MANILA, OCTOBER 5, 2010 (MALAYA) By Mario Bautista ('Before, workout ako ng workout pero wa epek.`) IZA Calzado is not new to horror films. She played the ghost in both Tagalog and English versions of "Sigaw" and "The Echo." In the "Yaya" episode of "Shake, Rattle and Roll 9," she was a nanny who turns out to be an aswang. She was also a haunted character in "Ouija." Now, she plays another out-of-this-world character in Regal's pre-Halloween presentation, "White House," as the mysterious black woman in an infamous haunted house in Baguio. Hasn't she experienced any weird incidents because of her involvement in such films?
"So far, wala pa naman," she says. "Kasi I always make it a point to pray muna before we shoot. I ask God to protect me from any evil spirits that might harm us while working."
How is it working with Gabby Concepcion in the film?
"He's very friendly. Everyone knows his love team with Sharon Cuneta was really big but he's so down to earth. Kasundo niya lahat sa set. Actually, the whole cast, enjoy kami working with each other kahit may Kapuso, may Kapamilya, may Kapatid. Si Mother Lily lang ang kayang gumawa niyan. This is directed by Topel Lee who also did 'Ouija'."
She has started taping her new primetime GMA soap, "Beauty Queen," for which she was agreed to don a two-piece bikini for the first time. "I agreed to show some skin kasi kaya ko na ngayon, unlike before na mataba pa ako. Now, I finally got the figure I want. Before, workout ako ng workout pero wa epek. It turned out kasi I'm not eating right. It should really be a combination of both. In 'Beauty Queen,' I play a cargador sa palengke na laging sumasali sa cheap beauty pageants. Mother ko si Beth Oropesa at karibal niya si Carmi Martin na dating beauty queen din married to Juan Rodrigo. Magiging rivals ko sina Maggie Wilson and Katrina Halili. Kasama rin sina Gloria Diaz as the beauty pageant organizer, Marvin Agustin as a big businessman na in love with me, Bembol Roco as my aging gay adviser, plus TJ Trinidad, Luis Alandy, and Bubbles Paraiso and Victor Aliwalas."
***
Four castaways are out of "Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition." Princess Snell voluntarily quit and after this, Magan, one of the three tribes in the island, had to vote out a tribe member. Even viewers were surprised when "Born to be Wild" bet Doc Ferdz was eliminated by tribe leader Buhawi Meneses when he has extensive knowledge about the great outdoors. The tribe then lost another immunity challenge and, in the second tribal council, it was "Bubble Gang" comedienne Myka Flores who got voted out. In the last tibral council, the Magan tribe only had four members: Buhawi, Mico Aytona, Elma Muros and Solenn Heussaff. The last three voted out Buhawi so only 14 castaways now remain.
GMA's Jojo Aquio arranged for an interview of the four ousted castaways, but Princess was in Australia while Doc Ferdz was taping in Subic, so only Myka and Buhawi made it to the presscon. Do you know that Myka's real name is Marissa? But she had to change it because the head of GMA News is already named Marissa Flores. She turned 41 last Sept. 30. The youngest of two daughters of a Pinay and an Amerasian who met in Clark Field, Myka's parents separated when she was only a year old and she never met her dad. She grew up in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija then found work at Century Tuna. "Picker ako, separating the white meat from the black meat. When I lost my job there, I met actress Susan Lozada and she got me as production assistant. She guested in 'Bubble Gang' at dun ko nakilala si Direk Uro de la Cruz na siyang kumuha sa'kin. 'Yung screen name kong Myka, galing sa 'May kailangan,' kasi tuwing may kailangan sila, ako ang tinatawag nila. Now, ten years na ako sa 'Bubble Gang' at nakakuha na ko ng bahay sa Sta. Maria, Bulacan na hinuhulugan ko."
Is she married?
"No, single pa. Nagka-boyfriend ako pero nag-break kami kasi natatakot akong magpa-chorva, kaya virgin pa po ako hanggang ngayon kahit patingnan nyo pa sa doctor. Ang dapat nga tinawag sa'kin sa 'Survivor,' ang 'Virgin ng Isla' kasi ako ang siguradong virgin doon."
All in all, she stayed in the island for two weeks. "It's a big blessing kasi ang suweldo ko dun, mas malaki sa talent fee ko sa 'Bubble Gang.' But now, balik na ako uli sa 'Bubble Gang' na siyang home ko."
Who does she want to win?
"Si Ian Batherson, but palagay ko, the one who'll win is Ervic Vijandre kasi ang galing niya sa lahat ng challenges."
Who was her crush in the island? "Si Akihiro Sato kasi masaya siya, laging nakatawa."
***
Ahron Villena was discovered by ABS-CBN in their 2004 "MTB Idol, Ur the Man" contest but his career didn't really take off. He was last seen in "Precious Hearts Presents" paired with Maricar Reyes. Now 23 and an HRM graduate from Trinity College, he's making waves as one of the most hard-working castaways in "Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition." He was really impressive in the challenges last Wednesday with Sexbomb Aira who had a bust exposure. Is it true he also got accidentally disrobed in one episode?
"No, nagtaka nga ako ba't may lumabas na ganyan," he says. "I wear trunks kasi mahirap mahubad ito even during the challenges, unlike boardshorts na maluwag."
He was chubby when he was in ABS-CBN but he's now so lean and buff.
"It took two years of workouts before I got this body."
He was presented by Walker Briefs as their newest endorser and he's better built compared to previous models like Jericho Rosales, Alfred Vargas and Matt Evans, as shown during the fashion show where he ripped his shirt to reveal his naked torso. Was it because of his exposure in "Survivor" that Walker got him?
"No. I got the endorsement even before 'Survivor' and before I had a new manager, Arnold Vegafria. I was in Boracay last summer with a friend when Mr. Yao of Walker saw me and told me they need a new endorser. I thought he was joking but when we returned to Manila, they called me and I met their other Walker execs. Totoo pala."
Walker managers say Ahron's energetic and dynamic personality best fit their new campaign where they move from the usual white and black colors to more innovative red and blue underwear, making him the ideal new face of Walker. Ahron hopes GMA-7 will give him acting roles after "Survivor Philippines" ends.
***
Newcomer Derick Monasterio, son of former sexpot Tina Monasterio (now a barangay captain in Quezon City) and an American-Jamaican dad, shows a lot of promise in "Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts," the Sunday youth oriented show on GMA-7 after "Party Pilipinas." He definitely has star quality and we won't be surprised if he'd quickly gain a lot of fans. Derick plays a campus heartthrob named Derek in the show. He's paired with Louise de los Reyes, who'll be his rival as candidate for student council president.
He admits being nervous when he first faced the camera. "I did TV commercials when I was 5 years old up to 10 ako, then natigil at ngayon lang naulit when I'm already 15," he says. "Noon pa ako inaalok mag-artista but my mom said I should finish high school first. Graduating na ko this March, so pumayag na siya. I'm just thankful kasi mababait ang mga kasama ko sa show at naging friends kami lahat agad."
Won't his mom be a stage mother?
"Malayo siguro kasi she's so busy with her own work. Basta ang bilin niya sa'kin, mahalin ko itong trabahong pinasok ko and always be professional. I promised her hindi ko siya papahiyain sa pag-aartista ko."
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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