La vida Eugenia in Madrid

EUGENE Domingo at the 3rd Madrid International Film Festival, where her latest indie movie, “Barber’s Tales,” was shown.

I immensely enjoy chatting with amiga mia, Eugene Domingo, through Viber. Her joie de vivre is infectious. Uge has just returned from Spain.

She attended the 3rd Madrid International Film Festival, where she was nominated for best actress for Jun Robles Lana’s “Barber’s Tales.”

Uge also celebrated her birth anniversary (July 23) in Flamenco Country.

She fell in love with Spain and the Spaniards likewise fell in love with her brilliant performance onscreen. Viva la vida Eugenia… la primera komikera!

Uge shares her Spain adventure with us:

“We were very fortunate to get four nominations at the Madrid fest: best producer (Ferdinand Lapuz), best actress (yours truly), best film (‘Barber’s Tales’) and best director (Lana).

“The awards night was held at Hotel Convencion. Two days before the awards show, we had a very intimate screening, mainly for the participants and important industry members.

“The audience was touched by the film’s message. Even during the awards night, people were still congratulating us, telling us how important the film is.

“The first winner that was announced was best actress. The actress from Korea won and she was kind enough to approach me later in the evening.

“I felt our team’s spirit went down. We were ready to go home empty-handed. But Jun’s name was called as best director and we really jumped for joy because it was an unexpected victory.

“I explored Madrid. I had a chance to meet our kababayans in Buen Retiro Park. To be able to surprise our hard-working OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) was a thrill! I enjoyed our chat and I was glad that they shared their stories with me.

“Ferdy, Jun and (producer) Perci (Intalan) surprised me with birthday gifts that they had bought in Toledo. Direk Jun gave me gold scissors in honor of my lady barber character in the movie.

“Recently, I found out the origin of my name, ‘Eugenia.’ I was surprised that it had a connection to my ‘Barber’s Tales’ character.

“On my actual birth anniversary, I watched a flamenco show. I was in awe of the dancers’ passion and endurance.

“I am very interested to learn more about the Spanish culture and language. I made sure to have my photo taken with Jose Rizal’s monument in Madrid, of course.

“Spain is definitely one country I would like to visit again.”

Married Cassanova

John Estrada, Heart Evangelista, Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes are set to ignite the big screen in Viva Films’ adult drama “Trophy Wife,” which opens today. The film is considered this year’s most disturbing tale of love, deceit and revenge.

Whether you are single, taken or in a complicated relationship, or your heart is in limbo, this movie has something for you.

It’s like a crash course on love and all its crazy side effects.

Although John is a happily married man, his charisma makes him lover-boy material onscreen. He can still pull off those Romeo and Cassanova roles.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with John:

JOHN Estrada considers his wife his life partner.

If you were single, would you marry a girl who’s trophy-wife material?

I don’t have set ideas on that. What’s more crucial are attraction, love and compatibility. If I feel like I cannot live without her, then that’s it. You don’t get to choose who you fall in love with.

What will your movie tell us about love and marriage?

Love is a complicated emotion. It should always be paired with trust. Marriage without trust and love is bound to fail. But there’s a thin line between lust and love. Sometimes, the attraction is purely physical.

What kind of wife is Priscilla?

I guess you could call her a trophy wife because of her looks. But she’s more than that. She’s warm, loving, sincere and intelligent. She prioritizes her family all the time.

How did Priscilla tame you?

It’s not really about taming me. She never tried to change me. She just helped me set my priorities straight. She’s not only my wife but also my life partner.

Buboy’s b-day

I am looking forward to a sumptuous Japanese lunch with my BFF Cesar Montano and our friends on his birth anniversary on Friday.

In his text message to me, he said in jest: “I’m turning 39, BFF!”

His fun-loving nature and passion help Buboy maintain a youthful state of mind.

May your birth anniversary be more than just happy, BFF. Through thick and thin, sick or sin… tayo pa rin ang magkakampi and magka-kampai!