from left to right: KEANNA REEVES, ALEXA OCAMPO, DIRECTOR LINNET ZURBANO, ANGELA MORENA & JIAD ARROYO
ANGELA MORENA plays Elise, the lead character in “BJJ: Woman on Top”.
BJJ means Brazilian Ju-Jietsu. Her leading man in the movie is Yuki Sakamoto and they are supported by Jiad Arroyo, Alexa Ocampo, Jela Cuenca and Keanna Reeves.
This is under the direction of Linnet Zurbano who earlier helmed the sexy film, “Afam”, and producedm by Camille Montano.
Angela has completed her first contract with Viva for 10 films and series.
She’s now on her second contract for another 10 films and “Woman on Top” is her 3rd movie for this new contract.
“Actually, I’ve finished two other new films, ‘Japino’ with Vince Rillon and ‘Ahas’ with Gold Aceron, so bale five more film pa at tapos na uli ang contract ko sa Viva,” she says.
“They said after this second contract, bibigyan nila ako ng ng wholesome mainstream project naman for Viva One.”
Despite her being busy in showbiz, Angela was able to finish her college course and graduated with a degree in business administration major in marketing at the St. Nicholas College in Pampanga.
“Talagang pinagsikapan ko pong makatapos ng college to serve as a role model for my four younger sisters.
"Stephanie and Micaela (Raz, who are also with Viva) are now also in college. Yung two younger sisters namin, aged 18 and 14, are in high school.”
Will the two youngest siblings also join showbiz?
“Bahala po sila. Pero sabi namin, if ever, sa wholesome na lang sila, kami na lamang naunang tatlo ang sa sexy movies.”
Does their mom watch their sexy flicks?
“Hindi po. She watched one, ‘yung ‘Bata Pa si Sabel’ starring Micaella. Umiyak siya. After that, ayaw na niyang manood.”
How about her dad?
“Hiwalay po sila ng mom ko. I was 13 when they separated. But we’re in touch. He now lives in Bacolod and we communicate by video call.”
In “Woman on Top”, she plays a ju-jietsu player and she has actual fight scenes in the movie.
How long did she train?
“Bale three days po, diretsong BJJ lang, then on the actual shoot, may coaches po kami on the set to teach us how to do our fight scenes convincingly. Mahirap po siya, andami kong pasa after each fight scene.”
She likes her role as Elise, an orphan grieving over the death of her dad to whom she was very close.
“I can relate with her kasi the film is about woman empowerment.
"Si Elise was drugged in a party and sexually assaulted at dahil doon, na-trauma siya. Lagi niyang napapanaginipan and nangyari sa kanya.
"To get over that, she became a BJJ player and slowly, she is able to rise above what happened to her and stand again on her own.
"Dapat nga, lahat ng babae, marunong ng BBJ so they can defend themselves against sexual predators.”
Her director in “Woman on Top” is Linnet Zurbano, who previously directed “Afam” for Vivamax. How is it?
“First time ko with her and comfortable ako agad kasi babae rin siya. Nag-bonding agad kami.
"What’s nice about her is she really demonstrates what exactly she wants us to do in a scene.
"Pati sa love scenes, pumupumuwesto muna sila ng assistant director, also a woman, to show us what we’re supposed to do.
"Kasi before, sa iba, bahala na lang kayo, but si Direk Linnet, dinedetalye niya.”
Her leading man in “Woman on Top” is Yuki Sakamoto. A newcomer who is given his first lead role in this movie. How is it working with him?
“Mabait siya, a real gentleman. Sa love scenes nga, hindi siya sanay, so ako pa ang umalalay sa kanya.
"Nahihiya kasi siya so ako pa nagsasabing puede mo akong hawakan dito, at saka dito.”
“BJJ: Woman on Top” will start streaming on Vivamax this Friday, September 29.
