Dare to bare

THEN: Feb. 27, 1991

If our films are becoming more daring in spite of chairman Manoling Morato, it is because the selling power of sex in films is a tried and tested formula. As the price of galunggong goes up and we can only eat two times a day, and as the price of gas compels us to stay home, our taste in films become more prurient.

Because of this development, only those who can act and strip or act with sexual innuendoes can have a good start. In the old days, major studios like Sampaguita became daring with actresses like Rita Gomez, and it was more in the role she played than in what she showed. Baring a midriff then was simply considered scandalous. Lilia Dizon revealed her legs in Bathaluman and they even have a statue to remember that scene by. At present our stars show a lot and what they don’t show, they talk about.

You have to show it to bare it. Gretchen Barretto, Rita Avila, Rina Reyes and even sweet Cristina Gonzales. It started with Vivian Velez flaunting her torso as Body Beautiful. Elizabeth Oropeza did, too, in all those island movies where she was forever marooned in islands and had to wear leaves or something like that. There has to be some justification for showing those ample proportions.

We are talking about the downright bold films, here where they get girls from the University of Thunderdone to bare with style. We are talking here about legitimate films kuno which pass the Board of Censors and are shown in major theaters.

You have to show it to make it and aside from the girls of Rey dela Cruz, stars like Rio Locsin, Dina Bonnevie, Alma Moreno and Snooky Serna have to tease the audience with some flesh. Now, comebacking stars like Angela Perez, Ann Villegas and Isabel Rivas have to be willing to atleast show something. Of course most these stars learned to act as well. But that is not the point here.

We have asked of those who dare to bare why they do it. Is it for money? The answer is more or less the same.

“To be noticed. It is hard to do this by acting alone unless you are a Sharon Cuneta who has other assets. There are so many good actresses but it is also very competitive. If you like to widen your chances you have to take on mature roles.”

There are a few lucky ones. Vivian Velez, for example, started as a sex symbol. Later, she studied her craft and even became a multi-awarded actress for her dramatic roles. The fact that Vivian had to produce her own films to get those dramatic roles raised some questions. But later, when she did it outside her production company she proved to all and sundry that she has that it takes to really be an actress.

Alma Moreno first got noticed when she did daring roles. But later, when she was already with Dolphy, she veered away for sensual roles to go into light comedy.

The reason Vilma Santos has an edge over Nora Aunor is the fact that Vilma can get away with bold scenes. Nora’s fans will raise a howl if she even tries to bare a thigh.

At Viva, it is the natural sensuality of Nanette Medved that is getting the top roles. Since all the Sharon roles will eventually be for Sharon, you have to be different like Nanette to be able to get a niche in the Viva scheme of things. Nanette makes the difference and her entrance into the scene makes the film company come out with more daring films.

It’s not only the women. The proliferation of the third sex in the audience are pushing male stars to bare some. I don’t think women really get turned on by male nudity.

Organs, unless they are playing Chopin, I don’t find exciting. It is really the totality of the person that excites the women. I have not seen a male nude picture that is beautiful. I once had a nude picture of Henry Kissinger which I find only interesting. Obviously the third sex goes for male nudity. Cesar Montano once has to bare some flesh as a statue coming to life to please that particular segment of the audience.

Even the nymphets are not spared from showing their public bodies. This must be for the pedophile. The marketing strategy in selling sex is that it should please everyone.

So, no matter. People must forget the price of rice and the rumblings of their stomach. The films will fulfill their other needs. And so, the selling of sex in films goes on. If you want to make it, you have to show it.

Now: Aug. 15, 2010 — 19 years after.

The Sharon Cuneta type of movies survived through the years. The bomba for bomba’s sake is out. These kinds of films can still be found in pirated copies all over the country. Some indies are using explicit sex in films more for shock effect. Body Beautiful Vivian Velez has become an entrepreneur and even studied film directing last year under Marilou Diaz-Abaya. She will direct the next film. Nanette is happily married. She studied in Boston with her husband, a brilliant businessman. Gretchen Barretto is as beautiful as ever and now starring in a popular teleserye. Cristina is married to a Romualdez and is now a mayor in Leyte. Rio Locsin still comes out on television once in a while and for a while was into religion. Elizabeth Oropesa is also married again and comes out on teleserye once in a while. Alma Moreno, who is married again, is now councilor of Parañaque. Rey dela Cruz was murdered in Quiapo and his soft drink beauties faded away. Pepsi Paloma was killed in a car accident.

Only the big film companies are making movies. From more than 200 films in the year 2000, we barely make 25 films this year, not counting the indies. Perhaps this is why the bomba trend died a natural death. Piracy and the computer download added to its demise.