Star Cinema takes moviegoers to the mysterious life of "The Mistress"

CEBU, Philippines - In celebration of the 10th anniversary of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo’s love team, Star Cinema presents another daring film that will bring Filipino moviegoers up close and personal with the obscure life of the other woman, a married man’s secret lover, or better known to many as “The Mistress.” Star Cinema’s newest adult film is set to hit theaters nationwide on September 12 (Wednesday).

According to multi-awarded film director Olivia Lamasan, who is at the helm of the much-awaited reunion film of one of the country’s most successful love teams in history, “The Mistress” is significant to her.

 “This film is very important to me kasi naging parte ako ng 10 years ng John Lloyd-Bea love team. Isa ako sa bumuo sa kanilang love team in the 2002 TV hit ‘Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,’ which was the launching teleserye of John Lloyd,” she narrated. “At sa tatlong babae noon na pinagpilian naming i-partner sa kanya, I chose Bea Alonzo, who was only 14 years old at that time but we made her play the role of a 24-year-old lawyer.”

Direk Olive further shared how proud she is after witnessing how John Lloyd and Bea mature as artists after a decade. “I saw them grow up—from chubby Bea and chubby Lloydi hanggang nagdalaga si Bea at nagbinata si John Lloyd,” she said. “Natutuwa ako kasi nagkatotoo talaga ‘yung sinabi namin ni Charo (Santos-Concio) that si John Lloyd will be one of the great actors in Philippine cinema and si Bea din, she has grown to become one of the great actresses that we have.”

Being a self-confessed fan of John Lloyd-Bea love team, Direk Olive considers doing “The Mistress” a great deal. “It is an honor for me to transition them to more adult roles,” said the critically-acclaimed director. “This film, as far as I’m concerned, ang maghahatid sa kanila doon sa pagganap ng mas matatapang at mas adult na characters.”

Tagged as John Lloyd and Bea’s bravest film ever, “The Mistress” tackles the controversial issue of infidelity. “Interesting siya kasi marami naman talagang nasa sitwasyon na ganyan. But it was never an intention to be controversial,” shared Direk Olive. “When it was conceptualized it was simply about a story of a man who falls in love with a woman who happens to be a mistress. We also got interested in what kind of a mistress or a woman this mistress is, to be worthy of this man’s love.”

But what makes “The Mistress” more fascinating is the love triangle among Sari (Bea), the mistress; Rico (Ronaldo Valdez), the benefactor; and JD (John Lloyd), the persistent admirer. “In every love triangle, it becomes more interesting kung parang level ‘yung competition ng ka-triangle,” said Direk Olive. “What’s also appealing about the film is that kuwento siya ng flawed characters. All of them are flawed but all of them have a heart and in getting to know them, you would symphatize and emphatize with them.”

What will you do when the ‘perfect woman’ you have been waiting for all your life is unfortunately the mistress of another guy?

Aside from John Lloyd, Bea and Ronaldo, also part of “The Mistress” is multi-awarded actress Hilda Koronel who plays the character of Regina, Rico’s legal wife. Completing the cast are Anita Linda, Carmi Martin, Tony Mabesa, K Brosas, Gabe Mercado, Minnie Aguilar, Nor Domingo, and Clarence Delgado.

“The Mistress” hits cinemas nationwide on September 12, 2012. (FREEMAN)