Ara Mina: Pacman is loyal to wife

We were invited to the last shooting day of “Anak ng Kumander” held at The Nipa Hut Resort located at San Ildefonso, Nueva Ecija last Tuesday. The movie is the initial venture of Manny Pacquiao as producer, wherein he is paired with Ara Mina. The award-winning actress once again corrected published reports (not in The Freeman) that she will be replaced as Manny’s leading lady.

“I only had three shooting days left before the filming of the movie was stopped because Manny had to prepare for his most recent fight in the US. So it’s really impossible that I would be replaced. Doing so would mean re-shooting the entire movie and that would be very taxing as we already had a hard time adjusting to Manny’s schedule,” explains Ara. “Now, we really have to finish the movie because he’s again leaving for the United States. We can’t afford to miss the filmfest deadline.” (Note: As of press time, Pacman is in the States to shoot for a Nike commercial alongside such high-profile international endorsers as NBA superstar Lebron James, Russian tennis sensation Maria Sharapova and golfing great Tiger Woods.)

The actress plays an investigative reporter in the flick being directed by Jose “Kaka” Balagtas, who’s making his second movie after a lull of seven long years. Manny plays the son of a rebel leader (portrayed by Dante Rivero) who rescues Ara and her group after they were abducted. Ara falls for Manny later and they have two kissing scenes in the film. They don’t have a love scene, though.  

Even as Ara is starting to get pissed at the intrigues linking her to the popular boxing champ, she wants to laugh things off now. She just hopes that the publicity generated by the successive intrigues would help attract viewers to the movie when it opens in theaters during the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“It seems this is the only time that I’ve experienced this level of intrigue. I’ve done movies with Fernando Poe, Jr. and other leading men yet I didn’t have this kind of tumultuous negative publicity,” says Ara. 

Did Manny really make passes at her, or insinuated that he likes her? “No, he didn’t. He’s just playful. He’s pro-Jinky (referring to the boxer’s wife). He’s loyal to his wife and he always talks about his children. I even said that if ever Jinky and I would meet, we might become super friends once she gets to know me. Isusumbong ko pa sa kanya kung may babae si Manny,” says the “Bubble Gang” mainstay.

And how’s her working relationship with Manny, after being hounded by intrigues?

“It’s okay. Sometimes I joke around. Let’s say we’re going to eat and he puts rice on my plate, I’d tell him I’m touched with his gesture but I would add, I just wish you were here when I was besieged by intrigues. He just laughs in return,” she answers.

Ara says that even if Manny doesn’t say it, she knows the boxer feels bad for her because the rumors were all false and baseless. Besides, they didn’t talk about the intrigues when they finally resumed shooting. But one time, Ara recalls, that tears just started rolling down her cheeks when all those intrigues thrown at her flashbacked in her mind. After telling Direk Kaka that she was leaving, she bumped into Manny on her way out and from thereon, her tears fell like water from a faucet. 

* * *

Jiro Manio was memorable as the lead character of Maryo J. delos Reyes’ Magnifico in 2004, having won numerous awards and citations here and abroad, including in the film festivals held in The Netherlands, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. He was also seen in “Bagong Buwan,” “Tanging Ina” and was part of the cast of “Foster Child,” as Cherry Pie Picache’s younger son. Now, Jiro returns in another film by Mendoza as a victim of circumstance as he follows after the criminal works of his father when he is suddenly orphaned.

“Tirador” (Slingshot) is an intimate glimpse into the lives of criminals who have to deal with police raids and other hardships in the gritty streets of Manila. The film has already been picking up speed in film festivals, including Toronto, Vancouver, Pusan, Dubai and the US. The film also stars Nathan Lopez, Kristoffer King, Coco Martin and veteran stars Julio Diaz and Jaclyn Jose.

Filipino audiences will have their day as “Tirador” premieres at the UP Film Institute on Dec 3, 2007.

* * *

 “Mona: Singapore Escort,” the sexy socio-drama film starring Iza Calzado, opens November 30, 2007 at SM Cinemas.

Produced by Bandit Films Inc., and Outline Digital Films, “Mona” is the story of a poor single mother who takes a job in Singapore, thinking she has been hired as a chambermaid. She discovers that she has been recruited into a stable of prostitutes. Thrust into a world behind closed doors, she must entertain clients with different sexual tastes, orientations, and deviations.

Shot on location in the Republic of Singapore, it is a story of struggle, despair, sacrifice, and hope. Iza Calzado and her co-stars will have a theater tour of selected SM Malls on opening day come November 30, 2007, so watch out for them.

* * *

They are not your usual boys. They are more than just hunks… make way for “The Studs.”

GMA Artist Center and GMA Films team up to form a new and hot male group composed of the most promising talents in the industry who are expected to catch everyone’s interest and admiration in corporate, bar and mall shows, commercials, recordings, television shows and movies.

“We want to showcase our talents’ versatility and forming this group is a fantastic way to do it. With The Studs, we can show the range of their talents,” says GMA Films President Annette Gozon.

The Studs will be formally launched on November 29 at Zirkoh Timog where they will do several sizzling hot production numbers. The Studs is composed of Starstruck Grand Winner Mike Tan, Starstruck Avengers Dion Ignacio and Kevin Santos, host and actor JC Cuadrado, ex-ABS-CBN talent Felix Roco, Mr. Pogi winner of “Eat Bulaga” Edgar Allan Guzman and Star in a Million grand finalist Lance Onate. Also part of the group is award-winning actor Coco Martin.

Aside from having a concert party, to be launched that day is the XRay Special Edition Studs 2008 Calendar conceptualized by Ronnie Salvacion and Danio Caw. There will be special discounts for those who would buy the Studs Calendar on November 29 and there will be an autograph signing session after the show.