ENZO PINEDA TAKES OFF ALL HIS CLOTHES FOR BEDSCENES WITH SUNSHINE CRUZ IN ‘MALAMAYA’
ENZO PINEDA has cultivated a wholesome image since he won as first runnerup in Starstruck 5. But now, he goes s3xy in the Cinemalaya entry, “Malamaya”, doing steamy love scenes with Sunshine Cruz with whom he gets involved in a May-December affair. “I’ve come to a point that I feel I’m ready to show that I’m really an actor,” he says. “The good boy roles are enough. I have to explore and extend my horizons.”
Is this the most daring role he has done in his career? “Yes. I’ve done print ads in my underwear but this one, it’s really a movie, eh. I don’t know what my parents will think when they see the movie. I informed them about it and I said, the film is artistic and not vulgar. There is a scene where I’m shown butt in 3D.”
How did he prepare for his role? “When I just read the script, I was excited. This is for Cinemalaya and, as an actor, I felt I should be ready no matter what. I have to give what is or may be even more of what’s expected of me. I also worked out really hard because I knew I had nude scenes and I knew my legs were thin so I did more leg work outs.”
He discovered it’s not easy to do s3xy scenes. “I told Sunshine, it’s hard. At first, I was so confident. But as the shooting went on, there were a lot of takes, over and over again, so slowly, I became conscious. When I look back now, I feel that my whole soul, I exposed in the movie. And when it enters my mind, I said, ‘Wow, did I really do that?’
“I really saw a lot because there were scenes where I was walking around, not wearing anything. Sometimes, I didn’t care anymore. I mean, it’s just there, I didn’t do it without feeling ashamed. I reminded myself that if I want to be recognized as a good actor, I should have no limitations and be open to this type of roles because it’s part of my job as an artist.”
How is it working with Sunshine? “I have no complaints. Very open, very professional. She’s a very nice person, very sweet and she helps me a lot. Because she has more experience with me as an actor, she helps in calming down when I feel like I’m under a lot of pressure. The truth is I had a crush on her when I was young. So when I was told I’ll work with her, I said, it was a dream come true for me that I’ll be working with Sunshine Cruz. It’s a pleasure working with her.”
He likes his role as Migs. “He’s a struggling artist, aspiring photographer, very adventurous. He’s been in different relationships and he wants to explore what else he can try in life. I have to transform myself to be that kind of guy that Sunshine would appreciate.”
How did he prepare for the love scenes? “I did a lot of research, watched a lot of movies with love scenes, so I could know how they do it. What looks good on camera and what I should avoid. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of effort, but you should make it appear effortless on screen, it’s natural.
“Actually, I’m nervous during the love scenes, so even at home, I already psyche myself up for me to gain confidence and reduce my nervousness when I’m in front of the camera with Sunshine. But I wish viewers would see that this is just not a s3xy movie. It’s about the life of an artist, Sunshine, who’s a visual artist in UP Diliman, her struggles, the challenges she faces in her career and in her life.”
How are their new directors, Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez? “I enjoyed working with them as they’re both very open. They know what they’re doing. They collaborate with their stars and ask for your suggestions. I trusted them because ever since, I’m a good team player. Whatever makes a good movie or TV show, I will do it to the best of my ability.”
“Malamaya” will be shown as an entry in the Cinemalaya from August 2 to 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and in selected cinemas, with Gala Night on August 6 at CCP, then it will have a commercial run starting August 14 nationwide.
Cinemalaya 2019 battle of cougar-cub relationships: Mylene-Kit vs Sunshine-Enzo
JERRY OLEA: The full trailer of Cinema 2019 entry Belle Douleur, uploaded on June 4, 2019, has already garnered over 71K views on YouTube.
“It’s never too late for a beautiful pain,” is the tagline of the film starring Mylene Dizon and Kit Thompson, directed by Joji Villanueva Alonso.
Kit’s bare-chested walk in the trailer is eye-catching. PwetmaluBased on the trailer, Mylene and Kit have a May-December affair, but it’s very different from Angel Aquino and Tony Labrusca’s Glorious, directed by Concepcion Macatuno.
This movie is the first one I want to watch at the 15th Cinemalaya indie filmfest on August 2-13.
The relationship between the two leads in another Cinemalaya 2019 entry, Malamaya, also looks like a cougar-cub.
In the story, a middle-aged artist (Sunshine Cruz) finds a spark in an amateur photographer (Enzo Pineda).
That sparks a “creative and $3x awakening” for the pessimistic and uninspired artist. It was directed by Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez.
This June 16, Sunday at 6 P.M., the teaser trailer of Fuccbois, which is also an entry in Cinemalaya 2019, was released on social media.
In the story, 23-year-old Ace Policarpio and 17-year-old Miko Ramos are asado and hope to become famous artists, but it seems that fate has other plans for them.
This suspense drama stars newcomers Royce Cabrera and Kokoy de Santos.
In the 16-second teaser trailer, there is a pick-up line… “Are you stupid?” “Why?” “You’re so good at crying, huh!” This Fuccbois is Director Eduardo Roy Jr.’s fourth Cinemalaya entry.
His previous entries in the country’s most prestigious indie filmfest were Bahay Bata (2011), Quick Change (2013), and Pamilya Ordinaryo (2017).
GORGY RULA: Director Eduardo Roy Jr. has never failed at Cinemalaya, so this Fuccbois is probably good too.
Why didn’t Jak Roberto’s audition go through?
He would have loved to do it, so he would have been willing to audition.
I’m also excited about Atty. Joji Alonso’s Belle Douleur.
He texted me, “The pressure is brutal as in.”
I know he’s under pressure for this movie because he’s definitely one of the ones who will be the focus of attention if he has the right to direct.
I told him, aside from Xian Lim, this movie he directed will definitely be highly praised.
So until now, he is still finishing post-production so that he will not be embarrassed in his first directorial job.
Atty. Joji has already proven something in the short film that he managed to get noticed in several international film festivals.
That’s why I’m looking forward to the upcoming Cinemalaya 2019.
NOEL FERRER: Oh, my! Also, stay tuned for the official trailer of Pandango Sa Hukay by my beloved Iza Calzado, directed by Ricky Lee’s student Sheryl Rose Andres.
“Makisayaw sa buhay ni Elena,” is the blurb for this film, which will be Izadora’s birthday presentation with a gala premiere on August 4, Sunday at 9 P.M. at the CCP Main Theater.
The story is so compelling that Iza herself decided to pursue this film, which is also her tribute to the lives of nurses and midwives.
Cinemalaya is exciting this year, especially since it is their 15th edition, just like the Virgin Labfest (June 19-July 21) that was “Titibok-tibok”!
