MANILA, Philippines — Kris Aquino praised “Segunda Mano” co-star and co-producer Dingdong Dantes. She said working with him has been one of the best experiences in her career. “This is Dingdong’s movie,” she stressed. She, likewise, expressed admiration for the director, Joyce Bernal, who she believes is “on the [same] level na with Direk Chito Roño (who directed Kris in her blockbuster horror flicks). ‘Segunda Mano’ approximates Direk Chito’s brilliance. Hindi ako mapapahiya sa kanya kaya gusto ko siya yayain manood sa movie namin ni Dong.”

Joyce felt flattered saying, “Idol ko si Direk Chito, nasa college pa lang ako, talagang idol ko na siya.” However, the director had a hard time doing horror: “Hindi ko pala alam gawin [ang horror]. Sa buong buhay ko, ngayon lang na ako na-tensyon ng husto.”

Planning the movie started as early as 2010, during P-Noy’s campaign. “This is the last of my three-film contract with Star Cinema so I convinced Dong to take part in this project. Magiging sulit ang oras ninyo to watch this movie. Siksik ito sa lahat ng needed elements to make it a blockbuster at the tills. Gusto ko, mag-No. 2 kami sa box-office, yong No. 1, kay Ai Ai at Vic na, magpakatotoo na lang tayo. No. 2 na lang ang pinaglalabanan at sana, sa amin na yun,” Kris said in her trademark candidness.

In “Segunda Mano,” Kris plays a woman searching for love. “Mang-aagaw ang role ko dito. I play a woman who never felt she has been loved. Hindi niya naramdaman na minahal siya ng pamilya niya. And then a man finally comes along, si Ivan (played by Dingdong), and with him, mararamdaman ko na hindi na ako segunda mano...” she laughed.

Angelica Panganiban also stars in the film.

Film Fest Parade today

The 37th Metro Manila Film Festival kicks off today via the traditional “Parade of Stars.”

The seven official entries are “Asiong Salonga” (with Jeorge “ER” Estregan, Carla Abellana), “Enteng ng Ina Mo” (Vic Sotto, Ai Ai de las Alas), “My Househusband” (Ryan Agoncillo, Judy Ann Santos, Eugene Domingo), “Panday 2” (Bong Revilla, Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado), “Segunda Mano” (Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban), “Shake, Rattle & Roll 13” (Eugene Domingo and an all-star cast), and “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” (Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Lovi Poe, Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, Solenn Heussaff).

Parade will start at 2 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia, going to EDSA, turning left to Roxas Blvd. and straight to Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park where a variety show will be mounted.

Screening of the 2011 MMFF entries starts tomorrow, Dec. 25, in 17 Metro Manila cities and towns and the rest of the country. Atty. Francis Tolentino, overall chair of the MMFF, said that their box-office goal this year is P600 million.

 • • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 24, go to Andres Genito Jr., Jackie Dayrit Boncan, Arlene Babst, Adoracion S. Bernabe, Belen Montaner, Lourdes Carillo, New York-based Menchie Portillo Peralta and Dominique James, Anva Kirsten Cruz Saruca, MB’s Marjun Isidro and Alfredo V. Palma of California and Asingan, Pangasinan…