com, the actress says, “It’s definitely the most challenging thing I’ve done in my career. I’m super proud of it…”
She also narrates how Viva gave her this project. “They felt strongly about the material and thought I’d be a good fit for the role. I guess they figured it would speak to me on many levels – as an actress, as a mother in real life, and as a martial arts enthusiast. And they were correct. I loved the script when I read it.”
Being a fan of the ‘80s action, Direk Pedring says. “I wanted to bring it back, (but) put it in a modern setting, utilize Filipino martial arts seen in Hollywood movies like the Bourne franchise.”
Reyes exalts the director for his vision, saying, “I like his style. He has a vision and he really wants that vision to really happen…You feel that he loves his project.”
” It’s about time to show the world that Filipino filmmakers can also do excellent action films. Even more exciting that these movies are being fronted by strong female characters. The world needs to know that Filipinas also kick butt,” she says.
All her co-actors agree that they are blown away by Cristine’s performance. The actress concludes, “It’s one heck of an action film but also a terrific drama movie about a mother’s love for her child. It’s a movie for everyone.”
Maria also stars Ivan Padilla, KC Montero, Guji Lorenzana, Jennifer Lee, Andrea del Rosario, Cindy Miranda, Freddie Webb, and Ronnie Lazaro. Opens in cinemas on March 27. From VIVA Films, BlackOps Studios Asia, and PsyOps.
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Biggest wedding fair, P500k at stake
Themes & Motifs—The Special Events Co. launches its Half-A-Million Pesos In Cash Promo in 2019 in Asia’s biggest wedding wonderland, Wedding Expo Philippines on March 16 and 17 at the SMX Mall of Asia.
Every P1,000 worth of purchase of brides and grooms in Wedding Expo Philippines shall entitle fair visitors to a raffle coupon for a chance to win P500,000.00 in cash.
Now on its 34th edition, Wedding Expo Philippines is the big event that the local wedding industry and soon-to-weds await.
Free e-tickets for all-day access to the exhibits and grand sale of wedding-related products and services are available to pre-registered soon-to-weds on www.themesnmotifs.com.
The entire SMX Convention Center ground floor will be converted to a 10,000-sqm wedding wonderland with the most creative and most popular wedding suppliers showcasing only the finest and the best wedding ideas for the upcoming nuptial season.
More than 400 of the country’s top wedding professionals will be gathered in this two-day grand celebration with a comprehensive showcase of the latest trends and the newest ideas in wedding planning.
Wedding related products and services professionals such as fashion designers, caterers, photographers, videographers, limousine providers, invitation makers, hotels, venues, florists, and others will offer new promos and great deals.
There will be the usual five exciting sub-events putting the spotlight on the most popular supplier categories:
Wedding Banquets Manila –The Philippines’ biggest food tasting festival dedicated to the weddings will feature the country’s top 3 wedding banquet providers in a free sampling session of wedding menus—Hizon’s Catering, Josiah’s Catering, & Richgold Weddings.
City of Dreams Manila, the event Major Sponsor, will showcase wedding packages for those with a flair for the finest things in life. These wedding banquet experts will create an ambiance of wedding day grandeur and offer their wedding culinary styling delights in this exclusive sub-event. Pre-register online to avail of free seat/s with your favorite caterer.
KasaLitrato (House of Pictures or Wedding Photos), this photo and video festival features Asia’s widest selection of photographers and videographers. A special gallery of Celebrity Weddings plus free souvenir studio photo shoots await guests at the Nice Print Photography exhibit area.
Visitors will be given the latest hard copy issue of Inspirations weddings magazine, the country’s most gorgeous wedding magazine for both the bride and the groom.
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