F4 star Ken Chu to shoot in Batanes

Monday October 15, 2007 Philippines







Source: KCIFC Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwanese superstar Ken Zhu, member of the wildly popular quartet F4, is expected to arrive in the country this week. He will stay for 10 days to work on “Batanes,” an independent film opposite Iza Calzado.

Upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Ken—Xi-Men in the hit television series “Meteor Garden”—will board a private jet to Batanes Island, according to director Adolf Alix Jr.

“He will be back in November to promote the movie,” said Alix, who filmed the critically acclaimed “Kadin” on the same wind-swept island off the northernmost tip of Luzon.

Fisherman
Ken plays the role of a stranded fisherman from Taiwan. Iza will portray a Manila sales girl who relocates to Batanes, and is torn between Ken and an Ivatan portrayed by Joem Bascon.

In a phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment on Saturday, Alix said the filming of “Batanes” began four days ago.

The main cast members—Iza, Joem, Sid Lucero, Coco Martin, Bembol Roco, Daria Ramirez, Julio Diaz, Mike Tan and Glaiza de Castro—are expected to arrive in Batanes on Sunday.

“Batanes,” produced by Ignite Media, will be shown in local theaters starting Nov. 28. Alix co-directs “Batanes” with Dave Hukom, Ignite Media chief executive officer.

Tribute
In November, Alix will work on a twin-bill, “Manila,” with Raya Martin (“Autohystoria,” “Short Film about the Indio Nacional”).

“Manila” is a tribute to Ishmael Bernal’s “Manila by Night” and Lino Brocka’s “Jaguar,” Alix said.

The twin-bill, written by Ramon Sarmiento and co-produced by Bicycle Pictures and CIF Films, will run for 40 minutes each.

Alix’s first film, “Donsol,” is this year’s Philippine representative to the Oscar Awards.

Marinel R. Cruz