Congrats to Gil Portes whose latest film, Munting Tinig, has been invited to join the Toronto International Film Festival in September by no less than Steve Gravestock, a festival official who described it as Gils "finest film so far." Also included in the same event is Joel Lamangans Hubog, winner of several awards in last Decembers Metro Filmfest.
Babes, directed by Ed Palmos, went through the eye of a needle, so to speak, before it got an "R-18" rating after first its trailer and then the whole movie were "X-ed." Previous to this, Alberts movie with Joyce, Scorpio Nights 2, and Ekis (with Sunshine Cruz) also got an "X" before they were approved with a "R-18."
"In fact," recalled Albert, "Scorpio first got a double X so it was sent on appeal to Malacañang."
Although he concedes that Babes is his boldest screen caper so far, with him playing a man who uses women for his own and other mens pleasure, Albert doesnt show private flesh in the movie, saying that he definitely has "limitations" including not doing any frontal nudity.
"Besides," smiled Albert, "am I not too old for that?"
But five years ago, he almost did in an abortive project called Linda Marikit in which he would have played a transvestite stripped to the buff by the Japanese (the story is set during the Japanese Occupation) to expose his real gender and to public humiliation.
"At that time," said Albert, "I already conditioned myself that I would be showing my front, kaya lang hindi rin naman natuloy yung project." (Linda Marikit will be filmed soon, directed by Joel Lamangan for his and companys own outfit, with Jay Manalo as the lover of the character Albert was supposed to play, a part turned down by Onemig Bondoc because he couldnt do a kissing-love scene with Jay.)
How is Joyce as a sex partner?
"On the screen?" Albert was quick to emphasize. "Shes okay. Were comfortable with each other because, besides having the same manager (Shirley Kuan), we trust each other, we protect each other. Kabisado na namin lahat, from the blocking to the choreography. May sarili na kaming choreography in our love scenes. Everything is automatic na with us."
Babes is Alberts second movie with Ed Palmos who first directed him in the Rufa Mae Quinto-topbilled comedy Gloria Labandera.
"Ed wanted to make a comeback," said Albert, "and Im doing him a favor by appearing in Babes. Its a good movie. Im saying it not because Im in it. Ed is a good director and Babes is, I think, one of his best works."
Alberts "bold" image hardly bothers his wife Liezl and their children (Alyanna, 17, a high school senior at Poveda; Alfonso, 15, a high school sophomore at La Salle; and Alyssa, 10, Grade 3 at St. Pauls College). There was only one time when Liezl walked out of Alberts movie (Ekis) because she found Alberts sofa love scene with Sunshine "offensive." There were reports, which both Albert and Liezl later denied, that the incident led to a brief separation.
Since then, according to Albert, "I always discuss with Liezl any project, especially if its a bold/sexy one, before I make a decision. I let her read the script. Then I ask her, What do you think? Should I do it? Liezl and I have a silent understanding on what I can do and what I cant do, what I should do and what I shouldnt do."
Surprisingly, added Albert, their children have become more understanding and more broad-minded as they grew older.
"Before, nako-conscious sila in school. Now, they take it as a matter of course, a job that I have to do. Theyre even proud of me."
Because most of his roles require him to bare parts of his body, Albert sees to it that hes always in pang-romansa form. He exercises regularly, lifts weights and does the treadmill whether at home or at the Discovery Spa in Ortigas Center. He avoids fats, rice, sweets and red meat, and limits himself to a diet of potato, camote, tufo and vegetables. He takes vitamins C (as many as 1,500 mg. daily), E (1,000 IUs), B-Pollen and Aspilets (80 mg. to prevent blood from thickening).
Anytime now, Albert will start shooting Regal Films Two Timer (with Ara Mina).
Of course, he expects the "X" factor to again come into the picture as soon as the movie is put to can and submitted for review to the MTRCB.
"So what else is new?" said Albert. "Sanay na akong na-e-X-ed."