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Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo, two of the country’s box office queens, stage a landmark team-up for the first time in Viva Films’s Hating Kapatid (Love will keep us together). Dubbed the "most anticipated movie event of the year," this film about family, loves and the nuances that go with them hits local theaters today.
Hating Kapatid is written and directed by Wenn Deramas and Mel Mendoza-del Rosario, the same team behind the record-breaking Tanging Ina series. The anticipated dramedy serves as Viva Films’s 29th anniversary offering.
Spotlight shared
As Access Pinoy put it, Judy Ann and Sarah have put forward unrivaled records of achievements in their respective careers that have made them the biggest stars of their generations. Viva big boss Vic del Rosario even called the team-up a "casting coup in itself."
Judy Ann, the country’s "Teleserye Queen," is an award-winning and multi-nominated film and television actress with 24 years in the industry. Since entering show business in 1986, she has appeared in more than 70 blockbuster movies with 12 best actress awards. Her most recent TV projects are Habang May Buhay and the now-defunct comedy sitcom with real-life husband Ryan Agoncillo, George & Cecil.
Sarah, "Pop Star Princess" and "Box Office Queen," has been acknowledged both by the public and her peers as heiress-apparent to concert and recording royalty, what with her top-selling albums, shows, advertising endorsements and a solid fan base which has become the envy of many. She also has two blockbusters to her name: You Changed My Life and A Very Special Love, both of which she co-starred with John Lloyd Cruz.
The singer-actress has also earned the approval of Direk Wenn Deramas when it came to her acting abilities. “Iilan lang sa kanila ang gifted na marunong mag-drama, at the same time, may timing sa comedy, ‘yun si Sarah,” said Direk Wenn, who was working with the Viva talent for the first time.
Direk Wenn also told the press in one of the movie’s press conferences that he is quite happy with the outcome of his first movie with the record breaker. And glad he was, having already pitched three movies to Boss Vic del Rosario of Viva.
“I’m sure sa ganda ng experience ng pelikulang ito, masusundan at masusundan ito,” he said.
Hating Kapatid serves as Sarah’s real box-office test as she sets out to prove she can conquer theaters minus John Lloyd on its premiere today.
Support cast. Aside from the Judy Ann-Sarah ticket, the team also enlisted veteran Gina Pareño and Luis Manzano to join the cast. Manzano plays Sarah’s love interest in the flick.
“Masayang ka-trabaho. Mabait, mas gumagaan ang set dahil sa natural na pagkakomedyante niya, makulit. Hopefully, magustuhan niyo ang chemistry naming dalawa,” Sarah said.
Meanwhile, Judy Ann, who was paired with the younger JC De Vera, was positive they staged a believable act as on screen lovers. JC, for his part, said he was more than happy to be the Teleserye Queen’s leading man.
Vice Ganda, whose billing says "introducing" despite having been introduced already in Apat Dapat and In My Life, also adds to the movie’s selling power while drawing controversy at the same time.
“Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit introducing pa rin ako rito, pero masaya ako na nasa poster ang pangalan at picture ko,” the standup comedian-turned TV host said. Direk Wenn echoed the same sentiment.
“Sa dami ng pelikula na fineature si Vice, iniintroduce pa rin siya. Siguro kilalang-kilala niyo na siya,” he kidded.
One thing Vice Ganda could be proud of: he has already worked with big actors and actresses in film such as Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz, and now, Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo. He will also be working with Manzano in Petrang Kabayo where he’ll be playing his first major role.
Also in the movie are DJ Durano, Cherry Pie Picache, Al Tantay and Tonton Gutierrez. Hating Kapatid will also have a series of international screenings.
When splitting brings siblings together
The two lead actresses gave their two cents on the best thing about sharing with siblings. “Ang magkapatid, pwede maghati ng love sa kaibigan, pamilya, materyal na bagay, mababaw na kaligayahan, wag lang sa pag-ibig,” Judy Ann stated. “Pwede pong maghati sa pagmamahalan sa pamilya, may konting selosan, inggitan”, Sarah added.
Judy Ann, who has been known to share her blessings with her family, got emotional when she shared one of her biggest fulfillments in life. “Pinakamasarap yung mapagtapos ko yung kapatid ko. Isa yun sa mga hindi pwedeng makuha ng iba sa kanya.”
Conversely, Sarah talked about her thoughts on having a rewarding life. “Kaya ako nagsusumikap ay para sa parents ko. Alam ko na may magagawa ako, bakit di ako kikilos? ... I’m happy and blessed.”
Beyond the screen
Doing a family movie and starring as sisters with such a strong bond, it became impossible for Juday and Sarah not to develop a closeness that transcends the screen.
“’Yung personality ni Sarah is the kind na alam kong magiging close pa rin sa akin even after the movie. Mahirap lang talaga pagsalitain si Sarah kasi puro tawa. Pero nung nag-warm up na siya, ang dami na niyang naikuwento,” Judy Ann said.
When asked how it felt to be working with the iconic actress, Sarah returned the compliment to her Ate Juday. “Maganda po itong opportunity na maging kaibigan ko si Ate Juday at makatagpo ng totoong tao sa industriya natin.”
Sarah, who turns 22 this month, has always been professional to the point of being clammed up, but Judy Ann was persistent and naturally friendly. Eventually, the young actress opened up to her on screen big sister.
“Kung hindi mo kasi kukulitin si Sarah, hindi siya magsasalita sa ’yo. Kung ‘di mo tatanungin kung anong pinanggagalingan niya, wala kang mahihita. E dahil tsismosa ako and maurirat ako, nagtatanong so sinasasagot naman niya. So ako na lang humaharap ng problema niya,” she cheerfully explained. In no time, the two were talking about matters of the heart, with Sarah crying about her pain to her Ate Juday.
“Nai-ease ‘yung pain ko when someone talks to me about mga advice especially Ate Juday because she’s like a role model to me,” the pop star princess quipped during Hating Kapatid’s press conference last Thursday. She also claimed that she has matured and that she’s no longer the girl confined to "Po" and "Opo" answers.
“Ngayon lang ako umamin na nasaktan ako. Yun ang natutunan ko kay Ate Juday. Kumbaga naging fighter ako kahit papaano. Nasasabi ko na kung ano yung laman ng puso ko ,” Sarah intimated.
The "big sister" refused to name the culprit of Sarah’s pain but she hinted only "one person" was behind it, which left the showbiz circle speculating who it was between the two Cruzes – John Lloyd or Rayver – that caused Sarah to hurt in the not-so-distant past.
Lessons from the big sister
Aside from being able to hone her craft after Judy Ann’s example, Sarah was also able to learn a lot of things about life and whatnot from her onscreen big sister. For one, she realized there was nothing wrong with opening up to people.
“’Nung nakilala ko si Ate Juday, pina-realize niya sa akin na walang masama mag-share. Kasi ako kinikimkim ko din yun.... Ang hirap din e,” she said. Sarah also gained insight on something she doesn’t usually assert under her mom’s unflinching gaze – her independence.
Most people do not understand how Mommy Divine, Sarah’s mom, could be so protective of the young superstar, but Judy Ann is able to look at it from a newer perspective.
“Magkakaiba tayo ng kinalakihan. Kung ano man ang pagpapalaki at pagpro-proteksyon na ginagawa sa kanya, nasa magulang yun. At ako hats off dahil napalaki nila (Mommy Divine and Daddy Delfin) si Sarah na isang mabuting tao, may takot sa Diyos at may respeto sa kapwa. Ang sinasabi ko na lang kay Sarah hindi talaga mawawala yung mga taong darating sa buhay niya na mananakit sa kanya,” she said.
Juday also told reporters that Sarah is the type who knows what to do. Like Juday, Sarah wants to help her siblings to be able to finish education and generally, give them a good life. This gives her contentment, despite paying the price of being unable to enjoy much of her youth.
When it came to love and heartbreaks, the Teleserye Queen’s best advice to the young star was to make money out of the pain she felt. “Kasi kapag nasasaktan ako pinagkakakitaan ko na lang siya, iniiyak ko siya, kumikita pa ako. Pero kay Sarah, sabi ko sa kanya, sa status niya ngayon, hindi niya malalaman kung sino talaga ang tunay na taong magmahal sa kanya. Pero darating yun. Huwag lang siya magmadali. Hindi dapat minamadali ang love.” She also advised Sarah to relax and give herself time to enjoy the fruits of her labor.
“Lagi ko ngang sinasabi kay Sarah, ‘Try to enjoy life kasi di na pwedeng maibalik yung age niya ngayon. …Importante ang magpahinga. Kapag nagpaapekto ka, mabuburn-out ka sa work mo. Tama lang na ma-enjoy mo ang kinikita mo,” she told the pop star princess.
In conclusion, Judy Ann explained why it’s important for Sarah to learn how to deal with all the trials coming her way. “Kailangan niyang maging matapang dahil darating ang panahon na siya lang mag-isa ang haharap nun at siya lang ang makakatapos sa kung ano mang problemang darating sa kanya. Hindi magulang niya, hindi ang Viva Films, kundi siya lang.”
Judy Ann’s last film
“Ito nga yung pelikulang inabutan ng pagbubuntis ni Juday. Para sa akin, hindi ito naging problema. Mas iniisip ko na blessing ito,” Direk Wenn Deramas said, who revealed how they tried to work around the expectant mom’s convenience while shooting the movie. “May cut-off kay Juday. Kinonsider namin na pauwiin siya ng maaga. Yung sa mga heavy scenes nga, may sariling nawasa yung mata at emosyon niya siguro nga dahil sobrang gamay na niya ang craft niya.”
Judy Ann Santos, who is enjoying her pregnancy with her first baby (and a son at that!) with husband Ryan Agoncillo, might take a break from the camera after she gives birth. With this, Hating Kapatid might be the iconic actress’s last movie for a while as she is scheduled to give birth this October. If ever there will be work offers, Judy Ann will only be saying yes to photo shoots.
“Kung may endorsement na pumasok, pwede pa, kung gusto nila akong i-shoot na ganito ako kalaki, bakit hindi, ’di ba? Pero most definitely, hindi na muna ako magteteleserye, siguro, one year muna akong magpapahinga sa TV, sa movie, baka din,” said Juday.
“Dedepende kasi ’yan kung makakabalik ba ako kaagad sa katawan ko right after I give birth, ’di ba? Pero ang masisigurado ko lang, hindi ako magmamadali, kasi, ang tagal kong hinintay ang pagdating ng baby, eh. So, ie-enjoy ko ’yung mga moments na nagbi-breast feed, nag-aalaga. ’Yung paglaki ng bata. A year or so of taking a leave, baka,” she added.
Photo screencap from canaflip94.
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