"Ang Babae sa Septic Tank"

Plus: Dennis Trillo on life after the breakup

The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is close to Eugene Domingo’s heart, and for good reason. Some of her most memorable movies and award-winning movies were Cinemalaya entries.

She was in the Auraeus Solito film “Pisay” where she played a teacher and this won for her a best supporting actress award from the Golden Screen Awards in 2007. She was cast as Mylene Dizon’s best friend in the award-winning film “100” which also won for her the best supporting actress award from the Cinemalaya in 2009.

Eugene is making a comeback to the Cinemalaya as she headlines the movie “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” written by her best friend writer-director Chris Martinez (who also wrote the award-winning “Here Comes the Bride”) and is the first directorial assignment of Marlon Rivera, who works in the advertising world as an associate creative director. In 2009, he and Chris set-up the Martinez-Rivera Films to produce “100” for Cinemalaya, of which was co-producer and creative consultant.

“I am so excited with Ang Babae sa Septic Tank because for the first time I am playing, at hindi na siguro mauulit, na I am playing myself upgraded,” relays Uge to Star Circuit at the presscon of Cinemalaya on Wednesday at the CCP. “This is a look into how films are filmed, particular indie films. It’s a film within a film, a movie within a movie. Three young filmmakers dreamed of making a movie that would make it to the Oscars. How they are going to do it is the story of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. The question is, can they get Eugene Domingo to be the star of their film?”

How did you feel making this film? “Lalo akong na-excite, lalo akong natuwa because it’s not easy to play myself in the movie. Of course, we all knew that I even met an accident while doing this film when I fell into the septic tank. The shooting had to be stopped until I got well yet they waited for me. It’s really a very difficult material written by Chris (Martinez). To this day, napahanga pa ako ni Chris and I am very excited about Marlon (Rivera) who is from the advertising world. Sabi nga, natanggal siya sa kanyang comfort zone. Nakita ko ang pagbabago niya,” says Eugene.

She added that Direk Marlon has the potential to be a good director. “He’s very intelligent. ‘Yung hindi nakakaunawa o hindi masyadong magaling na director would have had a hard time doing this film. He’s very intelligent and clever.”

Eugene says she has yet to see the film and is still has to do recording for it. “Hopefully, we would be able to finish it soon.”

Is Ang Babae sa Septic Tank a potential award-winner for you? “I can’t say. Only the jurors from the different award-giving bodies can say,” says Eugene who graciously hosted the 8th Golden Screen Awards last April for which she garnered a best actress nomination for “Here Comes the Bride.”

“But this is a fun movie. Not everyone is given a chance to do this kind of film and I am really glad they chose me for the role.”

Also in the cast of “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” are JM De Guzman, Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez who are playing the roles of the three ambitious, passionate but misguided filmmakers who are dead set on making an Oscar-worthy film. This is a comedy about misguided ambitions, the art of making art and the romanticization of poverty.

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Dennis Trillo looked happy at the press conference of GMA 7’s new afternoon drama offering Sinner or Saint (which premieres on Monday, June 13). He looked as if he didn’t go through a tumultuous period after his breakup with Jennylyn Mercado and the intrigues that came out, especially after Jennylyn spilled the beans in a magazine interview about the not-so-happy ending of their relationship.

“If there were intrigues, I chose to be silent about them as I’ve always been and just focus on my work,” said the award-winning actor who gets Bianca King as his leading lady in this series directed by Don Michael Perez.

“I’ve been through a lot of rough times before and it has never been my style to speak about them. I’d rather be silent and just concentrate on my work. I am busy with two movie projects and this soap opera so trabaho na lang muna ang focus ko.”

But he did admit getting shocked by Jennylyn’s revelations in her magazine interview. He knew that many not so good things had been said about his person regarding his breakup with Jennylyn but Dennis is thankful with the trust and support of his family and friends during those trying times.

“Kahit na may mga negative na nasasabi at may bad publicity, masasabi ko na thankful pa rin ako sa mga kaibigan, sa GMA 7, na walang sawa ang suporta sa akin. Kahit na ganoon ang mga nangyari in the past few months, parang bigla kong nakalimutan ang mga nangyari dahil sa sobrang daming blessings na dumating sa akin,” he said.

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Making a comeback on the GMA turf is singer-actres Timmy Cruz. She said she didn’t really bow out of the entertainment scene. She’s just busy managing their family business although she accepts acting assignments once in a while.

“I do acting stints once or twice a year, pag gusto ko nang pambili ng Jasmine rice,” said Timmy in jest. She was last seen in the ABS-CBN series “Kapitan Inggo” and she’s glad to have been given a chance to work again on GMA.

She’s playing the role of Bianca King’s mother in Sinner or Saint, who gets imprisoned for killing someone. “I find my role challenging because of the inner conflict it poses on the character,” said Timmy. She also likes the idea of getting the chance to work with her co-stars who are tested thespian, thus inspiring her more with her acting.

If her memory serves her right, Timmy says the last TV series she did for GMA 7 was “Villa Quintana,” that was shown many years ago. For sure, Donna Cruz (who was the lead actress of the defunct series), was still single that time and played opposite Keempee de Leon. Now, Donna is a mother of three (a girl and two boys) and has made Cebu her home.

Timmy also shares that she’s still active with her singing career. She writes her own songs and produces her own album as well.