DIRECTOR LAMANGAN ALL PRAISES FOR SHARON, JUDY ANN
TRACK SHOTS by Ricky Calderon, ABS-CBN News.com, June 3, 2002

Director Joel Lamangan feels fortunate in having been given a very good cast for Magkapatid, Viva Films' entry to the upcoming Manila Film Festival which stars Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Judy Ann Santos and Dingdong Dantes.

Dingdong Dantes, Judy Ann Santos, Sharon Cuneta And Christopher De Leon

"When I was given this project, I initially felt anxious about such a high-powered cast overwhelming the story. But as I worked with them, their competence and their skills so enhanced and enriched the story that I would like to think audiences will come away with the beautiful message it imparts," said the multiawarded director at a recent press conference.

Joel added that he was surprised by Sharon and Judy Ann, whose acting styles, though different, were wonderfully complementary. He admitted to having also harbored anxieties about his principal actresses not coming together in service of the story, but the director's fears quickly evaporated. "Both of them are very good in the film," said Joel. "This is one of the movies where I can say I'm very, very proud of my two lead actresses because they both are very, very good. They did very well in their roles. They should be both proclaimed best actress come the awards night."

Since the story involves two sisters and how they cope with grief, Joel maintained that the roles portrayed by Sharon and Judy Ann are of equal importance. "Each role is different from the other, and each presents its own challenges -- and for that, we all have to give credit to Mel del Rosario, who came up with a really good script," the director added.

He considers it a big honor to be able to handle two of the biggest stars today, saying the big challenge for him and his cast lies in bringing out the message of Magkapatid through the main characters: the sisters and their respective husbands, played by Christopher and Dingdong.

"I was very fortunate because I was given a very intelligent cast. They understood the script and the message it wants to put across. It was a joy working with them. Making this movie was like a rest day for me, considering that I'm also working on a soap opera that now takes up much of my time," said Joel, who is behind GMA's top-rating Kung Mawawala Ka.