MORE AND MORE – It’s wonderful to know that Regal, under the leadership of Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle, is signing up more and more artists. Which only means that the Valencia studio is bent on making more and more movies.
The latest to join Regal is Sophie Albert, grand winner of TV’5 Artista Academy contest. Her million-dollar contract with TV5 is over and she rightly signed up with Regal.
Earlier, Devon Seron and Yen Santos, both former ABS-CBN talents, also joined Regal. Devon’s first project is the horror movie “Pwera Usog.” Yen’s is Piolo Pascual’s leading lady, no less, in “Once in a Lifetime.”
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COJUANGCO GIRL – Highspeed focuses on Sophie Albert, who belongs to the Cojuangco clan.
Sophie’s grandmother, Josephine Cojuangco Reyes, is the sister of the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the beloved Tita Cory. Which makes Sophie the niece of Kris Aquino.
Sophie actually started as one of the many stars of ABS-CBN Star Magic, joining scores of other hopefuls in auditioning, not all dropping her Cojuangco connection. She made it on her own, but then her star didn’t shine in the Kapamilya network.
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COMEBACK – Sophie really meant to quit showbiz and concentrate on her little business, a beauty salon. Or is it a pastry shop?
But director Gil Portes offered her a good role in “Moonlight Over Baler,” apparently upon the recommendation of Vin Abrenica, said to be her sweetheart. It’ll be recalled that Vin was the other grand winner of TV5’s Artista Academy.
Vin plays the male lead in “Moonlight Over Baler.” Sophie is the young Elizabeth Oropesa in the movie. “She is very good,” direk Gil says of Sophie.
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REGAL BABIES ALL – In the late ‘70, ‘80s, and early ’90, Regal was home to the biggest and brightest stars and directors.
Think Maricel Soriano, Dina Bonnevie, Snooky Serna, William Martinez and brother Albert, Alfie Anido, Alma Moreno, Gina Alajar, Cherie Gil, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aiko Melendez, Carmina Villaroel, Judy Ann Santos, Rio Locsin, Manilyn Reynes, Sheryl Cruz. Gabby Concepcion, Lorna Tolentino, Richard Gomez. Not to forget Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon and Tirso Cruz III, Susan Roces and Eddie Gutierrez.
The directors? Ishmael Bernal, Joey Reyes, Lino Brocka, Peque Galaga, Elwood Perez, Joey Gosiengfiao, Maryo de los Reyes, Chaning Carlos, Chito Roño.