Solenn Heusaff steams up in "Seduction"

CEBU, Philippines - One of the very first movies that Solenn Heusaff did was the feel good film “My Valentine Girls,” which paired her with Richard Gutierrez. They are reunited in the love story drama “Seduction” where Solenn gets to do some kissing as well as love scenes with Richard.

But Solenn is comfortable doing the steamy scenes with her leading man. She has no qualms whatsoever. “I just do what my director tells me to do. Besides, I like working with Richard since we’ve done a movie before. We are very good friends so there’s no awkward moment even if we are doing a love scene,” says Solenn at the press conference of Seduction, which marks the return of noted filmmaker Peque Gallaga to directing. He was inactive in the film scene for quite a while and there must be something in “Seduction” that made him come out of retirement and agreed to do it.

But direk Peque says Seduction should not be sold as a sexy movie because it’s a love story with a twist. He says “Seduction” is not in the league of “Scorpio Nights” - his most controversial sexy film that launched to stardom then newcomer Daniel Fernando - but rather it is more like the award-winning drama “The Unfaithful Wife,” which starred Anna Marie Gutierrez and which gave lead actors Michael de Mesa and Joel Torre two best actor awards each.

Direk Peque has nothing but praises for his lead actors in “Seduction” namely Solenn, Richard and Sarah Lahbati, plus Artista Academy graduate Jon Orlando, because they performed well in their respective roles. They had a good time on the set. “There was no tension on the set because my stars are very cooperative and they did jobs very well,” says the director.

On the spotlight in “Seduction” is Richard who is doing his most challenging role so far. The Kapuso hunk knows that so much is at stake in the movie and he would not want to disappoint his director by not being at par with his expectations. According to Direk Peque, Richard delivered and was a revelation in terms of the demands of his role.

When Richard was asked if his acting in the movie would make people notice him, if not win him an award, the Kapuso hunk says he did his best for the role knowing that his director would expect so much from him. “If I get noticed for my acting or if I get nominated for an award that would be a bonus,” says the boyfriend of controversial GMA actress Sarah Lahbati.

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It seems ABS-CBN loves Gerald Anderson more than Maricel Soriano. After the unpleasant incident that happened between Gerald and the Diamond Star, it was the ex-boyfriend of Kim Chiu who gets to be retained in the cast of the forthcoming drama series “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.”

ABS-CBN issued a statement regarding the incident which reads:

"Due to the unfortunate incident between Gerald Anderson and Maricel Soriano on the first taping day of 'Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin,' ABS-CBN management and the management of Maricel Soriano have agreed that Maricel will no longer be part of the cast. The teleserye starring Gerald Anderson will proceed as scheduled."

Another statement was released by Star Magic about Gerald Anderson (released through ABS-CBN Communications Head Bong Osorio).

“Star Magic has the utmost confidence not only in Gerald Anderson’s exceptional ability as an actor, but also in his unassailable personal character professional behavior.  The incidents that led to the removal of Maricel from Gerald’s latest telenovela were not provoked nor instigated by Gerald in any manner.”

With Maricel out of the cast, Dawn Zulueta was tapped to replace her. There was no report yet as to what program ABS-CBN will give Maricel as replacement for “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.”