A dynamite team-up

The first pairing of Jomari Yllana and Maricar de Mesa in Regal’s Katayan is so hot that it was banned twice by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The Palace appeals committee however passed Katayan rating it R (restricted) or strictly for adults only (18 and above) because of its liberal dose of sex and violence. "Dynamite" is how a Regal insider described Katayan, shot in the tough and rough world of a slaughterhouse.

Jomari, the sexiest actor in town, has romanced on the big screen the likes of Joyce Jimenez, Ara Mina, Giselle Toengi, Mylene Dizon – desirable women all. And now it’s Maricar in what may well be called her baptism of fire. Maricar decided to give and show everything in Katayan, realizing it was her biggest break to date and fully trusting scriptwriter-director Uro de la Cruz. "Bedroom fantasy" Maricar is now billed, a far cry from her sweet image in That’s Entertainment and Go-Bingo.

The Regal insider mentioned earlier knew that Katayan would have rough sailing with the censors, but he felt that in the end it would be approved because of the overall merits of the film.

Jomari’s impressive track record includes Pare Ko, which earned him an Urian nomination; Kahit Kailan (Metro Manila filmfest Best Actor), and Sa Pusod ng Dagat and Diliryo (shown in international filmfests). After Katayan, Maricar faces a busy schedule as leading lady to Lito Lapid and Carlos Morales in Regal action pictures.

Maricar is thankful to Regal and her manager, Douglas Quijano, for giving her a movie she can be proud of– even if some of her more conservative relatives and friends were shocked by her new image, bedroom fantasy.