Bea Alonzo on filming ‘Kasal’ in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Bea Alonzo took a leap of faith with her latest  film, “Kasal,” knowing that she will be working with the director behind movies like “No Other Woman” and “One More Try” which tackled complicated and oftentimes suggestive themes.

A romantic drama, “Kasal” is about a simple public school teacher, Lia Marquez portrayed by Bea, who finds herself questioning her decision to marry Cebu’s most eligible bachelor and mayoral candidate Philip Cordero, played by Paulo Avelino. This takes place after her ex-boyfriend, Derek Ramsay’s Wado dela Costa, comes back into Lia’s life. She is then faced between a life of security and power, or one with simplicity and the allure of adventure and unpredictability.

But the story claims to be so much more than that as the production and cast hint a twist in the plot.

Bea has been commended for her performance in “Kasal,” but the actress presses that she can’t take all the credit.

“Sa totoo, ang laki-laking tulong ni Direk Ruel [Bayani]. Sa proseso, lahat ng ginagawa namin open discussion, ang sarap sa feeling na may kasama ka, hindi lang sarili mo. Para sa amin mas madali na ang trabaho,” Bea quips during a recent blog conference that was live-streamed to the Cebu press care of Josie Pereyra’s JSP Ads and Promotions.

Bea also commends her co-stars Derek and Paulo Avelino for being intelligent and open-minded actors.

Apart from hitting their box-office goals, she hopes to send the message behind “Kasal” to its viewers.

“Yan [box office hit] lagi ang gusto natin na posibleng outcome. Masaya po kami sa first day pero mas gusto ko sana na mas maraming tao ang manood not only because box office hit siya but because it’s a story na gusto kong pag-usapan yung issue,” she says.

Although set in stunning Cebu, the “Kasal” cast were unable to promote here. However, the Cebu press were able take part in the conference online and Bea and Direk Ruel were quick to speak about their Cebu experience.

“Gusto ko lang i-point out na ilang beses na akong napupunta sa Cebu, and sa napuntahan namin talagang nakakatuwa. Every year andun ako para sa Sinulog pero ang dami-dami kong na-discover sa Cebu so thank you for making it a really great experience,” Bea, who got to visit spots like Temple of Leah and the 10,000 Roses, gushes.

The cast also had to learn how to speak in Bisaya. Despite being assisted by Cebuano coaches on set, Bea hopes that did well enough in doing the Bisaya culture justice, adding that it was a bit more difficult to learn Bisaya than learn Batangeño for last year’s ABS-CBN teleserye “A Love To Last.”

“Sana hindi ako nakakahiya. Medyo kinakabahan ako, pero sana okay naman,” Bea says, pointing out how setting films in other regions outside of Manila is a great way of making them more relatable for the Filipino audience.

With the story circling around the idea of a looming wedding, Bea also got to muse about her own future march down the aisle. Although it’s not in the picture just yet, Bea sees herself as a classic woman in a very simple and intimate wedding. Turning 30 in October last year, Bea has not promised herself the life of a married woman just yet. Instead, she’s given herself an ultimatum of sorts for her career.

“Promise ko sa sarili ko kapag nag 30 na ako, is to take roles that scare me. This one scared me. Right now I’m very scared to work with Kuya Aga but it’s a different kind of scared. Parang, iniisip ko kung aabutin ko ba to, kakayanin ko ba, kung ano ang nararamdaman kong takot bago nag-umpisa ang ‘Kasal.’ It’s a very, very good feeling,” Bea reveals.

Bea feels no apprehension with taking more mature rules as she grows up. She hopes to work with director Paul Soriano, share the screen with Richard Gutierrez and even younger stars.

“Tumatanda ako, samasabay sa pagkatao ko ang roles na binibigay sa akin. Nag-mature din ako and as a person, may natutunan din ako. Every role is a dream role. Oo may maraming different genres akong gusto i-explore. Ang saya talaga ng buhay na you get to do what you love,” Bea sighs.

The team behind “Kasal” as well as its cast have made it clear early on that spoilers are discouraged. Likewise, they’ve also stressed how they would like to create a discourse with the film. As for Bea, apart from how she enjoyed working with Direk Ruel, Derek and Paulo, she considers the entire project a celebration.

“Twenty-fifth anniversary offering ito ng Star Cinema and special ito para sa akin kasi lumaki ako with Star Cinema. Gusto ko sanang pag-usapan ng mga tao yung issue. Sa nakapanood na, alam niyo naman. Sana ma-address siya, and mag-start ng discussion,” she says.