Julia Barretto is sizzling hot in Vivamax's latest drama-romance

By Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Manila Times

Because she was only 10 years old when she set her dainty little feet on the rough yet sparkling road of show business, many still think of Julia Barretto as the pretty little girl who stole the screen from the alien "Kokey" in a 2017 ABS-CBN prime-time hit. She has since had a string of blockbuster movies that proved her acting mettle via stories of young love and family dramas. Nevertheless, it's still difficult for those who've seen her blossom into the compelling actress and outspoken woman she is today to believe that Julia is indeed 25 and way past 

Babies will always be babies to those who nurture and adore them, no matter how old they grow. And, in the same way, I guess beloved child stars will always be part of the baby generation Filipino families hold close to their hearts.

It wouldn't be far-fetched to think that Julia may be aware of this common quirk in many elders. So much so that it might even explain why Julia has sent Instagram into a frenzy these last few weeks, posting sexy swimsuit photos of herself from beach getaways that have gone viral, viral, viral.

It could well be Julia's way of preparing the public for the opening of her latest movie, "Expensive Candy," where she plays the role of a sex worker. For definitely, one look at the outcome of her stripper-clad photoshoot for the Vivamax movie will jolt sentimental folks to the reality that the pretty little niece of Gretchen and Claudine Barretto and promising daughter of actress-politician Marjorie is little no more.

Julia remains as pretty and promising as ever in her continued rise to the top of her game. She is also very determined too to keep growing in her craft. Practically giving her everything to the biz for the last 15 years, Julia certainly deserves to spread her wings wherever she decides. That is, even if it means surprisingly all and sundry by bearing skin and lots of it to effectively bring a character to life.

Steamy from the get-go, Expensive Candy is not at all about the raunchiness which many Vivamax titles have come to be known for.

According to the story's brainchild, blockbuster movie writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, Expensive Candy is essentially a love story he can earnestly add to his acclaimed filmography. Direk JP, as everyone calls him, is the genius behind Viva's mega hits, "100 Tula Para Kay Stella," "The Day After Valentine's," and "Just a Stranger," to name a few.

In other words, substance can be expected of this daring movie, along with intense emotions as expertly delivered by Julia and her top-notch leading man.

Renato "Toto" Camaya (Carlo Aquino) is a high school teacher who falls in love at first sight with Candy after a night of paying to be with her.

Something about Candy leaves a mark in Toto's heart that he can't forget about. In trying to win her love, Toto spends time with Candy as much as possible, even if he has to pay for her time.

A humble man with a simple life, Toto's only dream is to be with Candy, and he is willing to do anything and give up everything for her. Sadly for the lovestruck teacher, Candy has different plans and definitely no intentions of having a stable relationship. Candy tells Toto she wants to make it big by doing something she's good at — getting attractive rich men to be with her, have them pay her loads of money, and live the luxurious life she has always desired.

Blushing ever so slightly as the bold and compelling trailer of Expensive Candy was shown at a digital media conference, Julia could not escape the question why she accepted such a daring role.

For the longest time, she would essay the role of a privileged and spoiled lady whose good heart prevails at the movie's end.

"Never akong makaka-no kay direk JP kahit ano pa yung ibigay niya o ipagawa sa akin," Julia, who had worked with direk JP in her fateful movie with boyfriend Gerald Anderson, "Between Maybes."

Besides her trust in the director, Julia added she was also drawn to the role because, "Number one, the story is really nice.

"Nung nabasa ko yung script, I immediately knew I wanted to do it, and I feel like I'm already at a point in my life where it's okay to get out of my comfort zone. So, yeah, I'm very excited to do this."

Laughingly she revealed that her mom Marjorie gave her the green light to crossover from her trademark roles into the daring world of Candy, knowing there is no turning back.

"Before doing the film, one Sunday lunch with the family, I told them about what was pitched to me. After a couple of months, noong dumating na sa akin 'yung script, pinabasa ko po 'yun ng buo sa mommy ko," Julia said.

"She really loves 'Between Maybes,' she loves direk JP, so she gave me the green light. Hindi lang management [Viva] ang nagbibigay ng green light, pati si Miss Marj nagbibigay din.

"My whole family is very supportive of it, and they really love direk JP, even Caloy, so they are very excited for this film."

Without a doubt, Candy is her most challenging role to date, evident from her preparations before filming began.

Besides taking sensual dance lessons, she found the most help by immersing herself in a real-life red light district.

"Unforgettable yung night namin ni direk sa Angeles City. We were able to visit what they also call the 'walking street' kung saan mismo kami nag-shoot."

To be able to talk to a sex worker, Julia narrated, "Tineybol ko siya. Naka-disguise po kasi kami nung una. Hindi po sure kung akala niya isa pa akong babae na interesado sa kanya at hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kanya. Until later on, I had to introduce myself and kinailangan kong sabihin yung intention ko of being there. And nakasama rin namin siya sa shooting but I want to protect her identity so..." she trailed off.

"Tapos, naghanap po kami ng puwedeng reference ko for Candy, na ngayon, naging kaibigan ko rin. Marami pa sila and I did get a few tips and tricks and a little bit of their dance moves. The girls there are amazing."

Beyond prepping her to become Candy, Julia said that the immersion became all the more meaningful to her because of the new-found respect she has for sex workers.

"In understanding them, I understood Candy all the more. This movie really challenged me physically, mentally and emotionally. And I realized, si Candy kasi hindi naman siya about pagpapaseksi lang."

Expensive Candy also stars Denise Esteban, Quinn Carrillo, AJ Muhlach, Ivan Padilla, Bob Jbeili, Andre Yllana, Aica Veloso, Ashley Diaz, Aivy Rodriguez, Aurora Sevilla, Marissa Sanchez, Marnie Lapus, Jobelyn Manuel, Keagan De Jesus, Francis Maguindayao, Migo Valid, R-Ji, Mo, Valfer and Tomas.

Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana for Vivamax, the movie will also be shown nationwide in cinemas beginning September 14.

PH not producing enough salt – DA

WITH OR WITHOUT SALT A local salt maker continues to produce salt in some salt beds in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Kawit, Cavite on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. The Department of Trade and Industry said there is enough supply of salt in the country. PHOTO BY DENNIS ABRINA

By Bella Cariaso, Manila Times

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday admitted that the country is not producing enough salt, resulting in the importation of at least 93 percent of its requirement.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said the country outsources most of the salt supply in the local market.

"As far as local production is concerned, admittedly we are not producing enough. The DTI is looking at the supply situation from a different perspective that they factored in importation, that is why they say we have enough but as far as DA is concerned, we must improve our production for us to meet our demand requirements," Evangelista said.

She added that salt makers stopped their operation when their business was affected by various issues, including the lower price of salt.

"We are looking into the production and yield of salt. This will also help our fisherfolks. This can also be another revenue for them. The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) has a program to help our fisherfolk. I also requested a roadmap for our salt industry," Evangelista said.

"Aside from identifying areas for production, there will always be a need as far as technology is concerned for our marginalized fisherfolks and for them to improve their production level," she added.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. President Danilo Fausto earlier said local salt producers were adversely affected by the Republic Act 8172 or the "Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide" (ASIN).

Fausto said that the Department of Trade and Industry failed to comply with ASIN which mandates the agency to assist and support local salt manufacturers in upgrading their production technologies by helping them obtain soft loans and financial assistance for the procurement of iodization machines.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said he filed House Bill 1976 to revive the local salt industry.

PH imports 93% salt needs – Agri group

"We need to ensure comprehensive measures to uplift and revive the salt industry. Otherwise, we will see a completely dead salt industry," Salo said.

The country's yearly salt requirement is pegged at 600,000 metric tons.

In 2021, the country imported 647,000 metric tons of salt — 72 percent from Australia and 18.7 percent from China.

Davao City imposes strict curfew on minors

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: Col. Alberto Lupaz, chief of the Davao City Police Office, said the DCPO will intensify the implementation of curfew hours for minors in the city to ensure their safety and protection.

Lupaz has already directed all chiefs of police in the city to strictly impose the curfew which prohibits unescorted minors from loitering outside their houses between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The directive came after a 14-year-old female from Toril District was rescued by the police in General Santos City on Sunday afternoon, August 28, after she was initially reported missing on Saturday evening, August 27.

Lupaz said the police will "rescue" minors who are found to be loitering outside their homes in the city and will be turned over at the Women and Children Protection Desk of police stations for temporary custody.

He also advised parents to ensure that their children are inside their residences before 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lupaz dismissed reports of rampant kidnapping incidents despite the recent news that went viral on social media about two minors who were allegedly abducted in the city.

"It was fake news," Lupaz said.

The said minors personally appeared at Davao City Police Office on Monday afternoon, August 29, with their parents.

The minors and their parents denied the allegation of kidnapping, claiming that they ran away from home because of personal problems.

Turbulence injures PAL passengers, crew

By Benjamin L. Vergara

AT least 12 people were rushed to hospital on Sunday night after Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR113 encountered severe turbulence two hours before its arrival in Manila from Los Angeles.

PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna confirmed that nine passengers and three crew members were injured.

Villaluna said that as of August 29, one passenger remained confined at the hospital.

She said that PAL shouldered the medical expenses of the affected passengers, most of whom were seniors.

Villaluna said that "upon arrival of the flight in Manila at 10:30 p.m. [on] August 28, the injured passengers and crew were brought immediately to the hospital by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport medical team, accompanied by PAL ground staff."

"This turbulence was not detectable on the aircraft's onboard weather radar station system, hence there was no advance warning. We affirm that safety is our top priority and that Philippine Airlines is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities," Villaluna said.

A passenger who posted his experience on Facebook said that the injured were not wearing seat belts when the incident happened.

The passenger identified as George Angel, also said, "[The] pilot did not even warn passengers of turbulence."

Turbulence can be caused by many different conditions — wind, storms, jet steam and objects near the plane, such as mountain ranges.

The best condition for us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

IN the gospel, there is a part where Christ went to the house of Peter and cured Peter’s wife, after which many others who were sick came to be healed by Christ. Even evil spirits that possessed a few came out of those they possessed. (cfr. Lk 4,38-44)

We have to understand that the best thing for us to do, especially when we are faced with all sorts of problems and difficulties, is to go to Christ. Being with Christ, asking for his help is actually the best condition for us to be in, even as we also would exhaust all possible human means we have to resolve our predicaments.

To be with Christ is always doable. All we have to do is to rev up our faith which tells us that Christ is always around, eager to help us and even willing to offer his life for us. It’s always a question of faith.

As Christ himself said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17,20)

The faith of our Lady made possible the incarnation of the Son of God that led to our redemption. The faith of the apostles and all the other saints, despite their weaknesses, made them able to do what may be considered as impossible to do.

We should just learn how to deal with the difficult and the impossible things in our life with faith more than our human efforts alone. Let’s remember that as long as we are here on earth, we have to contend with all sorts of difficulties, trials and temptations. 

And as if these are not enough, we also have to contend with the truth of our faith that tells us that we are meant to pursue a supernatural goal that definitely cannot be achieved simply with our own human powers, no matter how excellent they are.

The secret is always to go and to be with God who can make the impossible possible. In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if the outcome of our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted.

We should always remember that God never abandons us and is, in fact, all ready and prompt to come to our aid, albeit in ways that we may not realize, at first, just like what happened in that story of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. (cfr. Lk 24,13-35)

We should not allow our feelings of sadness to be so dominant and pervasive that we shut off God’s many and often mysterious ways of helping us. If we do not pose a deliberate impediment to God’s ways, there is always hope. In our darkest moments, some light will always come piercing and dispelling the darkness away.

Everyday, we should find a way of how to be with God, fanning our desire to go to him always and sharpening our awareness of his constant presence and interventions in our life, etc.

We should strengthen our conviction that amid the varying situations in our life, the best condition for us to be in is to be with God.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com