Eugene pulls off a surprise in I Do Bidoo Bidoo

MANILA, Philippines - Eugene Domingo said that she took her role in I Do Bidoo Bidoo seriously so she could give justice especially to the parts that required her to sing. 

The sought-after comedienne is the only non-recording artist among the main cast of the movie-musical that celebrates the enduring songs of the iconic OPM group, the APO Hiking Society. Directed by Chris Martinez, the film — jointly produced by Unitel Productions and Studio 5 — features Eugene, sharing top-billing status with Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid and Zsa Zsa Padilla, who are certified singers and concert artists.

Also part of I Do Bidoo Bidoo are young singers-thespians Sam Concepcion and Tippy dos Santos, who were handpicked after their successful stint at the recent stage production of Peter Pan.   

Thinking how she would fare in the film had Eugene admittedly anxious and intimidated about doing the project, but she dealt with it by coming to the set prepared.

“Isa yun sa aking mga kaba that’s why I prepared for it. I took voice lessons,” she said when she recently met the press. “Di naman talaga ako kampante na pwede kong i-acting lahat yan. It’s my responsibility as an artist, that even if I won’t become a recording star after this project, I didn’t take things here for granted.”

Eugene added, “I accepted the challenge. I trained for it. And I think I passed. So I’m happy.”

Co-star Ogie, on the other hand, begged to disagree about Eugene being a “non-singer.” He recounted a childhood anecdote of Eugene, which the actress herself related to them on the set, that she used to join many singing competitions as a child. 

Ogie said that one time, a day before a competition, Eugene’s mother found out that she grew head lice that her mother had her head shaved completely.

“It is a funny story, but it’s true,” said Ogie, laughingly.

“Yes, I went into the competition with a shaved head like that of a soldier. So, I wore a cap on my first competition. Hiyang hiya ako! But I still won third place,” Eugene confirmed with a laugh.

Ogie, then turning serious, told Eugene: “In this film, you were able to redeem yourself.”

Not only redeemed but also proven herself as a true artist, according to Gary.

 “She didn’t just sing okay, but she expressed her songs in a way like one whole unit — acting, expression, everything was there,” Gary said.

He was honest to admit that that when he first learned that he’ll be starring alongside Eugene, he wondered if the actress, who has a string of box-office comedies to her name, could pull off the singing scenes.

“So, as I really observed her, nag-a-acting siya then biglang kakanta. There was no distinction. It was seamless, which I believe is what is going to be very (surprising) to the people who watch it.”

Eugene with I Do Bidoo Bidoo co-stars (clockwise from top left) Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Sam Concepcion, Gerald Pesigan, Kiray Celis, Neil Coleta and Tippy dos Santos

Gary further praised, “She may not be a recording artist, but she’s an artist.”

The recording stars in the cast were also asked what the experience was like to be acting and singing at the same time.

For Gary, it was an opportunity to interpret songs differently from what he is used to or what is expected from him.

Gary said, “Direk Chris told me, ‘Don’t perform like you’re on stage,’ which for me became an added attraction (of doing the film) because parang ayoko talaga i-perform ang kanta na parang nasa stage ako. Now I get to perform it the way I want to perform it on stage.”  

One of the first songs he did for a scene was Batang-Bata Ka Pa, and for Gary, it was just so easy to allow the emotions take over, as it reminded him of a real-life experience with his own father.

In the film, Gary portrays the padre de pamilya of the well-off Fuentabellas (with Zsa Zsa as his wife), who get entangled with the simple-folks Polotans (played by Ogie and Eugene), after the latter family’s son gets the daughter of the former into “trouble.”  

“The story of Sam and Tippy’s characters was a reminder of me. I was 19 when I was going to get married. I was an unwed father, with Angeli (wife) pregnant (with my eldest Paolo). It’s very much my story. So all the more, while I was singing Batang Bata Ka Pa, it reminded me of (my story) when the father said that no matter what, I’ll back you up.”

For Zsa Zsa, working on I Do Bidoo Bidoo was a novel experience, at the same time, “it’s such a beautiful and great feeling for any singer-actress to do a musical because of course, everything you want to do or dreamed of doing is already there.”

Aside from the acting demands, Eugene said that there were other factors that made the project challenging to finish such as the inclement weather and what Zsa Zsa was going through in her personal life — she had to attend to her ailing long-time partner Dolphy, who eventually passed away last July 10.

“It’s not an easy project. We feel so blessed that we were able to finish the film,” said Eugene.

“We also prayed for Zsa Zsa for we all know what she went through. Zsa Zsa, thank you very much because, in real life, she’s not only a generous actress, she’s also a generous person, especially in sharing her experiences of love. It’s really inspiring, especially for me, na walang katiwa-tiwala na pwede pa ako magkaroon ng lover sa buhay ko. Pinakita niya na ang sarap-sarap magmahal ng matagal at walang katapusan.” 

Meanwhile, Shining Light Foundation, in cooperation with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc., GV Productions, Inc., Uniprom and Unitel Produtions, will hold a special advanced screening of I Do Bidoo Bidoo tomorrow, Aug. 23, 7 p.m., at Gateway Cinema 3, Gateway Mall to benefit victims of habagat, the most recent calamity to devastate the country. Tickets are available at Manila Genesis; call 0917-8987771 and 0917-8042483. 

I Do Bidoo Bidoo hits theaters nationwide on Aug. 29.