Sweet claims ‘Horror Princess’ tag

Award-winning comedian and TV host John “Sweet”  Lapus is in the cast of the new Regal Entertainment horror offering titled “Resureskyon" which stars Isabelle Daza, Jasmine Curtis Smith, Paulo Avelino and Alex Castro under the direction of Borgy Terro.

“Most of the characters in the horror movies I did were for comic relief, or some sort of stress reliever. After mo sumigaw, may konting patawa. So I really did not have to look scared. Pero kung kailangan na dapat nakakatakot ka, dapat carry mo rin gawin. Komedyante ako, hindi ko naman forte ang manakot kaya dapat prepared ako sa mga ganoon klaseng eksena,”  Sweet told Star Circuit at the presscon of “Resureksyon.”

Since he has no horror experience in real life, what Sweet did to prepare for his role is to think of the horror films he had seen – the ones that really scared him out of his wits. He also did research.

“Where should the fear come from? Of course, it depends on the character. Eh ‘yung karakter ko sa movie hindi naman palasigaw kasi lagi siyang lasing. So paano ako sisigaw pag nakita ko ang pamangkin ko na patay na pero bumangon sa kabaong? How should I react? It’s a good thing I had a good time collaborating with Direk Borgy when it comes to my role. That’s what’s good in working with young and new directors. They listen and ask for suggestions,” Sweet related.

So what did he learn from his research? “The fear should come from the eyes. Doon mo makikita ang fear. Wow, for Manilyn (Reynes) and Kris Aquino to be hailed as horror queens of their era, there must be something in their eyes that make them such effective actresses in horror movies. I really do research depending on the character that I am playing. But if I am playing a light character, like someone who provides comic relief, I can easily do that. Pero ‘yung magpapakita ka ng fear, that’s hard to do.”

If Manilyn and Kris are called horror queens, Sweet says he can claim the title “horror princess.”

Sweet has done severaI horror films in the past, including SSS XV (Shake, Rattle and Roll) where he was featured in all three episodes. He has a forthcoming movie titled “Echorsis” (Sabunutan Between Good and Evil) to be released this November and another horror film titled “Buy Now, Die Later,” an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“So most likely, after December, I can claim the title horror princess,” he said with a laugh.

Come November, he is shooting an indie film with Jay Altarejos (director of the Cinemalaya best picture movie “Kasal”) where he will play the role of a transgender. The film is based on a true story.

“The transgender works in a company but she had to cut her hair to follow the company policy. In a way, that is already a form of discrimination. But she is brainy. She is in a relationship with a guy who loves her. But before I can do the movie, I need to lose weight first. Hopefully by November, I will be in shape,” said Sweet.

He is even thinking of having breast implants for the role since the character he is playing has those assets. “I am really thinking about having implants. Since I might undergo liposuction to have a shapely body, I might also ask my doctor (Dr. Almond Derla) to do breast implants in time for the movie. It is going to be safe and clean but I need to prepare for it,” says Sweet, who is also in the ABS-CBN series “Doble Kara.”

Sweet says he is fascinated with transsexuals. “Sila ang niligawan at nililibre at mga boys na straight ang karelasyon nila, na hindi nahihiyang magpa-interview about the relationship. Saka na-realize ko sa lahat ng aspeto ng kabaklaan, yun pa lang ang hindi ko nadaanan. Yung pagiging transwoman. Hindi ko lang talaga kaya ay maging lesbian.”

“Resureksyon” opens in cinemas on September 23.

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Papa Ahwel, the co-host of Jobert Sucaldito in his radio program Mismo aired over DZMM, sponsored another medical mission for members of the media. This was held on Sunday at the De Los Santos Medical Center in Quezon City. This was the third year that Papa Ahwel spearheaded such an activity under his I Love My Family Foundation and thru the kindness of Mr. Raul Pagdanganan, the president of De Los Santos Medical Center. Media folk were able to avail of free check-up.

The hospital was founded by Dr. Jose V. De Los Santos, the father of Philippine Orthopedics.

We were among those who availed of the free medical check-up, and in the process we met Mark Funelas, the head of Marketing of De Los Santos Medical Center. He said the thrust of the hospital is to deliver quality but affordable healthcare to the public. The hospital is a member of the Metro Pacific Health Group that also includes Makati Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital, Central Luzon Doctors Hospital and Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital.

Mark says they offer affordable medical services and facilities. Room rates range from P850 (ward) to P6,000 (for VIP suites). They also offer reasonable rates for MRI, CT Scan, breast ultrasound and mammography package, among others. The hospital is also affiliated with PhilHealth.

“We offer better value for your money and we have top-notch doctors, qualified and competent healthcare personnel and enhanced facilities,” he added.

For his part, Papa Ahwel underscored the value of taking care of our health, and through his I Love My Family Foundation, he has been doing this medical mission for the media for three years now. “Health is wealth and we are also advocating saving money for the rainy days so that in times of need, we have something to spend and don’t need to ask help from other people,” he said.