There are several reasons why Anne Curtis is most excited about her role in “Baler,” Viva Films’ entry to the forthcoming 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.

First of all, “it’s my first time to play a real Filipina, not a mestiza na galing sa States or anywhere abroad. As Feliza Reyes, Filipina talaga ang character ko dito,” Anne said.

“I took a step forward in my career via this movie,” Anne added. “So I am very honored that Viva gave me this project. This movie will give me a new direction in my career.” She also said “it’s my most challenging role so far and it’s my pleasure to be working with Jericho Rosales who is one of our finest actors today.”
She described the actor as very professional. As to their kissing scenes, “in fairness, he did not take advantage of the situation.He’s really a professional actor. Actually, pareho kami in that we love our job, we love what we are doing.”

As to Jericho, he said he gave 100% to his character Celso Ressurrecion, who is half-Spansh and half-Indio. He’s a member of the 57-man Rifle Battalion of the Spanish military who were trapped inside a church. Celso chose to serve the enemies more than the Filipino insurgents who were struggling and fighting for their independence and freedom.

Celso fell in love with Feliza, who’s the daughter of a rebelde (played by Phillip Salvador) who understandably doesn’t approve of their romance. “Ipinaglaban namin ang aming pag-iibigan,” Echo said. “And despite the war, ang love story namin, malalim...”

Anne also said that as true lovers “gumagawa kami ng paraan para magkita. As Feliza, I’ll do everything for him...”

Asked how it was working with Anne, Jericho said “Anne is a very sensitive actress and I’m honored and glad to be working with her. An actress like Anne’s caliber will last a long, long time in the business. She’s very professional, she’s always on time, very punctual, never late.”

Echo added: “Maganda ang mga love scenes namin, naglalagablab ang pagmamahalan namin... And we had fun working together, we enjoyed our kissing scenes... Anne’s kisses were passionate.”

The love story between Celso and Feliza is set against a backdrop of war, that of the so-called “Seige of Baler” that happened in 1898 when a 57-man Rifle Battalion of the Spanish military and the Filipino forces clashed. This was the time when the last Spanish contingent heroically defended Baler against the Filipino forces for 337 long and grueling days.

“Baler,” directed by Mark Meily from a script by Roy C. Iglesias, also stars Michael de Mesa, Joel Torre, Rio Locsin, Ryan Eigenmann, Mark Bautista, Leo Martinez, Baron Geisler, Bernard Palanca, Carlo Aquino, Jao Mapa, DJ Durano, Nikki Bacolod, Alvin Anson, Allen Dizon, Andrew Schimmer, Mikel Campos, PJ Valero, and Arvee Quizon.

By the way, Sarah Geronimo sings the theme song of Baler” entitled “Ngayon, Bukas at Kailanman.”

‘Lipgloss’ on its 2nd season

What makes “Lipgloss” a popular weekly TV series is that it treats or delves into problems usually hounding teenagers. Such problems include teenage pregnancy, among others.

“Lipgloss” airs on primetime every Saturday at 6pm on TV5. The cast is composed of students, all eloquent in their respective college studies.

It was three months ago that “Lipgloss” began airing on TV5, and the youth drama revolved and intertwined the lives of privileged teenagers of the upscale academic institution, Linden High, as they dealt with the real issues of relationships, jealousy, sex and other juvenile issues.

In its second season, “Lipgloss” will be more daring in tackling the problems of the sons and daughters of the rich — featuring new explosive characters.

For those who did not see much of the drama’s first season, the love-hate relationship of BFFs, Meg (Saab Magalona) and Abby (Maxine Eigenmann) continues even after being momentarily shaken by Abby’s tryst with Meg’s beau Edge (Kevin Lapena). But Meg’s travails take an interesting turn when a new character, the voluptuous Sarah (Princess Ryan), Edge’s girl from the past, wedges herself between the newly reconciled couple. In the meantime, Abby battles her own demons, holds on to her love, Jake (Rodjun Cruz) and her mother’s opportunistic schemes when she meets the “sponsor” who saved her family from poverty.

Another fresh addition to the cast is the character of Caloy, played by Neil Coleta who comes in as the enamored “anak ng driver” of overnight millionaire Julivee (Czarina Suzara). Julivee is totally infatuated with Caloy, who can hardly believe that the rich heiress would fall for a “jologs” like him. Totally devoid of guile, Caloy is thrust into a series of challenges to prove his love for Julivee, who in turn, tries to shield him from the cruel potshots of the snotty Lindenites.

The other members of the cast are Mary Grace Perido, Fred Payawan, Christian Vasquez, Mikee Lee, Cheska Ortega, Sam Concepcion, and Miki Hahn.

Also playing vital roles in “Lipgloss” are seasoned stars Lorenzo Mara, Ricardo Cepeda, and Rachel Lobangco.

Lisa Macuja lights giant Christmas tree

The country’s prima ballerina,Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, took time out from the rehearsals of her new show, Ballet Manila’s production of “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,” to light the giant Christmas tree Saturday at the Star City’s entrance to greet guests and passers-by.

The giant Christmas tree is 40 feet high and features more than half a million lights. The giant Christmas tree is Star City’s way of greeting everyone a “Merry Christmas” and also a way of saying thank you to all of its patrons who have visited the place over and over again for the past years. This year, the park has been enjoying a record of 40 percent increase in the number of guests everyday.

The Star City has 34 different rides and five attractions, among which are the Snow World and the Dino Island. Another important feature of Star City is a production of Ballet Manila to promote cultural awareness among the young guests and visitors.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 9, go to Dr. James Dy, Eva Sharma of Le Charmant, Judith Banal, Butch Francisco, Mrs. Lily Juico, Ernesto Pilapil, Millet Zamora, Dandy Santos-Gomez, Jesus Que, Beverly Salviejo, Octavio Victor “OV” Espiritu, Lily delos Reyes, Leticia Belen of Hawaii, Leonila Reyes, Nenette Buenaventura of Missionaries of Mary, Sonia Lim of Zuellig, Inc., and Mary Rosalind Revillame (a.k.a. Meryll Soriano)…