Pokwang (left) and Eugene Domingo —JAYLO CUNANAN/FACEBOOK
By some curious coincidence, movies that star Eugene Domingo and Pokwang have the “Ate Vi” factor.
In Wenn Deramas’ “‘D’ Lucky Ones” (2006), Uge and Pokwang play Vilmanian best friends who recite famous Vilma Santos quotes in random situations. Now, in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Becky & Badette,” they play best friends and aspiring stars who reenact scenes from such iconic films as “Relasyon” (1982).
“When we saw the script, we said, ‘Wow, may touch na naman ni Ate Vi! We played Vilmanians in ‘D’ Lucky Ones.’ Here in ‘Becky & Badette,’ we mimic Ate Vi because mga ambisyosa kami. But I don’t think our director (Jun Robles Lana) watched the former. These are two totally different stories. Para talagang may destiny kami with Ate Vi,” Uge told Entertainment.
Uge and Pokwang consider Ate Vi as their “lucky charm,” after the Star for All Seasons made a cameo in “‘D’ Lucky Ones.”
“We were desperate to get a slot from her schedule because she was very busy with her job back then as the mayor of Lipa, Batangas. It was tough. But then again, the movie wouldn’t come full circle without a cameo from her,” Uge said.
Vilma Santos —“WHEN I MET YOU IN TOKYO”/FACEBOOK PAGE
Reunion concert
Their characters met at a Vilma concert and are to reconcile at a Vilma reunion concert. “She needed to appear onscreen. So we fixed everything. Kami ang pumunta kay Ate Vi. And she was so cute because she even danced for us,” Uge related.
“We’re so thankful she gave us that opportunity. Naisingit n’ya pa kami sa schedule niya,” she added.
And now, they’re all part of the same MMFF edition. How does it feel being up against Ate Vi’s movie, “When I Met You in Tokyo”? “All I can really say is that I hope she can see our film! We will be sure to watch her entry, too,” Pokwang said.