After eight years in showbiz, Ritz Azul finally gets her biggest break yet.
She top bills the upcoming romantic comedy movie The Hopeful Romantic under Regal Entertainment, Inc., opposite breakthrough actor Pepe Herrera.
Highly identified in drama, the 24-year-old actress explains that she is excited to try her hand in comedy on the big screen.
Her first venture in this genre is through ABS-CBN's Sunday comedy show, Banana Sunday.
But between drama and comedy, Ritz says that comedy is harder to do.
“Actually, mas sanay ako sa drama, pero buti na lang medyo naturuan na ako ni Direk Bobot [Mortiz] sa Banana Sunday bago gawin itong movie na 'to,” the actress explains.
“Masayang gawin ang comedy, pero totoo ngang mas mahirap gawin ito kesa sa drama.”
However, she asserts that she is up to the challenge and is doing her best.
She also reveals that her role in The Hopeful Romantic is edgier compared to the roles she has portrayed before.
In the movie, Ritz portrays the role of Veronica, a gold-digger.
“Sobrang kakaiba ang role ko ngayon. Nakakatawa nga kasi pinanood ko sa mga kaibigan ko, sa nanay ko, lahat ng may kakilala sa akin yung trailer tapos sabi nila, 'Asan si Ritz doon? Di ko makita. Sobrang ibang-iba ka,' Gano'n ang comment nila sa akin.”
She continues, “Actually, habang nagda-dubbing ako, kinikilabutan ako sa mga pinagsasasabi ko sa mga kinikilos ko doon. Hindi ko talaga makita ang sarili ko.”
However, she is thankful to her director, Topel Lee and the production team for helping her out pull off her character.
She is also thankful to have Pepe as her leading man, whom Ritz has nothing but good words for.
“Sobrang gaan katrabaho ni Pepe kasi ang saya din. Nakikipag-collab talaga siya sa writer, sa producer, sa director. Lahat ng ideas niya para mapaganda yung movie talagang sini-share niya.
“Pati sa co-actors niya open siya, sobrang professional.”
Ritz is also grateful to establish rapport with Pepe for this project.
“Parang nagsu-shoot kami merong connection. Habang nandon kami sa characters namin, minsan kahit mata lang nag-uusap na kami."
Ritz adds about her leading man, “Sobrang ang pinakanatutunan ko sa kanya hindi siya titigil sa take o kahit paulit-ulit pa yan, para mapaganda yung scene.”
The actress also takes pride in saying that The Hopeful Romantic is a project, which teaches a valuable lesson.
She explains what valuable life lesson teaches, “Unang-una just be yourself, huwag kang magpanggap. Dapat huwag ka magkunwari. Ipakita mo lang kung sino ka talaga, kasi yun ang mamahalin sa'yo ng tao.
“Kung nagpanggap kang ibang tao at minahal ka, hindi ikaw ang totoong minahal.
As Veronica, Ritz portrays a kept woman in the high society world and a woman who tries to survive despite being difficult life she has gone through.
Then one day, he meets Jess (Pepe Herrera), a valet parking assistant at a posh hotel, who is also honest and most of all, a virgin. He promised himself that he will only give himself when he already found his true love.
Jess meets Veronica gets mesmerized by her presence. One thing lead to another, and Veronica gave Jess the “first time”. Jess, believing in the magic of what happened between them, decides that Veronica is his one true love.
However, there is one problem; Veronica has no idea that he is not rich. Afraid that revealing himself will make him lose Veronica, Jess starts to pretend the part. He kept on doing this until his resources spill away. The inevitable happens, and Veronica learns the truth about Jess.
Tagged as the sexy comedian, The Hopeful Romantic is the first film of Pepe in a lead role.
The Hopeful Romantic opens September 12, 2010. The funniest romantic film of the season is directed by Topel Lee.
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