Yasmien `pressured' by Sharon

YASMIEN Kurdi has junked former StarStruck partner Rainier Castillo now that her love team with JC de Vera in “Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso” (that ends today) is such a hit they’re also starring in its replacement, “Pasan Ko ang Daigdig” (that starts Monday).

One writer tells her she has even edged out StarStruck 1 winner Jennylyn Mercado who’s allegedly the first choice for “Pasan.” “Ay, hindi po,” she says. “I’m sure magkaka-project uli si Jen. At hindi ko po inagaw ang ‘Pasan’ sa kanya. We were both considered daw for the role, kaya lang, sobrang tanggap nga kami ni JC ng tao sa ‘Pintig’ kaya kami uli ang isinunod dito. As for Rainier, I’m sure magkakapareha kami uli in the future.”

It seems that she and Mark Herras are the busiest ones among the four StarStruck winners. And they have one thing in common: both of them are “alagas” of Lolit Solis. How does it feel making two hit films of Sharon Cuneta in a row? “Siyempre, there’s pressure po. Megastar siya, e. I wish I’d meet her and tell her huwag siyang magagalit na nire-remake ang movies niya.

"I saw ‘Pasan’ on video at mas mahirap ito gawin. Physically, kasi pasan ko talaga si Ms. Gina Alajar as my crippled mom. One time, pasan ko siya hanggang madaling araw, sumakit talaga ang arms ko. Tapos, we’re shooting pa on location in Payatas na bundok ng basura. E, sabi ni Direk Joel Lamangan, huwag naming pahahalatang nababahuan kami para di ma-turn off sa’min ang mga taga-roon. Also, the character I’m playing, Lupe, is more complex at ang dami niyang magiging conflicts from the time na pulubi siyang namamalimos hanggang sumikat siya as a singer.”

So is she and JC now really on off cam? “Ay, hindi po. We became much closer when we shot part of ‘Pintig’ in Hong Kong. Pero ‘yun nga, mahirap dahil, faithful siya sa pagiging Catholic at ganun din ako sa Iglesia. Isa pa, sa dami ng work ko, mas mabuting trabaho na lang muna unahin.”

She’s also shooting “Bahay Kubo” for Regal. “Anak ako ni Maricel Soriano and in one scene, binugbog niya ako nang todo nang malaman niyang magbo-bold star ako. Tinototoo niya kaya naramdaman ko na lang, nagdurugo ang leeg ko at finger ko, may sugat na pala. Pero okay lang, kasi ang ganda lumabas ng eksena.”