Mariel de Leon changes mind on joining showbiz
Binibining Pilipinas-International 2017 Mariel de Leon signed up with Leo Dominguez’s LVD Management Consultancy and Services on Monday, March 5, at the Blue Rocket Kitchen in Quezon City.
She joins the ranks of LVD’s stable of artists which include Ogie Alcasid, Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino, among others. Mariel said she wants to concentrate on acting after her reign as Bb. Pilipinas-International.
Her first big screen appearance was in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Ang Panday” where she played Coco Martin’s leading lady. She’s now doing a new movie titled “Latay” with Allen Dizon and Lovi Poe for BG Productions International under the direction of Ralston Jover.
She enjoyed doing “Ang Panday” and is looking forward to doing a teleserye. If given a chance, she would like to be part of the top-rating action teleserye “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” which is starred in by Coco.
“Dati parang takot ako sa acting but after doing ‘Ang Panday,’ which I enjoyed so much, I came to like acting na. I learned a lot while doing the film,” said Mariel, adding that she is no longer interested in joining another beauty pageant.
Was she affected by the bashers? “Of course, since that was the first time I was exposed to those type of people. I had a sheltered childhood and after I joined Bb. Pilipinas, the world opened up. But I have accepted the fact that there will always be bashers. Even if you are not in showbiz, there will still be bashers. You can’t please everyone. Just do what you want but don’t expect that everyone will like it. Siguro I will be more careful this time but I won’t stop being myself. I’ll let them (bashers) be na lang,” Mariel said.
The bashers did not make her cry but she was saddened by what her family went through because of the criticism she received.
“I felt bad about that. Yung mga bashers naman di ko kilala so why bother with them. My parents are very supportive of what I do. They just told me to be careful with my words. Their advice was to think first before saying anything,” said the daughter of showbiz couple Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong.
Would she like to act with her parents? “Naku, parang weird to act with my parents kasi they are very good actors, especially my dad who is considered the drama king,” said Mariel.
But she is open to doing a kissing scene, a bed scene or wearing a two-piece bikini if the project calls for it.
Mariel, 24, said she still consults her parents before she decides on anything.
She doesn’t have suitors from showbiz. “I think the guys are intimidated because of my parents,” she
said. But having a love life is furthest from her mind. Making a career in showbiz is her focus.
“We are honored to be part of the Short Film Corner in this year’s Cannes Film Festival again,” said Filipino film director Noel Escondo who is making another trip to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this May.
“I still can’t believe that we are going back to Cannes,” said Escondo after learning the good news from his producers Myk Cruz and Patsy Ferrer of Cut! Print! Productions.
His new short film titled “Alaala” has been accepted as entry to the Short Film Corner of Cannes. It has been a year since Escondo received the official announcement that his film “Nakaw” was accepted as entry to the 70th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. After Cannes, said short film earned awards internationally and locally.
Noel started his career on stage and TV as an actor. Since then he ventured into writing and directing that lasted for 15 years until he decided to move to advertising and became a music video and TVC director.
“Nakaw,” his first short film, went on to win Best Short Film in Gawad Urian 2017 and was a finalist at Cinemalaya.
His new short film “Alaala” was conceived during the Cinema Rehiyon 9 last August 2017 in Compostela Valley. It was part of the 24-hour challenge Guerilla Marathon. “Everything was done within 24 hours from shooting and editing. It was also a part of the 15th Mindanao Film Festival in competition and of Pelikula Calabarzon Filmfest,” he said.
“Alaala” tells the story of a guy who goes home to his province and reminisces about the memories of the woman he loves.
Escondo and his team are excited to be part of Cannes and relive their experience last year.