The FPJ film Lovi Poe wants to remake

Roselle Monteverde (left) and Lovi Poe

Even if Lovi Poe already landed a role in an international flick, “The Chelsea Cowboy,” she still does not lose sight of her roots. The Kapamilya hottie returns to her home, Regal Films, as she signed a new contract with the movie company.

Lovi is thrilled that her upcoming film with Carlo Aquino, “Seasons,” is based on her own concept. As she ventures into screenplay writing, Lovi becomes a “lodi” all the more.

Here are quotes from Lovi:

When I started in the biz at 15, it was Mother Lily Monteverde and her daughter Roselle who took a risk with me. It was that first “yes” after a thousand “nos” that mattered. I’m grateful that through the years, Regal has given me projects in different genres so I don’t get stereotyped.

I want to do an action movie. It will be my way of honoring my Dad (Fernando Poe Jr.). I would love to do a remake of his movie “Batang Quiapo” because I’m a fan of my Dad’s tandem with Maricel Soriano.

It’s good that my boyfriend (Monty Blencowe) and I are both workaholics, so we are on the same page. We let each other do our own thing and respect each other’s space.

It gave me a different kind of high when I saw “Story by Lovi Poe” in the credits of our movie. But since it’s quite long and many scenes in Ilocos are too beautiful to edit out, we might turn it into a series … sort of a trilogy … called “Seasons,” “Reasons” and “Lifetime.” I am revved up to write more stories. As for directing, I will play it by ear.

What inspired me for the concept of “Seasons” was the journey we all go through in the different love relationships we have in life. Some are just a phase, while some are for the long haul.

I grew up watching “Gimik,” so I could not help but get starstruck while working with Carlo Aquino. He is a very giving actor. I didn’t need to motivate myself because in all of our scenes, he provided everything I needed to draw from.

I am better than I used to be, but I still have so much growth to cultivate. I have stepped out of my comfort zone.

It’s surreal to be part of an international film. Alex Pettyfer even hugged me to make me feel at ease. And Poppy Delevingne kept chatting with me. Wala silang ka ere-ere. I became a bigger fan of theirs after working with them.

Kylie Verzosa

‘Sisid’: Sink or swim?

Love can sometimes be a “sink or swim” thing when betrayal strikes. Just like what happens in “Sisid” (streaming on Vivamax). The erotic drama is directed by Brillante Ma Mendoza. It stars Kylie Verzosa, Christine Bermas, Paolo Gumabao and Vince Rillon.

Dive into the depths of passion as the story of a couple takes on a bizarre twist when the husband falls for another guy. Will love be enough for the couple to accept the ebb and flow of marriage? Or won’t they be able to ride the tide?

Paolo Gumabao (left) and Vince Rillon

Here are quotes from Kylie (K), Paolo (P), Vince (V) and Brillante (B):

K: The energy on the set was very liberating. Direk Dante thinks out of the box. My lines were the least of my worries. Instead of memorizing the script, Direk Dante taught me to improvise and really feel my character.

P: It was easier to do love scenes with Vince than with Kylie. Since we are both guys, we were straightforward. With Kylie, it’s more delicate. I had to be careful not to cross the line.

V: I’m an indie actor, so I observed how my mainstream coactors would adjust to Direk Dante’s style. They were able to adapt well to the “timpla.”

B: Let’s face it, sex sells. But our movie is not just sex for sex. Viewers must not jump to conclusions about our film without watching it entirely.

K: In real life, if my partner cheats on me, it will be more painful if it’s with a guy than with another girl. The shock that he “changed flavor” will make the betrayal worst.

P: I hope I get to work with my brother Marco in a movie, where we will both portray soldiers. I have done full frontal nude scenes before, so what I was able to do in “Sisid” is quite a “pasabog,” too.

V: It was harder for me to do the dive scenes than my kissing scenes with Paolo. I never tried diving. But I think I’m a fairly good kisser. Even if Paolo and I are both guys, we just had to feel our scene to make our kissing look natural.

B: What I like about my Centerstage Productions’ partnership with Viva is that they have full trust in me, and I’m given creative freedom.