A choice selection of love stories

 From a collection of love stories presented to the press by Wattpad recently, we chose Almost a Cinderella Story, a modern-age tale of love given a hilarious twist. Starring are Eula Caballero as Ekang and Carl Guevara as Alden with direction by Soxie Topacio. It begins airing on Oct. 13 on TV5.

During the launch, it was not only the stars, however, that caught our eye. It was the interesting concept that brought together four love stories that included My Tag Boyfriend starring Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Sam Concepcion, Mr. Popular Meets Miss Nobody with Shaira Mae dela Cruz and Mark Neumann, and Poser putting together Akihiro Blanco, Chanel Morales and Sam Rodriguez. Since 2006, Wattpad has established a dynamic interactive community of 35 million readers, as well as writers from around the world. It has become so popular in the Philippines that Filipino writers have grown their own fan-base of readers with some of their stories having been bought by major film production outfits.

After the presentation, we cornered director Soxie  whom we have known since the days of Lino Brocka and the establishment of PETA that served to be a major guiding spirit in the growth of the Filipino as leader in the filmmaking sector in the Philippines. Below is a short interview with director Soxie: 

Is this your first time to work with TV5?

“No. I’ve been with TV5 since 2005, months before Manny Pangilinan bought the station. Perci Intalan and (Anthony) Pastorpide were the ones who asked if I could direct their first outside-studio taping produced by TV5.”

What were the conditions that you gave them?

“No conditions. Last year, Joel Lamangan handled the first unit; I did the second unit in Madame Chairman. This year, I finished Confession of a Torpe as a first unit director. Sanay na ako sa kanila.”

You told me they gave you the casting. I assume this involved the lead stars but what about the support?

“All castings are their decision.”

Were you given a finished script by Nathan Arciaga?

“I have the full script.”

Did you have your choice of personal assistants, cameraman, costume mistress, location, editor, etc.?

“Since my executive producer (EP), Omar Sortijas, was my EP also for Torpe, he did the hiring of the assistant director and lighting director. Cameramen are TV5 people.”

How many days were you given to finish the picture?

“All are given two taping days only.”

You are both an actor and a director. Do you often do on-cam work while being the director at the same time?

“I don’t act when I am the director kasi for TV, I have to be in the Ob-van to call the shots for the scene.”

Can you comment on your two leads Carl and Eula? Did you need to give them workshops before the shoot?

“Carl is from the Kapuso channel, I have seen him act. Eula is the winner of the TV5 search for a star (Star Factor). The episode is quite light, so I don’t think they need to be given workshops.”

How busy are you now and what were your recent projects?

“I just finished an indie film as an actor, Gangster Lolo, directed by William Mayo. I wrote the script. I’m finishing another indie film as an actor again, directed by Joey Paras. This time, I play the lead.”

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