NEWSFLASH 

---

FPJ PLAYS DOCTOR IN FIRST FILM FOR NEW MILLENNIUM

Quezon City, Jan. 1, 2000- Fernando Poe, Jr., 'The King of Philippine Movies,' stars and directs in 'Ang Dalubhasa,' under Millennium Cinema, where he plays a doctor seeking revenge for the tragic past of his family.

“This will start the year 2000 for me. Pinaghandaan namin ito at sana ay subaybayan ng mga manunood. If they liked and enjoyed my movies in the last century, this new century ay mas magaganda pa ang gagawin ko,” he promises.

Nanette Medved is the leading lady in “Ang Dalubhasa” and has worked with FPJ in two previous movies: “Dito Sa Pitong Gatang” and “Isang Bala Ka Lang (Part 2).”

“It’s nice to work with Nanette again,” he says. “Sayang naman kasi ang talento niya as an actress kung mawawala lang siya. The moment na nalaman kong nandito na siya, kinuha ko na siya kaagad. She’s one-of-a-kind and we need an actress like her.”

Nanette went on leave for several years to finish college in Boston. She got married, and now she’s back to pursue her acting career.

Also in the cast of “Ang Dalubhasa” are Maritoni Fernandez, Berting Labra, Paquito Diaz, Ricardo Cepeda, Gerald Ejercito, Marita Zobel, Dindo Arroyo, Romy Diaz , Zandro Zamora, Tony Bernal, Dante Castro, Rhey Roldan and Cris Villonco in an introductory role.

“Ang Dalubhasa” was shot on location in Cebu, which charmed FPJ during the presidential campaign when Ronnie (FPJ’s nickname) was awed by the historical spots there and the charming ways of Cebuanos.

A big scene for the movie has thousands of soldiers, played by students and middle-aged Cebuanos. “In between takes, I was able to talk to them. More or less, they represent different sectors of the province. So I had a grasp of their way of thinking and outlook in life in general. It is indeed very rewarding to know the stand of Cebuanos on various aspects of life,” Ronnie said.

“Ang Dalubhasa” is slated to open in Metro Manila theaters on Jan. 26, well after the holidays and the Metro Manila filmfest, and just in time for people who would be longing for a locally-filmed blockbuster.