Cristine Reyes channels Angelina Jolie in ‘Maria’

Cristine Reyes is the first and only choice of filmmaker Pedring A. Lopez to play the female lead in the action film “Maria” which opens in cinemas on March 27.

According to him, Cristine’s aura fits Maria’s role perfectly.

“She has very expressive eyes but she can be fierce. She can also look vulnerable but is very adept in doing action scenes because of her athleticism,” said the director who already had Cristine in mind when he conceptualized the film.

While he admits getting intimidated with his leading lady’s persona, he found Cristine a delight to work with.

“She’s very collaborative. She had a lot of suggestions on how to make her role even more interesting and that made her role better.”

Even before “Maria” hits theaters, Direk Pedring already planned the sequel that will be shot this year for release in 2020. “If you watch the movie, you will sense that there is indeed going to be a sequel and Cristine will still be the lead as she signed a three-picture contract with Viva.”

The director is hopeful the movie will make money in its local release as there are already plans to release it in the Asian film market. He said there is a need for Pinoy movies to create a market outside the Philippines.

“We are all fans of the action genre and I must say that Cristine went all out with her acting. She also didn’t have qualms in doing the action scenes.”

Even though she didn’t undergo training for the action scenes, Cristine said she enjoyed every minute of it.

“While the action scenes are really hard to do, I had so much fun playing the role of Maria, who is a protégé of a retired assassin that’s why I am fearless and ruthless,” said the actress who said her peg for her role is Angelina Jolie.

No matter the hardships she encountered, Cristine considers “Maria” her favorite movie. Notwithstanding the bruises, she never had any untoward accident doing the action scenes.

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Joaquin Ditan Domagoso,17, is the newest alaga of comebacking talent manager Daddie Wowie Roxas.

Joaquin is the second to the eldest son of actor-turned-politician Isko Moreno (who is running for Mayor of Manila this May). Joaquin studies at the Southville International School where he is in 12th grade.

He is considered a heartthrob in school where he won Mr. Teen SGEN 2018 aside from getting three special awards.

Daddie Wowie said it took a lot of convincing Isko and his wife before the couple gave their blessings for their son to enter showbiz. Isko and his wife agreed to Daddie Wowie’s pleading, with the condition that Joaquin will continue with his studies and maintain his good grades.

With Joaquin under his fold, Daddie Wowie has two new young stars as alaga. The other is Uno Santiago, another newcomer whom he discovered in a mall. If everything will fall into place, Joaquin and Uno will be doing a movie project together.

“It feels good to manage a talent who is the offspring of my talent before. It has come full circle,” said Daddie Wowie who was inspired to return to talent management after he discovered Uno last year.

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Katrina Halili and Ashley Rivera are the guest artists in tonight’s episode of “Bubble Gang.”

Among the featured segments are Sunog gags, Hapitot, Pik Pik Bato, Ikaw at Ang Ina, Ahhh (a comedy sketch about a wife complaining about her husband’s ridiculous way of expressing refreshment), Jojo Lahat (Chariz as a mother talking about why her children are all named Jojo), Nakabaong Kayamanan (a comedy sketch about a dying old man telling his last words to his children), Aminan (Kim and Paolo play a couple celebrating their anniversary by telling deepest secrets with each other), Tsubero (Valeen and Antonio play a couple hiring a plumber to fix their sink), Patikim ni Kim has Kim Domingo in the role of the hottest host of a cooking show.

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Public school teacher Ronalyn Quinio drove home last week with a brand new Foton Gratour Van, one of the grand raffle prizes during GabayGuro’s Grand Gathering. This is done in partnership with premier motor vehicle brand Foton.

Hailing from San Pablo City, Laguna, Quinio has been teaching in Placido Escudero Memorial School for 11 years now. Quinio is among the 20,000 teachers who were present at last year’s Grand Gathering. Quinio, like many teachers from across the country, remains instrumental in changing the lives of today’s generation.

“GabayGuro opens opportunities for teachers nationwide to ultimately reach their full potential. GabayGuro, through our Grand Gathering, is a way for us to pay homage to the ones who have selflessly dedicated themselves in shaping the lives of our youth today,” said PLDT SVP and GabayGuro Chairwoman Chaye Cabal-Revilla.