CEBU, Philippines — Denise Esteban just turned 20 years old yesterday, May 7, but with her slender frame, youthful face and unsure demeanor, she can still pass off for someone even younger.
The former member of Viva’s P-Pop Generation had dabbled in modeling and singing, although acting had always been her childhood dream.
After making a household name of AJ Raval, and with the likes of Angeli Khang and Ayanna Misola close on her heels, Vivamax is now betting on Denise as the latest upstart willing to be filmed in all states of undress.
Denise told interviewers during a virtual interview that she was fond of posting on social media photos of herself in a bikini – and Viva soon took notice. When they asked her if she was open to appearing in sexy films, she jumped at the opportunity.
She first tested the waters with a supporting role to AJ’s lead in Brillante Mendoza’s “Kaliwaan.” For her second film, Denise is front and center as the lead star of “Doblado” where she plays a student moonlighting as a high-class prostitute.
Denise said her parents are supportive of her decision to go the sexy path. Asked how she mentally prepared for the notoriety that comes with shedding one’s clothes on screen, Denise shrugged and said she couldn’t care less.
“Wala naman akong pakialam sa sasabihin ng iba. Hindi ko nalang pinapakinggan. Basta mahal ko yung trabaho ko,” said Denise.
Directed by GB Sampedro (Kaka, Crush Kong Curly, Kinsenas, Katapusan), “Doblado” follows a young woman’s struggles to make ends meet while fearing the judgment of others. Denise’s Jaira is rim and proper, but she has a well-kept secret.
As an escort, her services only cater to VIP clients from a private website. Through this, she’ll meet Ronan (Josef Elizalde), a man who will change her game, for as she promises to detach from her clients, she’ll find herself falling for this man.
Their relationship will open doors to complicated and even life-threatening situations. Will Jaira get to live the best of both worlds? Or will her two identities collide and lead her to her ultimate doom?
Now streaming on Vivamax, “Doblado” also stars Kier Legaspi, Stephanie Raz, Kat Dovey, Mark Anthony Fernandez, and Gwen Garci.
Direk GB thinks the up-and-coming actress shows promise. “Nakita niyo naman ang rehistro niya sa Zoom pa lang, ang ganda ng batang ito. When it comes to work, she is willing to learn. She gives her all-out effort. Her commitment is there. There’s a hunger, so there’s that eagerness to do good.”
For Josef, who’s coming from his first daring role via Vivamax’s “X Deal 2”, his character in “Doblado” is a dream role
“Although I had some hesitation with accepting the project dahil ayokong mabigo kay Direk na baka hindi ko ma-portray because it’s challenging,” he said.
On where he digs the confidence for his risqué scenes, Josef shared, “You just need to set aside your personal life so pag sumalang ka eksena, you don’t need to think kung confident ka ba sa katawan mo. It’s more about you portraying your character. So when in a scene, it’s not Josef who’s there.”
As for those who condemn Vivamax for continuing to produce what they believe is softcore drivel, Direk GB had this say: “Kung hindi nila nakikita yung relevance ng ginagawa naming pelikula, nasa kanila yan. We cannot contest their opinion. I guess we will concentrate on those who appreciate. Which I think, since Vivamax has a growing number of subscribers, I think a lot have been able to appreciate. They are our inspiration to do more films. As always, in life you can’t please everyone.”
Gwen, of the erstwhile famous Viva Hot Babes, pointed out that skin-baring and titillating flicks is par for the course in Hollywood. “Kung sa ibang bansa nga nagagawa nila yung mga ganitong bagay, for example ‘Game of Thrones’…so wala lang ito,” said Gwen, who plays a bisexual madame who sells female students in “Doblado.”
She also noted how the sexy stars of today are more gutsy than those during her heyday. “Mas palaban sila. Nagugulat ako kasi yung mga kasamahan ko before nahihiya pa silang ibigay yung todo nila. Pero yung mga kabataan ngayon they give their best. Sa edad nila, mas malala pa ang ginagawa nila.”
As a word of caution, she tells them, “Love their job because hindi habang buhay nasa taas ka. Kung talagang passionate kayo at love niyo ang ginagawa niyo pagbutihin niyo para mapansin kayo. And huwag kayong gagawa ng mga bagay na makakasira ng pangalan niyo.”