SAM:  AGA-ANNE  SCENES  WERE  DECENT

MANILA, MAY 4, 2008 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS (‘Anne revealed that Sam, her boyfriend, would feel upset every time he saw the trailer of “When Love Begins,” showing her kissing Aga passionately.’)

IT was Charlene Gonzales’ birthday on May 1.

Happy birthday, Charlene!

Charlene was with husband, Aga Muhlach, at the premiere of his new movie, "When Love Begins," which pairs Aga with Anne Curtis for the first time.

Guess who was Anne’s special guest?

Sam Milby.

The premiere of "When Love Begins" was shown in two theaters at Megamall, Cinema 9 and 10. It was held last Tuesday. The following day, the movie opened in 135 theaters nationwide.

Sam had to leave after the showing of the movie, as he had to rehearse his special number for the coming concert of new singer, Richard Poon.

Later, Sam joined the cast of "When Love Begins" at the blowout which Star Cinema and Viva Films organized at the Florabel’s at Podium, Pasig City.

We asked Charlene how she felt viewing Aga’s intimate scenes with Anne in the movie?

"I’m used to it," Charlene answered. "It’s just work. After all, I should know, I’m an artist, too."

Charlene, in her prime as an actress, never allowed herself to be kissed onscreen.

In a previous interview, Anne revealed that Sam, her boyfriend, would feel upset every time he saw the trailer of "When Love Begins," showing her kissing Aga passionately.

Sam, after watching the movie, said: "It wasn’t as grabe as I thought. Everything was decent.

"In fact, I admire Anne’s performance. Same with Aga."

***

In the blowout, the closeness that developed between Aga and his younger co-star during the filming of the movie was most evident. Rafael Rosell, AJ Dee, Dionne Monsanto and Mickey Perez played his and Anne’s kabarkada in the movie.

They were all seated in one long table, happily talking to one another. Aga had to table hop, though, as Charlene was seated with Malou Santos, Star Cinema managing director, and Tess Fuentes, who supervised the production with June Rufino (who represented Viva Films). In the same table was Fr. Tito Caluag, spiritual director of ABS-CBN.

At the presscon of "When Love Begins," if you recall, Aga related the first time he met AJ, who was feeling very low after breaking up with girlfriend, former "Pinoy Dream Academy" (PDA) scholar Gemma Fitzgerald. He was feeling very low.

Gemma hails from Australia.

AJ said Aga advised him to move on and, in jest, suggested that he look for another girlfriend.

AJ said he heeded Aga’s advice. He was with a new girlfriend when he attended the blow-out. The girl, Olga Havarn, is a Norwegian. Like Rafael, she was born and grew up in Norway.

***

"When Love Begins" is Aga and Direk Joey Reyes’ seventh movie together. In each movie, Aga always had a new leading lady.

In "Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal," for example, their first film project together, Aga played leading man to Lea Salonga. In "May Minamahal," he starred with Aiko Melendez. Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon were Aga’s co-stars in "Nag-iisang Bituin." In "Bayarang Puso," he had Lorna Tolentino as his co-star. Joyce Jimenez, then considered the No. 1 sexy star in the country, was Aga’s love interest in "Ano B ang L8st?"

"Kung Ako na Lang Sana" marked his first team-up with Sharon Cuneta.

"Honestly," Direk Joey said, "Eeery time I work with Aga, it is always an improvement from the last one. As an actor, he is truly full of surprises.

"Here in ‘When Love Begins,’ he displayed a flair of how a man should treat the woman he loves. He is a lawyer-turned-environmentalist who falls for a young, carefree, smart and pretty woman. So in love is he with her that he is willing to give her everything. But not at the expense of his principles."

Direk Joey added, "In her many interviews, Anne said her biggest dream as an actress was to be paired with Aga. Well, she got Aga in this movie and as a bonus, she is now a certified leading lady."

The film has a strong support, which includes veteran performers Christopher de Leon (Anne’s dad), Ronaldo Valdez and Boots Anson-Roa (Aga’s parents).

"I am proud of this movie," Aga, for his part, said, "It will make the viewers cry, because of my scenes with my dying mom, and fall in love, because of the love story between me and Anne," he assured.