Comedienne Cheena makes showbiz comeback
MANILA - It's been years in the making.
"Kung alam niyo lang," director Chito Rono said of the complications in putting together the cast.
Finally, on Friday at the Star Cinema office, he introduced the five lead stars of his film based on the Julie Yap-Daza book "Etiquette for Mistresses and What Wives Can Learn From Them."
Titled simply "Etiquette for Mistresses," the film about different kinds of mistresses will star Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado, and returning comedienne Cheena.
All five will play mistresses of different men. Calzado's character, for instance, will have an affair with a news anchor, while Barretto's role sees her as the other woman of a business tycoon.
Calzado clarified, however, that the film "is not glorifying nor judging" extra-marital affairs.
There are lessons to be learned, Barretto pointed out.
"May matututunan dito 'di lang ang mga mistress, kungdi mga asawa, pati na rin mga lalaki," said the comebacking actress, who will reunite with Aquino and Rono nine years after the horror blockbuster "Sukob."
Aquino said her character, a chef, is well-mannered and soft-spoken despite her illicit involvement. "Two sides of a mistress 'yung makikita ninyo. Meron 'yung palaban, nagwawala," she said, pointing at Barretto, "tapos merong proper!"
Chiu, who is the youngest among the leads at 25, did not share which kind her mistress character will be. She did note, however, that the role is "far from my comfort zone, pero go for the challenge!"
For Rono, the challenge was to translate some 28 "rules" for mistresses detailed in the book for the big screen. He picked eight, among them -- "You must have a career," Calzado's favorite.
Asked for hers, Aquino said, "Know when to get out."
The TV host, whose Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Mr. and Mrs. Split" was recently announced, said filming of "Etiquette for Mistresses" will come ahead in her schedule as it is slated for release earlier. A premiere date has yet to be announced.