Horror-comedy "Bulong" is Star Cinema's opening salvo for 2011

Director Chito Rono said he didn’t know that Star Cinema would make his latest movie “Bulong,” starring Vhong Navarro and Angelica Panganiban in a rare comedy team-up, as its initial offering for 2011. He just knew that the film might be one of the early releases of Star Cinema.

Direk Chito started work on “Bulong” in October last year and he knew at once that he won’t be able to finish it by December. But he knew he might be able to complete it by January so he was thinking the movie might be shown by February or March. Direk Chito is clueless as to what other films Star Cinema started filming at the same with “Bulong” but he wasn’t told that “Bulong” would be the opening salvo of Star Cinema which scored three box-office hits in the December film fest.

Close on the heels of “Dalaw,” which was co-produced by Kris Aquino who also stars in it, “Bulong” is a film of similar genre, only this time it tickles the ribs while trying to scare. It marks the first team-up of Vhong and Angelica. The “scary ribtickler” revolves around the Filipino superstitious belief that you whispering your wish into the ears of a dead person will help make your wish come true.

Star Cinema makes this daring move of fielding a movie that veers away from the romantic concoctions that usually up come February. “Bulong” has already made noise with its trailer that it mixes the scary and thrilling with the hilarious.

Do Angelica and Vhong feel the pressure since the movies fielded by Star Cinema in the film fest made money?

“Siyempre po, hindi naman po maalis ang pressure sa aming mga artista,” said Angelica. “Pinaghirapan po namin ang pelikula. Gusto namin itong pagandahin para kumita at magustuhan ng mga tao pag napanood.”

“Totoo po iyon, nakadagdag po sa kaba namin we are holding the presscon dito sa Dolphy Theater, hindi sa 14th floor ng ELJ building kung saan madalas tayong mag-presscon. So talaga pong mabigat po ang dinadaanan naming kaba pero tiwala naman kami sa suporta ng Star Cinema. Nakakadagdag po sa saya namin nandito rin kayo para suportahan kami sa movie na ito,” said Vhong.

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Tween star Louise delos Reyes herself is surprised that she was given the lead role of Adana in the new GMA 7 original offering “Alakdana” which premieres on Monday, January 24.

This new series marks Louise’s first lead role as a young girl’s quest on confronting a dark curse that lies within her. She plays Adana who is born with a scorpion tail on her body.

But since she’s already playing lead in Alakdana, Louise has to be taken out of Tween Hearts, unlike her co-star Derrick Monasterio who remains in the show even if he’s already part of Dwarfina. Besides, the taping days for the two shows are on same day. She has to prioritize Alakdana over Tween Hearts since Louise plays the lead in the new afternoon series.

“My co-stars in Tween Hearts are happy for me that I have a new show where I play the lead. Parang ayaw nga nila akong paalisin noong last taping day ko sa Tween Hearts. I am super excited and happy that Alakdana is about to be shown. Parang hindi ako makapaniwala sa nangyari na bida na ako. Siyempre marami rin po ang nagtataka kung bakit ako ang nabigyan ng ganito kalaking break so kailangan ko patunayan sa kanila na I am worthy to be given this role,” said Louise.

“I will just do my best and treat every taping day as if it were the last. Hindi ko rin po alam kung bakit ako binigyan ng ganitong project. I know there are other stars worthy to be given this chance but it just happened that I was the one chosen. That’s why I am giving my all for every scene. I want to make a good impression and prove myself worthy of this chance.”

Alakdana is directed by Mac Alejandre and will shown on GMA 7’s Dramarama sa Hapon.

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There’s no truth to the rumor that Bubble Gang, the longest-running gag show on GMA 7 (and on local TV for that matter) is getting axed or is being shelved.

Bubble Gang, which has been on the air for 15 years, will continue to provide laughs and gags every Friday night on GMA 7.

“Mas lalo ko ngang na-appreciate ang Bubble Gang, lalo’t na ‘it’s been in the air for 15 years. I believe Bubble Gang is that important in my career now,” said Rufa Mae Quinto, one of the mainstays of the long-running gag show. “I realize that Bubble Gang is one of my favorite shows among all the shows that I’ve done in my career.” Her other shows have gone off the air but Bubble Gang continues to make people happy every Friday night.