Who ‘ghost’ there?
Maxine Medina shares what she believes was paranormal encounter while Ashley Ortega reveals how director Jose Reyes placed a chill in their hearts while filming ‘Spirit’ 2
Maxine Medina shares what she believes was paranormal encounter while Ashley Ortega reveals how director Jose Reyes placed a chill in their hearts while filming ‘Spirit’ 2
To those who don’t believe in ghosts, Maxine Medina has story to share in time for Halloween. One of the lead stars of horror film “Spirit Of The Glass 2: The Haunted” revealed she once lived in her grandmother’s house built on a former cemetery, just a short walk from Balete Drive in New Manila.
According to Maxine, her mom and aunts would always share experiences about paranormal activities “kaya takot po talaga ako sa multo.”
“Minsan po may na-kwento ’yung mom ko… kasi nu’ng bata po siya, madalas siya ’yung naiiwan sa bahay. So one time, nakaupo po siya sa sala, tapos meron po siyang yaya, nakita niyang umaakyat ng hagdan – pero parang palutang. Tapos lumingon po sa kanya na sobrang ibang-iba ’yung mukha, talagang ang creepy daw po ng itsura,” she recalled.
Well, her grandmother’s birthday falls on Nov. 1, All Saints Day, that’s why Maxine isn’t surprised that lola is into ghost stories. What are her plans this Halloween, we asked. “Since birthday po ng lola ko, before we celebrate pupunta po muna kami sa cemetery to visit ’yung other relatives namin na nag-pass away,” she said. “Then after ay may kainan sa house then magro-rosary po kami at 7 p.m.”
This is it
Maxine has always been vocal about joining showbiz after winning in the Binibining Pilipinas last year.
It was her cousin, actress Dianne Medina, who encouraged her to do so.
“Matagal na rin po akong pinipilit ni Ate Diane, kasi siguro po nakikita niya na may potensyal din akong (maging artista),” she said. She even recalled Diane “training” her to cry in front of electric fan. “Pinapaharap niya kaming magpi-pinsan sa electric fan tapos imo-motivate niya kaming umiyak. Pero ’pag ’di po namin nagawa, sasampalin niya kami,” she said, laughing.
Now that she finally stars in the film “The Haunted,” which opens in theaters tomorrow, Maxine expressed excitement. She considers it her biggest break so far.
We also echoed what director Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes said about Maxine’s acting prowess. According to him, Maxine was very easy to direct because she gets easily scared.
The 27-year-old beauty queen-turned-actress divulged she is more than ready to face the online bashers who’ll likely pick on her acting this time.
“Bata pa lang po ako binu-bully na ako, marami na po akong na-ex- perience na ganyan,” she shared. “Kaya nga po siguro nu’ng nag-pageant ako, dedma na lang ako sa mga sinasabi ng tao. At ngayon naman po na nasa showbiz ako, I guess prepared na rin po akong harapin ’yung mga sasabihin nila about me.”
On things that go bump in the night
Meanwhile, Maxine’s co-star Ashley Ortega also considers her stint in “The Haunted” the biggest role she’s ever had.
Ashley has been in the industry for four years now. She already did films in the past but “puro small roles lang po.” A viral fast food commercial paved the way for Ashley’s career to level up. She is thankful to have been given the chance to work with Joey. Asked about their preparations for their respective roles, Maxine and Ashley shared it helps that Direk Joey didn’t allow them to see the set design before they started shooting the scenes. “Everytime na nagse-setup po sila wala kami so hindi namin alam ’yung itsura or kung ano ’yung mga props na babagsak kaya ang nangyari po naging natural ’yung takot namin,” Maxine related. “Even ’yung itsura ng mga ghosts hindi po namin alam. Kaya naturally nagugulat kami kapag nakikita na namin sa eksena,” Ashley added. Joey describes the film as “very disturbing.” Why so, we asked the two. “Maraming nakakagulat na scenes po. Hindi siya normal na horror film na very cliché. May mga bago na aabangan and sobrang thrilling po.”
Sorry, no
Maxine and Ashley are not ready to do sexy roles, at least for now. “18 pa lang po ako. I think I’m too young for that (sexy scenes). At tsaka siguro if ever man, siguro kailangan ko muna mag-ask ng permission sa parents ko,” Ashley said. For Maxine, it is her way of respecting her parents’ wish. “Although sanay naman po akong mag-swimsuit pero simula po kasi nu’ng pumasok ako ng showbiz, sinabihan na po ako ng papa ko na ‘’Wag naman ibigay lahat,’” she explained. “Ang family ko po ay very conservative din kaya bilang respeto na lang din po sa parents ko, hindi ko gagawin (magpa-sexy).”