New love team in Mga Batang Bangketa
Date:?3/2/2006 8:21:43 AM
Source:Manila Standard

In these days of crass commercialism, it?s good to know that there are still a few noteworthy films that depict heartwarming stories about love, friendship, and traditional Filipino family values.

One of these is Mga Batang Bangketa, Rosas Entertainment Films? maiden offering, which stars Camille Prats and Marco Alcaraz. It is slated to open this week.

Directed by Angelito ?AJ? de Guzman, Mga Batang Bangketa is an adaptation of Batang Bangketa of the late Armando de Guzman Sr. several decades back. It starred a very young Vilma Santos.

Even prior to its premiere, the tear-jerking drama had already earned the nod of the Department of Education. As a token of appreciation, the movie?s producer, Menchu Rodriguez-Suntay, has earmarked the proceeds of the movie?s premiere for the constituents of the Haven for Street Children, Hospicio de San Jose, and Nayong Kabataan.

It?s the movie?s endearing story of love, triumph, and survival that instantly tugged at Camille?s heartstrings. ?I?m glad to know that there are still some strong-willed, independent producers out there with a strong passion for quality films that portray positive values,? she exclaims. ?And I was flattered that they sought me out as their lead star for their very first movie. How can you say no to that??

Interestingly, Mga Batang Bangketa finds Camille shedding her sweetly saccharine, bubblegum image as she makes her full transition to womanhood. The little girl everyone loved as Princess Sarah is now ready to take on more mature and challenging roles, such as the destitute but hardy Clarissa who is forced to take to the streets for her siblings? survival.

?I play the daughter of Juan Rodrigo and Melissa Mendez,? she explains. ?An unfortunate turn of events finds us moving to the shanties, where I act as surrogate mother to my siblings.?

?Street life can make or break you,? Camille adds. ?We were just lucky that we crossed paths with Arnie (played by fast-rising dramatic actor Marco Alcaraz) who makes us realize that we should never abandon our principles and values.?

?Most of the film was shot in Escolta and Sta. Cruz, Manila,? she points out. ?That added a lot to creating the right look and feel. Of course, we?re also grateful that direk AJ took off a lot of the pressures that cropped up during the shoots.?

For his part, Marco plays the cunning, street-smart toughie with a rather distorted sense of justice and values. However ironic, he redeems himself in the end as he throws his full support to Camille and her brood and even falls in love.

?The key to survival,? says the tall, athletic ex-cager, ?is to stick to your core values and beliefs and make them work. Even in the midst of hardships, love, family, and friendship will ultimately prevail.?

The onscreen chemistry between Marco and Camille instantly betrays an affinity forged by earlier pairings. Keen showbiz watchers should know that the two are also the lead stars of QTV-11?s family-oriented sitcom, Ganda Ng Lola Ko!

?We?ve been friends even before that,? Marco remarks, ?that?s why it was much easier to work out the right vibe for this movie.?

Though initially pegged for inclusion in last year?s Metro Manila Film Festival, Mga Batang Bangketa found itself giving way to the bigger, more established production outfits.

Maybe it?s a blessing in disguise,? Camille says. ?As long as we?re sending the right message to the fans and moviegoers, we?re confident that the movie will find its right market. We just hope that this becomes a fruitful pilot venture for Rosas Films, and that this will also open a big window for other fledgling, independent producers as well.?