MANILA, Philippines – She’s noted to have lost a lot of weight and when asked about it, 23-year-old Bea Alonzo attributed it simply to work.

Bea is currently shuttling between two projects. She is working on a new TV series with Robin Padilla entitled “Guns and Roses” and is Vic “Bossing” Sotto’s newest leading lady in a movie.

“I needed to lose weight for my projects. Especially with Bosing who’s thin compared to me a ‘big girl.’ I have to lose weight so we’d look good on screen,” explained Bea.

To get a picture of how hardworking Bea has become: When taping for “Guns and Roses” was temporarily halted for two weeks for script revisions, instead of resting, Bea opted to trade those two weeks to work on her movie with Bossing.

Bea described doing a movie with Bossing as full of enjoyment and fun, something not to be considered as work.

Bea added that this is the first time she’s doing a comedy and her first family-oriented movie that is not drama. “I was really nervous at first because I’m doing a comedy. Drama is my comfort zone as an actress,” she related.

She plays a “perfectionist” or a person with an over-compulsive disorder. Rather than delivering punch lines, Bea said that her clumsy situations springing from her desire to always be perfect are the comic scenes she’s in.

Produced by Star Cinema-MZet Productions-Octoarts Films, the still untitled movie is directed by Tony V. Reyes.

Working with Robin Padilla is another wonderful experience for Bea. She said she and Robin have a comfortable working relationship in their first ever TV project.

“He is really a gentleman. He won’t allow you to stand and will always offer you a seat,” she shared.

Bea’s work load may be causing her to maintain a slimmer figure, but the projects lined up for her this year are blessings. Just recently she was launched as the newest face of Lactacyd.

“I’m really honored that after Judy Ann Santos, I was trusted by Lactacyd to be their endorser. It’s a perfect fit since I’ve been using Lactacyd even in my younger years,” remarked Bea.

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MMDA launches 2011 film festival

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) formally launched last week the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival which the country’s most awaited annual film event. The launch, held at the EMAR Suites Event Hall located along Shaw Blvd., coincided with the appreciation dinner for the winners of the filmfest last year.

Now on its 37th year, MMFF is undertaken by MMDA headed by Chairman Francis Tolentino, the 17 mayors of Metro Manila and the MMFF Executive Committee.

On Dec. 25, 2011, the eight official MMFF entries will start showing in theaters in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. It will end the first week of January 2012.

Five indie films will also be shown this year and they will be screened a week before the Dec. 25 opening of the festival. This is Chairman Tolentino’s way of supporting indie films.

Proceeds from the annual MMFF will go to the five pillars of the movie industry; the Mowelfund (50 percent), Film Academy of the Philippines (20 percent), Motion Picture Anti-Piracy Council (20 percent), Optical Media Board (5 percent), and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (5 percent).

Last year, MMFF grossed more than P500 million. MMFF 2011 hopes to surpass that figure. By the way, former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada is the “Father of MMFF.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for March 19 go to talent manager Girlie Rodis, Joey Albert, former beauty queen Joy Conde Cruz, Joe Nicolas, Kaj Seva Rebano, Bibsy Carballo, Josie Vergel de Dios, Margarita Castro, Sam Bayani Ortiz, Mercedes Suico, Josie Tobias, Jocelyn M. Gerilla, MB’s Robert M. Tabor II and Joseph Antipolo, Tina Tolentino, Aloha Joyce Calino, Juna Rebekak Cadungog, Jose dela Reyes, Mara Schinitka, and Julia Montes of Star Magic…