James Blanco headlines advocacy film

James Blanco is starring in his first indie film titled “Pilapil,” one of the entries to the maiden year of To Farm Independent Film Festival which runs from July 13 to 19 in SM Cinemas.

He was the choice of filmmaker Jojo Nadela to play the lead in the film that also features child actor David Remo. According to Direk Jojo, he personally chose James because of the actor’s sensitive and intelligent acting.

“He said he watches me in teleseryes and he believes I suit the role in the film. I am thankful for his trust in me,” said James.

The actor said the role was challenging because it was his first time to dabble in action scenes. He has fight scenes with Pancho Magno and most of the scenes were shot outdoors under the scorching heat.

Did he imagine himself someday playing the lead in an indie film? “I am not particular whether I will do a lead or a kontrabida role. If there’s a chance to do a project, even if it’s a kontrabida role, I am willing to do it. I will give my best to any movie or TV role that comes my way,” he said.

Does he think he can win an award for his “Pilapil” role? “If I win an award then that will be a bonus. I did my best, with double or even triple the effort. I don’t want to expect anything but I studied my script well and worked hard on my character because this is something new for me unlike my usual drama-themed roles,” he said. “I don’t want to expect an award but if it’s meant for you, anything can happen.”

He accepted the movie because it’s for a worthy cause. “I love doing advocacy films and I saw it here in ‘Pilapil.’ It has a good message. I believe many will be touched by the movie’s message,” said James.

We heard that the festival, which will hand out the awards tonight, might be extended for another week because of the good turnout of viewers. The jury of To Farm Film Festival Philippines is composed of 2016 Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose, award-winning writer Ricky Lee, award-winning master director Peque Gallaga, multi-awarded cinematographer Odyssey Flores and Manunuri ng Pelikula member Gigi Alfonso.

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FHM 2016’s sexiest woman Jessy Mendiola denied that she had something to do with the rumored marital woes of Ian Veneracion and his wife who had reportedly separated due to the Kapamilya star.

At the FHM event formally announcing her as the number one sexiest woman, Jessy requested the press not ask about the said issue since it’s an event of FHM and she didn’t want to rob the famed men’s magazine of its own moment. Jessy hopes that the issue will die a natural death. After all, she says, it isn’t true.

On the other hand, she said it is a challenge to be hailed as the sexiest woman of FHM as she has to prove herself capable of being the role model of women. She is walking the ramp come the big event, but Jessy declined to say if she will wear something revealing.

Aside from announcing Jessy’s victory, FHM also unveiled Rhian Ramos’ first cover of the magazine.

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Rommel Padilla is getting a second wind in his career. He’s playing the husband of Sylvia Sanchez in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye “The Greatest Love” and he is very happy to be given a chance at this stage in his life.

Rommel, who turned 50 last January, said he didn’t imagine he’d be given a chance to rekindle his acting career at his golden age.

Aside from “The Greatest Love”(which also features Dimples Romana, Ando Eigenmann, Matt Evans and Aaron Villaflor), he is also doing an indie film.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na ngayong golden boy na ako eh doon pa ako mabibigyan ng maraming acting projects,” said the elder brother of action star Robin Padilla.

“Siguro malaking bagay talaga yung professional ka sa trabaho. Dati kasi nagkaroon ako ng reputation na pagdating sa trabaho eh nagkakaroon ako ng problema. Siguro because I was still young then. Siguro naman at this time, naipakita ko rin naman na kaya kong maging professional at nabigyan nga ako, tulad ng sabi ni Sir Ricky Lee, ay nabigyan ako ng second chance. We don’t know kung mabibigyan tayo ng second chance sa buhay o kung kailan ito darating pero kapag nagtrabaho ka nang maayos ay may darating na blessing.”

In line with the soap’s title, who indeed is Rommel’s greatest love in real life? Aside from his current wife (Rommel doesn’t hide the fact that he had relationships with several women, including Karla Estrada, the mother of teen star Daniel Padilla), he says his greatest love is Eva Cariño Padilla.

“Greatest love ko si Mama (Mommy Eva) kasi siya ang tumayong nanay at tatay namin. Kasi si Papa laging wala sa bahay o wala sa bansa because of his work as a politician. Nakita ko kay mama na yung sa sobrang kahigpitan niya sa amin, noong mga bata kami, ang tingin namin doon, hindi siya mabuting ina. Parang ang dating niya, kapag di ka sumunod, hindi ka niya mahal. Pero later on, sa buhay naming magkakapatid, tinanaw namin malaking utang na loob iyon kasi kung hindi siya naging ganoon sa amin, baka hindi rin kami naging mabuting ama o mabuting ina sa aming mga anak. Sa ipinakita niya sa mga anak niya, talagang to the max. Yung mismong sarili niyang kaligayahan, hindi na niya naibigay sa sarili niya dahil sa pagtingin niya sa mga anak niya,” he explains.