18 Philippine Showbiz Today
September 22 - October 7, 2017
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Abra on
shifting
careers
Rapper Abra, a.k.a. Raymond
Abracosa, tries his hand at acting
via Cinemalaya 2017’s best film,
“Respeto.”
“Respeto,” directed by Treb
Monteras II, tells the story of an
amateur rapper, played by Abra,
and a veteran poet whose paths
cross after a stand-off between
the authorities and illegal settlers.
Abra admitted his early
apprehension in playing the lead
role.
“Kinakabahan
ako
kasi
mayroong
major
role
na
nakapatong sa balikat ko and
nakaka excite din, on the other
hand, kasi lahat ng aspect ng
movie – from cinematography,
‘yung execution and ‘yung mga
co-actors ko – lahat sobrang
lapit,” explained the “Gayuma”
rapper.
He also revealed that for
the “Respeto” team, winning the
top Cinemalaya prize was a big
bonus.
“Kahit wala naman ‘yung
prize ng Best Picture, parang
panalo na ‘yung film. So plus
plus, plus talaga ‘yung feeling
ng kasiyahan ko, tapos sobrang
blessed talaga ng feeling namin
– regardless kung may award or
wala,” he stressed.
Aside from the recognition
from Cinemalaya, Abra is also
thankful for the positive reviews
for the movie.
“Opo grabe! ‘Pag bukas ko
ng social media ko umaapaw
at nakaka gaan ng loob. Hindi
ko po expected na gusto pa nila
ulitin at i-share pa talaga nila kaya
nakakataba ng puso,” he said.
The movie carries a very timely
message that will be appreciated
especially by millennials, he
opined.
Atom in flux
Atom Araullo bade ABS-CBN
good-bye last Friday, September
15. The reporter announced
his departure in “Umagang Kay
Ganda,” where he was a mainstay
for eight years. He is ready to
explore opportunities other than
journalism.
“Marami pa kasi akong
planong gawin, gustong subukan.
Alam niyo naman ang interes ko,
halo-halo rin ‘yan. Napasok na tayo
sa larangan ng filmmaking, ‘yung
‘Citizen Jake,’ mahilig rin akong
kumuha ng litrato. So marami,
marami akong susubukan,” he
said.
He also posted a statement
on his social media account
showing his gratitude to his former
home network and describing his
stint in ABS-CBN as an “amazing
adventure.” “Although I am taking
a new path, I have nothing but
respect and gratitude for the
company that helped me become
the journalist I am today,” he
said.
“He will always remain a
Kapamilya,” the statement ended
As to his future plans apart
from starring in the Mike de Leon
film “Citizen Jake,” Araullo has yet
to reveal his plans.
He may have left ABS-CBN
last week, but Atom Araullo
still has an upcoming show on
Lifestyle TV.
Araullo is the host of “The
Crawl Hong Kong,” which will
premiere on Lifestyle TV, where he
teams up with chef Ed Bugia for a
restaurant-hopping adventure.●
Does this signal a career
change for him?
“Miss na miss ko na din kasi
mag music,” he replied, “Baka
mag dwell muna ako sa music
world pero ‘pag may ano [offer]
na magandang concept, game
tayo diyan.”●
Sunshine
rises
Sunshine Cruz is also ready
to spread her wings.
The 40 year-old actress has
signed up with ALV Talent Circuit
of Arnold Vegafria. She joins eldest
daughter Angelina, a budding
singer, in Vegafria’s stable.
“I just feel and know that I will
be in good hands with Arnold. I
know that I have so much more to
offer and ALV can bring that out
in me,” Cruz excitedly said.
She related since the demise
of Alfie Lorenzo, who was her
talent manager for over two
decades, she was on the lookout
for someone who can competently
handle her career.
“Maganda rin naman na kahit
40 years old na tayo, mayroon
pa ring isang taong magbibgay
direksyon sa ating career,
especially now that I’m a single
mom,” she related.
Vegafria has a lot of quality
plans for Cruz. He wants her to
revive her singing and go full blast
as a product endorser, without
neglecting her acting career.
“Look at her now, ibang-iba
na siya, para pa ring siyang nasa
20s,” said Arnold, “I want her
to be a product endorser. She’s
maintained her looks, her body,
I think she’s a good product
endorser of quality brands, at the
same time ‘yung television niya.
We’re also gonna go into movies,
kasi ang tagal rin na hidi siya
gumawa. So I have to repackage
her.”
Though closely identified
with her dramatic portrayals,
the mestiza actress still dreams
of exploring more fertile acting
turf, wi