The ‘taming’ of Sid Lucero

Sid Lucero —VIVA

When all else fails, karma prevails. That could very well be the tagline of the action movie by Viva Films and Happy Infinite called “Karma.” Directed by Albert Langitan, and starring Rhen Escaño and Sid Lucero, it opens in cinemas on June 19.

Escaño plays Angel, an ace assassin who is scarred after witnessing her father’s murder when she was a kid. She grows up wanting to protect the oppressed until she accidentally kills a man who was attempting to rob a father and his child.

With the help of her godfather, the kingpin called Chief, Angel avoids prison. Instead, she becomes part of his covert assassin organization. This leads to disturbing revelations about Chief, the true nature of his organization and the truth behind her father’s death.

Rhen Escaño —PHOTO BY PUI YEE CHEUNG

Beware

Lucero portrays Rommel, an ex-academician turned assassin. He and Angel become partners who are like siblings. When Rommel wants to quit being a hitman, Chief agrees to his retirement on one condition—that he will get rid of Angel who Chief sees as a liability to their group because of the deep, dark secrets she has uncovered.

Beware of people who know too much about you. They could make dangerous enemies. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Here are quotes from Rhen (R), Sid (S) and Albert (A):

R: I was not sure if I could pull off the action stunts. But I accepted to do this film para magpapansin (laughs). I want to show that I’m not just eye candy. Doing an action film gives me a different sense of fulfillment. Now I can really say that I’m an actor.

S: In my younger years, I really had a bad temper. I had anger management therapy. The diagnosis was that I was taking too many substances. Back in the day, when my girlfriend and I were having a fight in the car and I went out to pee, I punched a guy who was just asking to have a selfie with me.

When we were fighting again, I punctured tires of parked cars. But as I matured, I realized that the world is bigger than my ego. It must be IQ over EQ. In a way, my daughter made me mellow. Fatherhood has a way of taming men because you realize that what you do trickles down to the next generation.

A: At some point, Rhen wanted to give up. She cried to me many times on the set because of self-doubt. I told her that she would not have been tapped to play the lead role if she’s not capable.

R: I believe in karma, but not in revenge. When I’m pissed, I would rather rant to my friends and cry than get angry. Anger is too strong an emotion for me.

S: For me, karma is when you treat yourself right, the universe will smile back at you.

A: Our film is about seeking revenge not via violence but through justice.

R: In preparation for my role, I took fight and gun training. When I fired my first shot, it was bull’s-eye. So perhaps I’m really cut out to be an action star.

Andres Muhlach —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Andres Muhlach as show biz’s latest ‘It Boy’

At Andres Muhlach’s grand media con as the new “It Boy” of Viva Films, my mind went on flashback mode. Since the Muhlachs are like family to me, I remember when Aga, Andres’ dad, was still a newbie in the biz.

His late cousin Liezl Martinez and I used to leave Aga on the dance floor because he didn’t want to stop moonwalking. It turns out that Andres also loves dancing à la Michael Jackson. Like father, like son.

But of course, the “Prince of Hearts” (Andres’ moniker) is out to show that there’s more to him than just being the son of Aga and Charlene Gonzales. The newest heartthrob is all set to step out of his parents’ shadows and bask in his own light.

Here are quotes from Andres:

My parents taught me by example that humility is the best ability. Dad told me to just have fun, love my job, trust the process, and everything else will follow.

As I grew up, I realized that what my parents do in show biz is more than just a job. It’s their way of touching people’s lives and hearts. I’ve always wanted to make people smile. Joining show biz gives me a chance to do that on a grander scale.

My twin sis Atasha and I have our own set of skills and personalities. We are not a package deal. Her success is mine as well and vice-versa.

I am game to go topless for the right project, but I must be physically ready for it.

I’m flattered to be called the new “crush ng bayan” and “Prince of Hearts,” but I won’t let it go to my head. I still have a lot to prove. To be honest, I never thought of myself as charming. I believe it’s my personality more than looks that saw me through all this.

I’ve never had a girlfriend, but I’ve been out on dates. I like a girl who can make me laugh and who puts God first in her life.

Among all of my Dad’s movies, “Dubai” and “Kailangan Kita” are my favorites. It would be fun to do a remake of Dad’s “Miguelito” or my grandpa’s (Bernard Bonin) “Palos.”