Erich Gonzales Comes with iWantTFC Original Series La Vida Lena

Rumors about this new show surfaced a couple months ago, and when they released the trailers, I was like, finally, there's a new Erich Gonzales led series. It's called LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series and will start to stream this November!

Erich says "When this was offered to me, it was initially titled Magdalena, I got hooked by the story because it is very challenging. Direk Jerry and Direk Jojo made it easier for me. This is not the first time I have worked with JC, but first time in a teleserye, also with Kit and Carlo. They are very professional and we help each other when we work. Well to be honest, aside from the swab tests we did before and after a location, we do facemasks, shield, locked in, they are very strict in working hours so we have enough rest for everyone. It is new, but we are well adjusted. We work from 8am to 8PM, and we do work as it is, regardless of locked in or not we can work professionally. I said yes immmediately to this because I know there would be a lot of people that would have work, when they approached me, I could feel how thankful they are, and that is priceless. I just had to recharge and do something else before I went into doing this new show."


Direk Jojo Saguin says "The most challenging part is just getting locked in, and you have to do everything in time and you are only given 12 hours to shoot. What's the difference? This is different story wise. It is centered on love and revenge, and it is challenging to Erich as an actress, and they have been able to deliver."


Direk Jerry Sineneng adds "This is a different setup, but it is good to work with seasoned actors and blend together their strengths making sure they don't overlap with their roles. I do get nervous at times, they deliver, so you have to choose wisely how to mix that all because they are good actors. "

Ms. Agot adds "I favor doing this kind of taping, we know the schedules, we have to finish everything in 12 hours and you can't be lounging around if you're on set. The cast and crew, we didn't force the closeness, we were just isolated and we felt now we can share each other's meals because we had to be together if we wanted it or not. It was such a fun group!"

 

Carlo Aquino says, "I am more patient now, I don't rush things.In the past I was always like that, having a baby taught me these things. I feel it made me more patient. Yes, when I saw my baby, I immediately knew that I am going to work for my family. I spend time with them, especially since she just turned 2 months, I always talk to her and I do cherish it now that she is still a baby, I'm afraid she will change her appearance when I get back from work and isolation."

JC de Vera says "I try to dedicate my 100% during this pandemic, I memorize things that I wasn't able to do when I was a kid, I play with my baby, even ask her to do household chores and that bonding doesn't stop. I always am there for my kid even on locked in taping, it made us closer because we understand the importance of being far away from family. I don't give that attention to others, just them at times."

Again, LA VIDA LENA, an iWantTFC Original Series will be streaming this November! Download the app and subscribe to see lovely Erich all over again!

Best.Partee.Ever. Having 6 Day Run On SM's Cine Lokal

Had so much fun this afternoon. I honestly haven't watched this film because I was busy during last year's QCinema International Film Festival but I'm so glad they are showing this on October 20 - 26 at SM Cine Lokal.

We talked to two of the actors in this indie film and they graciously answered our questions. The bubbly Shandii Bacolod had us on her loft to talk about the film. She's a Producer, Director of several films but she induldged herself in this project because this role and script was done  with her in mind, so after her busy schedules promoting a different movie, they went ahead with this project with JC De Vera and Jordan Herrera (who was there too by the way!). 

Shandii shared how this came about and said "The real life story is really in Mandaluyong, but it was nice to see they had relationships inside the prison. I talked to murderers, there were things that shocked us because there were people that the Director knew personally. Things are different inside, we also thanked the people there by giving them hygeine kits. There are kissing scenes, long and passionate, we have to abide by their curfew and only shoot within their limits, even the night scenes. It was so fun sometimes and I helped sometimes in blocking actors. JC is very happy, this movie wasn't really done with a script and we had to compromise because we need to improvise on the concept especially the first few days. The actors that were under Brilliante Mendoza had it easy, but JC tried to learn from actors while in the shoot. He was humble, cautious and curious about the characters in order to tell their story. We laughed a few times because I had to do Visayan scenes, Aaron Rivera and Jordan Herrera is so good in this film. I might have done theater before but this is different, our ensemble was so good."

She adds "Gays have a lot of issues in the prisons. The STD's, even AIDS and how he did come out inside the prison and how the family got shocked. The sex and intimacy without real privacy, it was shocking for some, when I went there the firs time I got a little rattled because we had real prisoners locked up during some scenes. JC even went the mile and had himself paddled for real. When he won in the awards night we really supported him. We were rooting for him!"

We then talked to Jordan Herrera right after he arrived from the airport and he was very gracious, very down to earth, a total dream boy for women (although he's happily married with kids), he shared his experiences in shooting this film and told us how difficult it was to actually do it. Imagine a real life prison, in a remote area where you can smell the stench of real life prisoners who have been convicted of various crimes including drugs and murder. They had to spend the whole day taking videos of those scenes and interact with them every once in a while. They had to often sleep and take refuge in the same location for a couple of days and for normal people that would really be unbearable. They stayed otherwise and mustered finishing the project when it seemed impossible. JC and Jordan witnessed the same relationships they had in the movie inside that same prison so they said it was actually easy to connect with each other, admitting awkward at times but since they knew how different it was to deliver that story, they did it. Jordan and JC eventually won awards and we even witnessed how they Shandii gave the best supporting actor trophy to him that evening. That made all the sacrifices they did in this movie FULFILLING according to Jordan and he wouldn't mind doing another one if he gets offered a sequel. 

I watched the movie and I must say, it's as REAL as it can get. It was nice to actually witness a love story unfold in the confines of that prison, and by any standards, I would agree that a LOT of people should watch it!

Make sure you don't miss this commercial run and the previews they plan to do in the future, because it's cute, very touching, to see grown men go through this too.

KUMAGCOW

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Erich Gonzales, JC De Vera and Enchong Dee for Once A Princess

JC De Vera, Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee for Once A Princess

Today marks the showing of "Once A Princess", a film made by the one and the only Laurice Guillen for production houses Skylight and Regal Films. The film delves into the lives of two guys and one girl who had to go through different struggles in a flawed life. Some get rich, some go bankrupt, some choose to find love in spite of years in a hurtful marriage. Who will she choose in the end? Will she give up a painful relationship and give in to his wishes? Or will she follow her heart and pick up the pieces of a past love? We did the next best thing to answer those questions, we talked to Erich Gonzales, Enchong Dee and JC De Vera a few days ago and see what they think about the movie. Here are excerpts of the blogcon we had in the Star Cinema offices, ABSCBN.

It was fun and I reminisced the time when Enchong and Erich was last seen on TV. JC De Vera also was very intense and raw on this film, I think it did him good that he came in later on in the movie when everything was already shot half way to the movie.

Here are some photos of the cast during that afternoon.

Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales and JC De Vera for "Once A Princess"

Drama. This film stars Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales and JC De Vera.

Now I don't know how to start this post without sounding like a fan, because I am. I love Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee. Their pair has been a formidable formula of success in countless movies and TV program on Star Cinema and ABSCBN. It's about time that they'll have another one, but this will be under Skylight Films and Regal Films. As you may know the past movies of  Skylight Films have been very successful on the box office but it has only tackled romcoms, comedy, horror but not drama yet. So that's what they did according to Enrico Santos, this is a gamble but he's sure the tandem will still work like clockwork.

Erich Gonzales still looking absolutely gorgeous during the Grand Presscon of "Once A Princess"

One of the few celebrities that I know that still is so kind and down to earth is Erich Gonzales. It's no wonder that she's been so blessed these past few years while still looking absolutely beautiful. She's also running restaurants and enjoying a very successful non showbiz relationship with his current boyfriend. Still, if you would see Erich and Enchong together... you'll feel how much they should have been meant for each other. Not that I'm insinuating anything but just like much of the fans of these two, I would have loved to have seen them having a relationship.

Angel Locsin, Maja Salvador in The Legal Wife

I don't have to be in this situation in order to tell that something's wrong with it. If it is wrong, you know you did something wrong and people will perceive you that way.... but you still feel so right. Can loyalty be questioned? Can it be justified? How can it be that way? These guys want to answer that question and let you see in prime time how it is being in THAT situation.

This is JC De Vera's comeback program in ABSCBN. He has crossed over from his stint in TV5 and it doesn't come as good as this since he's starting again; with Maja and Angel on the program he'll really have his hands full. He'll be playing Max Gonzales in this series.

 I've always (liked) LOVED Angel Locsin. Hands down, she's one of the most beautiful actresses in Philippine cinema and showbiz industry. She'll be playing Monica Santiago-de Villa, whom according to some of the recent clips will be pit against situations that would tell her "history repeats itself". She feels she's paying for her Mom's misfortunes in the past and it will be told as the story unfolds on Jericho Rosales's role as Adrian de Villa. He wasn't there when this blogcon happened but you felt he had something to do with the situation that Maja and Angel was in after seeing the trailers.

 Maja Salvador who plays Nicole Esquivel feels that even if she's the other woman in this series, you would still feel something for her. You would still have the chance to relate to her character even if you know she's doing something wrong. No matter what she does, all she wanted to do was love. She gave her all to Jericho Rosales' character and you can't discount the fact that she tried to fight with Angel's feisty role on this series.

 Will you feel the same way if you were in their shoes? Watch this short video below as they tell you a few things about their roles on the series and see if you would still say that its wrong to love this way.

Don't forget to watch The Legal Wife on ABSCBN's Primetime Bida as The Legal Wife goes and replace the highly successful Maria Mercedes. It will show on January 27, 2014.

For more information about the series:

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