Lovi Poe’s two worlds

LOVI Poe lovipoe.net

GMA 7 actress Lovi Poe is currently missing on the boob tube.

Everything’s still up in the air as far as her TV career is concerned, she said.

But on the big screen, Lovi could very well be one of the busiest actresses in Show Town—with five new movies in the works.

For her movie roles, Lovi straddles indie and mainstream scenes quite effortlessly.

Already in the can are two cutting-edge films: Brillante Mendoza’s indie drama “Thy Womb” and Erik Matti’s horror flick “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.”

Breakthrough

She is working on three other films: Tara Illenberger’s thriller “Guni-Guni,” and Joel Lamangan’s adult romance “The Bride and the Lover” and  unconventional drama “Lihis.”

Lovi told the Inquirer that “Tiktik” was a refreshing experience for her. “It was totally different. We shot the film entirely in a warehouse in Parañaque … the entire place was converted into a studio. We shot in front of a green screen and all the effects were added in post-production.”

She said that “Tiktik” could mark a breakthrough in local cinema. “I’m so proud to be part of this film.”

She also has nothing but praises for “Tiktik” leading man and fellow Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes. “He’s a gentleman. Every actress dreams of acting with him. I’m happy that I got to work with him.”

Dream-come-true

Another dream-come-true for Lovi was “Thy Womb,” which allowed her to collaborate with two screen mavericks: Director Mendoza and actress Nora Aunor.

“I saw the teaser of our film at the Sineng Pambansa festival in Davao,” Lovi reported. “I was amazed at how stunning the shots were. To think, Direk Brillante didn’t use studio lights and only relied on available light.”

She fell in love with Tawi-Tawi— where “Thy Womb” was filmed. “The people there are very sweet.”

She felt safe because everyone in Tawi-Tawi loves and respects her late father, Action King Fernando Poe Jr. “They always mention my Papa’s name. Hearing them talk about my Papa makes me feel closer to him.”

Rumored beau

In the independently produced drama “Lihis,” which is scripted by another screen veteran, Ricky Lee, she is paired with rumored beau Jake Cuenca.

She insists that they don’t let  rumors daunt them.

“It’s expected that there will be all sorts of talk. But we’re not letting these things affect our relationship—on and off the set,” Lovi said. “We want to keep our friendship intact in spite of the intrigues.”

In “The Bride,” Lovi is involved in a more traditional ménage a trois (with Jennylyn Mercado and Paulo Avelino), but not in “Lihis.” “It’s a different kind of love triangle. Jake is torn between me and Baron Geisler.”

First big one

Lovi is also thrilled about working with editor-turned-director Tara Illenberger, who marks her mainstream debut in “Guni-Guni.” (The female director megged the award-wining Cinemalaya film “Brutus” in 2008.)

“I’m so honored to be part of Tara’s first big movie,” she said.

Lovi said the director was able to put her training as film editor to good use on the set.

“Before the cameras roll, Tara already knows which shots to take,” Lovi said. “She makes the shoot easy for everyone.”

(bayanisandiego@ hotmail.com)