Pokwang's Director And American Co-Actors All Praises For Her After Doing 'Edsa Woolworth'

DIRECTOR JOHN-D LAZATIN first directed Pokwang in “A Mother’s Story”. They’re now reunited in “Edsa Woolworth”, both produced by TFC or The Filipino Channel, and he said that when they conceptualized the project, they have no other actress in mind to play the title role except Pokwang.

“The role is tailor made for her kaya wala nang iba pang makakagawa nito,” says Direk John-D. “After ‘Mother’s Story’, I really looked forward to work with her again and I’m glad nangyari yun dito sa ‘Edsa Woolworth’.”

How did he recruit the American actors in the movie: Steve Spohn as Pokwang’s foster dad, Prince Saruhan as her youngest brother and Lee O’Brian as her leading man. “We had open auditions. Si Steve, bagay na bagay talaga sa role. Si Prince, yung role niya, parang what he went through in real life. He was born in Manila at hinahanap niya ang tunay niyang ama. Ganundin siya as Paco in the story. As for Lee, may una kaming nakuha but biglang nag-back out. Steve introduced Lee to me and I sent his picture to Pokwang, na nagustuhan naman siya agad.”

We ask Lee how is it working with Pokwang. “Working with her, she’s absolutely professional. She really comes every day prepared. And she’s still smiling even after working straight for 16 hours. She’s very inspiring. We have great collaboration between us. As for her English dialect, they make fun of it but to be honest, she speaks better than half of the American people I know. Not bad at all. She’s really a pleasure to work with.”

Lee says he also enjoyed working with the Filipino crew members and with U.S. based Pinoy actor Lee Robin Salazar who now hosts the show “Adobo Nation” on TFC who plays Ricci Chan’s love interest. “Filipinos are so nice to work with. Always smiling. It’s my first time to visit your country and I’m very impressed. I’m looking forward to visiting your beaches here.”

Pokwang treated him and his co-actors to dinner in her own house last Friday night. They’re scheduled to go to Boracay after the film’s premiere night this coming Tuesday and its opening in theatres on Wednesday.