Beauty queens, Kapuso stars bring glamour to ‘Red Crown’ premiere

October 28 ------ Beauty queens and Kapuso stars brought glamour to the red carpet as GMA Pictures held the premiere of its satirical thriller “Red Crown” at Robinsons Galleria. Wearing red gowns, the cast walked the red carpet for “Red Crown,” a film set in a beauty pageant where contestants fight to survive.

Among those who graced the premiere were beauty queens Michelle Marquez Dee, Ahtisa Manalo, Gazini Ganados, Ara Arida, MJ Lastimosa, Herlene Budol and Yana Aduana, alongside Kapuso stars and other personalities from the pageant and entertainment industries. Also present were businessman Chavit Singson and his son Christian Singson, who appears in the film, as well as Tim Yap, who plays the pageant host. Judges in the movie Pinky Tobiano, Cat Arambulo-Antonio, and Anna Magkawas also attended the premiere.

Directed by Dominic Zapata and written by Kit Villanueva and Ken de Leon, “Red Crown” follows 25 contestants competing in the fictional “Queen of the Islands” pageant. What begins as a glamorous contest soon turns into a deadly struggle for survival, with contestants forced to outwit one another to claim the crown.

The film brings together real-life beauty queens and Sparkle artists, including Alethea Ambrosio, Skye Chua, Faith da Silva, Haley Dizon, MJ Encabo, Shuvee Etrata, Rein Hillary, Maika Kemmochi, Aira Lopez, Sanya Lopez, AZ Martinez, Ashley Ortega, Vanessa Peña, Sandy Riccio, Jade Tecson, Tarah Valencia, Yna Angela Uy and Yza Thalia Uy.

For Ruffa Gutierrez, who began her career at GMA at age 14 as part of the variety show “That’s Entertainment,” joining the project felt like coming home. “The production was fun and very organized. Of course, Ms. Annette and the big bosses of GMA Pictures were there, along with everyone I worked with at GMA way back,” she said. “I started with GMA when I was only 14 years old on ‘That’s Entertainment,’ so it has been a full-circle moment. I’m just so excited and proud to be here,” she added.

For AZ Martinez, the production also became an opportunity to build friendships with fellow cast members, including Dee and Manalo. “I had so much fun. First of all, I really didn’t expect that I would be able to bond with them and build such good relationships with them,” she said. “I became close to Ate MMD (Michelle Marquez Dee) and Ate Bianca (Manalo). I can talk to them about silly things and the problems I face in life, so I’m happy that I’ve been able to add more sisters to my life,” she added.

Dee, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for being part of a groundbreaking project and promised audiences surprises when the film opens in cinemas. “There are many surprises that everyone should look forward to, and I’m so grateful to be part of this film. This is a groundbreaking concept, and I’m sure it will become a blockbuster. I’m so happy and proud to be part of this,” she said.

Veteran actors Michael De Mesa and Epy Quizon, along with Bianca Manalo, round out the film’s cast in roles outside the pageant competition. Beyond its pageant setting, “Red Crown” aims to offer audiences a mix of comedy and suspense, taking viewers behind the gowns and glamour to expose the rivalries and unexpected turns that come with competing for the ultimate title.

Source: manilatimes.net