ALEXA MIRO is tapped by Director Erik Matti to play the lead role in his new movie, “A Girl + A Boy”, to be shown streaming as an original Upstream.ph offering starting June 24. So how did she start in showbiz?
“Bata pa ako, I’ve always wanted to become an actress,” she says. “Papansin ako noon, I go up the table to sing ‘Ispageting Pababa’.
"I was taking up masscomm in La Salle when I was discovered to do TV commercials, then Direk Ted Boborol of ABS-CBN got me to do a role in the soap, ‘Araw-Gabi’, and on TV5, I hosted a show ‘Fill in the Blank’. I’m now managed by Dondon Monteverde.”
She has daring love scenes in her first film. How was she convinced to do them?
“I’m already 24 years old and I can now make decisions for myself. I’m ready to give my all alang-alang sa craft ko, sa art. Direk Erik explained everything to me and when I read the script, I really liked it.
"It’s not just a love story, it’s not just about sex, it’s more a relationship story about millennials and I can identify with my character, Fiona, an aspiring writer na ambitious, go-getter, gives hear all to what she does.”
She can identify with Fiona.
“Like her, marami na rin akong pinagdaanan sa love because, like Fiona, I’m a giver. I always try to be selfless in a relationship. I give it all my best. I think about 90 percent of her, ako yun. And I give my 200 percent best to being an actress.
"Gusto kong pagbutihin ito, so I welcome all its risks and challenges to do justice to the story. I gave myself fully to the role as I want to be a good actress and win acting awards. I want to stay here for good na kahit 70 years old na ako, umaarte pa rin ako as this is really what I want to to.”
How is it working with Rob Gomez? “We met lang when the movie was cast. Pero naging comfortable agad at maagan ang loob ko sa kanya as he’s very friendly.
"Lumalim ang friendship namin as the shooting went on, nagtutulungan kami. We help each other with our lines, and how to trigger our emotions in doing our scenes together Magaling siya, malayo mararating niya.”
Did they have a sensuality workshop since they’ll do sexy scenes?
“No workshops whatsoever. May briefing naman si Direk Erik and he just wants us to be as real and raw as possible. I never imagined myself doing such scenes but I just trusted him.
"Rob is a gentleman and after each take sa love scene, kino-coveran niya ako agad. We take care of each other kasi mahirap gawin ang movie.The stylist naman, tinatakpan kami agad kasi we’re both naked.
"The movie is not for the faint-hearted, kasi sobrang tapang niya. But it’s just what real life is and you will see yourself in the characters we play and the heartbreaks and experiences we encounter.”
Alexa and Rob are also supported by new young actors Pau Benitez, Candice Ramos, Rosh Barman, Sarah Holmes, Carlo Tarobal, Emilio Francisco, Chloe Reyes and older ones like Roeder Camanag, Donna Cariaga, and Marina Benipayo.
