Jake and Joem go daring; Diana returns to acting and the academe

Even before they started work on “Lihis,” director Joel Lamangan talked to Kapamilya actors Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon regarding their intimate scenes. Both agreed to give their all in their three important but controversial love scenes so that there’s no need to do any retakes.

Direk Joel said the delicate scenes were handled very well and with utmost care. It did not come out as vulgar and since it was done artistically, the two actors involved did not feel they were compromised. 

“During those times, it was forbidden in the movement to have a relationship between two men. That was why when the opportunity came for them to become one, the love scene becomes too passionate and looked as if they wouldn’t want to stop and be separated. So we have to show how passionate the scene really was to show how much they really love each other,” said Direk Joel.

According to those who had the chance to see the movie during a special preview, the press was surprised with the intensity of the love scenes. The actors threw all caution in the wind. It looked as if they were really in love with each other. The press admired their explosive performance as star-crossed lovers in the NPA (New People’s Army) during Martial Law. For sure, members of the gay community will love them for their honest portrayal. If you didn’t know they are macho actors, then you’d think they are probably closet gays. Both admitted getting affected by their love scenes.

“It was a first for me to do a scene like this that’s why I said I will give my all. I would do it right. I was afraid that if we won’t be able to do it right, Direk Joel might get mad and ask us to repeat the entire scene. After our shoot, I kidded Joem, ‘let’s look for a girl,’” said Jake in a recent interview.

“It’s a different kind of challenge because Jake is a friend. After the scene, I told Jake we ought not to see each other first because we might really fall for each other. But seriously, it felt good doing the scene but it was draining. You just have to give everything you’ve got to make the scene realistic. As an actor, you’ve got make sure that the scene turns out right,” Joem explained.

“Lihis,” written by Ricardo Lee, is part of the All Masters Series Film Festival of Sineng Pambansa. Also appearing in the movie are Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza and Gloria Diaz. Playing important roles are Raquel Villavicencio, Lloyd Samartino, Jaime Pebanco, Tony Mabesa and Alex Castro. The premiere night is on September 8 at SM Block Cinema 2. It will be shown exclusively at all SM Cinemas nationwide from September 11-17.

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Former sexy actress Diana Zubiri makes her acting comeback after a two-year hiatus in ABS-CBN’s newest primetime drama offering, “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.” The actress, Young Critics Circle Best Performer awardee for “Bahay Bata,” was happy to return to acting.

She was given a role in the top-rating series “Juan dela Cruz” but since she had started taping for “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin,” her character in the Coco Martin-starrer might be written off. In “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin,” which topbills Gerald Anderson, Diana will play the role of a rape victim who accusses Gerald’s character of the crime which sends him to jail.

Diana went back to school. She is now in her senior year in Miriam College taking up Theater Arts. She feels good to have resumed her studies and is proud to say that she will graduate next year.

She expressed thanks on the opportunity to work with Dawn Zulueta, Dina Bonnevie, Tonton Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz, Cristine Reyes and Gerald in this soap directed by Jerome Pobocan and Trina Dayrit. The new show premieres this Monday, September 2.