CEBU, Philippines - Singer-actor Sam Concepcion is dreaming of starring in an action movie and if given a chance, he would want to have Cristine Reyes or Anne Curtis as his leading lady in the film project.
Sam made this disclosure at the presscon of Ever Bilena last Wednesday which got him as endorser of the scent line Blackwater Jr., which fits teenagers of his age.
He is very thankful with the trust given to him by the company to be the endorser of Blackwater Jr. and he’s looking forward to doing more endorsements with Ever Bilena, makers of the scent line.
Sam said he would have wanted to be part of the forthcoming musical teleserye on ABS-CBN titled “Idol” which features Sam Milby, Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin, among the lead stars. He may have lost his chance, but ABS-CBN is giving him a new project, the title and concept of which he can’t disclose yet.
“But I promise that this new show has a very good concept which hasn’t been done before and I am really excited to do it,” added Sam.
* * *
Former “Eat Bulaga” Mr. Pogi winner Edgar Allan Guzman is not afraid to play a gay role, whether in movies or television. In fact, he was even the one who told his manager Noel Ferrer that he’s willing to play a gay role if ever he is offered one.
This was what the 19-year-old actor told us in our interview last Sunday at Enchanted Kingdom where he and other talents of Noel Ferrer namely Paolo Bediones, Bayani Agbayani, Luis Alandy, Joross Gamboa and Marco Alcaraz graced the press conference for the15h year anniversary of the famous themed park.
Edgar said he wants to test his versatility as an actor, hence his desire to take on any role, even that of a gay character, just like his role in the new TV5 sitcom titled Lady Dada that features Ryan Agoncillo as the lead character. Edgar describes his role in the series as a flamboyant gay.
“Bading na bading talaga ako rito,” said Edgar of his role in the series. “I want to try different roles. I don’t want to be stuck in doing pa-cute roles. I want to challenge myself playing offbeat characters.”
Edgar, who also plays a challenging role in the indie film “Magdamag” opposite Ms. Rita Avila, is having so much fun on the set of “Lady Dada” because of his co-stars Keempee and Ryan, who are both very good in their roles as drag queens.
“Bading din si Keempee pero mas malandi ako sa kanya. We work as drag queens (impersonators) in the club owned by Ms. Mylene Dizon, the ex-wife naman ni Kuya Ryan. The show is a fun and we are confident that the audience will like it,” Edgar added.
To prepare for his role in “Lady Dada”, Edgar looked for a peg to pattern his characterization after, although he didn’t have to look far since he has an older brother who is gay. “I asked him if he could be my peg. I asked him for tips when it comes to body movements as well as hand movements. I really prepared for this since I didn’t want to come to the set not knowing how to attack my role. I even asked for tips when it comes to delivering my lines.”
They had already taped four episodes and Edgar confesses he had a hard time on his first taping day although he was very thankful with the guidance and patience of Direk Joyce.
“I haven’t had the chance to work with Direk Joyce. This is our first time to work together and she was very helpful. She asked me to read lines with her so she could see how I plan to do my character. I was really nervous but I must say I enjoyed myself because of the challenge of doing the role gave me. Besides, if you’re an actor, you won’t have second thoughts in experimenting with your portrayal and to try different things.”
* * *
Indie film director Mel Magno is still fuming mad at actor-turned-producer Carlo Maceda since the former grand winner in the Mossomi Bikini Summit has yet to give him the copy of the indie film “Ripples” which the indie director produced.
Carlo is holding the film “hostage,” saying that the indie director supposedly owes him money amounting to P367,000, to which the director vehemently denies. Direk Mel is particularly mad at the interview which Carlo gave to an entertainment website, saying that Carlo lied through his teeth with regards to the problem with “Ripples.”
“I was the one who first talked about the issue because I am the aggrieved party. Ako ang ninakawan ng pera ni Carlo. If I am not telling the truth, why would I be the first to talk in the first place? If am only lying, why would I speak out? Besides, why did it take Carlo five months before he came out to defend himself if he’s not guilty of anything,” said Direk Mel.
“He doesn’t know what he’s saying because he’s only peddling lies. If he says that his conscience is clear, can he tell me straight on my face that he did not stole money from me? If he really didn’t do anything, how come he’s afraid to face me and answer all the charges? Don’t tell me that his conscience is clear because it’s only Our Creater who can tell us that our conscience is clear.”
Up to now, Direk Mel and Carlo are still fighting over the amount of P367,000 which the director gave to Carlo as production budget since Carlo supposedly self-appointed himself as the film’s executive producer when his only participation in the film is proving filming equipment. The cost represents production. Direk Mel is asking Carlo for liquidation for the amount which he gave Carlo, but which the former model could not provide to this day.
“He (Carlo) is claiming that he spent the money for production. He also claims that I owed him money kasi nag-advance siya ng bayad sa mga artista and production staff. If he really did, how come he can’t provide me with a liquidation? That was all that I was asking him for. Kung talagang may utang ako, I am willing to pay, but please provide me with the liquidation, which Carlo failed to do as of today. He refuses to give me my film. That is my film, he doesn’t have the right to keep it hostage,” said Direk Mel.
“Sa Dulaang UP, we were trained to be honest na lahat ng perang ibinigay sa iyo ay dapat i-liquidate mo to the last centavo. Even in my own production, I require liquidation. At alam ng mga tao ko iyan, for the last two decades? Bakit di ako iniiwan ng mga taong nakatrabaho ko through the years? Eh siya (Carlo), iniiwan siya. Ako, ang mga tao ko, balik nang balik sa akin each time may project ako. Kasi nga alam nila na di ako sugapa sa pera and I am very honest with my dealings.
“Simple lang naman iyan. Magrereklamo ba ako kung di ako ninakawan? I gave him P367,000 but the production budget added up to P900,000. Pero ni wala man lang siyang ibinigay o naibigay na liquidation up to now. Sa third day pa lang ng shooting namin, I could already sense there was a problem because he failed to provide me with liquidation for the budget I gave him. Since I could sense there was something wrong, I didn’t release money anymore but I was able to finish the film, the original copy of which Carlo refuses to give me dahil nga raw may utang ako. Saan ka naman nakakita ng production na walang kontrata sa mga artista at production staff? Hihingi ka agad ng pera na di pa liquidated ang dating budget? “
According to Direk Mel, he had saved all the messages that Carlo gave him as to why he can’t give him the copy of his film. But it had been five months but Carlo still has to provide him for the liquidation of P367,000. Yet, the former model is holding on to the copy of the film and refuses to give it to the director.
“Kung gusto niya angkinin ang pelikula, sige sa kanya na. I am capable to produce and direct the film again from scratch because I have the script. I am leaving the fate of ‘Ripples’ to God. I may have lost P800,000 or even more but at least I can say that I didn’t lie and my dignity is intact, which I could not say of Carlo.”