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Ritz Azul resists director's romantic overtures

Ritz Azul wants to focus on her career first. Suitors can wait/NPPA Images

Director GB Sampedro doesn’t hide the fact that he’s drawn to Kapatid actress Ritz Azul because he thinks they have a number of things common, like personality, upbringing, etc.

And Ritz can feel it in her bones.

Director GB Sampedro admits he admires Ritz Azul.
Director GB Sampedro admits he admires Ritz Azul.

“Nararamdaman ko na may gusto siya.  Bilang babae, mararamdaman mo  kung may  gusto sa ‘yo ang lalaki o wala.  Hindi naman normal na gusto niyang palagi kaming magkasama sa trabaho,” Ritz said in an interview before the presscon of  the Cinemalaya film “Separados,” which tells the story of men struggling with the pain of separation.

Too early

Does her director stand a chance of winning Ritz’s heart?

The 20-year-old Ritz’s reply is quick and direct because she knows what she wants and is bent on getting there.

“Tinapat ko agad siya na ayaw ko.  Masyado pang maaga.  Twenty lang ako.  Marami pang mangyayari sa buhay ko.”

Like most people her age, Ritz would like to focus on her career first. Suitors can wait.

Close friends

Ritz refuses to call her decision to stop her director’s romantic overtures as outright rejection – or ‘basted,’ in local parlance.

“Hindi naman niyang sinabi sa akin na nanliligaw siya.  Close friends lang kami.”

Proof: Direk GB has shown Ritz photos of his family.  He has also introduced her to two of his siblings.

Yes, Ritz can go out with Direk GB, but only if her parents are there.  And even then, the director has nothing to fear.

“Friendly naman ang parents ko.  Accommodating sila, di tulad ng mga iniisip ng iba.”

Big change

Ritz herself was guilty of misjudging others.  Three years ago, Ritz’s first impression of Direk GB was not flattering.

“Parang ayoko siyang kausap. Feeling ko ang yabang yabang niya at masungit. Parang hindi mo man lang makausap. Ma-tattoo pa.”

That impression has changed. Ironically, “Separados,” a film about separation, has closed the gap between Ritz and her director.

She now says Direk GB as “mabait, maintinidihan sa mga artista niya at gentlemanly.”

Big opportunity

Ritz is just as glad her long wait for a first film is worth it.

“Malaking opportunity ito para sa akin. Kapag sinabing Cinemalaya, iba ang dating.”

She plays a culinary student who marries Victor Neri’s character and gives him a second chance at happiness.

It was not easy for a first-time movie actress like her.

Adjustments

“I had to adjust.  Mas sanay ako sa TV at iba ang discipline sa film.”

But Ritz got by, thanks to her director and more experienced co-stars – Ricky Davao, Melissa Mendez, Katrina Halili, Diana Zubiri and Alfred Vargas (the film’s producer) and others.

Now don’t be surprised if Ritz wants to level up again, this time in her brand-new world -- the movies.