Naunang pumirma ng movie contract ang bagong Kapuso star na si Carla Abellana para sa Regal Films bago pa man siya i-launch ng GMA-7. At ngayong pumapalo na sa ratings ang launching soap nitong Rosalinda sa GMA-7, ka-partner si Geoff Eigenmann, minabuti na rin ng mag-inang Lily Monteverde at Roselle Monteverde-Teo na i-launch si Carla sa pelikula sa pamamagitan ng isang horror comedy-Ang Nanay Kong Aswang.
Last year pa nabuo ang kuwento ng pelikula na para sana kina Ai-Ai delas Alas at Eugene Domingo. Hindi pumuwede si Ai-Ai at si Eugene ang ipinalit sa kanya, habang si Rubirubi naman ang kukuha ng papel sana ni Eugene. Hindi na rin pumuwede si Eugene dahil sa sigalot ng kampo niya sa Regal, tuluyan na itong pinagpahinga.
Sa darating na Metro Manila Film Festival 2009, balitang apat sa walong kalahok na pelikula ay may aswang element. Ang Star Cinema at Viva Films, parehong naghahanap ng proyekto para kay Pokwang na may temang aswang. Dahil dito, minabuti ng Regal na gamitin ang mahigit isang taon nang script at ibinigay ito kay Joel Lamangan para maging launching movie ni Carla.
Si Carla ang gaganap na panganay na anak ng aswang, at siya pa lang ang sure cast sa pelikula. End of July na ito magsisimula ng shooting.
From nurturing a five-year relationship in relative anonymity—they met when Carla was a college freshman in De La Salle University and JC was a basketball player in Ateneo de Manila University—Carla was suddenly thrust into the limelight as she bagged the title role in GMA-7's Rosalinda. The demands of the job clearly took toll on the relationship.
"I was starting to observe what he had been going through [since I joined showbiz, so] we talked about it," she tells Cosmo. "He's giving me time to deal with the pressure of the business."
Carla is not closing her doors on JC though.
"He has brought so much joy into my life," she says. "[And] we're still in touch... Time off lang talaga but not naman goodbye forever."
The time apart will allow her to hone her craft in the industry she never really thought she would enter. "I really want to concentrate on my job," she says. "I want to focus on my projects. I want to be a better actress."
Helping her through the wild ride that is showbiz is onscreen partner Geoff Eigenmann, who is also among the special men in Carla's life. As she admits that he is special to her, does this mean that a romance is waiting in the wings?
"Well, he admitted that he has a crush on me," she shyly tells Cosmo. "Of course, di ba, when you work with somebody, iba yung bonding."
Although she would prefer not to get into a showbiz romance, she also admits that the possibility is always there.
"People in show business are also just... people. They're also human. They're capable of loving as well, so you'll never know," she points out, "But with the schedule? Naku, hindi puwede talaga!"
Read more about Carla and find out who made it to this year's list of 69 Bachelors and 10 celebrity Centerfolds by grabbing your copy of Cosmopolitan, available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets nationwide. For behind-the-scenes photos and videos of Carla's first Cosmo pictorial, visit www.Cosmo.ph.
Want to feel the love online? Take a look at the sweetest photos of Carla and Geoff!
More love and inspiration after the jump!
Just one name took the entire crowd at A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City last week to make a loud buzz on GMA Network. And she’s not even a big star yet. The network just introduced her to the advertisers during its GMA Valentine Partnership Party, which, according to Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, was to celebrate and strengthen ties with its valued partners in the trade.
The event was the brainchild of GMA Marketing and Productions Inc., which was actually the network’s way of expressing its gratitude to the advertisers for their continued and unwavering support to the Kapuso Network.
Yet, the buzz was on that pretty lady in a fuchsia strapless gown called on stage when the network presented its upcoming shows for the year.
The shows would be a mix of localized series, new seasons of existing shows, and more innovative shows that the network anticipates would sit well with its loyal viewers.
The young lady was called as the star the network has been waiting for to star in the Filipinization of the Mexican telenovela.
Before she was introduced to the guests at the all-star party, the some members of the audience had the chance to be contestants in Family Feud. Everyone went under the spell of host Richard Gomez who was at the time was extra charming.
The ladies went gaga playing the feisty Proserfina in a game that recreated a scene from the pilot episode of Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking tadyang. Dingdong Dantes had the girls in the audience swooning over him as Homer.
Now, back to the girl in fuchsia, she was Carla Abellana and she was in the spotlight when she was introduced as the star to play the lead role in the localized version of Rosalinda. The former commercial model is the latest artist to join GMA’s stable of dynamic and talented actors and actresses.
A year ago, rumors had it that Marian Rivera (after Marimar and Dyesebel) would return to the telenovela mode. But since she is back on the small screen with perennial leading man Dingdong Dantes in Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, she has given up all aspirations to be the queen of Filipinized Mexican telenovelas.
At the party, along with Kapuso stars, like Richard Gutierrez, Dantes, Regine Velasquez, Robin Padilla, Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gomez, Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Jean Garcia, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Alfred Vargas, Dennis Trillo, Heart Evangelista, JC de Vera, Rhian Ramos, all of whom went on Full force
GMA’s formidable News and Public Affairs team also came in full force with Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio, Vicky Morales, Mike Enriquez and Jiggy Manicad leading the pack.
The party saw over a thousand crowd packing the A. Venue Hall. It was a mixed crowd of businessmen, Kapuso artists, and the network’s top officers headed by Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman, president and CEO; Gilberto R. Duavit, EVP and COO; Manuel P. Quiogue, GMA Marketing and Productions president and COO; Joel G. Jimenez, SVP GMA Marketing and Productions; Felipe S. Yalong, SVP for Corporate Services; Wilma V. Galvante, SVP for Entertainment; Marissa L. Flores, SVP for News and Public Affairs; Mike C. Enriquez, SVP for Radio; Marivin Arayata, VP for Entertainment; Butch S. Raquel, VP for Corporate Communications among others.
The event, which carried the theme “Valentine Partnership,” concluded with a huge raffle draw and was hosted by Paolo Bediones.
