VIVAMAX is launching another new Viva sex siren in “Pamasahe”, Azi Acosta as Lineth, directed by cult director Roman Perez Jr. who’s known for hits like “Taya”, “Hugas”, “Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili” and “Sitio Diablo”.

This streams December 9 on Vivamax and is about the urban migration of people from the province who want a better life in Manila. It shows the journey and the exploitation of a young woman on her way to the big city.

Azi as Lineth is maltreated by her relatives in Capiz so she tries to stowaway in a boat going to Manila. On board the boat, she is abused by the security men who arrested her.

In Manila, she boards a bus and meets a man who she thought would be kind to her but also abuses her. So how was Azi discovered?

“I started po as a model,” she says. “Then my designer took me to Viva and introduced me to Boss Vic del Rosario. I first appeared as a model in ‘Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili’ then isinama ako sa ‘Sitio Diablo’.”

It was in “Sitio Diablo” that Direk Roman noticed her exceptional talent for dramatic acting. So what made Direk Roman decide to give her a launching movie?

“She’s very intelligent,” says Direk Roman. ”Maraming nakapansin agad sa husay niyang umarte. Ibang prototype siya ng Vivamax girls. Kahawig siya ni Joyce Jimenez and as a model in ‘Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili’, may anggulo siyang Alice Dixson ang dating niya. At sa workshop pa lang, napakagaling na niya. Parang hindi siya baguhan. Iba ang magic niya and in this movie, she really delivers sa journey ni Lineth at ang mga pagsubok na pinagdaanan nito on her way to the city.”

Direk Roman says the concept of “Pamasahe” is based on a true story and the full script is written by his brother Ronald Perez.

“It’s derived from the story of a Badjao girl na nag-stow away sa barko then ni-rape pala siya. Pagdating niya sa Manila, she doesn’t even know how to speak Tagalog and eventually, naging prostitute siya. It has socio-political undertones and we want the viewers to be agitated as what it shows is really happening in real life.”

Most of Azi’s scenes are with Mark Anthony Fernandez as a stranger she meets in a bus, takes her home and becomes her lover. So how is it working with Mark?

“Noong una, intimidated ako kasi mas senior siya, pero napakabait pala ni Kuya Mark,” says Azi. “Marami siyang tips na ibinibigay sa akin kung paano namin dapat gawin ang eksena at kung paano mas effective na pagbabato ng dialogue ang dapat kong gawin. I’m really grateful na siyang nakasama ko rito kasi he’s a big help sa akin dahil napakabigat talaga ng character ni Lineth. I really felt her at nahirapan ako talagang i-release yung character niya after the shoot.”

What’s the reaction of her parents to her going sexy? “My father is a preacher but he’s not with us anymore, so anuman ang magiging reaction niya, pasensiya na lang po kasi ito ang pinili kong work. Pangarap ko talaga kasi maging artista. Ang mama ko naman, okay lang daw sa kanya kasi makikita lang nila, hindi naman nila makukuha. But when she saw ‘yung scene sa ‘Selina’s Gold’ na nire-rape ako, sabi niya, tumigil na lang daw ako kasi napaiyak siya. Magbalik na lang daw ako sa pag-aaral.”

Co-starring with Azi in “Pamasahe” are Julio Diaz, Shirley Fuentes, Erlinda Villalobos, Vino Gonzales, Rash Flores, Shiena Yu, Joanna David, Apple Castro, Chad Solano and AJ Oteyza.