NEWSFLASH

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RITA MAGDALENA, THE NEXT ROSSANA ROCES

Manila, April 12, 1998 - Rita Magdalena made 26 movie quickies, mostly sex flicks, last year, and she's not ashamed to admit she did them to make money.

"I would like to show I have more to offer the camera than my body, but I'm afraid I have not yet reached the stature of a Rosanna Roces, who has become accepted in legitimate drama roles," Rita explains candidly .

Like Rosanna, Rita was discovered while dancing in a girlie bar, where she was a GRO (guest relations officer).

"I never hid he fact that I came from there. I'm even proud of that because not everyone who worked there graduated to the movies," she says. "No one has any right to look down on me for that. We're all entitled to find our place under the sun."

Since she became a famous movie star, many relatives have come out in the open to live with her.

"Somebody would knock and say she's a cousin of my father, she needs help for her sick child, or tuition fee. I cannot say no, because the Lord has been good to me. All I do is take off my clothes and I earn lot, so it's but proper to share my blessings."

Many critics have openly expressed belief that she has the potential to be a good actress, and that with the right breaks she could be the next Rosanna Roces.

"It flatters me to hear people say that. I just hope that comes true. When I saw Rosanna in the movies "Selya" and "Ligaya" I said to myself I could do it."

"I would like to have the chance to work with our top actors, like Christopher de Leon, Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach. I promise I will work very hard to be worthy of being their co-star."