One of the highly anticipated scenes of My Valentine Girls is the kissing scene between Eugene Domingo and Richard Gutierrez.
During the January 14 press conference of the movie, Uge (Eugene's nickname) recalled how she shot this scene with her leading man.
"Punong-puno naman ang love ngayong February dahil sa movie na My Valentine Girls. Totoo po ang balita, isa po ako sa mga girls," declared the comedienne when she entered the Penthouse of the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City.
"Trilogy ito at kasama ako sa episode written and directed by Chris Martinez. The title 'Gunaw' says it all. You just wait for your Prince Charming even if takes the end of the world."
The comedienne differentiated this kissing scene from others that she did in the past because of its unusual effect on her.
"Ibang-iba ito sa lahat ng kissing scenes na ginawa ko...parang natameme ako," admitted Uge. "Pagkatapos ng kissing scene, dun ko na-confirm na Richard Gutierrez is the ultimate leading man. He made me feel like a leading lady kahit ten seconds lang."
She then exclaimed: "Nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa pagkatapos ng kissing scene na yun!"
How many takes did it take for them to complete the scene? She pointed out: "Isang take lang, perfect agad! Sana nga paulit-ulit!"
In her previous movies, Eugene has already had kissing scenes with Dingdong Dantes for Kimmy Dora (2009) and Diether Ocampo for Mamarazzi (2010). If she could name one actor as the best kisser, who would she pick?
"Pinakaromantic ang ginawa ko dito para sa My Valentine Girls kasi yung sitwasyon ng iba, yung storya iba naman rin ang hiningi. Yung iba sibasib, yung iba sungab...dito wala. Sa maniwala kayo sa hindi, sabi ni Direk Chris pagkatapos ng kissing scene, natameme ako. Parang wala akong nasabi," recalls Uge about her kissing scene with the GMA-7 actor.
When asked to describe her character in My Valentine Girls, Uge said, "My character's name is Ivy and Richard's character is named Adan...so parang Eve and Adam. End of the world so kailangan magsimula ulit ng bagong lahi. Nagpapasalamat ako ang napili kasi ang ibang kasama naming dito ay mga zombies.
"Ang tanong ay kung matutuloy ba ang pagpapalahi naming dalawa."
This co-production of GMA Films and Regal Entertainment will also feature the tandem of Richard and Rhian Ramos in "Soulmates" (directed by Dominic Zapata); and a love triangle involving Solenn Heusaff and Lovi Poe for the episode titled "BBFF" or "Best Boyfriend Forever" (directed by Andoy Ranay).
This three-part movie will open in cinemas by February 9, 2011.
CROSSOVER QUEEN. Last December, moviegoers were able to see Uge in Star Cinema's Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na 'To!). The comedienne bagged the Best Supporting Actress trophy in the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival for her role as the best friend of Ai-Ai delas Alas' character.
This February, Uge will be seen not only in My Valentine Girls but also in the romantic movie Who's That Girl? Produced by Viva Films, this movie is topbilled by Anne Curtis and Luis Manzano.
The actress remains an active supporter of indie films. She will star in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, one of the finalists in the New Breed Full Length Feature Category of the 2011 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. It will be directed by Marlon Rivera. This is written by Chris Martinez, whom Uge met over two decades ago when she was still studying B.A. Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Direk Chris also helmed the critically acclaimed Cinemalaya entry 100 (2008) and the comedy Here Comes the Bride (2010).
Uge is also gearing up for the second installment of Kimmy Dora, which will be produced by Spring Films (headed by actor Piolo Pascual, director Joyce Bernal, cinematographer Shayne Sarte, and talent manager Erick Raymundo).
She is thankful to be one of the few celebrities who can star in different shows in competing TV stations.
"Natutuwa ako na nakakatawid ako sa iba't ibang channels...crossover queen, 'ika nga. Ang aking paniniwala, hindi natin dapat nililimitahan ang sarili natin sa paulit-ulit na kasama sa trabaho o paulit-ulit na ginagawa," Uge said with a smile.