'The Mistress' passes P140M mark

THE latest project of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, "The Mistress," has passed the P140 million mark, a week after it was shown in movie houses nationwide.

This development was announced during the recent thanksgiving press conference of the Star Cinema movie attended by its director and cast.

Bea said she did not expect the warm reception of the viewers because the movie's theme is very different and mature compared to her previous projects.

She shared that even the director herself, Olivia Lamasan, did not expect that the film will break box office records during its first week in cinemas.

"Sinabi na sa akin ni Inang (Lamasan) na 'Anak, wag ka masyadong mag-expect kasi yung story nito eh masyadong matapang, baka hindi pang box-office (The director told me not to expect too much because the story is very strong and it might not perform well in the box office)," she said.

"Hindi talaga namin inexpect na magugustuhan ng tao. Proud din kami sa audience namin dahil naghahanap din sila ng kakaiba, nang matapang (We did not expect that people will like it. I'm very proud of our audience as they are looking for something new)," she added.

Bea said filming "The Mistress" was like immersing herself to "Acting 101." She was asked to do difficult scenes by the director with John Lloyd and veteran actors Ronaldo Valdez and Hilda Coronel.

"Para akong nag-acting workshop ulit. Ang dami ko ulit natutunan(It feels like I was into an acting workshop again. I learned a lot of things)," she said.

When asked if she's open to doing another movie with John Lloyd, Bea replied that she prefers to do it in a much later date.

"Gusto ko din kasi kahit papaano eh may baon kami ni John Lloyd tuwing magkakatrabaho kami. Kahit papaano eh makakakuha ako ng kaalaman sa iba din. Mahirap yung lagi na lang kami kasi hindi na siya magiging celebration and special collaboration (I want it to be special every time we do a project together. I want to learn more from other actors. If it's always us, it won't anymore be a celebration and a special collaboration)," she said.

The movie also led critics to compare John Lloyd and Bea's 10-year-old love team with the successful tandem of "Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon in the 80s.

"Mabigat yan pero sana. Sino naman ang hindi papangarapin yung naabot nila? Pero marami pa kaming kakaining bigas talaga (It's hard but I hope so. Who wouldn't dream of reaching their status? However we need to strive more)," Bea said.

"The Mistress" is Bea and John Lloyd's 10th anniversary offering.

Aside from the movie, the two actors will topbill upcoming primetime series "A Beautiful Love Affair," which was partly shot in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria. (Sunnex)