‘Survival of the shrewdest’ in Coleen’s comeback vehicle

JC Santos (left) and Coleen Garcia in “Adarna Gang”

After Coleen Garcia’s visit from the stork, there’s another “bird” that has come her way, “Ibong Adarna” (IA). The actress’ comeback movie “Adarna Gang,” which will start streaming on March 11 on Vivamax, is a spinoff of that famous epic poem.

Directed by Jon Red, the movie also stars JC Santos, Diego Loyzaga, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Ronnie Lazaro. Just like in IA, it involves hunters and preys, but instead of three princes, it has three men being honed to become crime syndicate leaders. And in lieu of a healing bird, there’s a grieving daughter. Who is out to get who? It’s survival of the shrewdest.

Here are quotes from Coleen (C), Diego (D), JC and Mark (M):

C: I forgot how to be sad and angry because I have been out of the scene. I had to figure it out all over again. I removed myself from the place where I am in my life right now to internalize my role.

D: My US vacation gave me fresh eyes. It made me reassess where I want to go and what I’m looking for. My heart and mind are in the right place now.

JC: Since I was part of the play “Ibong Adarna,” it was easier for me to grasp the interpretation of Direk Jon and get into the psyche of my character, Juan.

M: Sometimes, when I do a movie, I feel that I am in it just because I am the son of Rudy Fernandez. I am also a fan of my dad, so I unconsciously imitate his acting.

C: After giving birth, I am more willing to experiment in my projects. But I have to believe in a project to give it my all. Even if I’m back to work, my son remains to be my priority. During our lock-in shoot, Amari was in my hotel room so I could breastfeed him.

D: It’s long been my dream to do a mafia movie, so when I was offered to do this film, I just had to turn the switch on in my head.

JC: In a way, my baby saved me from going nuts during this pandemic. Fatherhood suits and soothes me.

M: Unlike our movie, which is about revenge, I am not a vengeful person. Revenge is a vicious cycle. Forgiveness must prevail. Let karma do the rest.

From left: Awra Briguela, Julia Barretto, Ella Cruz and Andrea Babierra in “The Seniors”

Manila girl turns ‘promdi’ in ‘The Seniors’

What happens when a Manila girl uproots herself and is thrust into the “promdi” world? That’s what “The Seniors” will show. The youth drama series, which will start streaming on March 20 on Vivamax is topbilled by Ella Cruz, Andrea Babierra, Awra Briguela and Julia Barretto.

The show is created and produced by box-office directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone and directed by newbie Shaira Advincula-Antonio. It’s about the joys, woes and mischiefs of students in a provincial public high school. Think of it as ‘’Mean Girls’ living la vida probinsya.

Here are quotes from Julia (J), Ella (E), Shaira (S), Dan (D), Andrea (A) and Antoinette (AJ):

J: I was raised to be strong, so I’m unfazed by bullies. I’m glad that before “home schooling,” I was able to experience high school life. That kept me grounded.

E: I got bullied in school. They called me “laos” and said that I only passed because I paid my teachers. I was even slapped out of the blue by a classmate.

S: We are unapologetic in our storytelling. Our eight-episode series is no teeny-bopper cutesy stuff. It deals with teenage pregnancy, sexual discoveries and complex relationships. For a change, it’s not Manila-centric. We pushed the narrative about growing up, provincial-style.

D: Antoinette is spontaneous while I am OC (obsessive-compulsive). So we often clash. It’s good that we have a middle man who helps us resolve our creative differences.

A: I wasn’t the first choice for this series, but I’m grateful I got the part. I kept asking myself if I deserved to be part of this project. But the cast and team made me feel that I belonged.

AJ: Our series will show what it’s like when an “alta It girl” mingles with the “jologs peeps.” Who will transform who? It will also help viewers understand why people who belong to Gen Z do the things they do.

D: Talent is common. Grit and discipline are rare. Shaira has all that, so as producers, Antoinette and I decided that it was time for Shaira to direct after being our intern for quite some time.

S: The advice of Direk Dan about filmmaking that struck me is, “Leave your ego at the door.”