Juday happy for Iza

GMA Films gave a victory party to celebrate the huge box office success of its horror flick, “Ouija,” that earned P60 million on its first week of nationwide release. “Walang padding ‘yan,” the producers say.

Because it’s a hit, a sequel is now being prepared

with the same cast, to be filmed partly in the U.S. So it succeeded even if they were not allowed to promote at ABS? “I guess we have to thank the press for its positive remarks about the film,” says Judy Ann Santos. “Malaki ang naging hatak niyon sa tao.”

Iza Calzado was at the party, looking so beautiful that writers told her she already has the aura of a Hollywood star. She’s leaving on August 20, for the filming of “Echo,” directed by Yam Laranas and we tell her we wish this would be the start of her career in Hollywood.

“Sabi nga ni Direk Yam, magdala na ako ng maraming pictures for my portfolio so we can get a good agent at makapag-audition ako sa iba pang Hollywood projects,” she says. “Meantime, araw-araw akong nagti-taping ngayon for advanced episodes of ‘Impostora,’ para naman may maipa-labas dito kahit I’m working abroad.”

What can her “Ouija” co-star say about her doing a film in Hollywood? “I’m personally proud of her,” says Juday. “She deserves it kasi mahusay siyang makisama at talaga namang ang ganda niya, parang Latina, di ba? Puwedeng-puwede siya sa Hollywood and I can see makakatawid talaga siya roon easily.”

Doesn’t she dream of also making it in Hollywood? “Ay, hindi po. Happy na ako rito. Tanggap ko nang hindi ako papasa dun. Dito na lang ako at mas mahal ako ng mga tao rito,” Juday says with amazing sincerity.
Mario E. Bautista
People's Journal