Cherie Gil embraces Peque’s ‘Sonata’

Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival Masters Edition, is a movie close to Cherie Gil’s heart. First of all, she related with her character Regina, an international opera singer whose career slumped after she lost her singing voice.

“I can relate with Regina because I really lost my voice in real life. It’s good it’s been restored now after surgery,” Cherie revealed at a presscon for the movie last week.

Second, she sank P1 million into Sonata as a producer. “Along with my savings and some financing from my generous ex-husband [violinist Roni Rogoff], I invested my heart and soul into this project,” she said.

And third, the movie was shot in the same mansion in Negros where the Peque Gallaga classic “Oro, Plata, Mata” was shot in 1982, when she was just starting in films. “Now, 30 years later, I returned to it and it brought back so many wonderful memories. But the house now looks smaller to me; I think it’s because I’ve grown up.”

Cherie, who doesn’t’ hide the fact that she’s 50, said she’s realized that “acting is what I really want to do for the rest of my life. And I’m proud of what my brothers and nephews and nieces are doing now.”

Sonata was written by Wanggo, Peque’s youngest son. The dad directed, in collaboration with Lori Reyes.

Cherie explained how she got involved in producing the movie. “Five years ago, when Peque and I had one of our bonding moments, I shared some of the struggles I was going through at that time of my life. It is no secret that Peque and I have been friends for many years and have had numerous projects together, many of which were major milestones in my career as an actress. It was then that the idea for the Sonata was born. I believe it was also during that time the fire was ignited in me to create and produce stories I wanted to tell through film.”

She set up Myownmann Productions Inc., a play on her surname, Eigenmann, which is German for “own man” or freelancer. The 11 films showcased in Sineng Pambansa will be shown in SM theaters from Sept. 11 to 17.

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The entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival are down to seven, after “My Super Kap,” which stars Sen. Bong Revilla, pulled out.

The remaining entries are: Sampung Libong Oras (Philippine Film Studio) with Robin Padilla, directed by Joyce Bernal; San Pedro Calungsod (Hubo Production) with Rocco Nacino, by Francis Villacorta; Boy, Girl, Bakla, Tomboy (Viva Films/Star Cinema) with Vice Ganda and Maricel Soriano, by Wenn Deramas; Be Careful with My Heart (ABS-CBN Film Productions) with Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria, by Jeffrey Jeturian; Pagpag (ABS-CBN Productions, Skylight Films and Regal Entertainment) with Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, by Frasco Mortiz; Kimmy Dora (Prequel) of Spring Films, with Eugene Domingo and Sam Milby, by Chris Martinez; and My Little Bossing (OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, APT Entertainment and Kris Aquino Productions) with Vic Sotto and Kris Aquino, directed by Marlon Rivera.

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“American Idol” producers hope to restore the show’s fading glow with the return of superstar Jennifer Lopez as a judge.

The show’s ratings have been on the downward curve in the face of stiff competition, particularly from “The Voice.” Many AI fans miss the sarcasm of Simon Cowell and are fed up with the catty exchanges between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey.

J Lo will be joined by the returning Keith Urban and jazz singer and musician Harry Connick Jr.

Randy Jackson, who also had given up his judge’s seat, will be back but this time as in-house coach.