‘Bourne Legacy’ benefits Manila residents, Rachel Weisz awes Filipinos

Rachel Weisz at the first shooting day of “Bourne Legacy” in San Andres Complex, Manila, walks in front of the house of resident Teresa Jacela, who took this photo. Jacela said the Hollywood star sat and rested in front of her gate.

MANILA, Philippines—Residents of Abella Court on Leveriza Street in San Andres Complex were not allowed to go out of their house or peek through their windows during the filming of “Bourne Legacy.”

But the discomfort was nothing compared to the benefits received by the residents.

The barangay tanods in the area said roofs of some houses have been repaired for the scene where there will be jumping from one roof to another.

“The house beside ours which is a sari-sari store was repaired and arranged to make it look like a pharmacy,” Teresa Jacela, a resident of Abella Court on Leveriza Street said.

Jacela said she took her kids to school around 6 a.m. “because we were told beforehand that when the filming started, we can no longer go out of the house except during breaks.”

When she returned, the filming already started thus she lingered around the San Andres Gym for about 30 minutes before she managed to return home. But she said it’s only a slight convenience.

“It’s not every day that a Hollywood star will sit outside our gate. I am very proud that they have chosen to shoot in our neighborhood of all the many places in Manila,” she said.

Sources said in the scene, lead actress Rachel Weisz will buy something at the pharmacy, from where the chasing scene will ensue after lead actor Jeremy Renner arrived in a motor cycle.

On Thursday, another source said the crew already repaired the house and building where Renner will jump from a three-story building to a residential house.

British actress Rachel Weisz takes a break from the set of “Bourne Legacy”. Contributed photo by Teresa Jacela.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Assistant General Manager Emerson Carlos said they have deployed 166 MMDA personnel for the whole shoot of the film in Metro Manila.

Members of the Manila Police District (MPD), who will be part of the filming, have been provided new uniforms and a Camry which will be used as their mobile patrol in their film.

The production will also shoot in various locations in the country such as Marikina market, Navotas fish port, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Jones Bridge, Pasay Rotonda and Palawan.