The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Now it can be told.
It wasn’t only because it’d be a Brillante Ma. Mendoza film but it was also a chance of a lifetime to breathe life to colorful and challenging roles.
What if the characters were lesbians which demand commitment and dedication of arresting performances to delineate and deliver truth and honesty in the most passionate and emphatic innermost recesses of these people?
As we said, Mendoza didn’t mince words when he offered veteran actresses Charo Santos-Concio and Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo the roles of gay women in Solar Pictures, Centerstage Productions and CreaZion Studios’ “Until She Remembers.”
The mavens in return didn’t harbor second thoughts affirming the offers in the negotiation table.
Interestingly, there was a backstory about Charo and Boits immediate response to Brillante’s call.
“Nang magkuwentuhan na kami sa set, lumabas ang maraming rebelasyon. Inamin sa akin nina Charo at Boots na matagal na pala silang gusto pumapel ng mga tomboy sa pelikula kaya madali ko rin silang napapayag (When we were in s huddle on the set during breaktime, many revelations were disclosed. Charo and Boots admitted that they have been wanting to portray lesbians on screen so it was easy to convince them to accept the roles),” intimated Dante Mendoza, Brillante’s other screen name.
How Santos-Concio and Anson Roa-Rodrigo immersed into their roles as Concha, the student and Catherine, the teacher of English and Literature, respectively and eventually their romantic involvement with each other is something to look forward to.
It was always a seamless acting before the cameras for Charo and Boots who fitted their respective roles to a T.
Mendoza was indeed impressed and fascinated by the acting of Santos-Concio and Anson Ro-Rodrigo as ill-fated lovers during their prime as they were separated for the longest time until they were reunited in their twilight years in the midst of suffering from illnesses–Alziemer’s for Catherine, pancreatic cancer for Concha—but wouldn’t deter them to bring back memories, good and bad, in proper time.
The ensemble was also commendable, especially Angel Aquino as the daughter of Concha, Albert Martinez as her husband, Eric Quizon as the professor, Vince Rillon as the young boyfriend of Angel’s daughter and Concha’s granddaughter, Erlinda Villalobos as the house help of Concha and Barbie Forteza as the inquisitive daughter of Angel and granddaughter of Concha.
In the movie, which is being planned for block screening in cinemas in February or March and later in live streaming, Charo and Boots in their old age didn’t indulge in love scenes but were presented in torrid kissing scenes and homoerotic tendencies and dalliances, through flashbacks, courtesy of two beautiful newbies.