Eugene Domingo leads power cast in "I Do Bidoo Bidoo"

Plus:

• Elmo Magalona pressured with new timeslot of TV series

• Aljur Abrenica proud of fellow Kapuso stars

Award-winning actress Eugene Domingo enjoyed herself working with Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Ogie Alcasid in the movie "I Do Bidoo Bidoo" under Unitel Pictures and TV5 directed by Chris Martinez. She confesses to being a fan of the three singers. For Uge, it's a big honor for her to get an opportunity to work with them. "Nahihiya ako sa kanila. Hindi lang ako mahiyain pero nahihiya ako in their presence," said the actress during the presscon of their movie.

She describes Zsa Zsa not only as a best actress but a generous person, as well. "She's a very generous person especially in sharing her experiences of love. Nakaka-inspire. Ako na wala nang katiwa-tiwala na puwede pa akong magkaroon ng lovelife sa buhay ko, sa ipinakita niya sa atin, sa buong Pilipinas, parang ang sarap-sarap magmahal nang matagal at walang katapusan. She is not only an inspiration as an actress but also as a woman," said Uge.

For Gary V, even if he was the one who always led their prayers on set, Uge says she couldn't help but look at him with malice. Of course, she was laughing when she said this. "Since it was Sir Gary who is always leading the prayer, it seems that God always answers his answers his prayer and makes everything on the set bearable. We were able to finish the movie even if we were delayed. I feel that our set is blessed each time Sir Gary prays because God grants what we wish for," explained Uge.

"Halimbawa wala kaming matapos na eksena, magdadasal siya, natatatapos ang eksena kasi umuurong ang bagyo. Sa simula ng shooting hanggang sa matapos kami, siya ang nagdarasal palagi and so we feel so blessed. Ang joy sa mga puso namin na natapos ang project na masaya, ipinagdasal din niya. Ipinagdasal din niya si Ms. Zsa Zsa dahil alam naman natin kung ano ang pinagdaanan niya. And we feel na talagang guided kami ng Panginoon habang ginagawa namin ang pelikula.

For Ogie, Uge says the singer-composer is very talented. And she felt at ease working with him. They play husband and wife in the movie and they have a love scene, which, incidentally, got an x-rating when included in the trailer. But Direk Chris says that the MTRCB may have some guidelines to impose and the love scene between Ogie and Uge did not exactly please them. Plus, there was a scene in the movie wherein Uge is holding a knife while chopping vegetables. This scene was also frowned upon by the MTRCB.

"But you've got to see the love scene of Uge and Ogie because it was so hilarious. Kakaiba ito. Hindi ninyo ito kakayanin pag napanood ninyo," says Direk Chris who admits that Uge is his best friend and he really wants her to play one of the lead roles in "I Do Bidoo Bidoo."

When asked how she was convinced by Direk Chris to do the love scene with Ogie, the award-winning actress says, "I am an actress and I am duty bound to follow my director's instructions. Besides, I was given a check by my producer so why have second thoughts." And Uge followed this remark with a hearty laughter.

***

GMA 7 changed the time slot of "Together Forever," the youth-oriented program featuring Julie Ann San Jose and Elmo Magalona in the lead roles. At the taping of "Together Forever" at Antipolo last Thursday, we asked Elmo's reaction on the recent action done by GMA 7 on their show.

"I was surprised because I feel the time slot of Together Forever is just perfect since it comes right after Party Pilipinas plus we have established the show at the said schedule. But now that the show is on a Saturday slot, there might be some students who won't be able to watch us. But we won't change anything in the story. And we are giving the show our best effort," says Elmo.

Elmo is happy and thankful with the good ratings enjoyed by “Together Forever,” something that they didn't expect. "What we ought to do is to maintain the good quality of the show to maintain its good ratings," adds Elmo.

What does he think makes the show click? "Siguro kasi maraming situations na nangyayari sa show. Mapapangiti ka, mapapaiyak, mapapagalit, magugulat ka. Marami kang mararamdaman. Hindi mo maee-expect kung ano ang mangyayari sa bawat episode," says Elmo. "Parang well thought off talaga ang story. Nilalagyan na lang namin ng kulay ang mga nangyayari."

Do you feel pressured with the change in the time slot? “Siyempre po ibang time slot so dapat pagbutihan namin. Ibang time slot ito na hindi pinapanood ng mga tao. Feeling ko, iba na naman ang crowd na ipi-please namin. Parang lagi kaming binibigyan ng challenge pero okay naman ang may challenge kasi nakaka-inspire iyon to do our best."

Elmo is likewise excited with the forthcoming release of "One Last Summer," the first movie project of Elmo and his loveteam Julie Ann San Jose. They have been shooting this for five months already.

"What makes this movie memorable for me is that it rained in all of our shooting days when our movie's title is One Last Summer. It even rained on our last shooting day last week. We can't do anything about the rain because there was a typhoon. But I know our fans would enjoy this movie because we many cute scenes that they would love," said Elmo.

***

A new addition to the cast of "Together Forever" is Aljur Abrenica and he was present when we visited the taping last week. One of the questions asked of him was if he feels that Rocco Nacino has the edge over him because the latter has won two acting awards this year for the indie movie "Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa."

Aljur became silent before he answered. "Such comments are fine with me. The success of my brothers in the network also makes me happy. I am happy for them. I am not jealous of what they've accomplished. I am proud of them," he answers.

Aljur said he also received some offers to do indie film projects but wonders why none of them materialized. It's the call of the network when it comes to accepting indie projects for Aljur. But it seems GMA Artist Center is not aware that they have not taken good care of Aljur's career. The last soap opera that Aljur did was "Amaya" which ended last January. He was last seen in the movie "My Kontrabida Girl" opposite Rhian Ramos.

Aljur's stint in "Together Forever" will last for only three weeks but he hopes his stint would be extended even if he is due to start a new soap opera for GMA 7.

He has heard of the filmfest entry titled "Coño Kids" but no one has talked to him about the project to confirm that he is indeed part of the cast. What he told the press is that he has started shooting for a movie with Robin Padilla as his co-star. He is excited about it since Robin is an idol and this fulfills his wish of doing a true-blue action movie.

He says Robin has been wanting to get him as co-star in an action film since last year but the movie did not push through. "I am happy that our movie finally pushed through and I really made an extra effort so that I will be a part of it. This is an action movie but I can't tell you what my role is. Secret po muna kung ang role ko kasi huwag ko raw po sabihin, Yun po ang bilin ni Tito Robin. The movie is that sacred to him."