DURING TV5-hosted fans’ day at Broadway Centrum on Sunday (from right): Nora Aunor, daughter Matet de Leon and Matet’s kids Mishka and Mica Estrada, Nora’s son Kenneth Villamayor.courtesy of tv 5
“Ako mismo ang manggigising sa kanya,” German Moreno declared during the press con for Nora Aunor’s comeback film, “El Presidente,” at the Club Filipino on Saturday.
He had just been asked if he thought his actress-friend’s celebrated tendency to be late for work was really a thing of the past.
“One day before the shooting, sasabihin ko, ‘Guy maghanda ka na’t mag-uumpisa ka na!’”
Moreno said they had a heart-to-heart talk on the phone while Aunor was still in the United States. He said he told her that his reputation was at stake, so he expected her to be focused on her coming projects.
One of Aunor’s oldest friends who helped in her comeback bid, Moreno said he truly felt the actress was eager to prove her critics wrong this time. Her promise, according to him: “Hindi kita ilalagay sa kahihiyan. Kahit na anong sabihin mo, susundin ko.”
Aunor was visibly excited, and teased “El Presidente” director Tikoy Aguiluz, who had confessed to being nervous about her well-known work habits, “Baka kasi … maghintay siya maghapon … pero Direk, pangako, hindi mangyayari ’yun.”
No second choices
KUYA Germs and Nora Aunor
Before she accepted the role of Maria Agoncillo in the historical bio pic, Aunor had been told by Moreno that she was a second choice and that old screen rival and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos was the first.
Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, who will play the lead role of Emilio Aguinaldo, clarified during the press con, “Hindi second choice si Nora Aunor dito. Ang level ng role ay para sa isang Nora Aunor o Vilma Santos lamang. Nagkataon lang na available si ma’am [Nora] at napaunlakan niya ang paanyaya ng aming producer.”
P7-million TF?
Rumor has it that Nora is being paid P7 million to do the film. Scenema Concepts executive producer Mylene Enriquez said the actress believed in the project, so talent fee was never an issue. “She was more than willing to compromise.”
Aunor added: “Kahit na nangangailangan tayo ng pera, pagdating sa mga magaganda at makabuluhang historical projects, gagawin ko.”
IAN de Leon reunites with Superstar mom.
Ambitious undertaking
“El Presidente” is the country’s first full-length feature film about Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the first Philippine Republic. Aside from depicting the political turmoil of the period, the story will also relate Aguinaldo’s personal life and inner struggles.
Focus will likewise be given on Aguinaldo’s relationship with Maria Agoncillo, his second wife.
Accuracy is crucial, Enriquez stressed. The story is based on a 12-year study conducted by historians and researchers, including Jose Mari Avellana and Jose Victor Torres.
STILL on fans’ day, a loyalist is overwhelmed.
“For verification, we also consulted with Aguinaldo’s descendants, like former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera,” Enriquez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
With a projected P100-million production budget and two-and-a-half hours of running time, “El Presidente” is a very ambitious undertaking. Enriquez said filming will take about a year—the producers hope to enter the movie in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
“We’ll also try to have the film compete in different international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Busan,” she said.
Ejercito, who earlier denied that the film was meant to launch his campaign for higher office, guaranteed fans that, despite playing a supporting character, Aunor will get ample screen time. “We’ll have seven to 10 shooting days with Nora. Marami siyang sequences—siguro mga 40.”
Aunor started filming on Monday.
As for the rest of the cast, Ejercito revealed that Robin Padilla has confirmed to play Andres Bonifacio while Ryan Agoncillo and Carla Abellana are tentative choices for the roles of Gregorio del Pilar and Hilaria del Rosario.
photos courtesy of tv 5