WHILE Vivamax continues to reign on the available streaming platforms in the Philippines, it has also produced three wonderful discoveries that continue to thrill, trigger, tickle, titillate and treat its millions of viewers: Ariella Arida, Angeli Khang and Ayanna Misola.
Miss Universe runner-up Ariella Arida is enjoying her life as an actor. We touched base with her recently and she shared with us the joys of being part of the new movie Breathe Again.
“Filming was an amazing experience. This is my first lead role and I am thankful for the trust that Vivamax gave me. I was working with very pleasant and professional people, and we shot in beautiful Batangas for most of the outdoor scenes.”
Arida has Tony Labrusca for her leading man in this movie directed by Raffy Francisco, who told us that the narrative also affirms the importance of taking care of the natural environment.
The 33-year-old Arida continued: “We had to make time to train for free diving, which is different from scuba diving. I enjoy being in and around the sea—it is calming, the sound of the waves, the colors of the sky and the water, the breeze, the warmth of the sun…these are the stuff I often miss when I am busy in the big city, and I am glad that our script required us to shoot in Anilao.”
Once a Binibini, always a Binibini. Arida assured her followers that she continues to have a very good relationship with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., the original franchise holder of Miss Universe Philippines. “We are very okay. We have this special bond formed almost 10 years ago, when they entrusted the crown to me. They understand that my being an actor requires me to play different characters with different requirements, and some of these characters need to show some skin. The organization continues to trust and support my decisions and for my part, I will continue to take good care of myself and my reputation as a former title holder.”
ANGELI IS DESTINED TO BECOME A BIG STAR
IT was in the Mac Alejandre movie Silip sa Apoy where we took a longer look at newcomer Angeli Khang. She was pitting talents with the award-winning actor Sid Lucero, and Khang held her own and was consistent in her performance as the abused partner. When we spoke to Viva honcho Vincent del Rosario recently, he shared that Silip sa Apoy remains on top of the most-viewed movies in Vivamax whose subscription will soon reach its 4 million.
“Angeli Khang is looming to be the prized possession of Viva and we are happy to give her more substantial projects, and giving her the best leading men like Sid Lucero. She is truly destined to become a big star,” he shared.
Khang showed promise in her early films like Taya, Mahjong Nights and Eva, and after Silip sa Apoy, her star shone brighter and Viva gave her Pusoy, where she plays the trophy girlfriend of a gambling lord. She has already wrapped up work in Brillante Mendoza’s Virgin Forest and will start shooting two movies: My Mother’s Keeper and Itago sa Dilim.
“Strike while the iron is very hot,“ Khang said in jest, adding, “Not every girl in town who dreams of becoming an actor will get these good breaks like what I am blessed with right now. I will continue to be grateful.”
AYANNA HAS WHAT IT TAKES
ONE of the youngest contract artists of Viva, Ayanna Misola is happy that she finally saw herself on the big screen. “During the entire pandemic, even after the films I was part of were released on the Vivamax streaming platform, I secretly wished that I’d be able to watch myself on the big screen, in a cinema. I’m glad that it came true recently when they had a special screening of our latest movie Putahe.”
The movie, which fuses local island cuisine in its sexual narrative about a woman’s awakening, is directed by the brave and bold filmmaker Roman Perez, Jr., and is a certified hit when it premiered recently.
“I enjoyed the shoot. I got to see some of the beautiful islands we have, and I learned a lot about regional cuisine too!” she shared. “I love location shoots because I get to commune with nature while working.”