Alessandra de Rossi: Sinner or Saint? Plus: Newest Indie Prince Edgar Allan Guzman

Alessandra de Rossi is glad to be working anew in GMA 7 via the afternoon drama series Sinner or Saint which started airing on Monday. The actress signed an exclusive two-year guaranteed contract with the Kapuso network and she’s confident that she will be taken care of as far as projects are concerned.

"I am willing to take on any role, as long as I can do it and as long I won’t compromise my beliefs," Alessandra said at the presscon of Sinner or Saint which co-stars her with Dennis Trillo and Bianca King.

She’s doing a new indie film titled Oriang which tells the story of women during the Martial Law years. She says it’s a good role and could be a potential award-winner.

Alex is also excited about Busong (Palawan Fate) which she did for Auraeus Solito and took her to the Cannes Film Festival this year where the film was exhibited in the Director’s Fortnight segment of the festival. The film will likely be shown in the forthcoming Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival which starts on July 15.

"I wish the people would support our movie Busong and watch it when it is shown. Marami kasi ang nagtatanong kung kailan ito ipapalabas. Sana panoorin nila, huwag iyong puro tanong lang," she said. "Of course, I want them to see Busong kasi the movie has a good message."

How is it working with Direk Auraeus? "Nakakatuwa. Sobrang feel na feel niya pag nag-explain siya kung ano ang gusto niyang mangyari sa eksena. Sabi niya, ‘you’re so precise. Kung ano ang hingin ko sa iyo ‘yun ang ibinigay mo.’ Sabi ko naman eh grabe ka rin naman kasi mag-explain, with feelings ano?! Kung ano ang i-explain mo sa akin, siyempre nararamdaman ko iyon as an actress," she said.

She did not get to walk the red carpet at Cannes since only the stars of movies competing in the Main Competition get to experience it. She would have wanted to see Brad Pitt but unfortunately the chance to see him went pfff since the screening of Busong coincided with the showing of Brad Pitt’s movie. "I did get to walk the red carpet with Direk Auraeus but we were not the stars."

She said that a lot of guys in Cannes got a stiff neck looking back at her. "Maraming namatay, nabangga, nawalan ng asawa dahil sa kalilingon sa akin," Alex joked. She got to wear several gowns – one for Busong’s premiere, one for the presscon and another for the pictorial. She wore a gown made of Pina cloth, which landed her an interview for Fashion TV.

Busong is the story of Punay (Alessandra) who was born with wounds in her feet so she cannot step on the ground. Her brother Angkarang, carries her through a hammock, as he searches the changing landscape of Palawan hoping to find a healer who can cure Punay. Different people help him carry his sister along the way – a woman looking for her husband, a fisherman who lost his boat and a young man searching for himself – and each one meets their fate.

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With a cult-following in print, this year’s Cinemalaya New Breed entry Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me is bound to be a crowd drawer and a crowd pleaser.

The story revolves around Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, aka Intoy (played by Philippine Entertainment Portal’s newest Indie Prince Edgar Allan Guzman), who is secretly in love with his friend Jenny (played by Mercedes Cabral), the most beautiful girl in the campus. Jenny is rich and quirky; Intoy is street-smart and ordinary. But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other.

Before graduation, Intoy feels he has to shed his pretensions of being astig and finally profess his love for Jenny. But he is devastated with the turn of events.

The movie is the biggest break for Edgar since he joined showbiz five years ago after winning the Mr. Pogi contest in the noontime show Eat Bulaga. "I am happy that I am able to do this movie for Cinemalaya as I celebrate my fifth anniversary. I am also coming out with a special CD na parang soundtrack ng movie namin," says Edgar.

How does it feel being tagged as the new Indie Prince? "Masuwerte lang po ako na magagandang pelikula ang dumating sa akin at mga magagaling na director ang katrabaho ko. Coco Martin is a friend and an idol. I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to acting. But I am willing to work hard and hone my craft as an actor to be worthy of such tag," said Edgar.

Edgar goes sexy in Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me, which was produced by Noel Ferrer from the script of Jerry Gracio based on the novel of Eros Atalia. Direction is by Erick Salud from ABS-CBN, who makes his feature film directorial debut in this project.

"Game na game kasi si Mercedes sa mga love scenes namin kaya tinapatan ko siya," Edgar said of his co-stars derring-do. "Wala siyang pakialam kahit na may makita sa kanya. I have to match her energy."

"Ibang level na ito kasi Cinemalaya entry ang movie namin. Very thankful ako sa tiwalang ibinigay ni Kuya Noel Ferrer para iprodyus ang movie na ito na based sa isang best-selling novel. Parang pressure po ito sa akin kasi may bago akong director, si Erick Salud. Kaya naman kinausap ko siya para i-guide niya ako sa acting ko," said the new indie prince.

This is a big break for Edgar and the young man is hopeful that the people would take note of his acting as he gave his all in this movie. "I am not wishing for an award but I hope that I was able to deliver what my director asked me to do in my acting," he said.