In “First Lady,” Alice and Gabby had a relationship when they were still law students in America.
DID Gabby Concepcion expect then that “First Yaya” will have a sequel, “First Lady”?
“Not at all,” he said. “We all found the core story cute, about a president na na-involve sa yaya. Parang fairy tale. Wala pa akong naririnig na ganung klase ng relationship. But the viewers loved it and we have a good creative team that brought us to where we are right now, Season 2.”
How is it working with Sanya Lopez now as his First Lady?
“She definitely has a much more demanding role now kaysa noong she was just the yaya.
It’s no joke to be the president’s wife. But Sanya is a fast learner so I’m sure kayang-kaya niya whatever the challenges of her role would be. Mas masaya itong ‘First Lady’ kasi mas dumami pa ang mga kumakalaban sa kanya at gusto nilang ipahiya siya sa harap ng publiko.”
In “First Yaya,” his main antagonist was Gardo Versoza. But now, it’s a woman, Alice Dixson. How does he feel about it?
“Masaya, kasi si Alice ako ang first leading man niya in her first movie, ‘Nagbabagang Luha,’ after her reign sa Binibining Pilipinas. So we go a long way back and it’s nice to be working with her again. Ang maganda rito sa ‘First Lady,’ may intriguing back story rin ang characters namin.”
Alice plays Ingrid Domingo and she and Gabby had a relationship when they were still law students in America. Alice felt that Gabby jilted her when he decided to leave her in the States and return to Manila. On the part of Alice, how is it working with Gabby anew?
“It’s definitely a joy to work with Gabby kasi I’ve worked with him several times sa movies man or sa TV,” said Alice. “The last film we did is ‘When the Love is Gone’ with Viva kasama si Cristine Reyes, 5 years ago. Masaya kami sa set.”
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Eddie Gutierrez was born on February 6, 1942, so he turned 80 years old last Monday, now the last man standing among his Sampaguita Pictures contemporaries like Romeo Vasquez, Jose Mari, Juancho Gutierrez, Lito Legaspi and Vic Vargas, who have all gone to the great beyond.
Eddie just finished high school at San Sebastian when he was discovered. We remember first seeing him in the 1958 costume picture, “Prinsesa Gusgusin” starring Susan Roces, playing a palace guard. Then he started playing lead title roles in “Eddie Long Legs,” “Pogi” and “Eddie Loves Susie.” There was a time he was making 5 to 6 movies in one year.
In the late ‘70s, he figured in a car accident and went to the States. Annabelle Rama followed him and that’s where they got married. After the EDSA Revolution, Mother Lily Monteverde convinced him to come home. He was paired anew with Susan Roces in “Inday, Inday sa Balitaw” and it was a big hit so more film projects followed.
Eddie’s acting chops truly developed over the time and he first won a best supporting actor award as the main villain in the action film, “Uubusin Ko ang Lahi Mo,” in 1991. He is the only actor in the history of Philippine cinema who has won both the best supporting actor and best actor award for the same role. This is for his persuasive portrayal of Maricel Soriano’s strict and controlling father in “Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal” in 1992.
Eddie is also one of the friendliest actors we’ve known in showbiz. In press cons, he will be the first to greet and acknowledge you. He has lived a long, fruitful and truly productive life. For all his contributions to the industry (including his kids), he truly deserves a lifetime achievement award!
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Jela Cuenca was introduced playing a supporting role in “Taya.” Then she did a lead role in “Palitan.” In “Silip sa Apoy,” she went back to playing a supporting role as the best friend of lead star Angeli Khang.
And now, she’s one of the two leading ladies of Wilbert Ross in “Boy Bastos,” the other one being Rose Van Ginkel. Does she mind doing supporting roles even if she has already played a lead role?
“Hindi naman po, kasi baguhan pa lang ako,” she said. “Wala pa ako sa posisyong mamili ng roles ko. Nagpapasalamat lang ako na tuloy-tuloy ang assignments ko sa Vivamax at hindi ako nababakante.”
In “Boy Bastos,” she plays Kathy, Wilbert’s classmate in high school.
“Ako po ang girlfriend niya at pareho pa kaming virgin,” she said. “Pero ako, atat na atat nang magpadyug sa kanya at ang usapan namin, sa birthday ko, magse-sex na kami. Ako ang mas aggressive sa aming dalawa. Mas maelya at siyang nagyayayang mag-sex na kami. Pero itong si Boy Bastos, siya ang natotorpe.”
Since “Boy Bastos” is about the foolish things you do in your youth, does she have any such experiences in real life?
“Oh yes, noong high school ako. ‘Yung classmates ko, nakita kong nanonood sila ng cellfone sa canteen during lunch break. Nagkukumpulan sila. Ang akala ko, movie lang ang pinapanood nila so nakipanood ako. ‘Yun pala, nasa porn site sila. That time when we watched that, hindi pa ako open-minded. Ayokong panoorin ang mga ganun, pero ngayon, ako na ang gumagawa ng sexy scenes. Hahahaha!”
