Jomari happy to be part of Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig

JOMARI YLLANA’S Fearless Productions brings in foreign artists to do shows in Manila. What can he say about the proposal of local artists to limit such concerts here and make its producers pay higher taxes? “Lahat naman yan, daraan sa lawmakers natin and whatever is approved by law, hindi kami kokontrang mga producer,” he says. “Basta kung ano ang makakabuti for local artists, susunod kami. Actually, we also aim to produce the concerts of local artists to help them.”

Jomari plays a good role in “Ikaw ang Pag-ibig” as a supportive doctor who marries Ina Feleo even if she has a dark past. The film is Director Marilou Abaya’s homage to Ina, the Virgin of Penafrancia in Naga, after she recovered from breast cancer in 2007. She also produced it with the Archbishop of Caceres, Most Reverend Leonardo Legaspi. Marilou got a standing ovation after its preview that was attended by two national artists, Eddie Romero for film and Bien Lumbera for literature. Marilou’s own son, David, is the cinematographer. Her other son, the actor-singer Marc, was also there to support their mom, with good friend Laurice Guillen who’s the mom of lead actress Ina Feleo. Endorsed by the CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines) and rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, “Ikaw ang Pag-ibig” will first be exhibited to students in various colleges then open nationwide on February 23, to be released by Star Cinema.

Jomari is happy to be part of the film as he comes from a family of priests that extends to five generations back in Bicol. His great grandmother, Maria, was the official dresser of Ina during her time. “I’ve experienced being a part of the Penafrancia Festival in September when I was younger,” he says. “Kasama ako sa prusisyon. Kaya I’m proud to be part of ‘Ikaw ang Pag-ibig’ that shows the devotion of Bicolanos to Ina.”