Another meaty role for Allen Dizon

Director Mel Chionglo first worked with sexy stud-turned-award-winning actor Allen Dizon in two films – “Xerex” and “Twilight Dancers” – as well as several teleseryes. In the gay-themed movie “Twilight Dancers,’ Allen played the role of a “doomed prostitute” for which he won his first two acting awards (Best Supporting Actor) from Star Awards and FAMAS.

Since then, Allen had been on a winning streak and his most recent victory was being named Best Supporting Actor by the 11th Gawad Tanglaw Awards for the movie “Migrante.”

In his latest movie “Lauriana,” Allen was Direk Mel’s first choice to portray the role of Samuel Corazon, a member of the Philippine Constabulary of the 1950s who experienced a traumatic childhood that made him violent and an abusive partner to his common-law wife who is a ballerina (played by Bangs Garcia).

“Allen was my first choice because he physically fits the role. His stance and moreno features blended well with the color of the movie. He has awesome screen presence and his soft features is just right for the role. In his past movies, Allen is usually playing the martyr. In Lauriana, I decided to make him do a different character. He is playing the lead role as but he is bida-kontrabida. If I am not mistaken, this is the first time that Allen is portraying this kind of movie character,”  said Direk Mel.

If he got noticed in “Twilight Dancers,” Allen will surely be noticed by critics and win an award for his superb performance in “Lauriana.”

Aside from his participation in “Lauriana,” he is also in the cast of “Burgos” with Lorna Tolentino in the title role and under the direction of Joel Lamangan. He is also set to fly to Japan for the screening of “Migrante” which he and Jodi Sta. Maria topbill.

“Migrante” will be screened in Nagoya, Tokyo, Sendai and Gifu from Sept. 28 until October 14.

Aside from his car trading business, Allen is busy managing a fast food venture which he co-owns with the America-based sibling of his wife. The restaurant has a franchise in SM Pampanga.

“Lauriana” is an entry to the All Masters Series Film Festival of Sineng Pambansa from the script of the multi-awarded Ricky Lee. It also stars child actor Adrian Cabido, Victor Basa, Jaycee Parker, Angeli Bayani, Rich Asuncion, Anna Luna, Chanel Latorre, Mark Solis, Rico Barrera, Robert Correa and a lot more. It is produced by Film Development Council of the Philippines and BG Productions International of Ms. Baby Go. Regular showing is on Sept 11-17 exclusively in all SM Cinemas nationwide.

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Diana Zubiri’s last show had ended two years ago and she disappeared from the scene after that. Away from the limelight, she decided to go back to school. She is now in a Theater Arts course in Miriam College and is due to graduate in March.

She wasn’t doing any TV show or movie that time. But since Diana was accustomed to being busy and not wanting to be idle, she thought the best thing to do was finish her studies. “I wanted to do something to keep me busy,” said the former sexy actress who is making her acting comeback via “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” which premiered last  Monday.

“Gusto ko sana sa UP mag-aral kaya lang academically-speaking, mahirap bumalik sa school kung matagal ka nang di nag-aaral,” said the actress who hasn’t set foot in a university campus for eight years. She decided to enroll at Miriam College because of its proximity to her residence.

Diana enjoys being a student. “Medyo takot lang talaga ako pumasok sa school na may mga lalaki, yung co-ed kasi sexy star ako before. I was worried na baka makaranas ako nang pambabastos ,” she said.

Diana admits feeling rusty and jittery when she first reported on the set of “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.”

“At first, I was feeling my way around. It was another adjustment period for me kaya I was both afraid and nervous. Saka ‘yung mga co-stars ko, first time ko rin silang makakatrabaho kasi bago rin lang ako dito sa Channel 2,” said Diana who signed up with the Kapamilya network just a few weeks ago.

“Siyempre kabado ako kasi baka di ako maka-deliver kung ano ang ini-expect nila sa akin. O baka hindi ko na alam kung paano umarte kasi it’s been two years since my last acting assignment.”

For the longest time, Diana was a Kapuso actress. She started her TV career on GMA 7 and was among the cast members of “Bubble Gang,” the longest running comedy gag show on Philippine TV. Now, he’s a cerfified Kapamilya.

“Well, I guess, each one of us needs to move with our lives. Since there is an opportunity given to me, of course I grabbed the chance. This is not to mean that I have ill feelings towards GMA 7. Of course, I didn’t want to burn bridges. I parted ways with the network amicably. It was a long process but when I left GMA, it was a good parting,” she said.

She also said that there is an advantage in trying out with a new network. “Now that I am with Channel 2, I believe I see myself growing as a person. I guess I just have to make some adjustments,” said Diana.

While she is playing a rape victim in the ABS-CBN primetime soap, Diana requested that her sexy scenes, if ever there would be, will not be highlighted. “I am still in school. I can’t be shown in sexy attire. Gusto ko lang na pag marinig lang nila ang pangalan ko, maisip na lang nila na sexy star ako before,” she said.