And because Mother Lily had promised her that after reading the script, she could have her choice of roles between Lu Shui, the second wife, and Belinda, the third, she was exercising her prerogative to ask for the role of Belinda. I had mentioned in my column last week that after reading the script, I knew that Belinda was so meaty, complex, and emotionally challenging that it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime role for any actress.
Mother Lily called me in tears after the article had come out and she said that Lorna would back out of the film if the role of Belinda would not be hers. In conjunction with this, her manager Lolit Solis had threatened (and knowing Tita Lolit she was dead serious!) that she would pull out Christopher de Leon, her other ward. Mother Lily knew that she had to make her decision. After consulting with many friends, relatives and advisers, she awarded the role to Lorna. Tito Ricky (Lo) put it best when he said that casting is truly the producer’s prerogative for the simple reason that in this case it is she (Mother Lily) who is risking millions in the production.
Granted that both Dina Bonnevie and Lorna Tolentino are genuinely gifted actresses, on a purely physical aspect, Ate LT is the more logical choice because Belinda as described in the script is a Chinese mestiza. Ate LT is "chinita" while Ms. D is a European mestiza. Personally, when I was reading the script, it was Lorna that was pictured in my mind’s eye. I felt that the role truly belonged to Lorna because I could see shades of her character "Rosita Monteverde," from my favorite film of hers, Maging Akin Ka Lamang which was directed by Lino Brocka. This movie won her several Best Actress trophies later. Fifteen years later, Mano Po 2 will be another grand slam performance for her. Mother Lily requested me to not reveal any more plot points and I will abide by my producer’s request.
If you are now wondering about which actress will now play Lu Shui, the Chinese second wife, I can reveal that as of this writing Mother Lily has sent the Mano Po 2 script to Zsa Zsa Padilla, who happens to be my best friend. All my scenes will be with Lu Shui, with only two scenes with Belinda. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Zsazsing will accept the role. Shooting will start first week of September, that’s why nothing is definite until the camera grinds, especially when Mother Lily is concerned. She has gone with her instinct for nearly 30 years of movie making, and it’s proven exceptionally perceptive as well as undeniably money making!
I am sure that there will still be some changes along the way. Of course I will keep you informed, but as of now this is what’s definite regarding the cast. I am the young Sol and Tita Susan Roces is the present day Sol, the first wife, a Filipina, who is the mother of Judy Ann Santos who plays Grace, the family’s moral center, Carmina Villarroel, who is the embittered quadriplegic eldest daughter, Janet, and Cogie Domingo, who is the banished son. Lorna Tolentino is Belinda, the third wife and mother of Richard Gutierrez and Alessandra de Rossi. Jay Manalo is Belinda’s cousin married to Janet, who is even more scheming and money hungry. Christopher de Leon remains the family patriarch, Antonio.