Direk Joey’s gambit

JOSE Javier Reyes with his stars Isabelle Daza (left) and Iza Calzado: “In my film, the women are empowered.”

Filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes taps into his bottomless reservoir of creativity for Regal Entertainment’s “Somebody to Love.”

The movie, which opens Wednesday, is top-billed by Iza Calzado, Carla Abellana, Isabelle Daza, and Matteo Guidicelli, among others. It revolves around the adventures and misadventures of 12 people. Direk Joey deviates from the template of romantic comedies by using lots of split screens.

“It’s a gamble. But that’s where the challenge is,” he says. “I wanted a fresh approach, a new look. The dialogue is not pa-tweetums, either.”

Whether your heart is on cloud nine, in limbo or in hell, there’s something for you in this film.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Direk Joey:

Tell us about your movie.

I love doing ensemble movies. Years ago, I did “Radio Romance,” then “One Night Only.” It was a challenge to work on 12 characters, covering one week in their lives and showing how love affects their existence.

In what ways will your movie make us look at love differently?

In this movie, love assumes numerous shades, and shatters the idea that to sacrifice is to love. Women are empowered to make their own decisions, too. It is a more adult look at love.

What’s the toughest, and the best, kind of love?

The toughest love is when you are stuck together by obligation and not by choice. The best kind of love is founded on solid friendship and partnership.

Italian holiday

JAMES Yap and Mic Cazzola enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy.

James Yap and his tres belle girlfriend, Mic Cazzola, are having a blast in her homeland, Italy.

Mic sent me this message via Facebook: “We had an eight-day road trip across Sicily. James and I practiced our swimming skills in Taormina. I will share more stories with you soon.”

Mic posted a video of her and James playing basketball in Italy with this caption: “My new student!” She also shared their various photos, enjoying quaint restaurants all over Italia.

The fab couple reinvents fun wherever they go.

Chefs’ pride

Lucia, the adorable baby girl of chefs Gino and China (Cojuangco) Gonzalez, is turning 1 on Aug. 23.

Lucia will be having a Crayola-themed birth anniversary party. “Gino and I could not agree on a theme,” says China.  “But when we were in a mall in Davao, we saw a poster of Crayola. Suddenly, we decided it would be the perfect motif.”

Rightfully so, because Lucia adds myriad colors to Gino and China’s world!

Soap redux

ABS-CBN’s teleserye “Ikaw Lamang” comes up with more thrilling twists this month. Coco Martin and Kim Chiu continue their love story as Gabriel and Andrea, members of the next generation of the Hidalgo and Severino families. It also marks the return of KC Concepcion on TV after a brief hiatus. Aside from KC, the powerhouse cast includes Joel Torre, Amy Austria, Rio Locsin, Nonie Buencamino and Christopher de Leon.

The plot thickens as the characters take viewers on a roller- coaster ride of emotions. Fasten your heartstrings!