What was Chin-Chin thinking?

When you saw last night’s episode of the ABS-CBN soap Dahil May Isang Ikaw, you must have wondered if the confrontation scene between Lorna Tolentino (as the mother of Jericho Rosales and...guess who!) and Chin-Chin Gutierrez (as the mother of Karylle) was for real because it was, well, so very realistic.

Was it a “gimmick” to drum up interest on the soap?

No, it was not.

But it was, indeed, for real with Lorna as the poor victim.

According to a Funfare DPA, the script called for Lorna and Chin-Chin to slap each other twice but Chin-Chin must have been so carried away by the scene that she did more than that. She hit Lorna below the lips and left them bruised, and slapped Lorna so hard that her ring got caught in Lorna’s hair, pulling some of it in the process.

Stunned, Lorna continued with the scene even if she was in pain. She was, as per the script, supposed to only scream “Paalisin ang babaing ‘yan!” at Chin-Chin but instead she said, “Paalisin ang p----- g i---g babaing ‘yan!” and instinctively kicked Chin-Chin in the leg. Perfect delivery, even if likewise unscripted. Cut!

A Best Actress grand slam winner, Lorna has never been known to complain in all her years in the business, following directors’ instructions even if if hurts, but this time she’s crying, “Foul!”

Her injuries were so serious that she had to consult a doctor.

“You could have been blinded by the slap that got caught in your hair,” the doctor told Lorna. “Muntik ka nang tamaan sa mata mo.”

Did Chin-Chin apologize?

“Well,” said the DPA, “she did after a long while. And you know what she did? She even prayed over Lorna, putting her hand on Lorna’s head as Chin-Chin prayed with her eyes closed.”

Did that appease Lorna?

Not really.

Somebody who knows Lorna said that she might never want to work with Chin-Chin again.

I wonder, will Lorna ask the scriptwriter of Dahil May Isang Ikaw to just “kill” her character so she won’t see Chin-Chin ever again on the set?

Abangan ang kapana-panabik na kabanata.

Cesar hurdles challenges in making Estasyon

After Banal, his award-winning movie directorial debut (2008 Metro Filmfest Best Picture), GMA reporter Cesar Apolinario has wrapped Estasyon by hurdling a few challenges.

Showing on a limited run from Nov. 4 to 10 at Robinsons Galleria, Estasyon was inspired by the true story of a 16-year-old boy who wanted to touch the image of the Black Nazarene during the traditional Quiapo procession no matter how dangerous it was. Woven into the story are such elements as “leap of faith,” love between the boy and his mother, the healing power of God, etc.

“First was the budget,” said Cesar without revealing the exact amount. “I didn’t want to go beyond it. Second was the script. I didn’t want to use one because I’m familiar with the story which I did as a TV docu two years ago. And third, which was the biggest challenge, to make sense of the Filipinos’ deep devotion to the Black Nazarene.”

Obviously, Cesar passed those tests with flying colors.

“The boy is played by newcomer Christian Gallardo. I told him to just act naturally and he did. My crew was very cooperative.”

Three months into the “script-less” shoot, Cesar asked Chris Lim, his co-writer for Banal, to collaborate with him on a screenplay.

“Before that,” said Cesar, “I thought shooting a documentary was just perfect since we had the chance to shoot the actual Piyesta ng Nazareno. It took me three months to decide shooting Estasyon as a feature film. I told myself, ‘I will do this one; I will produce Estasyon.’ Most of my savings went to this film. Hahahaha!”

Why this kind of film? 

“When I was 10, I spent part of my Holy Week walking from Novaliches to Bulacan to pray at the famous grotto in San Jose del Monte. I did this for six consecutive years. At that young age, I did not understand what my ‘walking’ meant. Many considered it part of penitence or intense   devotion. It was a challenging experience, I supposed.

“For 10 years as a reporter, I’ve been covering the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. I saw both the simple and complex interplay of faith, the devotion of people from all walks of life and the impact on their lives. I told myself, I will make a film about Quiapo someday and this is the time.

“I’m grateful to my actor friends. Klaudia Koronel agreed to do the movie gratis et amore and so did Mon Confiado. Both are good actors, very professional. Through the character of Klaudia, Mon and Christian, and also Diana Alferez, the film depicts some scenes in the traditional Station of the Cross that many Catholics do during the Holy Week.”

What does Estasyon say about Filipinos?

“I really want to tell the story of a boy and his encounter with what faith is all about. Underneath the sea of people in Quiapo and the devotion of these people and beyond such ordinariness and simplicity lies the complex role of faith in our lives. It took us just four days to shoot Estasyon. We did the maximum of 30 sequences per day. Shooting for an extra day was not an option due to the tight budget. My line-producer, Emman Pascual, and I acted as second cameramen. Jay Linao, my director of photography (also for Banal), created a very raw material for the movie.”

What was it like working with the cast?

“It was challenging and satisfying working with them. Mon was so professional, listening to every word or directorial instruction, making sense of and giving his best performance to every scene. I had him walk with the devotees during the Black Nazarene event. Klaudia has always been a good actress, exploring various emotions to give her best in this film. Estasyon is my personal film. I had a chance to interview the character before the feast of the Black Nazarene as well as his mother from Laguna. This is the first time I produced, co-wrote and directed a movie. I hope that the public will join me in this journey into faith and come out of it better understanding themselves and their intense devotion to the Black Nazarene.”

Briefly noted

• GMA Network’s News and Public Affairs department and the management of Survivor Philippines: Palau assure the public that the succeeding episodes of the hit reality show remain confidential and leakage-proof.

Here’s the official statement:

Hearsays and rumors are currently being circulated pinpointing female Castaway Jef Gaitan (photo) as the Sole Survivor of SP this season. Though picked up by the print media and published in several tabloids, these are mere predictions which are unofficial and devoid of truth.

However, should Gaitan be proclaimed as JC Tiuseco’s successor and be the first Pinay Sole Survivor, she can rightly merit the title for her subtle, uncanny style of playing the game.

Still, up to this time until the show’s final airing, no credible source can be quoted for the results of SP: Palau. The outcome is held in strictest confidentiality, and will only be disclosed at the appointed time.

The official tally of votes and announcement of winner will be held on SP: Palau’s finale episode which will go live on Nov. 13.

• As fate would have it, Billy Crawford (photo, right) and his beloved German “Kuya Germs” Moreno (photo, left) both emerged winners at two recent awards. Billy bagged the R&B Artists of the Year and R&B Album of the Year awards at the lst PMPC Awards For Music; while Kuya Germs was named Best Supporting Actor at the 57th FAMAS Awards for his performance as an aging gay person in the indie film Paupahan. Billy and Kuya Germs have reconciled after a long “cold war.”

• A close friend and former writing associate, Dr. Ricky Soler (photo), who published the Manila Magazine during martial law, has just published a collection of short stories titled For Starters which has received glowing tributes from reviewers that include two National Artists for Literature, Frankie Sionil Jose and Bienvenido Lumbera, as well as four Palanca Literary Award winners, namely Greg Brillantes, Krip Yuson, Sarge Lacuesta and Lito Zulueta. Dr. Ricky sent me a copy of the book for old times sake. A few of the stories in the collection seem to be good material for movie scripts. In particular, two stories of the unfaithful wife of an OFW and that of a sex addict who seduces so many women, seem likely candidates for translation into films. What about it, Dr. Soler? Go ahead, write movie scripts. For Starters is available in leading bookstores.

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