Joko Diaz lends hand to newbies in ‘Kinsenas, Katapusan’

CEBU, Philippines —  Vivamax isn’t slowing down with the racy flicks anytime soon, and with AJ Raval now probably a household name, plus the innocent wiles of Filipina-Korean Angeli Khang also slowly making a mark, other plucky newbies get their turn in the spotlight.

This time, it’s one Ayanna Misola who’s set to titillate audiences in “Kinsenas, Katapusan” as a 15-year-old temptress to a 50-year-old family man.

“Pasibol pa lang yung isa, while the other is in the twilight or comfortable level of his life,” explained director GB Sampedro (Astig, Kaka, Crush Kong Curly) of the title.

Billed as a sexy-psycho-thriller, “Kinsenas, Katapusan” introduces viewers to Conrado (Joko Diaz), a successful businessman and family man with a loving wife (Jamila Obispo) and a beautiful young daughter. He meets Beth (Ayanna) online, a young girl with a dark past. Soon, what Conrad thought to be harmless video calls with Beth turns into a real-life rendezvous.

Conrad manages to keep his affair with Beth a secret from his family, until Beth visits their house and he finds out that she is his daughter’s friend. Now, not only his life, but also his family, may be in danger as Conrad discovers the scary truth behind Beth’s past.

Ayanna makes her film lead debut after appearing as support in the Vivamax movies “#Pornstar2 Pangalawang Putok,” and “Siklo.”

With Joko Diaz and Kier Legaspi assisting the newcomers, Direk GB calls the casting a “good mix” as he was able to “use the experience of the veterans and the freshness of the new actresses.”

Addressing critics of skin flicks that Vivamax has been recently producing with gusto, Direk  GB said, “They are entitled to their opinion, which I respect. If they don’t appreciate this kind of material or genre, I’ll give that to them. I’m a sport when it comes to these comments. Never naman ako gumawa ng sexy film na hindi ko pinaghandaan ang story, na hindi ko nilagyan ng lalim ang kwento.”

He added, “The sexy scenes are just part of the story. As a director, they are necessary. Hindi siya tatawid kung hindi ko siya ilalagay. That’s filmmaking for me: there should be a reason for every scene.”

Joko Diaz – who appeared in blockbuster films like “Grepor ‘Butch Belgica’ Story,” “Sugo ng Tondo,” “El Presidente,” and “Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga,” among others –  said that he prepared his family for this recent career move, assuring them it was merely a job that he was blessed to have been entrusted with in a time when actors are jockeying for gigs.

“I’m here to help everybody because I’m an employee of Viva. I’m here to help the new ones so they can establish themselves – that’s my assignment in this film. So kung anong sasabihin ng boss natin, susundin natin,” said Joko.

“Hinanda ko ang buong pamilya ko para sa mga darating na trabaho. I explained to my family that this is my job, ipinagkatiwala ito sa akin ni Boss Vic. Yung binibigay niya na trabaho, hindi naman konting pera ang sinusugal niya sa amin. Malaking pera ang sinusugal niya kaya kailangan tapatan ko yung binibigay sa aking tiwala.”

He commended the female newcomers for being well-mannered and eager to learn. “I’m happy that they are not arrogant. They give respect to the seniors and they come early,” he said.

Kier, who plays Joko’s business partner and close friend in the film, echoed the observation. “I noticed that the newcomers are professional, they study their script. They are serious with their work and I’m proud of them,” the comebacking Viva actor said.

He was likewise glad to reunite on set with his good friend Joko. As for the daring scenes, Kier said that “at the end of day, acting is an art. That’s how I see it. So for me it’s really okay.”

It helps that Kier’s wife is “very understanding.”

“Bago naman naging kami alam naman niya na artista ako kaya hindi siya nabibigla,” shared Kier. “And I also know my limitations. She’s actually supportive of me and I’m very thankful for that.”

Surprising some entertainment reporters with her inclusion in the film was cast member Janelle Tee, a Miss Philippines Earth 2019 title-holder.

“I’m super ready to become a serious actress. I want to break the mold of being a beauty queen..kung ano pa mang genre yan, mapa sexy, comedy or action I really want to take this craft seriously,” Janelle said when asked what made join the sexy bandwagon.

Playing Karen, an aggressive woman who rarely takes no for an answer, Janelle readied herself mentally before transforming from environmental ambassadress to a daring actress.

““Since this is my first sexy movie, kailangan buo na yung loob ko. I’m also thankful to Kylie Versoza and Cindy Miranda for recently paving the way and showing that beauty queens like us can be serious actresses as well,” said Janelle.

“Kinsenas, Katapusan” will be available February 4 on Vivamax.