Enrique Gil asks fans not to bash Julia Barretto

MANILA – Enrique Gil finally weighed in after fans bashed his newest leading lady, Julia Barretto, online after it was announced that he will work opposite the actress in the series “Mira Bella.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, Gil urged his supporters, as well as fans of his former leading lady Julia Montes, to spare Barretto from bashing because his “Mira Bella” stint is purely a management decision.

“Sa concert day ko mismo, doon ko in-announce na gagawin ko 'yung ‘Mira Bella.’ Doon nagwala 'yung mga fans. Wala tayong magagawa kasi decision ng management. We can’t please all the fans naman. Trabaho naman ito,” he said.

Gil said he is just hoping that his supporters would still continue to support him even if he won’t be working with Montes for the meantime.

Aside from Gil and Barretto, "Mira Bella" will also feature Sam Concepcion.

“Sa mga fans namin ni Julia (Montes), kung puwede suportahan ako sa show ko, tapos si Julia sa show niya. Tapos if ever in the future, why not? For sure magkakatrabaho kami ulit sa future,” he said.

Gil admitted he got affected when he learned about the reaction of some of his fans.

“Sino ba naman gustong may nag-aaway or nagkakagulo? Siyempre gusto mo lahat masaya. Sinasabi ko naman sa fans na relax lang. Alam naman kasi nila na from the start, ayaw ko na nag-aaway ang mga fans,” he said.

Gil said he also talked to Barretto about the matter.

“Sabi ko sa kanya na huwag na intindihin, okay lang iyon. Siyempre hindi nila maiintindihan kasi hindi nila alam 'yung nangyayari sa showbiz. Sabi ni Julia, ‘Okay lang sanay na ako diyan,’” he related.

Gil is hoping “Mira Bella” would be a hit since this will be his first team-up with Barretto.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why ABS-CBN shelved Julia Barretto's 'Cofradia'

Young actress thrilled over new project 'Mira Bella'

MANILA -- For the first time, young actress Julia Barretto has directly addressed the reason behind the cancellation of her debut series "Cofradia."

Speaking with reporters during a press conference for her new product endorsement early this week, the 16-year-old actress explained that the series' storyline drew criticisms for alleged racism.

"Madami po kasing nagreklamo about racism, and ABS-CBN and Dreamscape (Entertainment Television), they really listen sa audience, sa viewers and everybody," Barretto said.

At the time it was unveiled in May, "Cofradia" was introduced as a series based on the Dominador Ad Castillo novel of the same title, which had film adaptations in 1953 and 1973.

The story centers on Cofradia, a young woman who is afraid to fall in love because of her dark complexion. With the help of a magic candle, she eventually transforms into a beautiful lady.

In July, a press conference was held announcing Barretto would instead star in the lead role of a new, original series titled "Mira Bella."

During the same event, Dreamscape's AdProm Head, Biboy Arboleda, explained that "Cofradia" was indeed shelved as it risked negatively affecting Barretto's launching vehicle as leading lady.

"They decided to pursue, they decided na gawin nalang 'Mira Bella' with an original story na dapat abangan, dahil sobrang ganda ng kwento niya," Barretto told reporters early this week.

"Wala [akong panghihinayang]. I mean, it's equally exciting, equally beautiful, sobrang ganda. I'm so excited na po ako na mapanood ninyo. Ang ganda ng storya," she added.

Also billed as a fantaserye, "Mira Bella" will see its title character struggle to overcome a curse.

Joining Barretto in the series as her leading men are Diego Loyzaga and Kiko Estrada.

Directed by Erick Salud ("Aryana," "May Isang Pangarap") and Jerome Pobocan ("Mara Clara," "May Bukas Pa"), the series also stars Liza Soberano, Gloria Diaz, Mylene Dizon, Pokwang and John Lapus. Its target airing date has yet to be announced.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com