Why Eugene Domingo and Pokwang don’t upstage each other

Pokwang (left) and Eugene Domingo —THE IDEAFIRST COMPANY

After bagging the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) best actress plum twice, my lovable amiga Eugene Domingo is back in this year’s edition of the annual fest. She topbills “Becky & Badette” (B&B) with Pokwang.

The comedy queens will give “laugh” on Christmas Day. Written and directed by Jun Robles Lana, it’s the MMFF entry of The IdeaFirst Company and October Films. B&B follows the story of high school best friends who become famous (or is it infamous?) over a story they made up about a former batch mate.

You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I’m telling you why. “Becky & Badette” are coming to town. Move over, Barbie.

Here’s my chat with Uge:

How did you and Pokie avoid upstaging each other?

We do not really think of it as a competition, so upstaging never happens. We both have our own style. Since Pokie’s training was in comedy bars, her style is quick and spontaneous. I started in theater, so I stick to the script. But I also add something organic that’s funny. Natural na nag-blend ang styles namin. When she gives me this, I give her that. Hindi n’ya alam kung saan ako huhugot and vice-versa, so we surprise each other and we really enjoy it.

What line and scene in B&B resonated with you the most?

With a brilliant writer like Direk Jun, all the lines are tagos sa puso (through the heart). One line that hit me goes, “Lahat naman ng bagay, nagsisimula sa pagiging extra.” That scene solidified the friendship of B&B. It reminded me of my university days with Dolly de Leon and Candy Pangilinan … when we were still struggling theater actors. As a friend, it’s our responsibility to help a friend believe in herself when she feels like giving up.

Any changes between Pokie and you as coactors now compared to the time you worked together in “D Lucky Ones”?

Back then, nagulat kami pareho bakit kasama kami sa movie as moms of Sandara Park and Joseph Bitangcol. Pokie was fresh from her win in “Clown in a Million.” I was busy with soap operas. So medyo “takot” pa kami noon sumabak sa movies.

But our chemistry was already there. Ngayon, wala na kaming takot (laughs). We now know the value of making movies and the value of people who trust in our marketability.

What makes you and Pokie click?

Natural sa amin na we let each other shine. Masarap katrabaho si Pokie kasi matalino s’ya, sensitive in a positive way, and she can transform props into something funny. We are attuned to each other’s timing. We are always ready to play.

Since Pokie is single again and you’re happily married, please share what you can about your “girl talk.”She poured her heart out to me about her ex. She told me that my listening helped her feel better. When I shared my love story with Pokie, she cried kasi ang ganda daw ng story namin ni Danilo (Bottoni, her husband).

I got emotional, too. I told her that her greatest love story is bound to happen because she has so much love in her heart and masarap s’ya magmahal. I will pray that her Mr. Right will come just like the way my friends prayed for me when I was unhappy being single. Danilo is an answered prayer.

What is B&B’s message to women?

Our movie is about the friendship of two women fighting together and struggling in their meaningless lives. It is also about women destroying other women (because they think they can get away with it), and how authenticity can be the real definition of success. When you are honest, you are genuinely beautiful!

Euwenn Mikaell (left) and Alessandra de Rossi —GMA PUBLIC AFFAIRS

GMA Network’s heartwarming MMFF entry

Kids these days are slaves to gadgets. So it’s quite refreshing to watch “Firefly,” which centers on a kid named Tonton who believes in the magic of storybooks. The heartwarming film is GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (opens Dec. 25).

It’s about a young boy’s search for the mythical island described by his mom in her bedtime stories, a place where one can make any wish upon seeing the light of a thousand fireflies.

Euwenn Mikaell (as Tonton) is too adorable for words. His scenes with Alessandra de Rossi (as Tonton’s mom) are the story’s heart and soul. The parts of Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Epy Quizon and Yayo Aguila serve as an ode to the kindness of strangers.

After the movie’s advance screening, I felt like I regained my childlike wonder. It also reminded me that when we feel lost and afraid, we must learn how to glow in the dark.