The 9501 restaurant of ABS-CBN was temporarily transformed
into an outback with the use of real grass, wooden railings, and a saddle
displayed prominently in front of the presidential table. This layout was for the second press
conference of Star Cinema's opening salvo for 2009, Love Me Again (Land Down Under).
The film's lead stars, Piolo
Pascual and Angel Locsin, were joined by some supporting cast members of the movie.
Dimples Romana, Erich Gonzales, and AJ Dee recalled the time that they shot this Star Cinema movie, which
will open in cinemas nationwide starting January 15. They talked animatedly
about their experiences as cowboys working in Bukidnon and Australia, where the
film was shot.
Director Rory Quintos revealed that she had a lot of difficulty directing
the horses and cattle during the shootings since she could not control their mood swings. The stars candidly admitted that they themselves
ran after the cattle to make them move the way their director
wanted. To see the video clip of the presscon, click here.
After the general discussion, Angel told the press about the three-day
Macau trip that she recently had with Luis Manzano and his family.
"After Christmas, nagbakasyon kami kasama nina Tita [Vilma
Santos]. Eighteen kami lahat and
nag-Macau kami. Nag-travel din kami sa Hong Kong, mga five hours lang yun through
ferry.
"Dun binigyan ni Tita si Luis ng Rolex watch worth P2 million. Yun lang talaga
ang ipinunta namin dun. Ang sweet nga ni Tita kasi may vertigo yata siya, buong
time sa ferry, nahihilo na siya. Pero tiniis niya talaga kasi gusto niyang i-surprise
si Luis."
At first, Angel did not want to reveal the gift she gave to Luis, but a reporter asked whether it was true that she gave him a pair of Louis Vuitton rubber shoes.
"Nahihiya ako pero hinanap ko yun talaga, kasi wala nun dito sa Pilipinas. Sa
States ko pa nakita yun."
The Star For All Seasons sent a Ferragamo bag to
Angel. In return, the young actress gave Ms. Vilma a pair of diamond earrings. "Gift namin 'yon ni Luis sa kanya," revealed Angel.
As for her Christmas gift, Angel said that she received a professional Nikon camera
from Luis. "Ginamit ko na sa Macau and sa Macau, bumili rin ako ng lens dun."
What did they do in Macau?
"Nag-dinner kami sa isang restaurant, nag-bonding kami. Nawala pa kami kasi nag-bus kami, pero hindi namin maintindihan
kasi Chinese ang nakasulat. Hindi namin talaga alam kung saan, tapos wala pang
taxi.
"Buti na lang may Pinay na dumaan at sinabi sa akin, ‘Hi Angel!' Sabi ko, ‘Pinay
ka? Nagtanong kami sa kanya at ang bait niya kasi sinamahan niya kami hanggang
makasakay kami talaga. Itinuro niya sa amin ang papunta sa Venetian [hotel
where they stayed]," Angel narrated.
Did they ride the famed gondolas in Macau?
"Hindi, nahiya ako kasi ang
daming tao nakatingin. Kasi kakantahan ka nila pero may certain spot kung saan
sila kakanta. Pinapakanta nga ng friend ko yung [gondolier or boatman], pero ayaw pa kasi dun pa raw siya sa ibang spot kakanta."
Trailer courtesy of Star Cinema