Page 26 - SEPTEMBER 2017 B ISSUE

26 www.hello-philippines.com
ANGELICA HALE ADVANCES TO GRAND
FINALE OF ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’
ANGELICA Hale is going to the
grand finals of “America’s Got Talent.”
The nine-year-old Filipino-American
Director’s cut of ‘Puti’ now showing in cinemas under Cine Lokal
CURRENTLY showing under
the Cine Lokal program of the Film
Development Council of the Philippines
is Mike Alcazaren’s acclaimed
psychological thriller, “Puti.”
An entry in the very first Cine Filipino
film festival in 2013, the film won three
technical awards there while Alcazaren
himself was later honored with Best
First Feature by the Young Critics Circle.
The version of “Puti” that audiences
are going to see in its current theatrical
run is not the same as the one screened
during Cine Filipino. In a recent
interview with InterAksyon, Alcazaren
said his director’s cut is a little darker
than his original cut.
“I reshot the ending and it’s now
more open-ended,” he revealed, hinting
that it could also pave the way for a
possible sequel.
In an earlier interview, Alcazaren
said that “Puti” was actually inspired by
Mike de Leon’s award-winning horror
classic, “Itim.”
Ian Veneracion in a scene from ‘Puti’
ENTERTAINMENT
& Scoop CELEBRITY
kidney transplant survivor has been
mesmerizing the show’s judges, studio
audiences and televiewers all over
Angelica Hale photo by Greg
Gayne/NBC from the ‘America’s the quarterfinals of the show when her
Got Talent’ official website
“I had the chance to work with Mike
when I was still in college. Watching his
creative process was more than any film
school could teach,” Alcazaren recalled.
Alcazaren, an accomplished director
of TV commercials and short films, said
that being an apprentice of De Leon
provided him with a unique perspective
on how to approach his first full-length
movie.
“Mike talked about ‘Itim’ and I guess
I took the cue from him to start with
a relatively small, personal film as my
debut. It is similar in that the scary
stuff is more psychological than having
special effects. ‘Itim’ was also very
atmospheric in treatment which I also
followed. Very quiet but also quietly
getting into your head.”
That’s where the similarities of the
two films end, though. Alcazaren said
story-wise, “Puti” is “more flipped out,
disturbing”.
“I wanted to screw with the viewers’
imaginations a bit more. ‘Puti’ takes
America since she first auditioned last
June with a soaring performance of
Andra Day’s “Rise Up.”
One month later, she advanced to
performance of Alicia Keys’ powerhouse
R&B ballad, “Girl on Fire” again brought
the house down and earned her the
coveted Golden Buzzer from guest
judge Chris Hardwick.
Taking on Zedd’s “Clarity,” Angelica
again drew a standing ovation from all
four judges as she advanced once again
to the competition’s semifinal round.
The Atlanta-based young singer did
not waste her golden opportunity as
she once again delivered with another
well-received performance as she took
on “Without You” by David Guetta
featuring Usher and made it her own.
That was more than enough for
place in an urban setting unlike the
provincial Holy Week backdrop of
‘Itim’.”
The story is about Amir, a counterfeit
painter who became color-blind after
surviving a freak car accident with his
son. While recuperating, he begins to
experience strange things.
When he was casting “Puti,”
Alcazaren auditioned several actors
until he found his lead in Ian Veneracion, a household name at age 42, thanks in
at the time a character actor for mostly
teleseryes.
“There was one other actor who did
a great reading. But when Ian came
in and read, his delivery, his age, his
perspective in life was perfect for the
role. It was a plus too that he paints,”
Alcazaren shared.
Ian admitted his own passion for art
in a separate interview.
“My father is also a painter and
like him, I’m lso very comfortable with
the canvas, the paints, the palette, the
brush and life. I guess that’s what gave
Direk Mike the idea of giving the role
to me because he knows I’m already
comfortable with the medium,” the
actor said.
I wanted to screw
with the viewers’
imaginations a bit
more. ‘Puti’ takes
place in an urban
setting unlike the
provincial Holy Week
backdrop of ‘Itim’.”
September 2017 / Fortnightly – No. 18 • UK & Europe Edition
judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi
Klum and the inimitable Simon Cowell
to send her to the show’s grand finals
where she will compete with nine other
hopefuls.
Of the 10 finalists, six are singing
contestants, namely Chase Goehring,
Evie Clair, Kechi Okwuchi, Mandy
Harvey, Darci Lynn Farmer and
Angelica.
She is one of only two child
contestants remaining in the
competition, the other being singing
ventriloquist Darci Lynn Farmer who is
12 years old.
The other contenders are acrobatic
dance group Diavolo, light up dancers
Light Balance, stand-up comedian
Preacher Lawson and dog act Sara and
Hero.
Daughter of a Filipina who hails
“I’m also doing my own sort of
forgeries for my whole career as an
actor. This is actually the first time I’m
doing something I really like,” Ian said
at the time.
The casting of Ian turned out to
be a stroke of genius as “Puti” turned
out to be a starmaking vehicle for
him. This eventually led to a return to
leading man status that began with the
teleserye, “Pangako sa Yo.” Today, Ian is
large part to his latest soap, “A Love to
Last.”
The casting of Jasmine Curtis-
Smith and Lauren Young in “Puti, was
also pretty much a no-brainer for the
director.
“Jasmine was actually a very early
call for me as I had worked with her
in commercials. Her age was just right
for the film and I felt that it would be
interesting for her to play out-of-type.
from Iligan City and currently based in
Atlanta, Angelica is a survivor of a life-
threatening kidney disease. When she
was only four years old, she developed a
medical condition that turned out to be
a bacterial infection in her lungs which
later progressed to double pneumonia.
Angelica’s illness severely damaged
her kidneys. As a result, she had to be
put on life support and needed kidney
transplant. Fortunately, her mother Eva
turned out to be a perfect match for her
and after Eva donated her kidney to her
daughter, Angelica fully recovered and
is looking at what many see now as a
very promising singing career.
Guest judge Chris Hardwick called
her “the chosen one” while Simon
Cowell earlier dubbed her a “superstar
in the future.” n Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon
| September 14, 2017, 8:21 PM
The stars of ‘Puti’: Jasmine
Curtis-Smith, Ian Veneracion,
and Lauren Young
Although known more for her sweet
image, she is actually more edgy
here,” Alcazaren explained.
As for Lauren, younger sister of
Miss World 2013 Megan Young,
Alcazaren said she showed a lot of
depth when she first read for the
character of Ian’s intriguing nurse.
“Her role is actually complex and
I needed someone who could put it
together. Lauren sounds very mature
for her age. All in all, it was a pleasure
working with the actors because they
honestly did their homework for the
roles.”
Also starring Leo Rialp, Bryan
Pagala and Maricel Baluan, the
director’s cut of “Puti” is currently
showing at SM Cinemas in Megamall,
North EDSA, Fairview, Southmall,
Mall of Asia, Bacoor, Iloilo and Cebu.
n Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon |September 12,
2017, 12:25 PM