JANELLE TEE won as Miss Earth Philippines 2019. After hosting “Chinoy TV” on ABS-CBN, this year, she went into acting and played a steamy role as Joko Diaz’ boss who has the hots for him in "Kinsenas Katapusan".
Now, she gets even more daring doing girl-to-girl love scenes with Ayanna Misola in VIvamax’ newest sex-drama, “Putahe”. So how does she feel doing such a daring role?
“I play a bisexual in ‘Putahe’ and it’s my first time to do love scenes with another girl,” she says.
“It’s good we’re friends ni Ayanna kasi nagkasama na kami sa “Kinsenas Katapusan”, so more or less, comfortable na kami sa isa’t isa.
"We talk muna kung paano namin mapapaganda ang scenes namin and with the help of Direk Roman Perez, naitawid naman namin ang love scenes namin.”
Aside from “Putahe”, she has completed two other new movies for Vivamax.
First is “Pusoy”, produced by Brillante Mendoza and directed by his protege, Philip Jourdan.
Second is “Secrets” with writer-director Jose Javier Reyes. What are her roles in these movies?
“In ‘Pusoy’, I play an expert in gambling, so pinag-aralan ko talaga ang paglalaro ng pusoy and tong-its. This was filmed in Batangas at kasama ko rito sina Angeli Khang, Vince Rillon and Baron Geisler.
"In ‘Secrets’, boyfriend ko si Felix Roco but may problema kami sa aming relationship so we go to the beach to have a vacation and try to save it. This was shot in Dipaculao Beach in Aurora Province.
"Habang nandun kami, I met another guy, played by newcomer Benz Sanggalang, at lalong naging complicated ang relationship namin ni Felix.”
She has sexy love scenes in all these films. Since she comes from a conservative family, how do they feel about her doing daring films?
“Actually, sa ngayon, hindi kami nag-uusap. They cannot accept na pinasok ko ito at hindi nila ma-understand that I am transitioning in my career now as an actress.
"Malayo talaga ito sa pagiging beauty queen. Kasi doon, nakakahon ka lang, basta kailangan, lagi kang maganda. At pag tapos na ang reign mo, yun na yon.
"It’s up to you what you want to do next with your career. E, I really want to act so I took acting workshops to prepare for this.”
Was it easy for her to decide to go sexy?
“Actually, the first time I was offered a sexy role, I turned it down. I felt hindi ko kaya.
"But then, I saw the movies of top Oscar-winning stars like Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie na nagpa-sexy sila, and I realized it’s just part of your craft as an actress.
"Kapag pinasok mo ito, dapat open-minded kang isabuhay ang characters na ibibigay sa iyo. And my folks can’t understand that I’m just playing a character.”
So far, she’s glad she gets good projects with good directors.
“Nagpapasalamat talaga akong magaganda ang movies ko, may katuturan, at may bigat yung roles na nabibigay sa akin.
"Kamukha rito sa ‘Putahe’, I’m an expert here in the culinary arts and it’s good na noong pandemic, naging therapy ko talaga ang pagluluto. Specialty ko ang baked ribs with my own secret sauce.
"Tapos, napunta ako sa island where I open a small restaurant and si Ayanna wants to learn how to cook at nagpaturo sa akin. At yung, hindi lang pagluluto ang itinuro ko sa kanya kundi pati love and sex.”
They shot “Putahe” on location in a remote small undeveloped island in Mindoro where they have no electricity and limited fresh water, so they just go to the sea to wash and bathe.
"Maganda ang theme ng ‘Putahe’ na wala sa gender ang pagmamahal. Basta ang importante, mahal mo yung tao at ready mong ibigay ang lahat sa kanya para mapaligaya siya.”
She says she’s loveless at the moment.
“It’s my choice. I”m so focused sa work ko now. Nagsisimula pa lang ako sa acting, e.
"Kung may boyfriend ka, babawal-bawalan ka lang. So if ever, I want a guy na tanggap ang pagiging aktres ko at very supportive sa career ko.”
Janelle is one of those rare stars who thanked us for articles we've written about her before. We appreciate her gratitude. May your tribe increase, Janelle.
