AZI ACOSTA and Benz Sangalang have been paired before in “Sex Games” where they play religious young who were forced to do sexual acts to earn money to help solve their financial woes.
They’re now together again in Direk Daniel Palacio’s “Hugot”, which is about barangay basketball leagues in the provinces and is now streaming on Vivamax. So what are their roles in the movie?
“I play Cocoy,” says Benz. “Kilala sa town namin as a good basketball player, pero ang father ko, played by Julio Diaz, walang bilib sa akin.
"Mas supportive ang mother ko, played by Isadora. Madalas, hinuhugot ako ng manager ko to play with other teams para manalo sila.”
But his father got sick and his family had many financial problems.
"“Napilitan akong gumawa ng masama involving drugs and gambling and it becomes a totally new ball game for me.
"I gave my best in this movie kasi after playing supporting and contravida roles, I am given the chance to play the lead role here.
"This is also the sexiest film I’ve done. Ito ang pinakamarami kong sex scenes.
"Tatlo silang naka-love scene ko rito: Azi Acosta, Stephanie Raz and Apple Castro. Kunsaan-saan kami nagtalik, pati sa basketball court.”
How does he feel doing such sexy scenes and what can he say about Vivamax detractors who censure its sexy flicks?
“Masaya naman ako sa ginagawa ko. No regrets kasi mas kumikita ako ngayon kaysa dati. At nagkapangalan din ako.
"Yung mga nanghuhusga opinyon nila yon, s0 we respect it. Basta ako, ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko. Pangarap ko talaga ang mag-artista at natutupad ko na ngayon ang pangarap kong yon.”
What about Azi? What’s her role in “Hugot”? “Ako yung muse ng team nina Benz na naging girlfriend niya,” she says.
How does she feel that she’s said to be the new Vivamax Queen with the huge success of her movies “Pamasahe” and “Suki”?
“Hala, totoo ba?” she laughs. “Ang akala ko kasi, runner up lang ako. Sa tingin ko, lahat kami sa Vivamax, queens kami. Wala naman kaming competition and I just hope na magtuloy-tuloy lang ang success ng lahat ng movies sa Vivamax.”
She enjoys working with Benz in “Hugot”. “Si Benz kasi, respectful. Tipong totropahin siya at hindi jojowain, kasi ang tingin ko sa kanya is kuya ko siya rito sa industry.”
It’s her first time to work with Direk Daniel Palacio. How is it? “He’s okay kasi he gives us freedom to adlib, para maging natural daw ang reactions namin on cam.”
Direk Dan says she has great potential as her kind of acting is very natural. “I can see she has a bright future in the industry,” he adds.
How does she feel about this? “Siempre, nakakatuwang mapuri. But I don’t put it sa ulo kasi baka lumaki ulo ko, e dapat, humble lang lagi.”
How sexy is “Hugot”?
“It’s very daring, but siempre, no private parts. The sex scenes are really connected to the story. Hindi ko naman ito tatanggapin kung basta mababastos lang ako rito.”
And what can she say to those who bash sexy stars?
“Sa mga nagja-judge sa amin, ok lang, opinyon nila yun, pero sana huwag nilang basta hindi i-judge ang buong pagkatao ko. Childhood dream ko talaga ang mag-artista and sana, temporary lang ito, stepping stone at mabigyan din ng chance na gumawa ng mainstream movie.”
