‘3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion’ is more than just a friendship film

 

‘3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion’ stars JM de Guzman (as Javi) who gets entangled in a love triangle with childhood best friends, Jasmine Curtis-Smith’s Gabbi and Barbie Imperial’s Charlie.

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

March 17, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — More than just a movie about friendship, director RC delos Reyes’ film “3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion” under Black Cap Pictures also tackles romantic relationships, personal ambitions, and the changes that life brings.

Now showing in theaters nationwide, the rom-com drama stars JM de Guzman (as Javi) who gets entangled in a love triangle with childhood best friends, Jasmine Curtis-Smith’s Gabbi and Barbie Imperial’s Charlie. They go on an adventure in the streets of Poblacion, Makati City, for three days and two nights.

“It’s about change,” asserted direk RC in an interview. He and the Black Cap Pictures conceptualized the movie in 2022 with friendship as the main theme, set in one of the most happening places in Makati City.

Direk RC drew inspiration from his friends and the people who came into his life. He particularly chose Poblacion as the location of the film because, as someone who grew up in Mandaluyong, near Makati, Poblacion for him depicts one’s ambitions and dreams.

“It’s my first time for me to really do a movie, set in Makati, because it talks about dreams (and) ambitions. That’s why it was incorporated into Barbie and Jasmine’s (respective) characters that sometimes we have friends with the same ambitions. But growing up, nagkaka-iba,” he told this paper.

What direk RC loved about the story is the realization that “no matter what or whatever change you both go through, a real friend will always stay there and true.”

He added, “And because change is part of our lives, it’s OK, it’s fine, we all grow up and we have to accept that.”

Director RC delos Reyes says ‘3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion’ is ‘not just about friendship but also about people that pass through one’s life journey.’

Jasmine, for her part, told The STAR in an e-mail interview that she accepted this project because of the story and the theme of the film.

“The title itself was so inviting, then upon learning the story, I knew this would be great material to work on my other acting muscles. I’m usually in heavy drama about family, self or romantic relationships, so it was a nice change of scenery to work on friendships. Plus, I got to work with direk RC again, my director from ‘Alter Me!’”

Except for the love triangle part, Jasmine was able to relate to her role as Gabbi, “a popular prom queen type who peaked in high school,” because she had friends whom she left behind in Manila when she moved back to Australia at age 11.

“It was tough dealing with that but hey life makes you stronger!” she said.

On the takeaways from the film, she had this to share: “When you know how to love, support and care for yourself then those relationships that truly matter in life, will learn how to do the same for you. Just never forget that it goes both ways!”

Barbie, on the other hand, who portrays the “cool and cosmopolitan” Charlie, said, “I think I can relate dun sa part na mag-best friends, tapos nagkagusto yung close ko sa partner ko. Which for me, is a big no.”

“This film reminds us why friendship is more important than love. Not only that, there are also a lot of other learnings from the film,” the actress added.

No more sexy roles for ex-Viva Hot Babe Andrea del Rosario

 

By Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

March 10, 2024 | 12:00am Andrea del Rosario graces the red carpet premiere of Jason Paul Laxamana’s ‘A Glimpse of Forever’ under Viva Films at the SM Cinema Megamall. The former member of the girl group Viva Hot Babes says she will no longer accept sexy and daring roles.

e

MANILA, Philippines — Former member of the girl group Viva Hot Babes, Andrea del Rosario, will no longer accept sexy roles in films or shows. The last movie where she essayed a daring role was Mac Alejandre’s “May-December-January” in 2022.

In “May-December-January,” written by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, Andrea’s character Claire falls in love with her son’s best friend.

“No,” she directly told The STAR when asked if she’s open to accepting other sexy roles in the future. She attended the red-carpet premiere night of Jason Paul Laxamana’s “A Glimpse of Forever” held Monday at the SM Cinema Megamall. 

“‘May-December-January’ was the last one… It’s because of my faith,” she said.

In an earlier interview in Boy Abunda’s “Fast Talk,” she admitted that she didn’t like to be labeled as a sexy star before. But her “drive to work” at that time was to help her family, she explained.  She previously starred in movies such as, “Chopsuey,” “Rome & Juliet,” and “Lupe: A Seaman’s Wife.” She was part of Star Magic’s Batch 3 and won fourth runner-up in Miss Philippines Earth 2001 and bagged the Miss Close Up Killer Smile award.

She also served as the vice mayor of Calatagan, Batangas in 2016.

When queried about how she has maintained her timeless beauty and sexy figure at the age of 46, she said, “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. That’s No. 1. I do sports. And you know just be positive. Just be happy. And I think also having a relationship with God, with Jesus Christ. I’m a Christian, so it helps me have a more optimistic outlook in life.”

Andrea with her daughter Beatrice during one of their trips abroad.

Photo from Andrea del Rosario's Instagram

She is currently in a relationship with polo player Anthony Garcia, who is also a Christian. 

Meanwhile, Andrea plays the lady boss in the virtual dating studio called ForeVR in “A Glimpse of Forever,” a Viva Films offering now showing in cinemas nationwide.

It stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Glenda, Diego Loyzaga as Kokoy, and Jerome Ponce as Dante.

The romance-drama with an element of sci-fi is about Glenda, who tries to find companionship and comfort via ForeVR.

“It’s a cameo role,” said Andrea of her character. “But I always believe, like the saying ni (Constantin) Stanislavski, ‘There’s no such thing as small roles, only small actors.’ So, I’m happy that kahit papano that I have a small part in the movie.”

The moviegoers must watch the film because there’s a lot of lessons they can learn from it, tackling the pros and cons of virtual interaction, shared Andrea.

She further offered her personal take on the theme of the film, saying, “We have to go with what’s going on in the world. Makikisabay dapat tayo, but (for) me personally, as much as possible, I want to connect face-to-face with someone. I don’t wanna fall in love or develop our relationship virtually or online. That’s it.”

Andrea is agreeable to the idea of virtual dating as long as a real-life connection is established among the involved parties.

“Maybe if they will develop their relationship para hindi maputol yung connection, yes. But you still need that actual connection, physical connection. I still believe in that,” she said.

Andrea also stars in the GMA Network’s drama-thriller series “Makiling.”

A Glimpse of Forever’ stars honor the women in their lives

 ‘A Glimpse of Forever’ lead star Jasmine Curtis- Smith.

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

March 8, 2024 | 12:00am

As International Women’s Day is being celebrated today, and with the month of March as Women’s History Month, the cast members of Viva Films and director Jason Paul Laxamana’s film “A Glimpse of Forever” cited the contribution of women in society and shared their empowering messages to all the women out there.

“To all the women out there, keep empowering yourself, keep on strengthening yourself and make sure that everyone around feels that energy and you vibrate that energy to everyone,” remarked Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who plays Glenda in the movie, during the red carpet premiere night held Monday at SM Cinema Megamall.

“Not only all the women but also sa lahat ng tao because that’s the real strength of a woman — she can empower everyone,” she added.

“Jasmine said it all,” chimed in Diego Loyzaga, who is Kokoy in the film. “But to all the strong, independent mommies out there, exactly like my mom (Teresa Loyzaga) who raised a boy by herself, more power to you.”

Jerome Ponce (as Dante) shared, “Always remember, kung walang babae, walang lalaki. It’s the same. We thanked all the women in our lives and the women in the lives of the people around us. They are the ones who took good care of us, part of our lives, our inspiration and all.” (See related story on C-3.)

Anne Curtis made a surprise appearance during the premiere night to show support for her younger sister Jasmine.

The romance-drama film melded with sci-fi element tells the story of Glenda who finds companionship and comfort in a virtual dating studio called ForeVR after getting frustrated with her fiancé.

She befriends one of the virtual guys, Kokoy a.k.a. “The Boy Next Door.” But Dante, the guy behind “The Boy Next Door” character and a failed theater actor, who suffers from severe social anxiety, starts to fall for Glenda and the latter also can’t deny their connection.

Given that the motion capture actors are not allowed to reveal their identities to ForeVR clients and Glenda being in a relationship, can their connection cross over to the real world?

(“A Glimpse of Forever” is now showing in cinemas nationwide).

Kyline Alcantara faces jitters over return to kontrabida roles

Kyline Alcantara flaunts her edgy look as she gears up for her kontrabida role as Joanna Dela Costa in GMA’s forthcoming series Shining Inheritance, a Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s series Brilliant Legacy.

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — Kapuso actress Kyline Alcantara is ecstatic to portray another antagonist role as Joanna Dela Costa in GMA’s forthcoming series Shining Inheritance, a Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s series Brilliant Legacy.

Just recently, Kyline posted on her social media accounts a photo of her sporting an edgy look in black outfit and boots, channeling Joanna.

Kyline’s Joanna is her comeback villain role as she previously essayed one in Kambal, Karibal (2017) and sort of kontrabida character in I Left My Heart in Sorsogon.

Describing her upcoming role, she told The STAR in an interview during Avon’s Boob Love fun run event that Joanna is an “overly confident” girl to the point of becoming “arrogant.”

“But I think that all the villains have their reasons why they act like that. But that doesn’t mean it justifies what they are doing in the present moment.”

Joanna is a “fashionista and just an aggressive person,” she added. “She is very arrogant to the point that while reading the script, I also get annoyed (with her). But you know she’s human also. That’s what’s important to me, in every character that I do, dapat may mga makaka-relate.”

To get ready for the role, Kyline did workshops and script reading. “I’m dissecting every characteristic of Joanna and ginagawa ko siyang ako. I’m making her (more) human.”

At that time of the interview, she only did one taping scene but she was thrilled to mingle with her co-actors. The cast members also include Kate Valdez, Paul Salas, Michael Sager, and Coney Reyes.

“I’m very excited because, of course, first of all with Ms. Coney, it will be my first time to work with her and she’s really warm. I’ve worked with Kate before and I know how good she is (as an actress). So, it’s really exciting and also with other cast members.”

According to Kyline, she likes villains because of their “complex character.”  “That’s what I like about it and it’s not only, of course, lahat naman siyempre there’s mental exhaustion or something ‘pag ginagawa but when it comes to (playing) kontrabida, I like it when my vein is getting exhausted by thinking like, ‘OK, why is she kind to this person and not to others? Why is she bad to this person? Why is she being treated like this?’ It’s really complex and I like the complexity of it.”

Her favorite kontrabida actresses are Bella Flores and Gladys Reyes. Her grandmother would let her watch the movies of Bella and Gladys before.

When asked which one is easy to portray – a protagonist or antagonist role, she answered, “If you asked me before, I would say kontrabida. But now, wala na pong madali because, (as) I admit, before being a kontrabida was really my comfort zone but now it’s not. I actually feel nervous to play a kontrabida role again.”