Temptation Island stars of today are luckier than the stars of the original film

RUFA MAE QUINTO is thankful she was able to consult the actress who originally played her role as the maid in “Temptation Island”, Deborah Sun. “Naging textmate ko siya kasi tinatanong ko siya about our role,” she says. “I asked for tips at very helpful naman siya.”

“Mas masuwerte sila ngayon kaysa sa’ming cast members ng original film,” says Deborah. “When we shot it in Ilocos noong 1980, malaking dusa kasi we stayed there for one month, walang uwian dito sa Manila hanggang natapos ang shooting. Tumira kaming lahat nina Azenith Briones, Dina Bonnevie, Jennifer Cortez at Bambi Arambulo sa iisang kuwarto lang sa Texicano Hotel, parang dorm style, at madaling araw pa lang, ginigising na kami ng late Director Joey Gosiengfiao para magpunta na kami doon sa location na desert sa Paoay. Wala pang cellfones noon kaya kung gusto naming tumawag sa Manila, pupunta pa kami sa Laoag na sakay ng karetela at doon kami makikitawag sa post office doon.”

How does she feel that the film is remade after 31 years? “Siempre nakakatuwang maging part ng isang movie na naging cult classic through the years. Hindi namin akalain na magiging very popular ito lalo sa mga advertising people at sa mga bading na ginagaya-gaya ang characters doon. I’m sure nakatawa si Direk Joey wherever he is now. At ang maganda, kasama rin ako dito sa remake as I play the mother of Solenn Heussaff. O, puede kong i-claim na kasama ako in both the original and the remake, along with Azenith.”