SANYA Lopez was bashed by some envious folks who complain that she’s still in “First Yaya” with Gabby Concepcion, how come she’s given another lead role in “Agimat ng Agila” with Bong. Revilla? “Puro siya na lang! Wala na bang makuhang ibang leading ladies ang GMA?” they asked.

How does Sanya feel about it? “Naku, huwag naman silang magalit sa akin kasi hindi ko rin po ine-expect na magkakasabay sila on the air. Pero ‘yung ‘First Yaya’ po, daily from Monday to Friday at yung ‘Agimat ng Agila’ once a week lang every Saturday night. At magkaiba rin naman po sila ng genre, kasi romantic comedy series ang ‘First Yaya’ and action-fantasy naman po ang ‘Agimat ng Agila’. I guess I’m just so lucky na nakapareha ko ang dalawang magaling na aktor na maraming nangangarap na makapareha rin sila.”

And she even has kissing scenes with both of them. So who’s the better kisser? “Pareho naman po. Magkakaiba ‘yung mga eksena ko with them, e, but mas intense lang si Sen. Bong.”

She says ‘Agimat ng Agila’ was the one first offered to her. “Actually, una na akong nag-tape for ‘Agimat ng Agila’,” she continues. “We have taped some episodes then sa Tanay, Rizal, pero nagka-lockdown so nahinto ang taping namin, na madugo gawin kasi nga maraming stunts and special effects na naka-green screen kami.

“Tapos, if you’d recall, hindi naman po ako ang original choice sa ‘First Yaya’, pero sa kung anong magandang kapalarang tumama sa akin, ako ang napiling pumalit kay Ate Marian Rivera. So habang tigil ang taping with Sen. Bong Revilla, nag-lock in taping naman ako with Gabby Concepcion sa La Union.

“Tamang-tama naman, nang matapos ang taping for ‘First Yaya’, nag-resume naman ang ‘Agimat ng Agila’. At ngayong showing na ito, lock in taping naman uli ako for ‘First Yaya’. Our fourth cycle na. Sobrang nag-click ang show at laging mataas ang ratings. Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta dahil na-extend na po kami ng another three weeks.”

Sen. Bong has nothing but praises for her as his leading lady in “Agimat ng Agila”, saying they have good on screen chemistry and she’s very professional. Their director, Rico Gutierrez, also says she is a good actress who has no complaints even she’s asked to do risky action scenes.

“Naku, ako nga po ang dapat magpasalamat kasi sobrang bait nila sa akin,” she says. “Lalo si Sen. Bong, medyo intimidated pa ako noong una, but he turned out to be so nice and approachable. Maalaga at maasikaso sa mga katrabaho niya sa taping namin. Natutuwa nga ako dahil maganda raw ang chemistry namin on screen. May kilig factor. Si Direk Rico naman, matiyaga siya in explaining to me kung ano ang requirements sa bawat eksena. I’m sure magki-click itong ‘Agimat ng Agila’ hindi lang sa mga bata but even with their parents, their whole family kasi wholesome entertainment po talaga ang hatid ng action-adventure show na ito that starts airing this Saturday, May 1st, at 7:15 PM after ‘Pepito Manaloto’.”

Alden topbills AOS spectacular opening number

ALDEN Richards will topbill the sizzling and spectacular opening number of “All Out Sundays” this weekend as the show pays a rousing tribute to the merry new month of May. Also performing in the fantabulous star-studded Pinoy reggae opening number are Julie Anne San Jose, Barbie Forteza, Rayver Cruz, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Mark Bautista, Ken Chan, Rita Daniela, Miguel Tanfelix, Ruru Madrid, Derrick Monasterio, Kyline Alcantara, Mavy Legaspi, Golden Cañedo, Jeremiah Tiangco, Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Kim de Leon, Lexi Gonzales, and guest Ysabel Ortega.

Aicelle Santos then joins forces with “The Clash” to launch the 2021 auditions, headed by Clash Master Julie Anne San Jose and Clash Panelist Lani Misalucha. They will be joined by Clash Champions Golden Cañedo and Jessica Villarubin, and Clash graduates Thea Astley and Jennie Gabriel.

The Cypher crew will give reggae a hardcore flavor with Barbie Forteza, Miguel Tanfelix, Rayver Cruz, Kyline Alcantara, Mannex Manhattan and DJ Loonyo. Then Alden Richards, Rita Daniela and Bugoy Drilon team up with Mavy Legaspi, Kim de Leon and Lexi Gonzales for a summer-perfect performance of the song “Girl Like Me.”

Julie Anne San Jose is ready to pump it up with DJ Loonyo and Mannex Manhattan as they perform her latest single entitled “FREE”. The spotlight will be on Miguel Tanfelix as he takes centerstage for the All Out Concert. He will be joined by his “Voltes V” co-star, Ysabel Ortega. The Love Doctors are in. Catch the next installment of this musical romantic comedy with Rhian Ramos, Paolo Contis, Denise Barbacena, Kristoffer Martin, Betong Sumaya, Jennie Gabriel and Tuesday Vargas.

The fun-filled all out LIVE summer party continues this Sunday! Tune in to “All-Out Sundays” at 12:00 nn on May 2, 2021 on GMA and GTV!

Pinoy film, actor win big at Houston filmfest

A PINOY movie wins big in the 54th Worldfest Houston International Filmfest. This is “Belle Douleur”, a Cinemalaya entry produced by Quantum Films and directed by Josabeth Villanueva Alonso. It won the Special Remi Jury Award for best feature film in the category for foreign films.

Its lead actor, Kit Thompson, won the best actor award. The filmfest jurors wrote: “Kit Thompson’s charming performance in ‘Belle Douleur’ was easy to fall in love with and earned him the Remi award for BEST ACTOR (Panorama Asia) at WorldFest 54!”

In his social media account, Kit extended his gratitude to the WorldFest-Houston organizers for recognizing his talent, saying: “Everyone has their own turn. I honestly didn’t think I’d win best actor. I was already happy when I found out I was nominated for best actor.”

He also thanked the people he worked with in ‘Belle Douleur”: “I’d like to thank my director Atty. Joji Alonso for trusting me with her first feature film. Thank you for the patience and the time. Also, to my partner @missmylenedizon for guiding me, I wouldn’t have done it without you. To @rubyruizzz and @rolandoinocencio for giving me the tools I needed for this project. How can I forget to thank the crew and the people who were a part of making this film. Again, to @worldfesthouston thank you for gracing me with this award.”

Congratulations to Direk Joji Alonso and to Kit Thompson. Kit’s leading lady, Mylene Dizon, was also nominated for the Best Actress award but the trophy went to a Japanese actress. Personally, we truly believe Mylene gave a superb performance as the older woman who gets involved with a younger man in this May-November love story.