Kris: Dingdong deserves an acting award

MANILA, Philippines - Kris Aquino is hoping her horror film Segunda Mano will eclipse the performance of her Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry last year. Dalaw grossed P120M at the box-office and was named Third Best Picture at the 2010 MMFF.

In a recent presscon for Segunda Mano, which the ABS-CBN star co-produces and co-stars with Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes, Kris said that she only wishes for a second Best Picture finish for what she calls as the best film — particularly the final 20 minutes leading to its climax — she has done to date. But Kris, touted as Box-Office Queen of Horror for her record of hits in the said genre, hopes the film will make tills ring to the tune of P150M or more.

Kris also went on to say that Segunda Mano is truly Dingdong’s film and that he deserves to earn a Best Actor award not just from the MMFF, but from other award-giving bodies as well. 

In reaction, Dingdong said he is feeling the pressure more so with Kris’ statement. “But I think what is important is that I enjoyed doing the film. Perhaps, more than just winning an award or whatever I’ll get (what’s more important) is what I’ve gained from the experience — from the time we started talking about the film’s story until the last shooting day, up until the dubbing,” he said.

He added that more than the award, he wants to see audiences reacting positively to the film. “Walang katumbas na kahit anong tropeyo yun,” he said.

Both Dingdong and Kris have been appearing in the different shows of each other’s networks to promote Segunda Mano.

Dingdong said that he is thankful that his bosses at GMA 7 have allowed him to do the film. Likewise, he is grateful that Star Cinema has welcomed him.

Meanwhile, Kris related about having been carried away in one emotional scene in the film directed by Joyce Bernal because it resonated with her own situation in life.

Dingdong’s character as a father would deliver a line that goes, “If I could relive my life, I would change my decisions,” and she said that struck a chord especially when it came to her sons.

Because it’s Christmas, a season of family gatherings, she couldn’t help but feel sad for her sons, both Bimby and Josh. She said that everytime her sons would be visited by her estranged husband James Yap, she could see that her kids would feel and assume that the family is still complete. “That’s what’s painful because we’re not complete,” said Kris, whose annulment with James, Bimby’s father, is pending. 

Even without a love life, Kris nevertheless feels contented with the love showered on her by her sons. But when asked for a Christmas wish, Kris admitted that she is wishing for the freedom to love again. “Right now, I don’t have that freedom because we’re not legally free to do so. Iba kasi ang sitwasyon sa lalaki. Lalaki si James, sa kanya, walang mawawala. Aquino ako, may mawawala sa amin.”

Asked how she will spend her Christmas Day, the presidential sister said, “Lunchtime, my sisters — I’m no longer bothering the President (Noynoy Aquino) — will join me, Dingdong and Direk Joyce to the first screening of Segunda Mano because there is no scheduled premiere night. They all agreed that our reunion would be in the movie house.”

She continued, “After that, it’s just me and my sisters. Bimby would go with his dad because on the 26th, we will be leaving. I am taking the kids to New York. It was a promise I made after they watched Smurfs: The Movie, to go to Central Park and watch Spiderman on Broadway. I’m working the way I do because I want my children to have beautiful memories. They sacrificed for three months that they missed me four nights a week so I’m going to make up for them. It’s my yearend vacation. It’s my gift to my children.”

Segunda Mano tells the story of Mabel Domingo (played by Kris), owner of an antique shop, who only wants herself and her mother to move on from the family tragedy of losing her sister and to let go of the guilt she bears with the feeling she caused her demise. She meets Ivan Galvez (played by Dingdong), a successful architect who only wants to find the perfect wife and mother for his young daughter Angel so as to finally have his family happy and whole again after his ex-wife abandoned them for another man.

Yet, with Ivan’s proposal comes the terror: Mabel is haunted by an unknown ghost, endangering the lives close to her. As the horror mounts, she uncovers an unexpected secret that will test her love for Ivan.

Segunda Mano, a joint production of Star Cinema, MGM Productions and Agosto Dos Productions, opens on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.