Ryzza Mae meets her match

MANILA, Philippines - What happens when Ryzza Mae Dizon’s charm is combined with Alonzo Muhlach’s adorable presence? Well, expect cuteness overload and excitement as the two kiddie stars join forces in the Prinsesa episode of My Big Bossing.

The STAR and other select members of the press invited to a set visit recently in one of the movie’s location shootings at Paco Park had witnessed the two kiddie stars’ naturally funny demeanor off-cam. Four-year-old Alonzo readily displayed his talent in drama acting and singing complete with nuances that closely resembled that of his dad Niño in his heydays as local cinema’s child wonder. And even before Alonzo and Ryzza Mae sat down for an interview, the former put everyone in stitches with his remark, “This is Alonzo and Ryzza Mae Show!”

According to Niño, he didn’t expect that his son would follow in his footsteps. “That’s why, I’m trying to polish his Tagalog now. Nag-tataka din ako kasi dati, I was studying in an international school and I was trained to speak in English but on-cam, I can talk straight in Tagalog. In Alonzo’s case, hirap pa s’ya and he still needs more practice.”

Alonzo had his initial onscreen exposure in Bet On Your Baby then followed by a short stint in the last edition of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). “It was right after his guesting in PBB when acting offers started coming in,” shared Niño, who is also in the cast of Prinsesa as Duque Chorvu.  

In fact, Alonzo already had his big screen debut via the Star Cinema drama The Trial where he portrayed Richard Gomez’s son. This time, Alonzo is about to star in two Metro Manila Filmfest entries – My Big Bossing and Aswang Chronicles. 

“We are friends. We are happy,” said Alonzo pertaining to his newfound friend Ryzza Mae. “I gave her a Minion bed which my Mama bought for her.”

Ryzza Mae, on the other hand, confirmed it with a big smile and added that they also play during breaks. She portrays Prinsesa Victoria in the movie while Alonzo is Prinsipe Vladimir.

Speaking about the character, Ryzza Mae related that Prinsipe Vladimir is patiently teaching her to use a spoon “kasi po di ako marunong mag-kutsara kasi lumaki ako sa babuyan, tapos, naliligo sa putik.”

“But we always take a bath after (the shoot), we swam in the river,” Alonzo chimed in. “Makulit si Alonzo,” Ryzza Mae added.

Ryzza Mae also shared that she was prepping up for her role as a mermaid in the Sirena episode. She took swimming lessons under the guidance of Jess Lapid Jr., the action star-turned-three-star instructor of CMAS (Confederation Mondiale Des Activites Subaquatiques) Philippines. Jess also trained such celebrities as Angel Locsin, Ara Mina, Louise delos Reyes, Aljur Abrenica and Polo Ravales.

“Marunong na po akong mag-dive,” she happily shared. “Maganda din ’yung costume pero ’di pa po kami nagshu-shooting.”

Meanwhile, Ryzza Mae was asked if she and Bimby Yap, her former co-star in My Little Bossings, are still exchanging text messages and she assured that they are still friends even if their movies are set to compete in December’s filmfest. Bimby is in the cast of Praybeyt Benjamin 2.

“Nagfe-Facetime din po kami,” said Ryzza Mae.

Asked if she gets tired from her hectic schedule, Ryzza Mae replied in the negative and went on to share that she will bring her siblings to Hong Kong Disneyland. By the time you are reading this, Ryzza Mae should have been back to Manila with lots of stories to tell while waiting for her next scenes on the set of My Big Bossing.

By the way, My Big Bossing is a trilogy with Vic Sotto topbilling in the three episodes — Prinsesa (directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal), Sirena (Tony Reyes) and Taktak (Marlon Rivera). It is produced by OctoArts Films, M-Zet Films and APT Entertainment.