Will Megastar finally do her first indie?

The fans of Sharon Cuneta are waiting with bated breath – will the Megastar make good on her promise of finally doing her first Cinemalaya film that is supposed to premiere in August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines?

Last year, it was announced by Sharon herself at the press conference of her comeback concert that she accepted the offer to be the lead actresss of “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha,” a film by Cinemalaya awardee Mes De Guzman.

We remember seeing Direk De Guzman at the presscon of Sharon held at the Solaire where he also confirmed that she is indeed doing her first indie film for Cinemalaya. But we read in a Facebook post by Mell T. Navarro that the production team of the movie is still waiting for Sharon to confirm her first shooting day for the film.

The production team for “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha” are still waiting and hoping that Sharon can still do the movie for them. After all, they have waited many months for her availability. We read the FB post that Sharon has to decide by April 5 if she still has time to do the film. There are deadlines to be met and if Sharon will say she can’t do the film due to some reason or another, the production team will have no choice but to find a replacement for her.

Sharon’s fans are bombarding Facebook with their messages for the Megastar, telling her to please still do the Mes De Guzman film. They said it’s a good project for her and she can count on them for support.

But of course, the Sharonians are not ready to throw in the towel that easily. That is why they are very diligent in sending messages to Sharon’s FB account, asking her not to drop “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha.”

We read somewhere that in case Sharon says she can no longer do “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha,” being eyed to replace her is Ms. Maricel Soriano. A producer is supposedly ready to finance the project if Maricel should be the final choice to replace Sharon in case the “The Voice Teens” coach will no longer be able to do the film.

Will Sharon fulfill her vow to do her first Cinemalaya film? All Sharonians are waiting for the Megastar’s answer.

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“Bliss,” the new film from award-winning director Jerrold Tarog, hurdled the second review of MTRCB on Wednesday. The movie was given an R-18 without cuts based on the five-man appeals committee that reviewed the film again.

The five-man review committee – composed of director  Joey Romero, Bibeth Orteza, Gladys Reyes, Consoliza Laguardia and  Attorney Ogie Jaro – reversed the decision of the first three-man committee which gave “Bliss” an X-rating (meaning, not fit for public exhibition).

With its R-18, “Bliss” can push through with its planned theatrical run on May 10. Now everyone will have the chance to watch the controversial Jerrold Tarog film top-billed by Iza Calzado and co-starring Ian Veneracion.

We were among those who had the chance to watch “Bliss” at the special screening held on Monday at the UP Film Center. It is a thought-provoking film and a f----d up movie (as Direk Jerrold called it). The film tackles the different types of abuse that a person can encounter. The subject matter can shock one’s sensibilities.

It would be a waste if the film would not be permitted to be shown as it boasts of a ravishing and astonishing performance from Iza. Her acting in the film is the yardstick by which other acting performances will be measured. To say that Iza’s performance is the acting to beat is an understatement. Her role is very difficult but she did it with aplomb. She was good from start to finish.

We can’t think of any actress who can do justice to the role except Iza. The movie is a psychological drama that will shock viewers. And the best asset of the film, aside from the masterful direction, is Iza’s tour de force acting which won for her the Best Performance Award at the Osaka International Film Festival.