Now, following in her footsteps is Gretchen Barretto, who’s tapped to play the lead role of Victoria in “The Diplomat Hotel”, also an entry in the Cinemalaya filmfest written and directed by Chris Castillo, son of the late Celso Ad. Castillo. Chris has appeared in his dad’s movie in 1986, “Bagets Gang”, then migrated to the U.S.
No, Gov. Vi and Gretchen won’t be competing in the Cinemalaya best actress category. Gov. Vi’s entry is in the Director’s Showcase category for veteran directors since her director, Jeffrey Jeturian, has helmed several other movies before. Gretchen’s entry is in the New Breed category since Chris Castillo is a newbie director. It’ll be recalled that Cinemalaya entries are financed by Tonyboy Cojuangco, the inamorato of Gretchen for so many years now.
Gov. Vi plays an oppressed TV extra in her movies. Gretchen plays a disgraced reporter who wants to redeem herself by doing a documentary on the Diplomat, a haunted hotel in Baguio that is said to have an evil past. Gretchen’s role is said to be so challenging it can be a career-turning one that might give her her first best actress award ever, and not just because she’s Mr. Cojuangco’s partner.
Atty. Joji Alonzo of Quantum Films is full producer of Gov. Vi’s movie and co-producer of Gretchen’s movie.
