Ate Vi channels Meryl Streep in new movie

She may be one of the most awarded stars of her generation, but Star for All Seasons and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos gives the highest respect to her director.

It is her first time to work with Bb. Joyce Bernal in “Everything About Her,” the opening salvo of Star Cinema for 2016 and Gov. Vi’s comeback flick since she did the award-winning indie film “Ekstra.” She acknowledges the importance of a director in a movie set and says that being the captain of the ship, the director commands respect.

“The director is the key as to what direction the movie will take,” said the award-winning actress at the presscon of “Everything About Her” where she co-stars with Angel Locsin and Xian Lim. “The success of the movie depends largely on the director. That is why he or she deserves the respect and cooperation of everyone.”

Despite it being her first time to work with Direk Joyce, she has taken a liking to the lady director. Gov. Vi even expressed her desire to become close to Bb. Joyce, on a personal level, not just as a co-worker in the industry. They had a good time working together on the set.

She added that Direk Joyce is very good in motivating her stars. She prevented Ate Vi and Angel from talking with each other while on set. Since the characters of Vilma and Angel are not close in the story, Direk Joyce made it a rule that the two can’t see each other on set until they are ready to shoot. “That’s why we were able to convey the right emotions required of us. Direk Joyce just rehearsed me and Angel separately, same with Xian,” Ate Vi recounted.

For her part, Direk Joyce said working with Vilma reignited her passion. There was a time she didn’t have the fire in her and felt burned out. But this Star Cinema project with Vilma was enough to make her creative juices flowing, if not overflowing.

In the movie, Vilma plays a Meryl Streep kind of character in “The Devil Wears Prada,” a strong-willed woman. But she suffers from a certain kind of cancer that changes her resolve. The movie though is far from being an all-out drama. “This is a light drama for the whole family. We will make you laugh but you will also be touched,” said Ate Vi.

Ate Vi added that she is only as good as her last movie but she believes that with the guidance of Direk Joyce, she was able to give a good performance, thanks also to the support given her by Angel and Xian.

“Everything About Her” opens in cinemas nationwide on January 27.

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Donna Cruz signed a contract with Star Records for her brand new album. This marks the singer’s return to recording after 17 years. When she got married, Donna decided to settle down in Cebu and became a full-time mom, doing occasional TV guest appearances and singing engagements on the side.

The last time she did an album, she was still pregnant with her firstborn Belle. We remember that Donna attended a press interview while still pregnant but the next time she showed herself was during the album launch. And she was back to her slender figure.

Her husband, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, is one of the producers of her new album under Star Records. She started her career at Viva after she won in “Ang Bagong Kampeon.” She became one of the most popular Viva stars and was paired with Ian de Leon. She quit her career when she got married, choosing to lead a quiet life in Cebu. Now that her kids are older, Donna felt this is the right time to make a comeback in singing which is her first love.

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Kim Domingo, Mahal, Wil Dasovich and Sheena Halili are the guest stars of “Bubble Gang” tonight.

Among the segments featured are LBG Padala gags, assassination gags and chicken stand gags. There is a segment titled Papansin na Ex, about a paranoid girl who thinks her ex-boyfriend still has feelings for her; Tatalino, a famous old man who gives wise but double meaning advice to people. Then there is also Pabebe Boss, a comedy sketch about a person who found out that his future employer acts like a baby. And there is Gays Town, a comedy sketch about a foreigner who confidently speaks gay lingo and was introduced to a group of gay people.