“Ganun kadami yung gusto mag-artista. Most of them who joined, ang alam lang nila, guwapo sila at maganda sila. Hindi talino, hindi galing.”

Such is the reality of entertainment today, he notes.

“Malungkot, kasi kami ang nahihirapan, e. Kaming mga direktor! Yung ibang writer naman, akala nila, pagkagagaling ng mga artista nila…”

UGE VS NORA? Eugene clarified at the outset that she will not copy or aim to match the Superstar’s acting.

“Nag-usap kami ni Direk Soxie, ni Maribel [Legarda, PETA director], at ni Laly [writer], na kahit banlian niyo ako ng kumukulong tubig—hindi ko kaya yung ginawa ni Nora Aunor!”

The Kimmy Dora star says that she, of course, means to pay tribute to a Filipino classic film.

“Ang pinaka-gusto kong mangyari dito, ’pag napanood ni Ate Guy, maaaliw siya.

"At gusto ko, ipakita sa kanya na ang ginawa niya noon hanggang ngayon, bilang classic ito, ay dapat pa ring mapanood.

“The essence of the film is still there, definitely. But we have to cater to more audiences because the socio-political environment then is very different from now.

“So, ito ay pagpupugay natin kay Lino Brocka, kay Cenen Ramones, at kay Nora Aunor sa kanilang klasikong trabaho.”

Bona will be staged from August 24 to September 23, 2012.

Venue: PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila Quezon City. (Behind Capital Sports Club.