Cris Villonco, Ronnie Liang: Two for the road

CRIS Villonco is a self-confessed fan of the musical.

She’s no second-rate, trying-hard copycat.

Cris Villonco, a self-confessed fan of the movie “Bituing Walang Ningning,” made sure to create her own version of the iconic contravida Lavinia Arguelles, originally played by Cherie Gil in the 1985 movie, which was recently turned into a stage musical. (The show wraps up Sunday at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater.)

“There were a lot of expectations… But judging from the warm reception we got, I think we had a good show,” Villonco told the Inquirer.

As for the brouhaha regarding the copyright issue raised by Gil regarding Lavinia’s immortal line (“You’re nothing, but a second-rate, trying-hard copycat!”), Villonco said: “I leave it up to the people involved to deal with the situation. I am just grateful that I’ve been allowed to say it. Also, I get a thrill whenever I hear audience members say it with me.”

Suffice it to say, “No one can ever replace Cherie Gil,” Villonco quipped.

Theater newbie

RONNIE Liang learned a lot from his first play.

Ronnie Liang, who plays band leader Gary Diaz in the musical, never saw himself doing theater work. All he ever dreamed of, he said, was to have concerts, or maybe dabble in acting from time to time. But if there’s one thing he has learned in his nearly 10-year stay in show biz, it’s “to keep an open mind.”

“I’m always up for new challenges and experiences, or anything that will help me hone my skills,” he told the Inquirer.

Speaking of challenges, he top-bills Elwood Perez’s independently produced film “Esoterica Manila,” which will be shown at the Cinemalaya film fest next month. It was earlier shown at the Hong Kong International Film Festival last March.

Ronnie, a runner-up in the reality talent tilt “Pinoy Dream Academy,” admitted that dancing proved to be the biggest challenge onstage: “And there’s a lot dancing in this show. That was new to me.”

Ronnie likewise had to focus on his enunciation when singing, and learn how to act with bigger movements and gestures. “Our director, Freddie Santos, suggested that I read newspapers aloud to improve my voice projection. I also acted in front of the mirror to see if I’m being over the top.”

Ronnie recently released his third studio album, “Songs of Love” (T-Rex Entertainment Production).