'The Mistress' earns P140M in its first week

Rachelle Siazon

<img src='' alt='092012-themistress_main.jpg' align='left' border='0' height='290' width='305'>It’s been only a week but Star Cinema’s The Mistress has grossed over 140 million pesos at the box office. A lot of screenings in various theaters were sold out last week as moviegoers attest to the fact that John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo are still the tandem to beat in the drama/romance genre. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa sumusuporta sa team up namin at sa Star Cinema dahil pinagkakatiwalaan pa rin kami na gumawa ng pelikula. I feel so blessed na napagtatamabal pa rin kami kasi honestly, ang sarap katrabaho ni John Lloyd. Very generous siya sa bawat eksena, binibigay niya yung shot kahit hindi niya shot. Sana hindi ito ang huli,” Bea told <a href=''>Push.com.ph</a> during the victory party of The Mistress last Wednesday afternoon, September 19. Acclaimed director Olivia Lamasan (or simply Inang as she is fondly called by her colleagues) further described the undeniable chemistry between her two lead stars. They exceeded her expectations when it came to delivering even the simplest scenes in the movie. “There are a lot of scenes in the movie wherein yung tingin ni Bea, hindi ko naman sinabi na tignan mo siya ng ganon. Kaya lang right away, even if I did not say, ‘I need a sexual tension here,’ nagkaroon, parang built-in sa kanila, kayang-kaya nila gawin. The moment she faced John Lloyd, instantly naramdaman ko na, ‘Grabe, ang lakas naman ng chemistry!’ They were not instructed but they were able to give what was required which was a very intense sexual tension between the two characters Sari and JD.” During its pre-production stage, Bea recalled that Direk Olivia warned her about the maindie-like theme of the project, which is why she was more delighted with all the positive feedback from those who have watched The Mistress. “Umpisa pa lang sinasabi niya na sa akin, ‘Anak, ‘wag ka mag-expect kasi yung storya nito masyadong pang-adult.’ Hindi siya kagaya ng No Other Woman na maraming batuhan ng linya. Dito mapapansin ninyo quiet lang yung film. So akala namin, hindi namin in-expect na magugustuhan ng tao. Proud kami sa audience kasi naghahanap din sila ng matapang na tema.” She added that it’s perfect timing that they’re also coming up with the teleserye A Beautiful Affair for the tenth anniversary of their tandem this year. It’s difficult enough as it is to remain competitive in the business wherein teen love teams have become a fad. “Nakatulong ito ng malaki talaga. Isang tinik na nabunot. Kahit papaano we still have it. Nakakatuwang isipin na ang dami pa rin sumusuporta at sana yung A Beautiful Affair suportahan nila the same way they supported this movie. Kasi talagang memorable para sa amin ang taong ito.” Asked if it would have made a difference if Derek Ramsay had remained as Bea’s leading man for the movie, Direk Olivia replied, “Sa totoo lang hindi ko naman masasagot. Pero kung siya ang natuloy dito, siguro ang personalidad niya ang lalabas sa pelikula. It would have been different, a bit different. Van (Vanessa Valdes, head writer of the movie) and I would have probably adjusted the character sa kakayahan niya.”

Bea Alonzo and director Olivia Lamasan are surprised but grateful about the box office success of 'The Mistress.'

'The Mistress' earns P140M in its first week | PUSH.COM.PH