2012 a good year for Sam, Aiza but not for ‘Enteng’

Sam Pinto

Sam Pinto and Aiza Seguerra – two of the cast members of “Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako,” are thankful for the career boost they got in 2012.

Sam, an actress and commercial model, though still hopes this New Year will even be better.

“Like any other artist, I wish for new shows,” she said. “My career is really my focus now. I’ll be doing a lot of workshops in singing, acting and dancing. I really have to level up.”

She noted that her shows “Bubble Gang” and “Party Pilipinas” are rating well.

Sam, who has been modelling since she was 10, first became popular when she joined the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up” in 2010. She signed up with Viva that same year and has already appeared in various movies and TV shows.

She was voted FHM Philippines’ Sexiest Woman in the World in 2011 and 2012.

Doing well, too

Aiza, Sam’s costar in “Si Agimat,” said 2012 was likewise a good year for her.

“I’ve been part of two stage plays, which was a really big experience for me,” the singer-actress began. “I find it weird that I’m visible on TV now (via the drama ‘Please Be Careful With My Heart’) and not so much in the music scene.”

Aiza said she was also grateful for the support she got for her 25th anniversary concert, titled “Bente Singko,” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in September.

“I was happy with the fact that all my guests did it for free,” she said.

MMFF entry

According to unofficial box office results, their film entry, “Si Agimat,” is at presstime the third top-grosser in the ongoing MMFF that runs until January 8. Its lead stars include Vic Sotto, Bong Revilla, and Judy Ann Santos.

The fantasy-adventure franchise has consistently been the festival’s top grosser in the past two years.

“I’m afraid I’d be blamed if this [movie] does not turn into … [no.1] box-office success,” Judy Ann said. “The pressure is on me since I’m the newest cast member.”

In the film, Judy Ann plays Princess Angelina Kalinisan Orteza, a.k.a. AKO, the ruler of Kingdom Diwarata and a protector of the environment. It was a character specially created for her, after Ai-Ai de las Alas begged off from the project to be part of another MMFF entry, “Sisterakas.”

“The bosses said they would create a character that’s just for me,” Judy Ann recalled. “As soon as this was clear, I said, ‘Yes.’ Why wouldn’t I? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the two greats (Vic and Bong). This might never happen again.”

The movie “Enteng ng Ina Mo,” which featured Vic and Ai-Ai was last year’s MMFF top earner. In the 2010 fest, Vic and Bong’s “Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote” was also No. 1 at the box-office.

One of Judy Ann’s supporters posted on her fan page: “Don’t blame Judy Ann Santos for not making ‘Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si AKO’ the No. 1 Box Office Hit Movie of MMFF 2012.

“Sadyang nagsawa na ang mga movie viewers sa paulit-ulit na parehong konsepto ng movie franchise na ’yan, sa totoo lang [Movie viewers have grown tired of the same, old concept of that movie franchise].”