‘NEITHER NOR’ – Piolo Pascual said time again that his current starrer, “Northern Lights: A Journey to Love,” is neither inspired by nor based on his relationship with son Iñigo.
But, he concedes there are similarities between the story of “Northern Lights” and his own life as an unmarried father. “Binatang ama” he’s called.
You see, while Iñigo was growing up with his mother in California, Piolo was extremely busy making a name in local showbiz. Then they didn’t have much time to bond, to be with each other. But Piolo hastened to add he never lost contact with Iñigo. Now that the boy is a teenager and doing quite well here as actor and singer, father and son are extremely close. As if making up for lost time.
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DIFFERENT BUT – The plot of “Northern Lights” is quite different, but as earlier noted with some similarities.
When Piolo migrated to Alaska with his parents (Tirso Cruz III and Sandy Andolong), he left behind his pregnant girlfriend (Maricar Reyes) with the promise he’d come back to her. When Piolo eventually did, Maricar had found another love. Eight years later, she is sending their son (Raikko Matteo) to Alaska as she is dying.
On the boy’s way to Alaska, he met Yen Santos, who became his sort of guardian in the plane. Yen herself is nursing a broken heart. Take it from there.
The title “Northern Lights” (Aurora Borealis) refers to the three main players—Piolo, Yen, and Raikko—looking for those shining lights in their lives.
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NEW ZEALAND, ALASKA – While the setting is Alaska, “Northern Lights” was actually shot in New Zealand as the condition there was more favorable to moviemaking. But director Dondon Santos flew to Alaska to capture the dazzling Aurora Borealis.
“Northern Lights” is co-produced by Regal, Star Cinema, and Piolo’s production outfit Spring Films. Asked how much was the budget Piolo said it went up, up and away, but he didn’t bother to count the cost.
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BEST THREE – Ricky Lo of Star asked Piolo his three best performances. Piolo named “Dekada” and “Starting Over” produced by Star Cinema and “Lagarista” (produced by Jesse Ejercito under the Meverick banner, directed by Mel Chionglo, and written by Ricky Lee). “Lagarista” is his first starring role.
All three are excellent films, but this columnist believes his best was “Lagarista,” shot when Piolo was in his early 20s. Then, he was quite raw but the talent was already there. He had no acting mannerisms and portrayed the part with much sincerity and intensity. He played a young man transferring film reels from one theater to another riding a bicycle. It was shot in the Quiapo-Sta. Cruz area. “Lagarista” is our very own “Cinema Paradiso.”
Then he had no qualms about disrobing and engaging in love scenes with Janna Victoria as called for by the movie.