Posted by ReyFort Media
Putting together the cast of “Saving Cherry” took Regal Entertainment, Inc. two years of developing the story, refining the script and finding the right actors to bring the characters to life.
At the film’s press conference on Aug. 3 at Gateway Mall Cinemas in Cubao, Regal Entertainment, Inc. executive vice president Keith Monteverde said the team wanted a cast that could deliver both the comedy and the emotional weight of the story.
“We really wanted to make this movie because, one, we wanted to do a comedy that can hopefully make people laugh… But at the core of the movie, I think it’s something also very real,” Atty. Keith said.
He credited filmmaker Ivan Andrew Payawal and writer-director Fatrick Tabada for bringing the story to life after years of development.
“I think Direk Ivan is the perfect guy to do it. We’ve been planning this for a couple of years,” he said.
Direk Ivan said assembling the right ensemble was one of the biggest priorities for the film.
“We were really looking for the perfect cast… I’m very proud of this cast,” he said.
The director said the bond formed during production became one of the strengths of the film.
“The connection that we made during the shoot is something na lagi kong tina-try i-achieve in my set.”
By the end of filming, Direk Ivan said he gained a deeper appreciation for the cast beyond their performances.
“At the end of the shoot, I became a fan of each and every one of them… I’m always impressed that they’re good people.”
Atty. Keith said Barbie Forteza was the first choice for the role of Cherry, while the rest of the cast came together through Regal’s previous collaborations with several of the actors.
“Each one of the girls we’ve worked with before,” he said, citing Mikee Quintos, AC Bonifacio and Sassa Gurl. He added that Mika Salamanca, who was working with Regal for the first time, immediately stood out during their meeting.
“She was perfect for Jewel.”
Atty. Keith said the chemistry among the actresses was already visible early in production.
“First day was warm-up, pero sa second day rushes, nakikita ko na ‘yung chemistry. It felt like it was really working. It’s a perfect cast.”
Regal Entertainment, Inc. president and CEO Roselle Monteverde-Teo also noticed the transformation in the cast’s dynamic.
“Nakita ko sila sa photo shoot, tapos nung nakita ko sila ulit, parang may nangyari,” she said, referring to the change in their energy and rapport after filming began.
She described “Saving Cherry” as a more daring entry compared to Regal’s films from the 1970s and 1980s.
“Noong ’70s and ’80s, hindi pa. Mas sobra pa ‘to. Kakaiba,” she said.
“Campy ‘yung before. But this is grounded. Mas madadala ka kasi may pinaghuhugutan kung saan ang pagka-comedy niya, at saka may pinaghuhugutan kung bakit sila gano’n.”
“I’ve seen the movie and I love it so much,” she added. (Malaya entertainment)
Caption: Sassa Gurl, Mika Salamanca, Barbie Forteza, AC Bonifacio and Mikes Quintos
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