Friday, October 10, 2009 - People’s JournaL (page 8 - can also be viewed on-line @ http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2009-10-09&sec=3&aid=104632), News Article - FREEHAND By: Mario E. Bautista : THE theme of incest in “Sagrada Familia” is reminiscent of Mike de Leon’s classic “Kisapmata.”  Snooky Serna is aware of this and she recalls that “Kisapmata” was first offered to her but she rejected it. “Nagluluka-luka-han ako that time,” she says. “Noon ‘yon, ha. Ngayon, nagbago na ako, konti lang,” she laughs.
   
So how did she feel after “Kisapmata” went on to win several awards? “E, di gusto kong sakalin ang sarili ko. The lead role went to Charo Santos and they’re all good in the movie. This time, sa ‘Sagrada Familia,’  I’m the one who plays the mother, played by the late Charito Solis before. But we want to make it clear that other than the theme, ibang-iba ang story ng ‘Sagrada Familia.’  Dito, as the mom, umalis ako and went to Italy at may nanligaw sa’kin dun, si Rico Barera. When I returned to Manila, nawawala ang mag-ama ko and I searched for them. That’s when I found out that Lovi is pregnant at si Emilio ang ama. For a while, I accepted the situation, but I’m not the passive type like Tita Chato kasi lumaban ako. You’d see, ibang-iba ang ending namin.”
   
Both Snooky and Lovi had encounters with Direk Joel for being late. Snooky in the movie “Dukot” and Lovi when “Sagrada Familia” was starting. “Hindi na naulit ‘yun,” says Cookie. “Ask him, very punctual ako this time.” “Sa akin din, isolated case lang ‘yun kasi nga wala na akong driver then, nasiraan pa ako ng car,” says Lovi.
   
Both Snooky and Emilio are nominated in the coming FAMAS Awards for supporting performances, Snooky for “Paupahan” and Emilio for “Walang Kawala.”  They’ve both won for the same roles in other award-giving bodies.
   
“Sana suwertihin kami,” says Cookie. “The first time I won in the FAMAS was for best actress in ‘Koronang Itim’ in 1994.”
   
“I will never forget that as it’s my first movie,” says Emilio. “I was introduced in it. And now, after 15 years, we’re together again in ‘Sagrada Familia’.”

BENTE, under the direction of Mel Chionglo, is a political thriller about a hard-hitting radio commentator (Jinggoy Estrada) and his conflict with a former friend and classmate who is a suburban mayor (Emilio Garcia).

Lending their stellar presence in the film are Jinggoy Estrada, Richard Gomez (the hired-killer), Iza Calzado (wife of the hired-killer), Ms. Snooky Serna (wife of the hard-hitting radio commentator), Emilio Garcia, Ryan Eigenmann (accomplice), Aldred Gatchalian and Glaiza de Castro.

If you wish to watch the trailers/teasers:

Bente is a back-to-back story about political disappearances. In the final installment of Sine Direk, Jinggoy Estrada plays the role of a radio commentator who is facing a grave threat from a town mayor and his hired assassin (played by Richard Gomez).

His story of survival runs parallel with that of a student political activist (played by Aldred Gatchalian) who is under military surveillance.

Bente is the official entry of Direk Mel Tionglo to the film series sponsored by APT Entertainment and the Directors Guild of the Philippines.

SYNOPSIS. A back to back treatment of a malaise which has shocked Philippine society for the past so many years: the mysterious disappearances and killings of Filipino journalists and activities.

The film focuses on a hard-hitting radio commentator and his conflict with a former classmate who is a suburban town mayor. The radioman’s story runs parallel to the tale of a student-activist on the run with his activist-girlfriend.

These parallel stories are interwoven with a third story, that of the former military man, now their would-be assassin. This killer’s unexpected obsession with his wife leads to a climax of murder and mayhem.

In a previous article published in PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), scriptwriter-turned-novelist Mr. Ricky Lee explained the reason why the film was titled Bente. “Kasi kung minsan sa lipunan, ang buhay ng tao nagiging bente e. Bente pesos na lang ang nagiging buhay ng tao. Thriller siya so mabilis yung pacing.”