For two weeks, GMA-7 stars embarked on a
Northern Italy cruise aboard the luxury ship Costa Magica to show the lighter
side of working overseas. GMA Films' newest comedy titled I.T.A.L.Y. (I
Trust and Love You) will take viewers on a romantic journey that takes
place in three continents, five countries, and 13 cities.
This motion picture will have viewers sailing through a romantic odyssey
tackling life, love, and destiny. Starting August 6, this GMA Films movie will
have its regular run in movie houses nationwide.
SYNOPSIS. Written by Senedy Que and directed by Mark Reyes (the nephew
of Direk Joey Reyes), I.T.A.L.Y. tells the story of six people with
various personalities, ambitions, and struggles. In a span of their magical
voyage for seven days, their lives will crisscross amid unexpected
possibilities.
Jolina Magdangal portrays the role of Des Pinlac, a hopeless romantic
who works as a chambermaid at the ship. Finding the right man is her fervent
wish but things don't go too well for her. Rufa Mae Quinto is Stella
Sembrano, the cruise's lounge singer who patiently waits for her perfect man.
She has still not given up on love even though she was abandoned by her father
and her past boyfriends.
Dennis Trillo plays the role of Paolo Guzman, the hunk who is the object
of affection of three women: Des, Stella, and Sophia, his Italian girlfriend
played by Andrea de Lugo. Paolo joined this cruise in order to discover the
truth about his previous girlfriend.
Eugene Domingo is Lovely Mercado, a senior housekeeper who believes it
isnever too late to find true and everlasting love. With two failed attempts to
tie the knot, Lovely holds the key in connecting Paolo with the woman in his
past. Rhian Ramos portrays Phoebe Villaroso, a rebellious brat who does
what she wants. She falls in love with the plain-looking cabin crew member
Nathan Reyes (Mark Herras). Orphaned at a young age, Nathan has to work
for his family aboard the cruise ship. He also becomes attracted to Phoebe but
his social class becomes a hindrance to their love affair.
MODERN-DAY HEROES. In the June 19 press conference of I.T.A.L.Y., cast
members shared their thoughts about our fellow kababayans who work
abroad.
Mark Herras takes pride in the fact that Filipinos comprised most of the crew
members of the luxury cruise ship. "Sobrang naging proud po ako at masaya
habang nagsu-shooting. Hindi po talaga biro ang ginagawa nila. Around 80
percent of the crew ay mga Pinoy." His love team partner Rhian Ramos shared
Mark's observation. "Sa tingin ko, they're really something our country can be
proud of. They really work hard and sila talaga ang nakabonding namin in
between takes. And we still keep in touch through email. Nakakatuwa na makitang
naa-appreciate ng ibang taga-bansa ang work ng mga Pinoy."
According to Dennis, he became more understanding about the situation of OFWs
while working on this movie. "Nakita namin yung paghihirap saka pangungulila
nila sa mga mahal nila as buhay. Naramdaman namin na ang swerte namin kasi ang
trabaho namin ganito at nakapagpasaya kami sa kanila kahit papaano."
"Pwede natin silang tawaging hero pero hindi in the sense na mamamatay sila
para sa bansa," says Jolina about the OFWs that they met during their taping
abroad. "Kapag may nakakausap kami na mga OFWs na excited sila para sa bakasyon
nila, parang kinukurot ang puso ko. Marangal ang trabaho nila para sa pamilya
nila...si Mark [Herras] nga three days pa lang, gusto nang umuwi, e, sila months
nahihiwalay sa pamilya."
The crew members of the Costa Magica became so attached to the cast of I.T.A.L.Y.
that they cried when the Kapuso stars ended their taping.
Unfortunately, Rufa Mae Quinto was not present at the press conference since
she was abroad at the time. The majestic cruise ship Costa Magica, owned by an
Italian company, was their home during their two-week shooting schedule. Direk
Mark Reyes describes this ship as big as SM Megamall.
Since the cast members shot this movie while they were aboard the cruise ship,
it was inevitable that they would encounter seasickness. Direk Reyes narrated
how they would cope with the instability of the ship.
"Si Dennis nahirapan. Si Jolina, may motion sickness. Lahat sila tinamaan
except Mark Herras, Rhian Ramos, and me. We hit turbulent waters, umaandar ang
mga mesa. The best [therapy] there is to go out and look out to the sea, to the
horizon. Dun maayos ang equilibrium ng tenga mo, e."
Moviegoers will be enchanted by the movie I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and
Love You) especially since it was shot in romantic places such as Genoa,
Milan, Savona, Napoli, Florence, Pisa, Rome, (Italy); Marseilles (France);
Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, (Spain); and Tunisia, Africa.
Watch this sidesplitting comedy starring Dennis Trillo, Jolina Magdangal, Rufa
Mae Quinto, Eugene Domingo, Mark Herras, and Rhian Ramos when it opens in
theaters nationwide starting August 6, 2008.
Click HERE to view photos of I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and
Love You) cast members.