ANGELI Khang is the lead actress in the new Vivamax erotic drama by cult director Roman Perez Jr., ‘“Salakab”, but she’s a no show at its presscon at WingZone. We tell Direk Roman that Angela seems to favor Dir. Mac Alejandre since she is present in all the presscons of her movies with him, the latest being “Sila ay Akin” held at Viva Cafe.

“Oo nga, parang mas pinapaboran na niya si Direk Mac, e gayong sa akin naman siya nagsimula in ‘Taya’ more than two years ago,” he says. “Buti nga pumayag pang magpadirek sa’kin dito sa ‘Salakab’. Hindi, joke lang. Ang totoo, may sakit daw kaya hindi nakarating. Na-flu.”

Why is “Salakab” the title of his new movie? “Salakab is a basket made of split bamboo used in catching fish, shrimps and crabs in shallow waters. We use it here as a metaphor. When you say nasalakab mo ang isa tao, nahuli mo siya o na-trap siya while he’s doing something he is hiding.”

The movie was shot on location in Tingloy Island. “Malapit na siya sa dulo ng Batangas, near Quezon. We were looking for a remote, isolated island and the local government in Batangas helped us find it and even provided bancas for us na ginamit namin sa movie. We were there for two and a half weeks. Mahirap ang shoot, umitim kami sa araw, inabot kami ng ulan, walang signal, walang wifi, but naitawid naman namin nang maayos.”

What is the story all about? “It’s something that happens in real life. Angeli Khang as Lena and Benz Sangalang as Arthur grew up together in a small island. Angeli’s character is ambitious. She wants to study in Manila and get a college degree. Benz supported her para makapag-aral siya.”

“Salakab” is a story of sacrifice for the character played by Benz. “He’s a fisherman in the island, but he sold his own banca para lang may pang-tuition si Angeli. Not only that, may ginawa pa siyang ibang bagay na ikasa-shock nyo, mapag-aral lang ang babaeng minamahal niya.”

But Angeli meets another guy in the city, Jomari Angeles, and forgets all about Benz.

“Ang maganda rito, hindi basta tinanggap ni Benz ang pagkatalo. Ipinaglaban niya ang pag-ibig niya for Angeli. This is the first time na nagkapareha sina Angeli and Benz at marami silang madadramang eksena na nagampanan nila nang maayos.”

He says Angeli has improved a lot since he first handled her two years ago.

“Mas lumakas ang screen presence niya, mas lumawak at lumalim ang range ng acting niya. Talagang she and Benz delivered their best. Not only sa intense dramatic scenes but also in the love scenes. Magugulat ang viewers dito kasi nag-love scene sila sa mga lugar na hindi mo mai-imagine na may magla-lovemaking doon. Buwis buhay nga kasi may sex scene sila sa ibabaw ng batuhan na kung magkamali sila at mahulog sila, puede nilang ikamatay. But then, kahit mapanganib, ginawa rin nila, so abangan nyo yun when the movie starts streaming on Vivamax this coming November 17.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Bautista