Stephanie no to comparison, yes to competition
STEPHANIE Raz has played support to her sisters Angela Morena and Micaella Raz who have been both given launching films ahead of her. Now, she plays the lead role in the erotic drama, “Kahalili”, that starts streaming on Vivamax on August 18.
Of course, comparisons with her sisters and with the reigning Vivamax queens cannot be helped, Angeli Khang and Azi Acosta. Does she feel pressured on how would she fare when compared to them?
“Siempre po, may pressure, but more than that, grateful po ako na after playing many supporting roles, nabigyan na ako ng solo movie ni Boss Vic,” she says. “Basta ako po, I don’t want to be compared with anyone. All I can say is that I did my best in this movie, more than my 100 percent, at kayo na lang po ang humusga.”
In the movie, she is supported by more experienced actors like the award-winning Sid Lucero, as the man who impregnates her as a surrogate mom, and Mercedes Cabral as her older sister who tries to be protective of her. How is it working with them?
“Siempre po nung una, kinakabahan ako kasi mas matagal na sila sa industry. But in turns out, ang babait nila. I really asked help from them and they’re willing to help. Talagang sinuportahan nila ako. They guided me sa mga eksena namin together. I learned a lot from them, pati on how to deliver ang mga linya ko more effectively.”
She says she was also initially scared of their director, Bobby Bonifacio Jr. “First time ko to work with him so natatakot ako. Sobrang kaba ko. Pero hindi ko magagawa ito at hindi ko maitatawid ang mga eksena ko without him guiding me all the way.”
She says her role is truly very challenging. “Mahirap ‘yung role ko bilang katulong nina Sid Lucero sa farm house nila na kinuhang kahalili ni Sid para maanakan niya, with the blessing of his wife, si Millen Gal. Tapos, malalaman ko later na may iba pala silang balak for me and the baby, so magiging suspense-thriller ito.”
She says the narrative and the characters in it have many surprises. “May malaking twist sa story and I think nabigyan ko naman ng justice yung role ko with the help of Direk Bobby. Mahuhusay lahat ng mga kasama ko kaya nakaka-inspire silang katrabaho. Lahat kami, may deep dark secret sa aming pagkatao, kaya magugulat kayo.”
“Kahalili” is a riveting gothic story combining mystery and horror. Don’t miss it when it starts streaming on Vivamax this Friday, August 18.
