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Tell me, what’s forever for?

By Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor

11/21/2008

National Artist for Film Eddie Romero once said that if there is one art form that captures life perfectly, it is the cinematic arts. These words played repeatedly in my mind as the latest entertainment brouhaha about the coincidental happenings in the lives of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera unfolded.

The two broke up with their respective partners — he with Karylle Tatlonghari and their three-year-old relationship; she with Ervic Vijandre and their on-again, off-again, seven-year-long relationship.

The main reason for their break-up, he said, was their different priorities, and that the third party angle was purely speculative; he also does not want to divulge the nitty-gritty of their parting out of respect for Kaye.

She, on the other hand, politely declined to answer questions about the split-up since her ex, despite being a basketball star and part-time ramp model, is not from show business and is a very private person.

Both Dantes and Rivera, after their immensely successful pairings in television via their back-to-back successes Marimar and Dyesebel, bring their team-up a notch higher in One True Love with the one and only Iza Calzado, the third angle in this forthcoming love triangle movie.

Entertainment kibitzers are having a field day and are howling that this is a gimmick of the cheapest order to drumbeat the movie, and Dantes reacts, “It has never been my style to use a gimmick to promote a project,” while Rivera defends herself from all the detractors that proclaim her as a scarlet woman by saying, “It is not in my character to steal someone else’s lover.”

Thus, as most questions are left unanswered and the protagonists are asserting their “right to privacy,” one cannot help but wonder: Is art finally imitating life?

The reel story

The most romantic movie of the year, One True Love, comes to the big screen this November and it presents to us Migs (Dantes), childhood friend and long-time boyfriend of Bella (Calzado). All is well in their relationship until Bella decides to move to another country and the long distance relationship fizzles.

Migs then gets a new chance of love with Joy (Rivera). Their feelings for each other grow deeper and they plan to get married soon. Without the couple’s knowledge, Bella is back in Manila is now more determined to recapture the heart of her first and only love.

With this development, things get complicated as Migs must choose between Bella and Joy.

“I know from the start that people will wonder why I agreed to do be the third person in the love triangle. When I read the script, I thought it would be foolish not to accept the role of Bella since it is really a well-written character,” shares Iza. “The whole story of the movie will not be complete without Bella so that is the most challenging part about being her, how do I give life to this lady, how do I extract sympathy from the audiences and let them see that she is not a bad person. She is just consumed with the love she still has for Migs, and that she is driven to do everything to recapture or see for herself if there is still a chance for them. You know, as a human being, you commit mistakes, you allow your emotions to engulf you, and then at some point you will find the peace to choose the right decision.”

Picking the right decision is emotionally difficult for Migs. “Well, you see, Migs is confronted by a woman from his past, with whom he shared a lot of history, and the present woman in his life, with whom he is just starting to write their history,” shares Dantes.“It feels great that role requires a lot of emotional maturity from me. Also, I am acting with two of the finest actresses that we have nowadays so I always have to be in my best element.”

If he were Migs in real life, who would he choose: Bella or Joy? “Of course I will follow my heart. At the end of the day, our heart is where our happiness lies,” Dantes says.

Speaking of happiness, Marian is very happy that she has her work — her therapy for the past three months.“Right now my priority is my work and I love it very much. Also, with all the things that are happening and coming my way, I’m not saying that being in a relationship is a distraction, but I’d rather focus and concentrate on working.”

Will she ever wish that she and Dingdong would fall for real? “I don’t want to end my sentence with a period because no one knows if we will ever get to that point. But as of today, I don’t think it is wise to answer that, especially now. Masyado ring mabigat ang ibig sabihin na mag-fall. Any girl would fall for Dong, that is for sure, but it doesn’t mean that I am falling for him. My conscience is clean.”

The real deal

On the heels of One True Love’s exhaustive publicity blitz, the break-up of the Dingdong and Karylle relationship is undoubtedly the most unexpected blitzkrieg the producers must contend with.

As of press time, Kaye is hell-bent on moving forward. After a much-needed respite in a retreat house in Baguio, she is wrapping up her previous Kapuso commitments such as singing the Philippine national anthem in the Manny Pacquio — Oscar de la Hoya, and her singing/hosting/and appearances in various GMA 7 shows. Her career is under new management. The last musical she starred in is also set to have an Asian tour.

The separation of Dingdong and Kaye brings much sadness to those who witnessed how the relationship bloomed and blossomed. The reason cited for the demise (having different priorities) doesn’t seem to hold weight, knowing the fact that the former couple dealt with the pressures and intrigues that came their way as Dingdong’s career ascended to its stellar status.

That is why the accusation of the break-up as a publicity ploy refuses to simmer down and no amount of explanation from Dantes can sway the public opinion that this is a gimmick.

The biggest question now is will this disclosure affect the box-office chances of this highly anticipated movie? Will the public sympathize with Karylle Tatlonghari and offer as a form of consolation boycott One True Love? Or will they continue to embrace and love the Dingdong and Marian team-up in spite of everything that has been written, said and done?

To this Dantes (who hopes that he and Kaye remain friends and laments her transfer to the other network) has a confident answer. “This is a beautiful movie. I can say that it would remind people of the classic romantic dramas that we all grew up with; it has a lot of heart and passion. Definitely a must-see.”

One True Love, under the direction of Mac Alejandre, is a co-production venture of GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, with regular screening starting on Nov. 19 in theaters nationwide.