"Ganap Na Babae" To Open Cinemalaya 2010

   “Ganap na Babae” is the opening film of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, which reels off on Friday, July 9, at the CCP Main Theatre. This is a trilogy that focuses on three stories about women and is directed by three women directors namely Rica Arevalo, Ellen Ramos and newbie director Sarah Lopez.

    Playing the title role in the episode “Minsan May Isang Puta” (directed by Sarah Lopez, who is beautiful enough to be in front of the camera herself) is sexy star Mercedes Cabral, who made heads turn when she graced the Cannes Film Festival two years in a row for the movies “Serbis” and “Kinatay,” both directed by Dante Mendoza.

    In our chat with Mercedes at the mini-presscon of “Ganap na Babae” last Sunday, she said she liked the twist in the story that’s why she accepted the role. At first, she said, she thought it was just one of those stories about prostitutes but when she got to read the ending, Mercedes told herself she has got to play the part.

    She said it was such a pleasant surprise for them that Cinemalaya chose “Ganap na Babae” to be the opening film of the festival. “We were all very happy because we didn’t expect to be the opening film. All we knew was that we were supposed to compete in the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) segment. Nakakatuwa talaga,” said Mercedes, who is included in the YES! 100 Most Beautiful People list.

    “I also feel lucky to have been given a good role in the film that talks about women. I play a prostitute and in the film, she was being interviewed how she takes care of her children and how she much loves them. But it is not just a story about women but has a deeper meaning into it kaya I do hope many people will get to watch it,” she said.

    Mercedes enjoyed working with newbie director Sarah, who started out as a film editor and is doing her first feature film. Since she had been quite identified in doing sexy roles (mostly that of a prostitute), Mercedes admitted to trying to shy away from such roles but when she was offered to do “Ganap na Babae,” she agreed to do it because of the story’s interesting ending.

    Mind you, she has no nude scene in the film (just suggestive shots) but she felt the role so much. And her director feels that Mercedes gave a heartfelt performance that should make people take notice of her.

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    What’s a good-looking, seemingly harmless and cutesy young actor named AJ Perez doing in a horror film “Cinco,” a five-episode horror flick from Star Cinema?

    Well, AJ is playing a bad boy role in the film directed by Frasco Mortiz (the son of matinee idol-turned-director Edgar Mortiz). This was the role that was chosen for him by his director after passing the auditions.

    At first, it seems unthinkable that the good-looking and good boy AJ would not be capable to play a mean guy. But this was the challenge posed to him by his director when AJ got the part. And as far as his director is concerned, AJ passed the test with flying colors.

    “Ang dating ko kasi ay astig, palaban, may attitude talaga. I’m the man. Nothing can stop me,” said AJ about his role in the Braso episode, wherein he co-stars with Robi Domingo and Sam Concepcion. His fans see AJ as a heartthrob (which he is) but after watching “Cinco,” his fans would see AJ in a different light.

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    Actor-comedian Bearwin Meily has taken up running and this explains why he has lost weight. He had been running since November and was inspired to continue doing so after he lost considerable weight. He also felt the change in his body chemistry. He’s feeling lighter yet stronger.

    He runs about 15 kilometers a day (when his schedule permits). He used to play badminton to keep himself in shape, but now that he’s shifted to running, he’s seriously at it with great results.

    “I don’t mind eating a little bit more since I know I could easily burn the calories when I run,” said Bearwin when we got to talk to him at the taping of the all-new “Hole in the Wall” on GMA 7, where he serves as team captain of the Red Team until Friday.

    The whole week episode which started airing Monday pits Bearwin with “Bubble Gang’s” Antonio Aquitania. He lost in the jackpot round on Monday but he still has a chance to get back at Antonio since they will still be facing each other until Friday.

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    Borgy Manotoc has no plans of entering politics like his mom Governor Imee Marcos, his lola Imelda Marcos and his uncle Sen. Bongbong Marcos. We had the chance to talk to Borgy at the celebrity premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” While he supports his mom’s political career, he doesn’t see himself seeking an elective post, not in the near future, at the least.

    He’s bent on focusing on his business while accepting modeling jobs once in a while, as he said that he’s already retired as a model.

Borgy is endorsing the FILA line of shoes and sports wear. He grew up watching the games of tennis superstar Bjorn Borg (he was named after him) and playing some tennis as well. “He is the biggest tennis superstar of his time and was also the endorser of FILA. “Now I get to experience the real thing of wearing the FILA sportswear. A good thing about FILA is that it’s a great product for everybody,” said Borgy.