he Most Beautiful Hunchback on Philippine TV

She is one of Philippine showbiz's most beautiful young women, and she just cannot wait to get ugly. “I wanted this job so much,” says Anne Curtis of her eagerly-awaited new job as the titular character in ABS-CBN's fantaserye Kampanerang Kuba .

She continues, “I heard about the audition from production. They told me, if I was interested, I should show up at the 13 th floor for the auditions. Now, since I started out, I never had to audition for anything. But I read the script, and I completely fell in love with the character.

ROLE OF A LIFETIME

INSIDER gossip says that 22 other actresses were see by producers and directors Wenn Deramas and Andoy Ranay for the role of Imang, the hunchbacked girl first created by novelist and komiks writer Pablo S. Gome, and essayed to cinematic perfection by Vilma Santos in 1973. So what does Anne think set apart from the other actresses that made her a cinch for the role?

“I really wanted it,” she says simply. “You might remember that I started out in Magic Kingdom for Direk Peque Gallaga and Direk Lore Reyes when I was 12. I have to say, I love the whole fantasy genre. So I went to the auditions and gave everything I got. But it wasn't just one audition – it was about a weeks worth of auditions. Readings in front of Direk Wenn and Direk Andoy. VTR tests. Readings with Patrick Garcia and Christian Bautista, who were already cast as the leading men for the show. Makeup tests. And the thing was that I only learned about their final decision about a week before it was announced on ASAP .”

Anne makes no bones about her enthusiasm for the role. “When I learned about my casting, I screamed into the phone,” she admits sheepishly. “And then called my family and friends, and I screamed the good news at them, too.”

But back to the question of looking hideous on camera for the next few months, as Kampanerang Kuba makes its quest for the hearts of the Filipino children and families all over the world. “I don't really anticipate any problems,” says Anne. “I've practiced working with the prosthetic hump. It's light naman. I can walk in it, and I can move in it. And I'm not allergic to the face makeup or the prosthetic devices. The only thing of concern right now is the fact that I'll be bent over whenever I'm made up as Imang.”

NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

WHILE Anne's enthusiasm for her very first teleserye title role is boundless, her preparation is lacking one important detail – she still hasn't seen the original Kampanerang Kuba film.

“Production gave me a VCD, but if it refuses to play,” she says mournfully. “So I'm working form the script only. I am looking forward to watching it someday, though.”

Barring that small fiasco, the intrepid young star recognizes that landing this role is the biggest coup of her career.

“It wasn't until I moved to ABS-CBN that people started to believe I could actually act,” she points out. “Before that, I was always getting kikay roles, which was nice, but I was really look to stretch my abilities. And then Viva told me that there was an offer from ABS-CBN to do Hiram . It was a hard decision. All my friends were in GMA. Almost all the people there were people I grew up with. But then I realized that I had a chance to prove that I can act, which, modesty aside, is something I think I managed to do as Stephanie in Hiram . And I think that decision brought me to this opportunity.”

Another special thing about the role makes Anne happy.

“Imang is my very first ‘good' character,” she explains. “She may not be beautiful, but inside, she is. She's a happy, perky person. She doesn't let just anything get her down. At kahit ganun siya, feeling niya, maganda siya. She's a great person to play, dib a? nakakabilib.”

CASTING COUP

KAMPANERANG KUBA marks something of a casting coup for the network, as it also brings together acclaimed actresses Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia for their very first project together after their career-reviving performances in Pangako Sa ‘Yo . Also on hand is dramatic actor Jomari Yllana , who returns to ABS-CBN for the first time in years.

Joining Anne, Eula, Jean and Jomari for this very special project are Jodi Sta. Maria, who plays her first villainous role as the Kampanera's main antagonist, and award-winning actor Patrick Garcia. Making his television acting debut is chart-topping singer Christian Bautista as the show's other leading man. Also appearing on the show are Jaime Fabregas , Cherry Pie Picache , Yul Servo , Malu de Guzman , Eugene Domingo , Meryll Soriano and Edgar Mortiz .

Creating Anne's distinctive prosthetic makeup for this unique role is artist Rene Abelardo , who also created prosthetic effects for Marina , including the show's mermaid's tails. Kampanerang Kuba will be shot on location at Nagcarlan, Laguna, in the same ancient church that serves as the original location for the Kampanerang Kuba movie 30 years ago.
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