You changed my life: Sequel holds on to original film's charm

If the trend holds, You Changed My Life could outstrip A Very Special Love as the box-office mega-blockbuster. You Changed My Life opened in several theaters last Wednesday, and has been projected to scoop up between P10 million and P18 million on opening day alone.

It still has a long way to go, though. A Very Special Love grossed P180 million during its run last year, making it 2008’s biggest money-maker.

You Changed My Life also did as well as A Very Special Life as far as critical acclaim goes. The sequel also earned an A grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Despite the rousing success of their movie, Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz could not help but feel a tinge of sadness. During the party after the film’s premiere, the two stars were seen in a far-from-happy huddle. When asked what they talked about, Sarah and Lloydie said they were reminiscing their good times together while shooting the two films.

“It’s sad because we don’t know if we’re going to work together again. It could be a long time before that happens,” Sarah said.

“We had not seen each other for quite a while,” Lloydie said.

He described his leading lady as having that quality “to make people feel very special…When she enters a room she infects everyone with her aura.”

So is the sequel better than the original? It’s hard to tell. A Very Special Love has its own charm. It revealed Sarah as a natural in front of the camera. The bubbly innocence shines through. And the chemistry between her and John Lloyd worked wonders for the film.

You Changed My Life maintains those ingredients, but the story is less flighty and more down to earth. Sarah’s character tries to be extra-sweet to Lloydie’s, and without her knowing it, made it more difficult for him to cope with problems with his family and his work. The strains on the relationship reach breaking point and the sweethearts find themselves forced to make some hard decisions.

But I don’t want to give away the ending. See the movie and judge for yourself.

* * *

The spotlight in the battle royale between GMA-7 and Annabelle Rama over Heart Evangelista has shifted to Heart’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rey Ongpauco. Last week, the Ongpaucos reportedly met with GMA-7 President and CEO Felipe Gozun to iron things out. According to a statement from the network, Roy Ongpauco made it clear that he is now Heart’s “primary manager” (whatever that means.) The parents also “apologized for the mess that is happening now between Heart and the network.”

The Ongpaucos explained that they were abroad and while they received the legal letter the network had sent them, they had no knowledge about the letter the Rivera, Santos & Maranan Law Office sent to GMA-7 regarding Heart’s contract and other issues raised by Annabelle.

Mr. Gozun made it clear that the network “abides by” its contracts with its talents. “The character that Heart was supposedly assigned to portray in Muling Buksan and Puso does not include bold scenes and vulgar language which would adversely damage and prejudice her public image and reputation.”

Gozun added that the network is “willing to compromise but not to the point of violating” the contracts with its talents.

The way I look at it, GMA-7 is trying to marginalize Annabelle, Heart’s manager, by talking directly with the Ongpaucos. And I can see the issue escalating because Annabelle won’t give up that easy.

* * *

How I wish the Vicki Belo-Boy Abunda “brawl” would finally end. There could be a hiatus since the good doctor has reportedly left for the States. Maybe that would be a good time for the two former friends to think things over.