Ang hardcourt heartthrob na si Ricci Rivero ay nag-venture sa acting sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Otlum. Dating player ng De La Salle Green Archers, parte na ngayon si Ricci ng University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Bago maglaro sa UP, nagpahinga muna siya nang isang taon kaya nakagawa siya ng isang pelikula, ang Otlum nga na directed by the seasoned director Joven Tan, at parte ng MMFF 2018’s Magic 8.
Sang-ayon sa mga MMFF executive committe, they had a hard time choosing which would become a part of the MMFF’s Magic 8, Otlum or the other movie, Alpha: The Right To Kill.
Sa bandang huli, Otlum thriumphed over Alpha: The Right To Kill.
Anyhow, at the press conference of Otlum last December 13 that was held at Play Hub Events Place in Quezon City, the press asked for Ricci’s reaction in connection with the controversy involving his debut film.
“Prayers lang naman talaga,” he said in earnest. “If anong maging outcome nito, magiging happy kami kasi pinaghirapan namin siya, e.
“So if ayaw ninyo siya panoorin, we can’t please everyone. Someone can’t please anyone naman talaga.
“So kami, I’m just asking, if you guys can support us on this one, kasi we really worked hard for it.
“So, sana ‘yung hardwork namin will pay off in the future.”
Ricci, was also the Most-Tweeted athlete in 2017.
“Siyempre sobrang thankful ako,” he said in earnest. “Though nagulat ako in a way kasi I’m not playing lately, so wala akong makitang reason of them talaga talking about me sa Twitter.
“Kasi nga ‘yun naman talaga…I mean last year, 2017, puwedeng may reason para mag-No. 1 ako. Pero itong 2018, parang wala talaga, e.
“Wala naman ako sa TV. Wala naman ako talaga, e. I mean, wala akong ginawa halos.
“So ‘yon, ito palang, this coming December pa, so I can’t really say.
“Pero ‘yun, siyempre, sobrang thankful ako na naibigay sa akin ‘yung Most-Tweeted athlete.
“Kasi, sobrang minamahal ko talaga ‘yung fans ko. Hangga’t kaya ko, I’m trying my best talaga to accommodate everyone.”
Dahil sa maganda ang kanyang physique, ipakikita ba niya ito sa kanilang movie?
“Wala,” was his cool answer.
As always, following the MMFF annual tradition, Otlum opened on Christmas Day, December 25, along with the other seven entries: Aurora, Fantastica, Jack Em Popoy: The PulisCredibles, One Great Love, The Girl in the Orange Dress, Rainbow’s Sunset, and Mary, Marry Me.
And with that, ito po ang Kuya Pete ninyo na nagsasabing, Christopher, my son, I love you very, very much, my love for you goes beyond eternity.
Adios. Mabalos. I always need you, Nhong!
BANAT!
ni Pete Ampoloquio, Jr.