Ina Alegre: Against all odds

It happens all the time — you know, second choices turning out to be, after all, the better choices.

Look:

• Gina Alajar replaced Alma Moreno in Laurice Guillen’s now-classic Salome (inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon) and won a resounding applause — and awards to boot — for her performance;

• Hilda Koronel too over from beauty-contest finalist Marilou Destreza in LEA Productions’ Haydee (Marilou later starred with FPJ in an action-drama but nothing was heard from her after that, while Hilda became a multi-awarded actress);

• Vilma Santos’ career was saved from a slump when she starred in Celso Ad. Castillo’s Burlesk Queen, playing the title role initially offered to Lorna Tolentino;

• Susan Roces shone in the 1956 Sampaguita comedy Boksingera (her first starring role) which was originally intended for Alicia Vergel;

• Bembol Roco replaced the late Jay Ilagan in Lino Brocka’s landmark movie Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang while Joel Torre took the role rejected by Albert Martinez in Peque Gallaga’s Oro, Plata, Mata; and

• Yes, Dennis Trillo became an overnight sensation after he won an award for his role as a transvestite in Joel Lamangan’s Aishite Imasu which Onemig Bondoc said no to.

Thus, it’s quite ironic that Dennis would turn down the role as a SWAT member in Banal simply because it’s an indie — and therefore a “small” film? — and, as Dennis’ manager was reportedly quoted, “Dennis doesn’t do indie films.” The second choice, Alfred Vargas, readily agreed to do it.

Of course, it remains to be seen how well Alfred will portray the role side by side with the Christopher de Leon as the leader of SWAT, with Paolo Paraiso and Paolo Contis as the other SWAT members.

Although hurt, semi-retired actress Ina Alegre (not to be mistaken for Irma Alegre who was a discovery of the late director Temyong Marquez) who’s behind Comguild Films, producer of Banal, decided to just shrug off the rejection. Well, what could she do? “I’m just a small producer,” she smiled.

Later, maybe to save face, Dennis’ camp said that Dennis couldn’t do Banal because he would be busy shooting another movie, Kulam, which is also, like Banal, one of the nine entries in the Metro Manila Filmfest in December. (Banal will be shown starting on Jan. 1 next year, the second half of the annual filmfest.)

“But we didn’t have any problem with Christopher,” added Ina (who appeared in 11 films including Viva Films’ Mumbaki before she accepted a modeling job abroad and came back to get married), “At first, siempre we were hesitant to approach him because he’s a superstar, you know. I was in a movie with him but I wasn’t sure if he remembered me. But Christopher was very nice. He only asked for the script and he liked it because he said it’s his first time to play a police officer. He didn’t even mention the talent fee. We didn’t have any problems with the other stars, either.”

Banal is the first directorial job of GMA news reporter Cesar Apolinario who also co-wrote the story and screenplay deep into the night after his work on 24 Oras.

“Banal is fiction based on true incidents,” said Cesar. “It explores the heretofore unseen side of police work, takes potshots at the unscrupulous behavior of the media in everyday events and shows an uncompromising picture of Philippine society. Today, angels can become demons and sinners can become saints.”

The story is set against the backdrop of Pope John Paul II’s visit in the Philippines a few years ago when an assassination plot against him was uncovered.

Done on a budget which is, according to Ina, “very small” compared to that of a big-name-company project, Banal  might just catch considerable attention in the Metro Filmfest and, who knows, win some awards.

“We’re doing this movie against all odds,” said Ina. “But it’s a good movie and we just have to do it.”

Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule

Here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule for August:

• Today, 6 p.m., Metropolitan Hospital, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

• Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m., Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 5, 8 a.m. at NBN  Channel 4; and 9:30 a.m. at SM North EDSA;

• Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 10, 5 p.m. at St. Francis of Assissi, Sariaya, Quezon;

• Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 12, 9:30 a.m. at SM Bacoor, Cavite; and 4 p.m. at Cambridge Village, Cainta, Rizal;

• Aug. 13, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 16, 5 p.m. at Tangway Church, Lipa City;

• Aug. 18, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 19, 8 a.m. at NBN Channel 4;

• Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Aug. 25, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon; and 6 p.m. at Immaculate Concepcion, Batangas City;

• Aug. 26, 9:30 a.m. at SM Bacoor;

• Aug. 27, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon; and

• Aug. 31, 12 noon at Export Bank; and 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Hospital, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

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