Bea Alonzo is the next big dramatic star. Among the young stars today, Bea sparkles like she’s ready to sashay into the big league with an indomitable drive. Forces of the universe are working in her favor. As an actor, her evolution is interesting to say the least. From her days in Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, Maging Sino Ka Man to Betty La Fea, she has showcased her range, her charisma, her sensitivity and her power to hold audiences like putty in her palm.
It was in Kay Tagal and Maging Sino where her partnership with John Lloyd Cruz bloomed. These television pairings were followed by blockbuster movies, Close to You, It Might Be You, One More Chance.
Lately, Bea is becoming more daring in her cinematic outings. She tackles her most dramatic role in her career in Laurenti Dyogi’s And I Love You So. She gets to wear a two-piece suit in the movie which is big deal for the wholesome, sweet teenybopper we saw grow up before our eyes. She pits dramatic talents with Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay. Bea is reunited with Sam who was introduced in Close To You which she starred with John Lloyd. She has also worked with Derek in Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2.
“To tell you honestly, kinakabahan ako. But there is a tinge of excitement that I feel after seeing the trailer. Somehow, mas confident ako, mas naniniwala ako doon sa pwede naming i-offer. I am really excited to show people once again kung ano ang nagawa namin,” says Bea on her latest movie project.
“I would like to think that every project that I do is something new, that we have something new to offer. I don’t want to entertain the thought that this project is big because the last one I did was big. I want to concentrate more on the intention of the project and its effects on the viewing public. I am after dun sa effect ng proyekto sa puso ng tao,” she adds.
And I Love You So will have its international premiere on Aug. 22 at the Osceola Performing Center in Orlando, Florida. It will have regular international screenings in various cities in America beginning Aug. 14 until Sept. 17. The movie is also set to run in Canada, Aug. 21 until Sept. 18. And I Love You So is Star Cinema’s 16th anniversary offering.
Gantimpala’s 32nd season opener
Alfred Urieta portrays Menandro in Gantimpala Theater’s 32nd season opener, Florante at Laura, directed by Soxie Topacio.
Urieta is part of Tony Espejo’s drama company. He started with taong bayan roles before getting “speaking parts” that include Bugan in the Aliw Awards 2005 Non Musical Production The God Stealer, Sergeant Tirona in Bombita, one of the revival plays presented during the First Pearl Theater Festival, and as Basilio in El Filibusterismo, his most favorite role and biggest acting break.
“Theater allows me to explore the different facets of my personality and to do the things I like,” says Alfred.
“When I found out that I’m doing Menandro in Florante at Laura, my first reaction was, ‘Oh? Menandro, cool!’ I can’t help but wonder why, at first,” he relates. “When my apprehensions died down, what stuck in my mind is that I have to give my best. As an actor, I must give whatever my director expects from me. Though this role has been performed before, people can expect a big difference with my portrayal.”
Alfred also dreams of playing Adolfo or Aladin, Elias in Kanser (Noli Me Tangere) and Don Juan in Ibong Adarna.
Gantimpala Theater’s Florante at Laura performances are at the Open Air Auditorium in Luneta on Aug. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), AFP Theater in Quezon City and Aug. 21, 22 and 23 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), SM Southmall in Las Piñas.
For details, call 899-5745, 896-3503, 474-5198 or visit www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com.