GMA-7 CALLED for a presscon to officially announce Aljur Abrenica playing the title role of “Machete”, their first offering on GMA Telebabad in 2011. The role was coveted by other GMA actors and Aljur is so grateful GMA assigned it to him. “First time I heard about this was 3 years ago and gabi-gabi, I prayed na sana, ako mapili,” he says. “Salamat kay Lord my prayers were answered. I now promise to give my all to be good as Machete. I’m working out everyday to be in shape as I’ll wear only a bahag in most of my scenes.”
The first two “Machete” films were sexy. “This time, we have limitations on TV so walang sex scenes,” says GMA exec Redgie Magno. “But si Aljur, sexy all throughout. He’s our only choice with his chiselled body. Even Seiko Films producer Robbie Tan who did the Machete films said Aljur is the only one perfect for the role. We’ve also modified the story for today’s viewers. We’ll start in the ancient past when Aljur belonged to a tribe of warriors. He was cursed and became a tree. Cut to the present with Bela Padilla as an artist who goes to the woods to sketch. She has this favorite tree who’s actually Aljur. When the tree is cut down, a sculptress played by Ryza Cenon, who goes sexy here, carves the tree and Aljur is reborn as the wooden statue na nabubuhay sa gabi. Also in the cast are Ryan Eigenmann and Rocky Gutierrez as the villains to Aljur. The Machete statue we’ll use in the show is sculpted by no less than National Artist and Father of Modern Scuplture Napoleon Abueva and his son Lawin.”
What can Aljur say about Lolit Solis’ statement that he has overtaken the career of another Stastruck alumnus, Mark Herras? “Hindi naman siguro. I respect Mark a lot as the first Starstruck winner.”
Mark Herras took a voluntary vacation of two months after he got sick due to kidney stones and overfatigue. Mark is now back to work after these illnesses.
