‘Friending’ Angelo Ilagan

It took Angelo Ilagan one week to, as he put it, “think it over” before he accepted the role of the bisexual lover of Sandino Martin (the gay character) in Unfriend, Jay Altarejos’ film which earned rave reviews at the Berlin International Film Festival.

“Not for anything,” said Angelo (whose mom is the cousin of Jay Ilagan; he’s Jay’s look-alike). “I was worried I might not be able to give justice to the role.”

No regrets, especially now that he (and company) were “vindicated” by the Berlinale. The movie was inspired by an incident at a mall in Pampanga in which a gay person killed his male lover before he turned the gun on himself, although the movie’s ending leaves the audience guessing.

“Unfriended” in real life because, as he himself admitted, “I developed an attitude problem,” Angelo had a good start as a member of the Star Circle (same batch as the Roco twins Dominic and Felix, and AJ Perez who died in a car accident in 2011).

“Parang lumaki ang ulo ko at yumabang ako,” said Angelo who naturally displeased his bosses. He was without any assignment for seven years, left with no choice but to resume his rudely-interrupted studies but reaching only up to fourth-year high school in Cavite where his family resides. “I also took up a course in automotive through TESDA,” added Angelo, “and I decided to put up a small motor shop that specialized in painting cars. That was the time when some people saw me in dirty clothes, kasi nga ganoon ang work ko, and spread the rumor that I was wandering around gusgusin.”

Soon, he realized that, being an Ilagan (with relatives that also include Robert Arevalo), his heart was really in acting so he slowly inched his way back to showbiz by taking Basic Acting Workshops before taking roles in TV dramas (Mga Anghel na Walang Langit and Maaalaala Mo Kaya on ABS-CBN, and Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig on GMA). He also starred in the indie Sarung Banggi as the boy who lost his innocence to a prostitute (played by Jaclyn Jose).

Now again managed by director Maryo J. delos Reyes, Angelo said he has gotten rid of his “attitude problem” (part of growing up) and promised to make good this time.

“What happened to me was an eye-opener,” he said. “I learned my lesson the painful way.”

With his fine performance in Unfriend (showing nationwide starting tomorrow, Feb. 26), Angelo will hopefully be “friended” by the industry again.

Jay directed Angelo in Posh, a youth-oriented show on QTV 11 and he remembered Angelo while casting for Unfriend.

“At first,” said Angelo, “I told direk Jay that I felt I wasn’t ready to go back to showbiz, so I asked for one week to think it over. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang umarte at humarap sa mga intriga. I talked to my mom and she told me to decide for myself. I asked direk Jay to give me one week to think it over. During the shoot, I was conscious in my love scene with Sandino, including in the scene where I bared my butt.”

Said Maryo, “Sayang naman ang pagka-Ilagan niya if he lets it go to waste.”

Mark, unwed father

Finally, after denying blind items in the tabs (and in this corner), Mark Herras admitted that, yes, it’s true, he has a three-month-old daughter with his handler who, at 32, is five years Mark’s senior.

Fighting back tears on Startalk last Sunday, Mark explained that he initially denied the rumors for fear that it might ruin his career. Maybe he has forgotten that he is not the only actor who has committed that “lapse in judgment.” There was Aga Muhlach who did it when he was only 17, Jericho Rosales, Marvin Agustin, Diether Ocampo and Dennis Trillo who continue to enjoy flourishing careers.

Mark asked forgiveness from Ynna Asistio with whom he broke up last year after going steady for more than five years. Admitted that he got his handler pregnant while he and Ynna were still on, and Ynna learned about it (and about the baby) only after they split up.

Known as The Bad Boy of the Dance Floor, Mark said that he spent last Christmas with her daughter who, he added, is now his priority in life. The baby stays with the mom.

Pinoy actors continue to win raves abroad

• Jun Robles Lana’s Mga Kuwentong Barbero (Barber’s Tales) received four nominations from the 3rd Madrid International Film Festival in Spain to be held in July this year — Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director in a Foreign Language Film and Best Lead Actress for Eugene Domingo who has already won Best Actress for the same film at the Tokyo International Film Festival last year.

Eugene is also nominated in the Asian Film Awards to be held in Macau next month while indie producer and this section’s contributor Ferdinand Lapuz is nominated as Best Feature Film Producer.

Barbero won four awards in last year’s Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum. It was produced by Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment and by Perci Intalan and Lana’s Octobertrain Films.
Eugene is supported in the film by Eddie Garcia, Iza Calzado, Gladys Reyes, Shamaine Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Sue Prado, Daniel Fernando, Nicco Manalo, Jess Mendoza and with the special participation of Nora Aunor.

• Sandy Talag, 15, was declared Best Actress (International) for the movie Lilet Never Happened, Feature Film Category, in the 6th Jaipur International Film Festival held Feb. 1-5 in India.  

She was one of the honorees of National Commission of Culture and Arts’ 6th Ani ng Dangal Awards held Feb. 2 in recognition of her achievements last year — Best Actress in the 4th Oaxaca International Film Festival in Mexico and Best Cast Ensemble Feature in the 3rd International Film Festival Manhattan in New York for the same film.

Sandy is a product of GMA Network’s reality-based talent search StarStruck Kids in 2004. Aside from Lilet Never Happened, she has appeared in three movies: Lovestruck (2005), Ouija (2007) and Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! (2007) and in several shows of GMA 7 and TV5. -Reported by CELSO DE GUZMAN CAPARAS

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